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31 years owned 1951 MG TD Roadster 4-speed Manual

Here is a 1951 MG TD Roadster 4-speed Manual which has had the same custodian for 31 years, a glorious old dame finished in British racing green.  As the pictures show, the car is in exceptional condition – from the paint that pre-dates the current longtime owner to the wooden floors and complete package.  The post-war MGs remain very popular with collectors, a time when the British were known to make the sports cars of record, two-place cars with soft convertible tops.  This one has been exercised though used sparingly, just like the owner’s other two-seat soft-top convertible on offer currently.

The green paint pre-dating current ownership remains in wonderful condition. The owner is familiar only with new paint going on the outside of the driver side, rear fender. Given its age, the paint does show some cracking, a fine example of patina, and one that the Concours judges will appreciate.  There is some paint cracking near the passenger door, there is even a flake that was glued back on by the owner in an effort to provenance.  The car comes with the original wheels, capped with the correct covers. An interesting feature of the covers is that the MG logos are effectively no longer available.  This car’s covers all show the emblem, even the rear mounted spare. The owner having owned this beautiful example approximately 30 years, has not changed the Dunlop tires.  He has done very little mileage, and being a chemical engineer, believes that since they have been sheltered from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, they remain safe.  However, the new owner may prefer to treat the car to fresh rubber. The rear mounted spare tire is bias ply, also a Dunlop, and believed to be original.  The convertible top very rarely makes an appearance and it stayed under the tonneau cover on picture day – the tonneau cover can be used while driving with an opening for one place or two or to cover the cabin when the car is not in use with the roof remaining stowed.  The top is known to have hole from a trespassing mouse’s nibbling.  The owner has been otherwise lucky with mice, a mothball inside of its package appears in photo 152 – an illustration of the owner’s consciousness of car care during the storage months.

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Although the owner’s tenure is a considerable 31 years, this is effectively a small period of time relative to the age of the car.  The owner advises that this was originally an Oregon car, it was imported to Canada before he bought it in Victoria.  (The photo in the gallery where there is a printed photos mounted by windshield wiper was taken when he picked up the car on purchase.)  He has not done interior work, but suspects that the seats may have been recovered prior to his ownership.  If that is the case, the person commissioning the work chose excellent materials as well as an excellent craftsman as the upholstery is very presentable.  Two-point seat belts were installed by the previous owner.  The car’s interior has a marked difference from the predecessor MG TC from the perspective of cabin space. The three spoke steering wheel is original, and a beautiful reflection of the period. The four-speed shifter is neatly tucked below the dash, easily reached by the driver, and not in the way of the passenger. Functional instrumentation is reliable. However, the analog clock works only intermittently. The odometer shows just over 1000 miles, true mileage is unknown. Since the owner bought the car in Victoria, BC in approximately 1992, he estimates he has driven the car 10,000 miles.

Under the two folding engine covers, is an inline 4-cylinder power plant that is original to the car, numbers match – note the “5452” seen on the engine (image 159) and its consistency with the same series of digits within the engine number plaque under hood (image 147). One look at the engine and even a non-car person can see that it is tremendously clean. Horn is in place, the 12V battery is recent and the two SU carburetors function effectively. Engine starts, idles and runs very smoothly and easily – please see the start up and driving videos. Recent maintenance includes all new brakes all around in 2022 – the original four-drum set-up remains in place. The car is due for an oil change as the most recent was last spring,  The owner will carry out this task before the car gets to its new owner.  Underneath, there is nary a hint of rust – suspension component look as though they were just installed, underside looks like it was just assembled.  Please review the gallery photos to see for yourself.

This 1951 MG TD 4-speed Manual Roadster is available with one key from the 31-year owner in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario