This 1952 MG TD Roadster 4-Speed Manual, Restored is powered by a 1250 cc inline-four which propels the rear wheels through a 4-Speed Manual transmission. It is finished in custard, over a black leather interior. The car was subject to a 1998 body-off mechanical and cosmetic restoration under previous long-term ownership in California, a photo album of which is included with the car and in our own photo gallery. Other documentation inclusions are a proliferate service file, a 2011 Buyer’s Guide article about MG TDs by Hemmings and a 2018 appraisal report by a locally well-known firm, which rated all aspects as excellent. In fact, while the car has had limited use since, the appraiser concluded his report by saying “This car is in exceptional, ‘Concours’ quality condition. All facets of the car appear ‘as new’.” Of note is that all pages of the foregoing are within plastic sheet covers in bound folders or binders. This 1953 MG TD Roadster 4-Speed Manual is offered with the aforementioned documentation, complete tool kit, tonneau cover without flaw and bows/framing for a canvas top (it should be noted that the aftermarket hardtop pictured in the appraisal is no longer with the car). For Ontario buyers – the Roadster is offered with an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate. While the car is currently in climate-controlled storage for the season (photo day temperature reading included in our gallery), it is accessible and can be transported on sale.

The exterior was refinished in the current custard and is complemented by a black leather interior; both finishes were part of the exhaustive restoration in California. There are re-plated chrome bumpers in place as well as photos of the car in our gallery wearing the included tonneau cover, which can be unzipped to access the cockpit during a solo drive. The paint was described in the appraisal as “show quality” with careful, limited use of the car since. Two flaws are noted on the visible exterior: there is slight chrome upset on the bucket of the driver’s side headlight and there is a ~1” piece of chrome tape on the luggage rack while some paint cracks are noted on the covered firewall and under-hood tool box; the seller is offering paint with the car should its new owner want to tend to the latter items. In the appraisal the hood, side panels, front fenders, running boards, rear fenders, door skins, gas tank, rear quarter panels, rocker panels, chassis frame, undercarriage components, replated bumpers, and replated grille shell are noted as in excellent, corrosion-free condition. The appraiser also noted that the body trim, emblems and grille are excellent while the light fittings and lenses are crack-free. The owner has added brighter redundant brake lights for safety, easily removed should the new owner prefer.

Original, painted steel wheels are capped by chrome covers displaying the MG emblem. The appraiser noted new Dunlop tires in his 2018 report, model for all five including the spare is SP 20 and the all-season tires measure 165 R15 with an “S” speed rating. Tire condition is shown up close in our gallery. The rear mounted matching spare tire is mounted on a matching rim and matching chrome MG cap. The appraiser noted the original wheels as being in excellent, corrosion-free condition. The shatter-proof windshield is clear and crack-free.

Seats with separate bottoms and a common back were upholstered in black leather during the restoration process. They match the door cards in colour, where generous map pockets are in place. The doors are hinged at the rear and tested well on photo day. Latches are finished in chrome and there is black carpet underfoot with floor mats displaying a coloured MG emblem. The appraiser noted the seats, door trim, rear trim, carpeting, leather dashboard (fascia) covering and steering wheel as being in excellent condition – the steering wheel as crack-free, seats as tear-free.

The steel dashboard features snaps for the tonneau cover and is fronted by a banjo-style steering wheel with three multi-spokes. Beyond it is the white-faced Jaeger instrumentation, speedometer with a maximum reading of 100 MPH and 6500 RPM tachometer. The inoperative odometer shows under 40,000 miles, true mileage is unknown (TMU). Accessory gauges cover oil pressure, coolant temperature, amperage and vacuum – they are centre mounted with keyhole, horn, ignition and starting buttons. Rear-view mirror is dash-mounted and a glove box with leather-covered wooden door faces the passenger’s seat. The windshield is hinged at the bottom – this roadster can be operated with it lowered or raised; photos of both set-ups appear in the gallery.

Twin carburetors feed the 1250 cc inline-four noted as original numbers-matching by the appraiser. It was rated at 54 horsepower and 64 lb.-ft. of torque when new. The current retired mechanic owner estimates under 2,000 miles during his ownership with oil servicing and notes strong oil pressure as a constant. The underside of the car is shown in our gallery. The appraiser noted the stainless steel exhaust system as in excellent condition and the engine compartment as in excellent, corrosion-free condition. Owner mentions that the engine, transmission and differential were all rebuilt at the time of the restoration. While we were unable to run the engine because the car was inside on photo day, we include videos of the car while underway during the 2025 driving season.

This 1953 MG TD Roadster 4-Speed Manual is available with tonneau cover, exceptionally comprehensive service records, paint for engine compartment, restoration photo album, the 2018 appraisal containing listings for comparable cars (prices in those listings are USD) and Hemmings article, and – Onatrio buyers, please note – an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate. It is available from the owner in Erin, On.