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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 - Will it fit me?

With retirement looming, I'm laying plans for the rather more financially-challenged future (thank you very much, Equitable Life). I am thinking of outing all three of my current cars (MGA and two Sprites), all of which I've rebuilt myself, and investing in an MG TD to grow old with. Not sure why my fancy has settled on this model particularly, as I've never even sat in one, but my wife has cautioned me that we had better be sure that we're going to be able to get in and out of it reasonably easily, and we're both getting older and wider. I'm 6 foot tall and fairly long in the leg. Has this model any reputation for being 'cosy'? I remember once being warned off a pre-war 'PA' model for this reason.
Gus Gander

Gus,

I'm just an inch shy of you and the length isn't an issue at all, I'm also long of leg. Width could be a challenge depending upon your situation, but it's something we all have to address.

One thing to consider is shoe size. I wear a (US) size 10.5, and I have to be selective in the styles I wear. Anything much larger than my driving moccasins and I'm risking clashing my feet against each other when shifting and such. And my feet aren't that large by most standards. I've gotten to where I have a pair of shoes that I keep in the car and change into when I go for a drive.

Also - Expect to be right on top of the steering wheel no matter what.
Stan Griffis

One thing that helps for a tall driver is to change the steering wheel to a wooden motolita. It is smaller in diameter and looks better than the original.

SPW
Steve Wincze

You might want to consider a TF as the seats are independently adjustable and the backs are bucketed and very comfortable. I am 6' and 70 yrs and have no problems getting in or out (of the car, that is). I can't say the same for my J2.

SEAMUS
F. HEALY

Gus G. I'm 6' 1" now (was 6' 2") and wear a 35" inseam in my pantleg, so like you I am long legged. Also I am 10 years older than Seamus. And I have a ball with my TD and my TF. I fit reasonably well in either and can get in and out pretty good all things considered.

BTW the comments about shoe size should be considered, I have to wear mocassins to keep from getting my feet all tangled up with the pedals. (American size 12 1/2).
Cheers,
Bob Good Luck with a TD.
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

Hi Gus:
Great choice for a "retirement car"! I agree with all the replies to your question – foot size, leg length, TF vs. TD . . . just remember when you try sitting in a car that the peddles are adjustable by about an inch or so with the removal of the peddle extensions. These may be in place in the car that you “try on”.
Godspeed in Safety Fast and . . .
Good shopping
Jc
John Crawley

Hi, Gus

I am 6 Ft. with average legs, 31 in. inseam. I drive a TD. It seems that the shoes that I drive in are mostly my old tennis shoes. I have been driving a TD since I was 14 years old. I am now in my 60s. These cars are fine for short to medium length trips. Anything over 200 miles in a day is pushing it for me. I live in Ohio,USA and drive the car the year round. No Salt on the road and the TD will sneek out of the house once a week or so. Once the car is restored or rebuild these are very good little cars. They are great fun to drive and require little other than good service to stay running.

Safety Fast

Tom
1953 TD
T. L. Manion Thomas

Hey, any of you tall guys that take off the pedal extenders got any to part with? Apparantly, I keep shrinking with age :-)

Larry
L Karpman

Larry:
Why didn't you listen to your mother when she said "smoking will stunt your growth"
SEAMUS
F. HEALY

Gus,

You need to go sit in or drive one to see for yourself if it is comfortable. I'm 6'2", 185lbs. size 12 shoe. I didn't find my sister's TD comfortable 'cept for short 30-40 minute cruises.
Carl Floyd

Gus, with the low cut instrument panel in the MGA and the TF, I have trouble driving them. My thigh collides with the wheel and the panel, and I have no where to go with my leg.

In the TD, with the wheel all the way into my chest, my thigh clears. It isn't the most comfortable position, but I can go for an hour or two without stretching. I still have the pedal extensions on my car. My left leg (the one closest to my door here in the USA) is most often bent with my knee right next to the side curtain attachement fitting on the door, or the foot is under the clutch pedal. I have to plan ahead if I'm going to use it. Otherwise it would have to almost rest on the pedal and we know that's the kiss of death for the throw out bearing!

