MG TD User Manual

The MG Car Company and Its Brethren

First off it's important to announce the meaning of the MG logo.
MG stands for Morris Garages. These being named after
William Morris, who was later created as Lord Nuffield. The
marque was first used in 1924 in a bull nosed sports car, now
affectionately name Old Number One. This formed the basis of
the MG Car Company, with Lord Nuffield at its head. In 1922
management of the MG Car Company was taken over by Cecil
Kimber. Kimber was an avid motor sports enthusiast and is also
credited for introducing the classic radiator style recognizable
on so many cars such as the T-Series MG's.

The Nuffield Organization not only owned the MG Car C
but a number of other marques as well, often competing
MG over the years. These included Morris and Riley. At times it
seemed that MG could never get the resources they ne
become world leaders in the marketplace. Not only were they competing with
the likes of Triumph and Austin, but the real battle seemed to go on internally
in the Nuffield Organization. This continued right through the merger of
Nuffield and Austin in 1952 which formed the British Motor Company (BMC)
MG's were produced in
production ceased in 1980. Other cars from the Nuffield organization were
also produced at Abingdon during the years and vied for precious resources.

Abingdon, England from the early 1930's until

ompan

with

eded to

y

.

The MG T-Series

In 1936 the MG Car Company made a dramatic change in the design of their
sports cars. In this year they introduced the MGTA Midget. The MGTA
originated the familiar T-Series design element and to the casual observer, it
is hard to distinquish from the MGTC. The MGTA sported the famous radiator
design, the swept wings, running boards, folding windscreen, and large
accessible bonnet. It was a two seater sports car with a foldable hood and
side curtains. Just over 3,000 MGTA's were produced in three years of
production. The MGTA suffered from a poor performing engine and in 1939
the MGTB was introduced with the now famous XPAG engine. Only a few
were produced as in a few months World War II broke out.

During World War II production of MG's ceased as the MG Car Company was
put into service for the war effort making tanks and airplane parts, and other
military items. When the war end
get back to making sports cars. They revisited the MGTB and made a few
subtle changes. These were in the form of a wider body and shackles
replacing sliding trunnions for the spring mounts. The Nuffield Organization
also made another drastic change. They started taking an active interest in
selling their sports cars in North America. It appears that during the War a
number of American GI's had an opportunity to experience the T-Series MG's.
When the War ended a number of these cars were imported and then formally
sold into North America, especially the United States. The MGTC was
produced from 1945 to 1949 with a total production of about 10,000 cars.

ed the the MG Car Company was anxious to

Due to the fact that the United States had much more cash available to spend
on entertainment and sports than did war torn Britain, the Nuffield
Organization made a drastic change in their marketing, focusing on North
America. In 1949 the MGTC was fitted with many elements to make it more
North American such as front and rear bumpers, twin horns, and dual tail
lamps. Even by making these changes only a fraction of the MGTC's were
imported into North America. There were still too many issues with a car of
this type for different North America conditions. Amongst those were driving
on the right hand side of the road rather than the left, more high speed
maneuvers such as freeways, a softer ride, and some additional c
comforts. What was needed was a total redesign of the MGTC if the MG Car
Company was to capture a significant portion of the North American market.
What was missing was a total commitment from the Nuffield Organization to
do so.

reature

The Legacy of the MGTD

In 1949 a small group of MG leaders, headed by John Thornley, got together
to try to create a car that was acceptable to the North American marketplace
while at the same time would limit the investment of the Nuffield Organization.
Clearly it would be impossible to completely create a new car, not only from a
financial point but from a timing standpoint as well. What was needed was a
little of the old, sprinkled with a little of the new. Another key factor was to

borrow or incorporate features found in other Nuffield cars of the time that
were more up to date than the MGTC.

