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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 - ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

After sitting in a barn for 33 years, my car is on the road again!! Many thanks to all of you who have patiently answered my questions, and to the prior posters whose commments in the archive have also been so valuable. Some of you may recall my earliest posts, asking about the value of a 1953 MkII. I have made many discoveries since I bought the car, and have learned a lot as well. I have conquered my fear and confusion regarding SU carbs as well. It has all been VERY satisfying. The car is far from concours, but now looks like a car, rather that a pile of dirt. It is BRG (over original red), and will be red again when I am finished. My neighbor thought it was BROWN when I started- it was that filthy.

Today was the hottest day of the last two years,at 99F. Even this evening it was 91F. I cleaned and coated the tires, cleaned some overspray off of the spare, painted the rear suspension, touched up wheel lug nuts and mounted the wheels and hubcaps. The car looks great! Took a quick drive up and down the street. Tires and suspension are wonderful! Just when I got home it started to rain! More await adventures tomorrow! Thanks to all for your help! I am flying!!
Ira Spector

Ira - Congratulations! Nothing beats success. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Ira - Congratulations on the roll out. Sorry I couldn't be there last night but will come over tonight for a twin TD caravan ride. I need to check my temp control on a very hot day like this anyway. Gary
Gary King

Ira,
Congrats on your roll-out!
Nothing quite like that feeling of the first ride!
Keep your beer warm (so not to anger the Gawds of Lucas) and you should be fine!
Next time it rains ...get out there so you can check out the "intermitten" wipers!
Our cars have the patten for these...work when sunny...not when raining!
Cheers,
David 55 TF 1500
David Sheward

Thanks everyone! Gary- the ride was great! Let's go further next time. I'm only running one of the MkII's fuel pumps, as the noisy one is still not working yet (future project). And, I think the carbs are a bit rich. But, the ride was great! Ira
Ira Spector

Ira......great that you have it running. Drive and enjoy. Restoration can come later. Our can was stored for 25 years, however, in a nice clean and heated building.
My motto for vintage cars, "If you don't drive it. don't own it".
We were just down in Indiana at GOF Central 2001 and guy form Ohio Chapter showed up with a real ratty, but original TD and was proud of it. When asked why he did not polish the original paint, he answered "why, its original". Our 54 TF is still original and plans to stay that way. We have loggeed about 1800 miles so far this year.
colin stafford

Are there any interesting events/shows, etc coming up in the Harrisburg, PA area or Binghamton/ Elmira, NY area? We just purchased a 1951 MG TD and are looking forward to having FUN with the car. Thanks, Rosemarie
Rosemarie

Ira, Congratulations, I am envious. I can't wait to get my TF on the road. I unfortunately am getting carried away on restoration details and correctness. I just spent much more than I anticipated on rechroming the radiator shell. Hopefully I'll be on the road next year. Again congats.
Dan H.
Dan Hanson

Dan,

I have done cars both ways- full restoration up front as well as "trickle rebuilds.". This car is not a beauty (yet). I'm focusing on driving it and shaking out any mechanical bugs. The cosmetics can come later. I want to drive it while the weather is good.

Best,

Ira
Ira Spector

Indeed, know how you feel, I spent over a year doing the car so that it is a solid runner, ( still needs a new prop shaft but thats another story ), I over heard somebody at a recent meeting saying, " this is the cars first run in 12 years, the engine took 6 years at the builder " that is plain crazy, after all the world was built in 6 days. I finally got 30 miles on the clock two weekends ago, and the car is great fun, especially with the screen down.
God

Ira
Happy motoring. Should have my TF back together by weeks end after return to original MG Red. A bit beastly taking her apart and slow going with reconstruction to avoid marring new paint but well worth having the car layed up for two months of prime driving time as she is absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to fall motoring jeff
jeff payne

Ira, My congratulations too. Also envious. I'm working on a 53MKII that has been in storage for over 30 years. I hope to exchange problems for fixes. This is a great site. My (new) hat is off to those responsible folks.

Mike in Virginia USA
Mike

All this talk about MKIIs is making me feel guilty. My '52 MKII has been 'resting' in the basement, since shortly after the Circuit of Britain. She did quite well there, as she did before that in her role as my first VSCCA mount, (followed by a Lotus 6 w/ ZA power). A 'discussion' with a firebird on a local street and a lunched gearbox, all conspired to sideline her. As soon as I get my YA sorted out, the MKII will get her propers. Paul
Paul Gaynor

Mike,

I emailed you a diagram on my carb fuel line setup. Let me know if yours is set up the same way. I'll send it to Paul as well. Maybe we should set up a MkII thread?

Ira
Ira Spector

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2001 and 30/08/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

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