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MG TD TF 1500 - GRAB HANDLE

In viewing the many photos of restored TD's, I noticed that mounted to some of the dashes were grab handles that were curved to follow the contour of the dash to the right and above the glove box.

I have a straight grab handle with the MG marquee, uninstalled, but would prefer the curved grab handle.

Any idea where the curved handles can be purchased?

Thank you in advance.

R C Flowers

....they have/are being recast...am sure someone will pop in with the supplier....


gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Ben Cordsen is reproducing the handles. sculptart@hotmail.com

R Taylor

I think the original grab handle was less ornate. Here's an image of the one that came with th53. The same bar came with Lazarus and is shown on a photo of Lazarus from 1958 http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/OldFriend.htm. Bud


Bud Krueger

It's an agonising choice. Those grab handles are sooooooo vital in a TD for when you reach warp speed or the absolute limits of road-holding (at around 50).




Only joking (ish).
M Blencowe

...other then the MKII, there were no original grab handles...all aftermarket i believe....?
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Besides the warp speed issue and high speed cornering I believe the handle is far better to pull up out of the car with instead of using the steering wheel or door.
R Taylor

My wife refers to the handle in our TC as the "Oh Sh!t handle". I guess I drive too fast sometimes...
Steve Simmons

I'm installing the handle so my wife can exit the vehicle with a bit more ease and without using the door.

Thank you gentlemen for the information.

R C Flowers

Gordon,

The image of the two handles you uploaded are exactly what I'm looking for.

Thank you,

Robert
R C Flowers

Steve,
IMHO: "OSH" is not too fast ...that's just right!

(AFH is the propper designation for "too fast")

The "OSH/AFH" handle on the TF is "form fitted" to the little womans hand.
(Don't think it was when installed, but over the years ...well, you know.)

All this talk of "OSH" has made me thirsty.

Cheers,
David
David Sheward

R Taylor,

Thank you for posting the sculptor's name and web site that's casting and retailing the grab handles.

I just spoke with him moments ago.

I appreciate the help.

Robert Flowers
R C Flowers

Your welcome Robert,

A big thanks can also go to Gordon Lawson as he was kind enough to loan Ben his original a couple years ago to pull a mold from. I have a pair myself and plan to use them whenever I get my TD back together.
R Taylor

Didn't mean to imply that the grab handle was a standard factory item. Most likely from MG Mitten. Bud
Bud Krueger

I do not think that "grab handles" were a factory item, I have seen factory photos of an original TC dash and there was no grab handle fitted (nor a central rear vision mirror). That being the case, I dare say that owners fitted whatever was available/suitable.
Barry Bahnisch

Gentlemen, I have the curved "not ornate" handle for the passenger and lets face it these cars tend to lean a little more than a modern. Just after installing it my wife came for a ride and used the grab handle on one slightly %>) spirited drive and the first words out of my mouth were....don't yank on that it is for decoration and you will pull it out of the dash. Long story short, ended up bolting the handle right through the dash and the dash backer and then said go to it. Now she is comfortable holding on to the grab handle and so am I.

Brian
Brian Smith (1950 TD3376)

Factory grab handle as supplied on the MKII cars. Wife thinks it is the best part of the car. Dan


Dan Craig

I have the MKII grab handle in my TD. The wife steers the car (or tries to) by sliding her hand from side to side as we "corner robustly". Fun to watch out of the corner of my eye!
Cheers,/
Bob
Bob Jeffers

Diane often grabs the handle, I'm usually a bit suprised when she does, but as she points out, I have a steering wheel to hang on to. In fact if memory serves, the grab handle was almost a demand on her part...

It's a Moss unit.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2012 and 15/08/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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