First it was decided to start with the MGTC. It was felt that the MGTC still
provided a favorable brand image to the North American marketplace. Many
elements of the MGTC were still believed to be important such as:

• The styling

• Safety Fast engineering

• The powertrain

• The familiarity of design

What was missing was:

• More futuristic styling

• Better turning and handling

• A smoother ride

• Left hand drive

• More creature comforts such as an optional heater and radio

Quickly a team of MG personnel took inventory of the components of the
Nuffield Organization that they had to work with. They discarded the TC's
frame because it was to light and not rigid enough. They found what they
wanted in the Y types. A small modification to the frame was to have it sweep
over the rear axle rather than under. This gave them more travel in the rear
springs so they could increase the damping. In addition they adopted rack and
pinion steering and front coil springs and wishbones. This and the change in
rear end suspension allowed for a smoother ride and better handling than the
MGTC. One of the major changes was to reduce the wheel size from 19
inches to 15 inches and increase the tire width to 5.50. All of these changes
made the MGTD a superior riding car over the MGTC.

Because of the use of the larger frame the body became 5 inches wider.
Although the body increased by 5 inches, only one inch actually found it's way
into the cockpit so there is an indiscernible difference in the seating width. The
biggest change that people notice about the MGTD from the MGTC is the lack
of wire wheels. As part of the Nuffield cost cutting challenge the more
expensiv

e wire wheels of former T-Series cars were replaced by solid steel
wheels. For the entire production run of the MGTD the factory took heat for
this decision. They constantly tried to create implausible technical reasons
why wire wheels would not work but their reasons were never accepted by the
marketplace. In fact wire wheels were one of the most popular aftermarket
accessories at the time. Nuffield itself had to offer an upgrade kit to wire
wheels during 1953 because the essentially identical 1954 MGTF chassis
sported wire wheels as an option.

Other changes between the MGTC and the MGTD were more styli

zed wings,
partially due to the smaller wheels. A dual production capable LHD or RHD
model, better brakes, adjustable steering column, and an interchangeable
dashboard for left or right hand driving were also incorporated. An optional

radio and heater, as well as many accessories designed to improve the
performance of the car were made available.

The MGTD Models

The MGTD was produced from 1949 to August of 1953. During that period the
MGTD saw many subtle changes, but nothing drastic. See the pages on

production

was offered in three basic models although no more than two were ever
available at one time.

for details on the changes of the MGTD over the years. The MGTD

TD

The original MGTD was first produced in late 1949 and had it's formal
introduction in January of 1950. There were a total of four model years; 1950,
1951, 1952, and 1953. The first model set the stage for what the MGTD was.
Because of the short amount of time from the inception of the MGTD to the
delivery of the first cars, not everything was quite as the MG Car Company
would have liked it. In fact they were still making MGTC's on the production
line when the first MGTD's were produced. Other models were also being
made on the same assembly line at the same time. This says something of
the flexibility of the Abingdon work crews and factory.

Most changes to these early MGTD's were unnoticeable from the untrained
eye. One exception to this was the change from solid wheels to slotted
wheels. Still steal and not wire, but a change nothing else. Most of this seems
to be precipitated from the fact that the brakes were fading due to poor
cooling. Another change was to stiffen the body by adding an internal under
firewall tubular frame. It helped but the MGTD body bucket still seems to flex
quite a bit when pressed into corners.

TD II

The TD II (not to be confused with the MGTD Mark II) was essentially more
refinements done to the car by the factory. Minor changes to the engine
generated the need to create a new engine type, the XPAG/TD2. This in turn
caused them to designate these cars as TD2's, although even their marketing

materials never really mentioned this change. There really weren't any model
years for the MGTD, as changes were introduced subtly. The biggest changes
occurred during the 1953 model year as sales of the MGTD started to fall in
favor of cars like the TR2 and Healey 100. In 1953 MG introduced round
taillamps (not sure what the feature of these were), turn signals, a three bow
top or hood, and moved the windscreen wiper motor central for safety
reasons.

TD/C or TD Mark II

In the middle of 1950 model year the MG Car Company began factory
producing some special MGTD's known as the Mark II. These cars were
essentially regular MGTD's that had been given some extra factory
accessories and tuning. There was not an exact list of these features, and in
fact over the production of the MGTD the features of the Mark II would
change. It was also possible at the time to buy everything for a regular MGTD
that the Mark II model offered. Some of the changes were to increase the
base horsepower of the engine from 54 bhp to 57 bhp, larger tires, additional
Andrex friction shocks front and back, higher rear end ratios, dual fuel pumps,
and larger carburetors. Most of the features of the Mark II were a part of the
staged tuning that was described in various publications and offered as a

factory tuning manual.

