MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Famous People in an MG TD

Most of you have seen the photos of Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant in the Monkey Business movie. However I have never seen this over-the-shoulder shot of the dash before. Secondly, I noticed the windscreen frame looked dark, but I thought it was shadow effect until I saw this second shot. This side view shows the rear view mirror chrome gleaming, but the frame looks painted. There are some chipped spots which indicate it was painted. Since the photo is black and white, I can't tell if it was painted the body color. Has anyone ever seen this before?
Mike
TD15250



Mike I

Here's the side view.
Mike


Mike I

There was a discussion about the car a few years back when it came up for sale. Some shots had the wiper motor missing if I remember correctly and on others it was there. I think in some shots the dash mirror was gone... but I forget.
L E D LaVerne

From Chris's site

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_monroe_td.htm
L E D LaVerne

My Macs security wouldn't let me open Chris's site. Found another photo showing the windscreen frame chromed with no paint and the wiper motor with wipers deployed.
Mike
TD15250


Mike I

Windshield chrome was probably painted for some shots to keep out glare and reflections from lights used in filming.

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

As I remember, there were two cars used.
Bruce Cunha

Firefox won't open Chris' page either. Bud
Bud Krueger

If you cut and paste the link but take out the 's' in HTTP it should work. Well worth the look at how 'hammy' it is. One shot the wiper motor is on, next it's not!
Don TF 4887
Donald J Walker

The first shot looks as though they are behind a 1951 Lincoln or Mercury.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Watch the videos:

> MGTD scenes from Monkey Business
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oistTi9sIEI

> Monkey Business entire movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB-bOD_GyCA

More videos and photos of MGs and famous people:

> mgtf scene from Pillow Talk
http://vimeo.com/76796996

> MGTD Marlboro Man
http://youtu.be/wibHcZ4FNbU

> MGTD John and Jackie Kennedy's honeymoon
http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/Photos/jfk_td.jpg

> MGC - Prince Charles' MGC, the Queen, Corgis
http://www.mgcc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MG-Queen-1024x1024.jpg

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

There were indeed two cars used. The person I bought dad’s car from has the second car from Monkey business. It was the car that was lightly wrecked, used for some of the close ups in the movie and was bought from the studio by the previous owner. if I remember right the current owner has documentation from the studio as to its authenticity. The car hasn’t been in public view for many many years and is currently under restoration

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Go to to Chris's site...Original MG TD....you should find it there.
L E D LaVerne

Finally got Chris's site. Very informative. Also great vids Lonnie.
Thanks
Mike
TD15250
Mike I

And don't forget this picture of a sort of famous person.

You will find other famous people scattered amongst these pictures too:

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_photographs.htm




Christopher Couper

Check out this movie listing where TD's were used. Amazing!
Mike
TD15250
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles_make-MG_model-TD.html
Mike I

Sorry, remove the "s" from "https".
Mike

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles_make-MG_model-TD.html
Mike I

Lazarus, in 'Transistorized', is on the page 5 (twice). He's gotten 4 stars. Bud
Bud Krueger

Pretty cool Bud.

What was the movie about?

Frank
Frank Cronin

RE: Chris's pix...

Roger Jeffery N.Orleans circa 1959 "checkerboard grille". 1957 Plymouth Plaza across the street

Dick Thomas July 1959 De Kalb, Ill.. 1949-1952?? Pontiac "arrowback" in front of MG

Pretty girl in "pin up swimsuit" 1955 Dodge in background parked next to MG.

Cheers

Gary

1979
MGB
gary hansen

Transistorized is a PBS movie about William Schockley, the father of the transistor. He was known to drive around the Boston area in a T-car, probably a TC. I volunteered Lazarus. The producer, Gino DelGuercio, was looking for a car and I offered Lazarus if I'd get my name in the credits. Sold.

See http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/In_the_movies.htm Bud
Bud Krueger

Great story Bud.
Mike
TD15250
Mike I

Way to go Bud :-)
Christopher Couper

Here is one more for your page Chris.




Bruce Cunha

The Old Car Guy here. The car on the road above Elvis is a 1955 Oldsmobile 88.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Love the tartan tonneau cover! It reminds me of the late Phil Jarvis whose TC was painted in a Royal Stewart tartan pattern. Its top was done as a Union Jack and the tonneau cover was the Scottish flag.
He was a bit of an outrageous character and proud of it.
Lew Palmer

Chris asked me if there is any information on the Elvis TD picture. Unfortunately, it was an internet picture and there is nothing about it.

I did send it to the Elvis Museum to see if they have any additional information.

I did note that in the Elvis Museum's car collection, there is an MGA, with a poster of an MGB on the Wall. Elvis had an MGA in the movie Blue Hawaii, so I don't know if this is the movie car or if he actually owned one. He did buy his girlfriend a green TR6.

https://www.graceland.com/visit/experience/elvis_presleys_memphis.aspx

Anyone know anything else about this picture?
Bruce Cunha

"Elvis at the wheel of a convertible, April/May, 1956 in the parking lot at the New Frontier. The Desert Inn sign can be seen across Las Vegas Blvd. Col Parker booked Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J. for 2 weeks at the Hotel New Frontier beginning April 23, 1956."
Steve Simmons

Here is another picture from that shoot. He has a dog in the car. You can see the Desert Inn sign in this one.


Bruce Cunha

Seems to me that nobody but Elvis would have a tartan tonneau, so probably his car.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Back in '59 a co-worker at Grumman had a BRG one with a green and tan tartan hood.
Mike
TD15250
Mike I

James Dean also had a fling with the car. According to info on the net, James Dean owned a TD while in NY. He’d grown up with motorbikes and motorcycles, but in May 1954 using some of his “ Eden” money, Dean purchased his first true sports car. It was a used and race prepared 1953 red MGTD, the most popular sports car of its day. He was a regular entrant in local California races, leading his MGTD to victory on more than one occasion. Ten months later, Dean traded his MG for a white Porsche 356-1500 Super Speedster.
Mike
TD15250



Mike I

This thread was discussed between 24/01/2018 and 31/01/2018

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.