My guess is that if you can fit in an MGA, you can fit the TD.

I'm 6'3" (hey maybe 6'2" with age!) with a 35" inseam. Weigh about 210 lbs.

good luck,
dave
Dave Braun

Gus, I am 6 ft. and about 290 lbs. I fit in the TD just fine. Like Dave B I have to move the leg a little to get comfortable but can run a long time that way. Bend the Left leg up so knee is near the door and cock the Right leg on the pedal and you will be just fine. With these cars at our ages (62) a rest every two hours or so is a must. Getting in and out of a T is much easier than getting in and out of a A or B, because of the suicide doors.
Tom

I (6'2" 200 lbs..."ding") do what Tom says: "Bend the left leg up so knee is near the door". The problem is that the stud for the side curtains is right there to intersect with the knee. So we modified the plate in the door so that instead of it being a stud with a one-winged wingnut, it is now a threaded recepticle for a one-winged wingbolt. It looks the same when the side-curtains are on, but otherwise it is a smooth plate. It's made a big difference.
Safety? Fast?
Scott Ashworth - '54 TF
S. R. Ashworth

Steve W. (above) is a big guy well over 6 ft. He drives a TD but finds my A too small for him. I also have a TF and find that car smaller than the A. I really think the TD is a better 'fit' for you. Note to Larry: I have a set of new pedal extenders that I doen't use.
David Werblow

I'd take one for a ride. I'm 6'2" 205lbs 32" inseam
and have had a TD MKII for 28 years. I find the car uncomfortable for anything but the shortest drive. My head ends up just above the windscreen. You might want to try an Austin Healey 100 on for size as well.
Steve Averka

Any of you "old timers" on this BBS remember Dave Cates?...I miss that guy, he would have been all over this one for me!
The rest of you are just too polite ...so I'll pick up the slack here in Dave'e absence!
Gus, Simply cut your left leg off and you will have plenty of room in a TF ...works for me and it's worth it to drive a M.G.!
Cheers,
Mono-Ped David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Gus

While the others have it on me for height (I am 5'11") I do find that getting the seat adjusted so you have a nice balance between looking through the windshield and the bottom far enough back so I can drive comfortably takes a bit of fiddling.

Also matters if I am driving with the top up or down.

Getting in and out is not much of a problem. Since you have owned sprites and am MGA, you should have no problem.
BEC Cunha

Getting in and out can be a bit tight (I'm 6-4, 180 lbs), but once in you have lots of room... I scrunch down a bit and am not near the top of the windshield... On trips you put your left foot under your right leg and rest it against the transmission tunnel... or against your right heel!!!
gblawson - TD#27667

Have a YT and a TC. Am 73 and was 6'. The YT although a different body is mechanicaly almost the same as a TD. The difference in getting in and out of the YT as compared to the TC is amazing. It is also a much more comfortable car to drive for any distance. Try and find a YT and your wife will be happy with all the extra room. Terry
Terry O'Brien

I'll repeat my request for any old pedal extenders lying about that any of you taller folks have removed. If you don't care to part with them, could someone who has easy access to one provide me with the dimensions so I can make some?

TIA

Larry
L Karpman

Thanks for all the responses. In general, I'm encouraged. The advice to go and sit in one seems best, though I don't know anybody who's got one. I'll try to make some new friends. By and large, It sounds as if we'll be a bit better off for space than my MGA, in which I always feel a bit cramped, and which isn't always easy to get into, though it does cover the distances quite well (and without having to bastardize it with foreign gearboxes and that sort of thing).

Thanks

G
Gus Gander

Larry,
Abingdon Spares lists them in their online catalogue: Part No.:13 062 Spacer $13.75
David Werblow

Thanks David. Now how did I not find that? $13.75 for what "appears" to be just a straight piece of metal with 2 holes seems a bit much. But then again, what isn't for a T these days?

I was hoping, with all I've read of taller folks removing them, that there might be a set out there that someone wanted to just discard, sell, or trade. Either that, or I could fashion some if I had the dimensions.

Thanks again

Larry
L Karpman

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2007 and 18/04/2007

MG TD TF 1500 index

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