1981 MG TD

1981 MG TD Replica We'd like to posit a theory. That only great cars get replicated or tributes. In other words, no one is cloning your Toyota Camry anytime soon. But cars like the legendary Shelby Cobra, the groundbreaking Porsche 550, the occasional Ferrari and Mercedes, and we'd go as far to say that early Packards and Duesenbergs influenced many of the neoclassic tributes such as the Excalibur.   For consignment, a 1981 MG TD Replica showing 2,715 miles, but the true miles are unknown. The TD has somewhat legendary status as one of the earliest sports roadsters to find its way to the United States after World War II, beginning the careers and clubs for many new enthusiasts, a category of zeal that survives to this day!  Exterior The gray body is nicely offset by the contrasting black fenders connected by a running board and framing the cabin with style. There's a lot going on in the front with symmetrical headlights flanking the vertical bars of the grille, a chrome grille shell, side mirrors posted on the fenders, an eagle ornament on the radiator cap, (which is actually a gas cap, more on that soon), and fog lights on the front apron. This of course is underscored by the chrome bumper and it's all convincingly MG. 15-inch wire wheel covers dress up the 165/80R15's and diminutive tail lights mimic those of the real deal, while twin exhaust tips, large for an MG, will cause those pondering authenticity to pause. Imperfections are minimal and include some brightwork that is less than pristine and a chip in the fiberglass near a hinge.  Interior Marbleized Oxblood vinyl is used as the interior palette with the door panels that include large map pockets with padded, stitched design, and the door appropriately open suicide style. The column tufted seats are of the same red material and are adorned with black piping and it's in great condition. The red liners in the package area show some wear, but its black carpet floor appears nice. A smaller than original wood rimmed steering wheel with sporty spokes fronts a piano black dashboard faceplate housing VDO gauges which blend with black, and a glovebox that is a doorless cove cut from the black plate. A wood handles shifter rises from the floor wearing a rubber boot over a nice black carpet. Under the hood is not the engine, but the battery, a gas tank, and of course, the steering linkage.  Drivetrain Tricky! The engine is found in the back, an air cooled 1600cc flat 4 cylinder with a newer 1-barrel carburetor which is mated to a 4-speed manual transaxle, keeping power at the back, routed through 4.125 gears. The powerplant presents with a combination of driver quality components and some newer pieces that are spotless. Undercarriage Generally clean with minimal surface rust and clear knuckles, we do note some residual oil on the right side of the engine, around the exhaust manifold and surrounding area. Belly pans cover most of the underside and lack any invasive rust but do show some seam separation on the passenger side. The dual exhaust runs into stock style mufflers and the tailpipes have broken off one side, so the twin tips we see would actually be four if not for the missing side. Drum brakes are employed at all four wheels and suspension consists of transverse torsion bars up front and torsion bars with semi trailing arms in back.  Drive-Ability Since we have authentic TD's on hand, we can say this one certainly passes the muster for general feel, as we roll the flat four onto the test loop. The car is light and nimble and tracks straight. In the open air, and being low to the ground, the car feels faster than it is and therein lies the magic of British roadsters! Functionally speaking, we note the horn, tachometer, odometer, trip odometer, and brake lights are not working, but all other operational items work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guara