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Closed Auction- Unsold

1953 MG TD Mark II

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  • Mileage~10,488 on Clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.2L
  • LocationBromsgrove

AUCTION CLOSED

1953 MG TD Mark II

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Video #2

Introduction

Glyn Parry
Professional Consigner

The golden age of motoring never truly goes away the TD is a popular choice and entry point for vintage touring.

Despite its slightly old-fashioned styling, the MG TD was a technically advanced car when it was released in 1950. MG knew their customers and gave them exactly what they wanted and helped to buck the trend of post-war difficulties experienced by the UK industry at the time. The factory was also fully prepared for exports and MG's efforts were rewarded by excellent sales thanks to the cars reputation for a sporting ride, punchy engine and nimble driving experience. By the middle of 1950 the MG factory were also producing some special edition models known as the TD Mark II. These cars were essentially regular MG TD's that had been given some extra factory accessories and tuning equipment. Several changes were introduced including; new circular rear lamps, larger engine valves, electric fuel pump, a new wiper motor in the centre of the windscreen and a three-bow frame replacing the 2-bow frame for the bonnet. Along with the extra additions and upgrades to the Mark II, the car also received an increased level of horsepower to ~60 BHP at 5,400 RPM, and an improved top speed of ~85 MPH.

This specific MG TD is a really beautiful example, having been restored back to a former glory. It comes to market from ~8 year ownership, imported from the USA as an unfinished project. It had benefitted from a full respray, bodywork restoration, and in the UK was finished and put to use for touring once again.

This listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Graham the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

Imported from Ohio, USA, the car had over a year spent on its restoration and made it one of my favourite projects I've ever worked on.

The car has been in the UK since 2015 after being imported from the USA. It's been owned by Graham and was a restoration project with a lot of time and effort spent it since its arrival in the UK. As shown in the gallery sections, the car was shipped to Graham largely in pieces, and it took a considerable amount of effort to bring it up to the standard you see today "We loved the car from the moment we set eyes on it. We knew it was a car that we both would enjoy, and I'm thankful we managed to rescue it and give it the use it deserved".

With less and less time spent in the car over the past few years, the time has come to find it a new home "Since Covid, we just haven't used the car as much. We used to take the Mark II out on sunny weekends, but we haven't had the time to drive it as much as we once did. I have another project car at home, which I'm spending more time on now". Graham is available to answer and questions in the comments section below.

Graham
Vehicle Owner

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EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

A truly stunning example of a 53 MG TD, this model is a real head turner thanks to its beautiful finish and exquisite detail.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is equipped with the original 15" chrome style-capped wheels; the rims are generally in good condition, showing some signs of wear consistent with its age. With a little effort, the wheels could regain a better level of shine with a good amount of polish and attention. There are a few areas where the chrome shows signs of pitting on the finish, and there are also a few minor curb dings on the front nearside wheel.

The car is equipped with a set of 5.60 tyres. The tread of the tyres appears to be good. The date codes indicate they are from 1998. Additionally, upon closer inspection of the tyre condition, all four main tyres and the rear spare tyre have cracks on the sidewalls.

For a detailed view of the MG's exterior, including a closer inspection of the wheels and tyres, please refer to the photos and videos provided.

Bodywork

This MG TD Mark II is a lovely example. The car sits level, with well-aligned shut lines, and we observed no visible panel distortion. The boot, roof, and split-section engine bay open and close smoothly, in line with the expected quality of this vehicle. The driver's door opens and closes well, there was a sign of rubbing on the passenger's door which has slightly marked the passenger door sill. With a little adjustment, the door would sit true and wouldn't cause future markings.

We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The paintwork is in great condition, It's well colour-matched, providing even coverage in a beautiful shade of burgundy, the same shade as the car was on import. It's a quality example and a credit to its respray as part of its restoration. If we were being meticulous, there was a slight rub mark by the front offside latch section and minor marks on some of the panels, but we had to look very closely to spot these signs.

We've taken high-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork and paint for yourselves. The images are taken from various angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourselves. So please, take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass sections around the MG looked stunning, with the windscreen, windows, mirrors, and lenses all appearing to be in great condition, with no cracks, chips, or significant scratching observed during our visit. Furthermore, the seals, badges, and light sections, both at the front and rear of the car, appeared to be in great condition, consistent with the overall presentation of the vehicle.

The soft top roof was in amazing condition, not concourse-level but still looked brilliant when examining the car. A highlight of this section was the lovely condition of the window inserts in the side sections. The car's full tonneau cover looked almost new as we toured around the outside of the MG TD. Take a look through the exterior gallery and review video. We take you across all the areas of the car as if you were standing there yourself.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

The TD Mark II has a great sense of nostalgia inside; comfortable leathers, original dash and classic components take the owner straight back to the 50s.

Seats and Carpets

The smart black leather seats are in good condition, displaying only minor creases in the leather and age-related wear to the finish. The backs of the seats and the rear section appeared to be in good condition as well. The leather would benefit from some restorative work to match the exterior, but the look and feel are very much in keeping with the car's history. Overall, the interior is beautiful, and with a bit of care, it has the potential to be a real showstopper.

The carpet sections are in good condition but would benefit from a good level of cleaning. There are some mismatched additional carpet pieces added to protect the flooring, which look slightly different from the intended full black finish. However, this isn't an area of significant concern. We also examined the rear section behind the seats, which was well-maintained, clean, and tidy. Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images.

