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Curated Auction

1954 MG TF 1250

At a Glance

Long Term Owner | Well Maintained | Clean Presentation | Over 35 Years Of Invoices | Historic Restoration | Sold With a New Service

  • Mileage~12,121 on the clock
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Engine1.3-litre
  • LocationSwindon

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

Curated auction
Ends in
d h m s
Current bid
£1,000 See bidding
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

See Bidding
Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Editor and Photographer

The quintessential British open-top sports car: agile handling, spirited performance, and timeless roadster styling.

The MG T-Series played a pivotal role in establishing post-war roadster culture, evolving from the TA in 1936 to its final iteration, the MG TF, in 1953. Featuring faired-in headlights, a sloping radiator grille, and an integrated fuel tank, the TF offered a sleeker profile, whilst retaining traditional roadster charm. Beneath its iconic bodywork, it boasted precise rack-and-pinion steering alongside a coil-sprung independent front suspension, providing exceptionally agile, responsive handling that set the standard for British sports cars of the era.

At the mechanical heart of the TF was the legendary XPAG engine, a unit that did not merely participate in motorsport but dominated smaller engine production classes on both sides of the Atlantic. A true tuner's dream, this incredibly robust powerplant was so reliable and easy to work on that it became the default choice for independent race builders. Ultimately, the XPAG taught an entire generation how to race, serving as the proving ground for motorsport legends such as Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby. Mechanically, the TF was powered by the 57.5 bhp 1250cc unit breathing through twin SU carburettors. Because this engine was shared across multiple MG models, parts remain readily available and affordable, whilst offering a vintage driving experience that feels virtually identical to the 1500 at casual cruising speeds.

This home-market car was registered in May 1954 and underwent restoration in 1995. Finished in red with a red leather interior, it has been with the same owner for twenty-five years, and is accompanied by invoices dating back to 1991. These tell a story of real care, detailing over £10,000 in expenditure since 2001. Complete with side screens, canvas soft top, and tonneau cover, the vehicle is supplied with its competition history, operation and workshop manual, and toolkit.

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

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

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

Miles bought the car off the back of a restoration, and has enjoyed taking it across the country to participate in various events and competitions.

The car is currently stored and maintained by Paul, who specialises in restoring classic cars and has known the vehicle for over twenty years. Miles recently emigrated and left the car in Paul's care. Miles used the car regularly over the years, achieving several class wins in historic events.

Paul would be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Miles (C/O Paul)
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

The well-finished cabin is in excellent condition and features subtle nods to the car's motorsport heritage.

Wheels and Tyres

The 15” wire wheels are clean, with mild age-related pitting - but still present positively.

The car sits on 155 R15 Michelin tyres. Although each tyre retains plenty of tread and holds air properly, they are more than two decades old and show visible cracking along the sidewalls.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

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Bodywork

The body underwent a ground-up restoration, finished in 1995, which has held up well. We observed no significant damage on the exterior panels; they remain securely attached to the body and free from any noticeable corrosion or dents.

The underside and chassis are both solid; whilst there are mild instances of surface corrosion on minor components, the vehicle appears to have been well cared for. The front bulkhead is in good condition, and no issues were observed within the inner wings. The doors open and close properly; there is slight resistance on the passenger door, but no play in the hinges.

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

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Paint

The red paint finish displays consistent coverage with a decent lustre. There is a small crack on one of the engine lid panels, alongside a few more pronounced fractures on the rear scuttle panel and the panel directly in front of the driver's door, but otherwise the finish remains of a high standard. The car is largely free of stone chips, with only a few observed near the dashboard.

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

image

Glass and Trim

The glass and lights are in good condition.

The trim has been well preserved, showing mild age-related pitting on the chrome, but the bumpers, headlamp bezels, and luggage rack present well.

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VIEW ALL
INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

The well-finished cabin is in excellent condition, and features subtle nods to the car's motorsport heritage.

Seats and Carpets

The red leather seats are in good condition, displaying light creasing but remaining free of damage.

The carpets are also in good condition, showing only mild signs of age in the footwells. They all remain completely free of damp.

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Dashboard

The dashboard is cleanly presented, featuring neat padded trim along with legible dials and functional switches.

The rear section trim is undamaged, and the soft-top headlining is in good condition.

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Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The wooden-rimmed steering wheel is in smart condition, and the gear lever presents well.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The well-maintained engine delivers a lively, authentic, and unforgettable vintage driving experience.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts smoothly within a few turns, without excessive coughing or stalling, and settles into a quiet idle free from heavy vibration or rough misfires. A small amount of exhaust smoke was observed upon starting, though certainly not in heavy plumes. The oil pressure rises promptly, and no warning lights were noted during our visit.

The engine is presents neatly and has been well maintained over the years. However, due to a recent period of inactivity, it would benefit from fresh fuel, a full service, and a check of the timing; all of which Paul will carry out before the car is dispatched to its new owner.

