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MG TD TF 1500 - 1954 TF - The journey begins.....

Well... it has begun. Car #1414 has been in hibernation stored in my mother's garage not seeing sunlight since '87.

Goal is to get it road worthy before to diving in real deep the restoration of the entire car. I just want to get it to drive...

Already made my first parts order from Moss for things needed for the brakes. Next will be the engine. Engine does turn with the hand crank if someone was wondering. A good thing of course.

Please don't mind the paint... It's a bit tatty...Gramps did do a respray probably back in the late fifties. You can see the original birch grey factory paint where it has chipped on the wings and rear fenders. Has a tint of green in it. I can see why he did what he did. Parts are all there. Original tool roll that is mostly complete, shelly jack, and Enots gun with holster and most of all.. family history. Gramps bought it in '57 with my mom when she was 16.

The dent in the rear passenger side has already been repaired while we had the rear wheels off. The original knock offs dented/ bruised up when I can remember my dad swinging away with a claw hammer years ago were fixed today. Can't hardly tell now... heck, I did save some money today...

I last drove this car when I was a senior in high school. It was real cool.... top down in a British sports car...Who cared about the color...Chicks digged me and guys wanted to be like me.

I'm officially in. Can't wait to see my CC statement next month...

Best,

Frank

Frank Cronin

Frank, do you realize that TD1414 is also in Plymouth?
Bud
Bud Krueger

Keep us posted on whats happening with the car.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Interesting coincidence Bud...It's a small world isn't it?

Best,

Frank

Frank Cronin

I think it is a beautiful car. Have a great time!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Frank,
What a great journey you starting on. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You will find lots of help on this site, with great interest in your progress. Take lots of pictures. They will be invaluable later.

George
George Raham [TD4224]

Great piece of family history there Frank. My Father bought our grey TF from the first owner in 1973. Take heaps of detail photos. Can you share some photos of the toolkit, grease gun and jack please?
I have some Birch Grey paint info if you need it, from when I resprayed my guards. Also happy to compare any detail notes.

Cheers,
Matthew.

Matthew Magilton

The late Bill Franks bought it at the TD introduction. I think that his son still has it: Bud


Bud Krueger

Birch Grey on a TD is quite rare, as it is on the MGA Mark II. For some, a desirable combination with a red interior.

I couldn't help but notice the blue badge on the side panel. Its possible that this badge was put there by a European dealer, probably German; in which case, this may have been a TF sold to GIs in Germany in the late 50s. Be sure that when painting your car, you replace that badge.

Also on the issue of the car number. Don't go by the car plate. If its original, the number will be found on the outside of the left dumb iron.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Frank,
Great car, great history! Keep us updated.
Love to see a close-up of that "blue badge".
David Sheward



Frank,

Good luck on your project! The TF looks great considering its history and storage tenure. Enjoy your journey through nostalgia and into the future. Cannot wait to see pics of your ongoing labors.

Jerry
Jerry Chandler

Gord, Frank's car is a TF. Bud
Bud Krueger

Hi again,
Gord said, "Birch Grey on a TD is quite rare, as it is on the MGA Mark II. For some, a desirable combination with a red interior."
I bought my first MG, a TD, in late 1961 in CT. It was grey, with red leather, and I could never, then, find that it was an original factory color, but couldn't find evidence of a repaint. I had it repainted, BRG, in '63, and eventually sold it in about 1974 to a restorer, who put it in concourse condition. He confirmed that it was a factory paint job.
We didn't have great resources like this list back then, so couldn't "read" the vehicle info, and I guess just didn't think to ask a dealer.
I had a rare one & didn't know it.
Al
54 TF, "Emma"
A W Parker

Yeah, you're right Bud. My bio-clock is all screwed-up. I just got back from 3 weeks in Malaysia and Singapore, and I don't know whether I should make supper or breakfast.

I have no business trying to participate on the BB ... I'll try again when I'm awake!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A Clark

Frank,

Your car looks great. I understand wanting to drive it a while before you restore it. I never drove my TD because I was a kid when my father stored it in the garage. I bet it will seem like a daunting task to begin taking it apart for a full restoration. Mine came apart over a couple of decades a little here and a little there. So when I finally dove in with both feet it still seemed like a huge undertaking. But I am positive you are up to the task. Lots of work and lots of fun. I am hoping to test start mine around December or January. When I hear it run for the first time in 35 years I hope I can refrain from skipping around the neighborhood. People might think something is wrong with me. Because there isn't.....Probably......really there isn't........Probably.

Rob
Rob Welborne

Thanks everyone for the kind words and advice. I will be posting some questions as we move to the engine in another thread sometime real soon.

Mathew: I will share photos by weeks end so I can photographs outside in natural daylight of the tool roll and other stuff found in the car and tool box. I'll have to go to the shop to get it.

Below is the dealer car badge from Frankfort, Germany. It will always be kept on the car.

Best,

Frank


Frank Cronin

and another...

probably couldn't see from the first pic but in this pic you can see the antenna for the radio.



Frank Cronin

This thread was discussed between 19/10/2011 and 20/10/2011

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