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 - MG Processing

I just read an article I never knew I had. It was from the January 1954 issue of Road & Track. In this article the author witnessed the process of bringing a car into Los Angeles from the ship to the dealer. He even climbed inside the hold of the ship. The importer was Gough Industries and their 'processing plant' was 'as large as the MG factory' according to the author.

You can read more about Gough here:

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_america.htm#Importers

Some interesting tidbits:

Cars were basically manhandled all along the way.

Accessories were not installed at the factory but left with the cars. These included all the bits that could break/fall off such as wing nuts, hubcaps, wiper motors, headlamps ...

All the chrome was shellacked and covered with waterproof paper. The paper was also on the upholstery and the dash.

The engines were coated in Cosmoline (a brown gooey Vaseline like substance to prevent rust). Gun owners know the stuff.

If a car had major damage it was parted out and not sold as a car. Minor paint and bumper issues were dealt with though

No fuel was in the cars presumably for fire reasons but they were lubed and the oil in place. This meant they had to be pushed after unloading.

The cars were packed in the ship with as little as 3" spacing.

When the cars are processed they are ready to be sold. They are washed and waxed and completely detailed. The dealer only has to deliver it and install any dealer sold accessories.

Another article in the same issue talks about the MG factory side. Equally interesting.
Christopher Couper

Chris, have you posted the article yet? I could not spot it.

Matthew.
M Magilton

I can't post the article because Road & Track won't let me. You have to get an old copy of the magazine or buy the Brooklands Books MG Gold Portfolio 1949-1955.

http://brooklandsbooks.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=575&search=mg+gold
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 24/01/2015 and 25/01/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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