Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
A classical MG TD Midget, one of just 1,656 RHD UK Home Market cars.
EQUIPMENT
Open two-seater, steel panelled bodywork, suicide doors, folding windscreen, fold-flat hood in waterproofed duck, separate cover for hood and luggage compartment, celluloid side screens, side screens stowage locker, rear mounted spare wheel, quick release petrol tank cap, tool kit, emergency starting handle, twin duotone horns, dash control starter switch, mixture control, 5in diameter speedometer, 5in diameter revolution counter and clock combined, oil pressure and temperature gauge, ammeter. Optional extras; Badge bar.
EXTERIOR
This beautiful two-seater sports car MG TD Series Midget is finished in its correct factory produced colour of Woodland Green and displays a wonderful unmolested and bright finish with perfectly acceptable natural aging. The winged central hinged bonnet, suicide doors and large front wings sweeping into the running boards hark back to an entirely different motoring era, a world away from the somewhat sanitised and mass-produced cars we have today. The large bowl headlamps, Lucas light fittings and trim are factory fitment and the ornate and imposing radiator grill incorporates the original and very heavy coolant filler cap. The hood frame and material are present and in very good order, as is the full tonneau cover with some light markings. The optional badge bar remains fitted and is adorned with vintage MG and RAC badges. A spiffing gentleman’s sports tourer.
INTERIOR
The naturally aged and original all-leather upholstery in Green is simply delightful and very well preserved. The matching green trim sections show some age as do some original seals. The seats are fully intact with no rips or tears and the seat structure is not overly worn. The leathercloth covered fascia is in superb order and the controls and gauges operate well with exception of the clock. In the absence of a fuel gauge which was not standard fitment, a fuel warning lamp informs the driver when the level falls below 2½ British gallons. The original speedometer and revolution counter have the distinctive pale green back plate designed to reduce reflective glare! All factory fitted controls and switchgear are well preserved and the Lucas windscreen top mounted wiper motor and huge thin rim steering wheel to remind you of a far simpler motoring age. A leather strap cover has preserved the beautiful steering wheel rim. Wonderfully nostalgic.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Fitted with 1250cc four-cylinder OHV push rod engine with twin SU carburettors as standard, a respectable 54bhp is quoted along with a top speed of 80mph and 0-60mph in 20.6 seconds. Lifting the bonnet will please exhibitionists with everything clean, the engine colour finished in the correct dark maroon and even original identification plates attached. Simple mechanics and excellent parts availability makes this an easy classic car to keep on the road at a low cost. The 4-speed gearbox operates well with standard synchromesh on second, third and fourth gears only.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Attractive and standard steel disc wheels are covered by immaculate chrome MG hubcaps and shod in premium Goodyear Grand Prix S tyres with excellent tread to all four corners as well the matching spare. A Lockheed hydraulic braking system employing 9in diameter drums stop the car safely.
HISTORY FILE
It is important to note that this is a genuine UK Home Market RHD example and one of just 1,656 such cars that remained in the UK from a total production of 29,614. The majority, 23,488 cars, were exported to the US and in particular the North American market. (Source: The Original TD Midget Website, click here to read more)
The original Green Buff Log Book in the history file states the particulars of the car including the current registration number that the car was given when new, chassis/frame number and engine number as well as first registration date of 11th June 1953. Just five owners in total since new, quite remarkable for a 66 year old car and all of whom are traceable in the history file. The first owner, Mr Bruce Smith, owned the car for 30 years until 1983 when it was purchased by a R.N. Titcombe. In the mid 1990’s the car was purchased by Mr Jeff Connor who in 2013 sold it to Mr Derek Sidgwick who then passed it on to his Daughter, Nicola Sidwick in 2017. A neat organised file contains invoices and previous MOT certificates as well as owner letters and a workshop manual. An enormously bright, useable and rare Home Market example ready for many more years of classic motoring and the next chapter of enjoyment.
HPI Clear.