Dashboard

A classic black dashboard with metal inlays is a prominent feature in this lovely example. The elegance of the MG TD interior showcases beautiful materials and thoughtful design. The dashboard area appears to be in great shape with no major issues to report. The top of the dashboard maintains the burgundy colour finish flowing through the cabin and presents well without splits, cracking, or warping. The odometer displayed ~10,488 miles on the clock at the time of our visit.

The dials, switches, and controls are likely original and look lovely. All faces are clear and clean, with no fogging or scratching, and they were working well. We noted no issues with any warning lights, and the gauges and dials were all functioning without concern. There was an addition of an indicator switch, providing a more modern and safety-conscious improvement. Our interior gallery section takes you through some closer images of the TD Mark II's dashboard. Head over and see the car's interior in finer detail.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

A classic 3-spoke Moto-Lita steering wheel is found in the Mark II. The tan brown leather appears to be in respectable and likely original condition from the US, adding a lovely nostalgic touch to the cabin.

The gear stick is situated in the centre area, also in good condition. The handbrake sits behind the gear stick and is in good working order. We've captured high-resolution photos for you to review and appreciate the condition of the interior in our gallery section.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

A clean and tidy engine bay, the power is a good match for the vintage chassis.

Engine and Gearbox

Starting the car from a cold state showed no issues, and it runs smoothly with its restored 1.2L engine purring nicely. The MG functions well and effortlessly handles its tasks. Graham tells us it's the original engine in the car so it runs on leaded petrol, due to this he has to use an additive on each fill up.

We had the opportunity to take the car out on local roads alongside the current owner, Graham, to fully experience this vehicle. During the drive, we observed the car working through the gearing without issue and gained insights from Graham's perspective on the car's performance. Please take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold and for a closer look underneath the MG TD Mark II.

Suspension and Brakes

On the drive out, we heard no knocks, bangs, or squeaks from the suspension, and overall, the car performed as expected with no observed issues. A notable highlight is the underside of the car, which is in remarkable condition and again reflective of the restoration work carried out on this example.

The brakes felt good, with no noticeable pull or vibrations during the journey, bringing the car to a stop smoothly and in line with our expectations for a car of this heritage.

The Drive

The TD is an easy car to drive even in left hand drive with the visibility available, and a conventional pedal layout and a traditional gearshift pattern. Packed with bags of character in its curved bodywork, it's a step up from its earlier models, with increased performance and improved looks.

Watch the "On the Road" video to see the car in action during a short drive where we noted no concerns with the car or its abilities.

Electrics and Other

The electrics on the MG are relatively straightforward and don't add a lot of additional complexity for the driver. The car has a beautiful dashboard equipped with an ignition switch, fuel and water gauges, voltage gauges, a rev counter, and a speedometer. A notable feature of the TD is the addition of an indicator switch, providing a more modern and safety-conscious improvement. There is a spare wheel located behind the car, bolted to the MG's rear.

Other notable features of the MG include the stunning condition of the tonneau cover and the almost new soft-top roof. Graham let us know that he's had no issues with the electrical elements on the car, and everything is working as it should.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Imported from the USA as an unfinished restoration project, the TD Mark II was finished in the current ownership, and comes to market from ~8 years with the current custodian.

The MG was imported from Ohio, USA in 2015. Since then, it has been in the ownership of Graham, the current owner. It is a left-hand drive model, and there has been only one registered UK owner. The car is an original 1953 MG but has undergone a significant amount of restorative work to bring it up to the standard on display today. Its engine has been rebuilt, and it is believed to be a non-matching numbers example. Restoration work began on the car before it came to the UK. The chassis was completely reworked, and before it crossed the ocean, it was a non-running example. Thankfully, with the Graham's hard work, the car now performs beautifully and is a real joy to drive on the road. A new soft top, tonneau cover, and canvas for the side curtains were supplied with the imported car, adding to its quality finish.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

Should any questions be required, Graham would be happy to answer these in the 'ask the owner' section.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. This is an auction and normal auction rules apply, i.e. there is no warranty, no return policy and bids are binding with more info in our terms and conditions.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
22.04.2015 Imported From US 110,263
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Key Details
  • ModelTD Mark II
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date01.01.1953
  • CC1,250cc
  • Mileage~10,488 miles on clock
  • ColourBurgundy
  • Interior ColourBlack
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #TDC24216
  • Engine #12749
  • RestoredYes
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes
  • Former Keepers1 registered in the UK
  • Tyre Age1998
  • LHD or RHDLHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~8 years
  • Key FeatureRestored example
  • Auction ID1685
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Bromsgrove

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information.

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Ask Questions
Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
Rolandwoods
Member
Rolandwoods

Hi. It states that the seats are leather but they look like vinyl. Please can you clarify. Grateful thanks

6 months ago
PGraham
Author
PGraham

The seats are the original leather seats.

6 months ago
TR2implant
Member
TR2implant

Hi Graham. As you noted the engine is not original, probably from late 1951. Do you have any other information as to why this might have been changed?

6 months ago
PGraham
Author
PGraham

The engine was fully rebuilt in Ohio before I imported it. I contacted the owner for more information about the engine but I never had any reply from him.

6 months ago
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Vehicle Location

Bromsgrove

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