1952 MG TD

1952 MG TD Roadster When it comes to the designer of the famous M.G. octagon badge, the credit must go to Ted Lee, M.G.'s cost accountant. Ted started work in 1922 at Morris Garages when Cecil Kimber was the general manager. Lee first showed the octagon to Kimber. He liked it and showed it to William Morris and Lee remembers Morris calling it The best thing that has come into the company. It was used for the first time in the Morris Owner as an advertisement in the March 1924 edition. Mgdriversclub.com  For consignment, a 1952 MG TD roadster showing 27,059 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This well documented car has spent most of its life garaged in New Jersey with several long term owners. Our consignor purchased it in 2016 and is the fourth documented owner.   Exterior This car was repainted in two stage black paint in 1997 and enjoys the contrast of red features that include the grille and steel wheels, creating a dramatic profile with the red of the interior peeking out and making the connection. The chrome accoutrements, from the MotoMeter headlight housing, bumpers with their bumper guards and other parts have been rechromed and look it. TD profiles are special with elongated front fenders that swoop to meet a short running board which then blends with the vertical rise of the rear articulated fender while the door slopes downward on the reverse hinge side. Hubcaps wear a red MG emblem, including the rear mounted spare and look great. The canvas top and side curtains are tan colored and the rear window is clear while brass hinges are a nice complement to the black. The stunning little car is not without a few imperfections including some paint chips on edges, and some scratches.   Interior Red vinyl door panels cleanly welcome you into the compact cabin where you find stitched red bucket seats with black piping, all in very nice condition with some slight compression to the driver's seat. The rear storage areas behind the seats is also lined in red vinyl and based by black carpet and this trend continues in the footwells. A wood steering wheel front an oak dashboard with the typical, handsome layout of gauges, faceplates, and switches in an overall undulating form. On the floor, within reach is the stout shifter with a black leather boot and MG branded wooden handle while the handbrake resides between the buckets. Drivetrain The addition of red paint in the bay is a nice touch and the clean 1250cc inline four shines brightly inside. This car wears 2 Su carburetors and is rated at 54 horsepower, set in motion by a 4-speed manual transmission sending power to 4.125 gears in the rear. The car runs on a 12 volt system and the battery was replaced this year. According to our consignor, an appraisal in 1967 identified the engine as a Mark II example with an 8 clutch.  Undercarriage  A stainless steel single exhaust steels the show underneath where things are tidy and neat and a stock style muffler is utilized. Drum brakes are at all four wheels where hydraulic lines, master, and wheel cylinders have been replaced. Coil spring suspension is found up front with leaf springs in the back. Drive-Ability This well maintained car runs and drives as it should, and maybe even a little better than 1952! It takes about five minutes while driving to realize why these were the preferred road racing cars of the era, there was simply nothing like them on the road, (that wasn't British!). No complaints here as every functional item on the car worked during our lap around the loop. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.   It's well sorted, well maintained and well, darn good looking. Let's be clear about the relationship between MG TD's and Classic Auto Mall. They regularly get scooped up by British roadster enthusiasts or those looking to enter that world. Do