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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 - Moss Motoring on re*stored*

The latest Moss Motoring, Issue 3, 2014, has a great article on restoring an LBC. Should be required reading, IMHO. Bud
Bud Krueger

I think Bud was referencing this story:

http://www.mossmotoring.com/restored/

It's basically a shout out to people to restore cars reasonably and with purpose but more importantly, honestly.

As has been stated many times before nobody should be expected to restore a car exactly as it left the factory, and in fact the authors meaning of restoration is more 'original or previous state' so period accessories or modifications are certainly in scope.

Because MG's early on (TC/TD/TF) started an industry of auto accessories like non before, it would be crazy to think too many cars left the dealers lot or lasted more than a week without some sort of accessory. My own car was restored to it's late 1950's appearance plus the wire wheels my dad installed when he could. That included a wooden dash, Les Leston period wood steering wheel, full tonneau cover, turn signals and a luggage rack.

Would I say my car is original? Close enough. Its like it was when my father (who bought the car new) got through 'accessorizing it' the first time. It left the dealers lot with some of those items and had to wait a few years for others (see picture).

But if I ever sold it (not going to happen) I would let people instantly know what was factory and what was different.

So I agree. Restoring does not have to be factory original, but if you mod the car, be honest about what you did and do it respectably.

Picture is of my TD in its first month. Note the missing rear overrider. It was back ordered after its first rear ender and bumper replacement.


Bud Krueger

My first car was a TD which was given to me for my 19th birthday in 1962. I immediately fitted Michelin X radials in place of the cross plies, replaced the cable starter knob with a push button (Jaguar)wired to the solenoid, Bluemells Brooklands steering wheel and fitted a pair of Lucas amber fog lights. If I were able to purchase the car back today I would consider these mods to be "almost" factory original.
Peter Malkin

I think people should do what they want with their cars, within reason. My only caveat is that I would hate to see our MG's go the way of some older American cars - become fodder for souped up jalopies...
Beyond that, I think we should be able to upgrade to modern electrics and other accessories for safety reasons, upgrade to better gearing and top speeds for highway driving, use better (or better-looking) materials than were standard (such as wire wheels, wooden dashes etc), and add anything else we want.
I also support technologies that give us better mileage (modern tires, modern ignitions) and heck, anything that looks GOOD.
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
After all, if you go to the extreme trying to be 'original'... in this millennia, how many parts are actually repro to begin with? Making something that LOOKS very much like the original is still not the original, after all. How much stuff from Moss or AS looks something like the original, but is not even close to an exact match, substituting thinner metals and materials and using less costly designs?
Only Hollywood - or museums - can afford to really be original. The rest of us started compromising a long time ago...
Geoffrey M Baker

My philosophy is to make any visible modifications to the car period appropriate, and anything I change to be completely reversible. The only exception I made was the two holes I drilled for mounting the inner half of the seat belts.

While it's true that there was a wide variety of accessories for these cars when they were new, they also weren't irreplaceable historic vehicles at the time. It would be like doing home-made body modifications on a Toyota Camry today, versus doing it on one of the surviving examples 60 years from now.

Here in Southern California there are classics running around everywhere. And every street seems to have someone working on an oldie. But probably 90% of them are either chopped up with virtually nothing left of the original car, or are in the process of being chopped up and modernized. There will be a time in the not too distant future where it's rare to see an actual "old car" outside of a museum. Most people already associate "classic cars" with modern retro rods, where the only old part remaining is a bit of sheet metal.
Steve S

After 4 years of hard work, my car is exactly as it was when it left the factory.
With the exception of just a few minor modifications:

Performance Improvements to Make the Car Safe for Modern Highways:

5 Speed Transmission (original in my garage)
Supercharger
Roller Lifter cam
Rear End Replaced with a 4.55 Ratio
123 Electronic Ignition
Austin Healey Anti-sway Bar
SU 1-1/2 H4 Carburetor
Seat Belts
Turn Signals
K&N air filter
4 Core Radiator
Third Brake Light
Side View Mirrors
In Line Fuel Filter
Air Horns with Relay
Removable Head Rests
16 Position Fuse Block
Back Up Facet fuel pump
Valve Cover Oil Scrubber
Crankcase vent to air filter
Oxygen Sensor for A/F Ratio
Valve Cover Vent to Air Filter
7 Vane Asymmetric Fan Blade
Halogen headlights with Relays
Front Fender Rear View Mirrors
Clutch Connecting Rod Modification
fire extinguishers, Halon and Type B
Fume Excluder on Accelerator Linkage
Suicide Door Locks with Warning Lights
Tachometer Reduction Gear Box Stabilizer

Discretionary Improvements for Comfort, Convenience and Because I Could:

GPS
E-Z Pass
Sun Visor
Badge Bar
Wind Wings
Mohave Heater
Engine Drip Pan
Full Tonneau Cover
Luggage Rack major
Luggage Rack minor
Battery Cut-Off Switch
MotoLite Steering Wheel
Clutch Stop on Pedal Box
Magnetic Sump Drain Plug
Boot Storage Compartments
Wire Wheels and Knock Offs
Grime Excluder on Pedal Box
Steering Wheel Leather Cover
Period Correct Inspection Sticker
Repainted in British Racing Green
Ceramic Coated Exhaust Manifold
Custom Spare Tire Mounting Bracket
Washer and Cotter Pin on rear shock
Thermocouple Pick Up Point Relocated
Adapter for Vertical Spin Off Oil Filter
Dual Internal Door Turnbuckles to Adjust Camber
Acoustic and Thermal Insulation under Carpet
Heater Diverter Valve and Redirected Plumbing
Mort 50 TD

Mort,
If the BBS were like Facebook, I'd give your post a "Like". The greatest thing about your car is- all the work you have done is well thought out and professional grade work.
Be well,
David
D. Sander

Mort, I like all your mods, when I win the lottery I too shall implement them :)
Geoffrey M Baker

Mort,

Don't you have an oil cooler. How about roller rockers.

Regards,
Jim
James Neel

Jim,
I took the oil cooler off when I put in the 4 core radiator. That resolved all the overheating issues..big time.

Roller rockers....hmmmm!

Mort
Mort 50 TD

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2014 and 10/01/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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