From all these changes it appeared that little changed in how the car actually
handled. Many folks opted to buy a regular MGTD and go through a series of

Stage Tunings to increase the performance of the MGTD well above what the

Mark II achieved.

The Follow-on of the MGTD

Production of the MGTD peaked in 1952 and 1953 found sales of the car

starting to fall. Again the MG Car Company found itself in need of a whole
new automobile but without the support of the parent BMC Organization.

The MG EX175

John Thornley's team at Abingdon had crafted a complete replacement for the
MGTD code named the EX175. Because of the organizational changes that
occurred when BMC took control of the MG Car Company, the EX175 was in
direct competition to it's new step cousin, the Austin-Healey 100. Since the
Healey was already committed, BMC did not want a new fangled MG to dilute
the possible sales so MG was left high and dry without a replacement for the
MGTD.

MGTF, MGTF 1500 and MGA

An effort to recapture the marketplace by doing what they had successfully
done before was attempted in 1953. Borrowing on the success of the MGTD
and Mark II as well as a little streamlining of the body, the MG Car Company
created the MGTF. The TF was immediately shunned by the public. It was
clear that all MG had done was to pound a bit on the body and fenders, add
some more comfortable bucket seats, and throw on some wire wheels. In fact
the car was worse in many ways because you could not easily get to the
engine to modify it or maintain it like you could on prior T types. The TF 1200
still performed poorly compared to other sports cars of the period. In 1955 MG
came out with a more powerful 1500 cc engine that replaced the tiring 1250
cc engine of past T Series cars.

Finish information on the MGTF can be found at this page
information on the MGTF please see these pages.

This larger capacity engine did improve the performance greatly and made
the MGTF 1500 a much better performing car on the freeways and tollways of
North America. Still the MGTF never captured the success of the MGTD and
was replaced by the MGA within two short years.

The MGA represented a significant change from the T-Series cars and
actually looked like it belonged to the era it w
much of the same chassis and drive train features as the MGTF but had an all
new streamlined body. Interestingly the car had a remarkable resemblance to
the EX175. Over time MG would make many changes to the MGA in both
styling, performance and handling. At one point they even offered a hard top,
called the MGA Coupe as well as a twin cam engine.

as produced in. It supported

. For more

This section covers the finishes of the MGTD in type, material, and colors.

Note: It is generally not considered a deviation from the original if you
improve the finish of an item so long as you do not change the texture or
characteristic of that item.

MGTD Color Schemes

Top

The table below shows all the body and interior colors available during the
production of the MGTD. The radiator grill slats generally matched the interior
color.

Note: You may click on the
from an original brochure.

Body Color Interior Color Dates¹ Comments
Black

Green

Beige

MG Red

Red

Red

image to see a sample of this color scheme

1949­1953

1949­1953

1949­1951,
1953²

1949­1953

1949-

Beige

Autumn Red Red 1951
Beige 1951

1951,
1953²

On red and green cars the grill
color for tan interiors could be
either tan or the body color.

Woodland
Green-BRG

Beige

Almond
Green

Beige

Ivory

Green
Clipper Blue

Beige
Sunburst

Bronze

Green

Green 1951

Red

Red ?

Red 1951 Metallic

1949­1953

1949­1951,
1953²

1949­1951

1949­1953

1949­1953

1949­1951

On red and green cars the grill
color for tan interiors could be
either tan or the body color.

Replaced by Silver Streak
Grey

Green 1951 Metallic
Silver Streak

Grey

¹ Date information used with permission from Original MG T Series by Anders
Clausager. Published by MBI Publishing Company 1-800-826-6600.

² Only on non exported cars.

Note: The colors in this table are approximate. Due to the nature of each
computer display and the limits of the color pallet of your system, there may
be a large difference between these colors and the actual production colors.

Note: Apparently MG did not have strict formulas or consistent suppliers for
their finishes, so even during the production of the T-Series there would be
large discrepancies between cars of the same color. The cars were also not
documented with their color on an ID plate. This practice did not start until the
MGTF model in late 1953.

Red

1952­1953

Metallic. Replaced Clipper
Blue

Note: CKD cars were delivered with primer only. This was also available as

A

A

y

0

6

0

an orderable option so any paint color is original on one of these cars.
Note:The exterior piping (cord filled fabric material between sheet metal

parts) color matched the body paint color.