The gearbox was demonstrated to work without any reported faults, though it requires a deliberate, unhurried rhythm. There was no excessive whining or rumbling; any occasional crunch was simply due to user error during a downshift into the unsynchronised first gear. The clutch was reported to be working well.

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Suspension and Brakes

The suspension felt remarkably confident for a car of its era, absorbing bumps happily; it had a solid feel and displayed no significant thuds or rattles from the wheels. The car sits evenly on each corner.

Paul informed us that the brake pedal felt firm and reassuring, and, when applied, the steering wheel did not violently tug or veer to either side.

Furthermore, the fly-off handbrake lever is effective in use.

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The Drive

The engine powering the 1954 MG TF - the legendary XPAG inline-four - is the mechanical heart of post-war sports car culture. Originally designed in the late 1930s for the MG TB, it survived the Second World War to power the TC, TD, and early TF models, sparking the sports car boom in North America and laying the foundation for generations of club racing.

Bored out from the original 1.1-litre unit, the 1250cc engine featured a strengthened block, a counterbalanced crankshaft, and twin SU carburettors. The result was a highly durable, rev-happy unit that punched well above its weight.

The TF felt remarkably agile, remaining flat through corners and providing a wonderfully connected feel to the road. The engine feels exceptionally eager, bright, and mechanical, delivering the quintessential vintage sports car exhaust note and sensory experience.

A proper test drive on open roads, as well as a challenge up a steep incline, demonstrated the engine's flexibility: whilst it lacks the low-end torque of a modern motor, it pulls hard and, with a few well-timed downshifts, manages everything without too much drama. It is at its best when spinning happily in its mid-to-high RPM range.

There was no hesitation from the engine, and the steering was remarkably sharp; it's clearly designed for a relaxed, strategic drive where you maintain momentum and plan two steps ahead.

Surprisingly planted, the car exhibited very little body roll and was not too badly affected by poor road surfaces, hopping and skittering slightly but remaining free of knocking noises from the wheels.

Having known and maintained the car on behalf of the owner, Miles, for over twenty years, Paul has not reported any issues with oil pressure or engine temperature.

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Electrics and Other

The car comes with side screens: although they were not fitted, we are assured they fit properly.

The canvas roof is in good condition, fits well, and comes with a decent tonneau cover.

A stopwatch and timing equipment are also included with the vehicle.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Subject to a thorough restoration in 1995, the car has been well maintained ever since.

First registered in May 1954 as a black, right-hand-drive home-market vehicle by an MG dealer in Wakefield, the car retains its original buff logbook. This documents its keepers from new, through to the late 1960s. Likely to have been stored for a period of time, it underwent a documented restoration in 1995 and has seen regular use ever since.

It was acquired in 2001 by its current owner, under whose care it competed in classic rally events and achieved several class wins. The car comes with a binder of invoices dating back to the early 1990s, including paperwork from Naylor Brothers, MG Bits, and Toulmin Motors.

During the current owner's 25-year tenure, around £10,000 has been spent on the vehicle, including a ~£3,800 mechanical overhaul in 2004. A comprehensive record of invoices covers routine servicing, mechanical upkeep, a carburettor overhaul, new shock absorbers, replacement water and fuel pumps, a drivetrain overhaul, and cosmetic enhancements. Restoration invoices prior to Miles' ownership are also present to support the restoration photographs.

The car is accompanied by an operation and workshop manual along with its toolkit. It is both road tax and MOT exempt.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, 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 of 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 bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
20-12-2012 MOT 10,439
01-08-2011 MOT 10,096
08-04-2011 Service
04-08-2010 MOT 9,903
26-01-2009 MOT 9,303
07-11-2008 Service
27-02-2008 MOT 9,096
24-05-2007 Service
16-01-2007 MOT 8,348
5-12-2004 Major Mechanical overhaul
20-02-2004 Service
08-04-2003 Service 6,149
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model MG TF 1250
  • Transmission 4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date 10-05-1954
  • CC 1250
  • Mileage 21,121 on the clock
  • History Since 1992
  • Colour Red
  • Interior Colour Red
  • Interior Trim Leather
  • Chassis # HOC1672994
  • Engine # 32817
  • Restored Yes, finished in 1995
  • Engine Rebuild 2004
  • MOT 20-12-2012
  • MOT Exempt Yes
  • Road Tax Exempt Yes
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 2
  • Tyre Brand Michelin
  • Tyre Age 20 years +
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned 25 years
  • Key Feature Long ownership. Historic restoration with original spec.
  • Vehicle Registration OVU 774
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 2-door Convertible
  • Auction ID 4119
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Swindon

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a MG TF like this is £158 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Autumn 2026.

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    Vehicle Location

    Swindon

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