MG TD 1951

Description:

1 of 3 cars from the Havill Estate

In Brief:

• Finished in beautiful Metallic Almond Green
• Over £25,000 expenditure
• Recent service invoices
• Substantital history file
• Amazing backstory involving motorsport usage

On the Surface: This 1951 MG TD is presented in a Metallic Almond Green hue over a beige leather interior. The aesthetic appeal is heightened with a striking red grille and a beige tonneau roof.

Maintenance: This car comes from deceased estate and boasts an intriguing history of ownership. The late owner acquired the car in February 2019, marking his second stint with this vehicle. Remarkably, the late owner’s connection to this MG TD spans nearly six decades, with initial ownership dating back to the late 1950s and early 1960s. Notably, the late owner achieved a significant milestone in 1962 by winning his first motorsport speed event in this very car. The vehicle, with a distinctive yet unchanged appearance, underwent a restoration in 1983 and also features modifications such as a 4,785 diff, Mota-Lita steering wheel, luggage rack, and aero screens.

History: The return of this TD to the late Mr Havill occurred when he was in pursuit of his cherished car and stumbled upon an advert from 2016. According to the advert, the car had been in the possession of the seller for three decades, following a purchase from the seller’s father in the late 1960s. The reunion between the car and its original owner, facilitated by a friend, eventually led to Mr. Ian Pawson acquiring the MG TD. Mr. Havill, with nostalgic ties to the car, was invited to view it and, after a memorable drive, expressed his desire to reacquire it. Mr. Pawson graciously agreed, completing the circle of ownership.

This MG TD not only boasts a rich personal history but also comes with a comprehensive history file. The accompanying documents include old MOTs, invoices totaling nearly £25,000, and a recent invoice from 2022 for service and maintenance by NewElms of Shaftesbury, amounting to £722.88. An insurance valuation from Hagerty in 2019 values the car at £25,000. The history file also features old advertisements for the car, a magazine cutout narrating Mr. Havill’s ownership story, and an intriguing road test write-up from a May 1953 edition of ‘The Autocar’ for the MG TD.

The Model: Introduced in January 1950, the TD Midget combined elements from the TC, featuring the drivetrain and a modified hypoid-geared rear axle, along with the MG Y-type chassis. The front axle boasted independent suspension using coil springs from the MG Y-type saloon. Although the drivetrain featured a new hypoid differential and a distinct four-speed transmission, it retained the highly geared rack and pinion steering from the 1¼-litre saloon. The TD also showcased smaller 15-inch disc-type road wheels, a left-hand drive option, and standard equipment bumpers and over-riders.

For the driver, the TD offered commendable “all-weather protection” and effective yet not dazzling instrument illumination in a pale green lighting effect for night driving. While lacking a fuel gauge, its 12 imp gal tank capacity provided a range of approximately 300 miles, with a green light flashing a warning when the fuel level dropped to around 2.5 imp gal. By the end of its production in 1953, nearly 30,000 TDs had been manufactured, with the series concluding with all but 1,656 units exported, 23,488 of them to the US alone.

Sale Insight: This MG TD comes with a wealth of documentation and a compelling narrative. The story of its rediscovery and subsequent reacquisition only addsto the provenance. For enthusiasts seeking a well-kept classic with a unique story, this MG TD is a rare find.