Paint Formulas

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Body Colors

This table provides a list of formulas or color equivalents to the original colors
used for the MGTD. As always you should have a quart (or gallon) of paint
mixed first and spray it on a large piece of sheet metal before you decide what
color you like. Even better is to get a few quarts of paint and give your car a
quick paint job before restoration to make sure you like the color. When you
are satisfied with the color choice then you can strip all the paint off and start
over. Sounds crazy, but at least you will like the results.

If you have a car that has never been stripped of its' paint you may be able to
tell what color it was originally by taking off a fender and looking at the area
that rested against the body bucket. I was not only able to do that but after the
use of a little rubbing c
areas that a color match was done after 25 years of service. The color was
compared to other cars painted the same color to insure that I had a
reasonable match.

ompound the paint was in good enough shape in those

Manufacture Black MG Red

Color

BMC Code

Dupont

Ditzler

(PPG)

R&M

Martin-

Senour

Note: The colors in this table are approximate. Due to the nature of each

computer display and the limits of the color pallet of your system, there may
be a large difference between these colors and the actual production colors.

BK1 RD14 RD6 GN29 GN37 YL5 BU14 N/A GR25
99

9000 71993 50930
A946 BM121R BM108R BM078 BM076 BM127 BM042 BM02
25011 20216 20561(?) 20214

utumn

Red

93­83450H

Woodland

Green

93-98249
6606

2246
43342

lmond

Green

93­96233H

44159 81271 12297 23662

Ivory

83449

25235
23235?

Clipper

Blue

93­25888

25286 2528

Sunburst

Bronze

Silve

Strea

Gre

7203
3367

Note: Match red or green grills with body color. When body is not red or green

o

e

then use MG Red or Almond Green as appropriate.

Miscellaneous Colors

This table provides colors for the non body components of the MGTD.
Note: Many of the colors in this table are approximate and not absolute. But

then again, even in the production of the MGTD non of the colors were
absolute either, so these are all reasonable choices.

Manufacture Chassis

Engine /

Transmission²

Hood

Sidecurtain

Frame

Instrument

Panel

(metallic)

2,3

Oil Filter

Early

Color

Dupont

Ditzler

R&M

99¹ 57597H 44371 43107LH 43094L
9000 50930
A946 AC402 BM145 M63-64 FM130

¹ I like to use Dupont Imron due to it's superior finish and longevity. The
original finish on the chassis parts was a semi gloss enamel.

² Close engine and instrument panel (220-530) paint colors can be obtained
from such suppliers as Moss Motors.

3

I believe that the TD instrument panel was the same darker color as the late
oil filter canister. The popular color is widely accepted to be the same as the
TF instrument panel. The paint supplied by Moss Motors is lighter than
original for the MGTD.

Tecalemit

Oil Filter

(metallic)

Purolat

Oil Filt

3

(metalli

4

The color of the valve cover is controversial. Generally it is most widely
accepted to be the same as the wheels, a metallic gray. Other evidence
suggests that it is a pale green/gray non metallic as shown. This is the same
color that early TC engines and firewalls were painted. I like to use a metallic
soft green/gray paint which is a good compromise and believed by some to be
correct also. This is also an acceptable color for the Purolator filter canister
although it was a bit darker in shade. There was a tendency to coat the valve
color with clear paint, after repainting it silver, that often turned greenish. For
this reason many feel that it was never greenish to begin with, but just silver.
Al Moss (who serviced TD's when new) reports that the valve cover and
wheels were originally painted with plain silver paint, non glossy. Similar to the
finish you would get out of a spray can today.

If you would like to see an unrestored TF valve cover then press here

. Care of

Don Harmer.

5

This is an Imron color and the metallic effect is much stronger than original.

Sheet Metal Finishes

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The following table describes the finishes on the sheet metal of the MGTD.

Item Color Comment
Fenders, hood, front and rear

splash aprons, running boards,
firewall, fuel tank, fuel tank straps,
door hinges

Body
Color

Both sides of these items were
painted with the body color of the
car. The exception would be the
inside of the toolbox which was
black covered by an off-white felt.

Note that the fuel tank side panels

Fuel tank sides

Body
Color

had the edges chrome plated. Only
the interior of the outside finish was
painted the body color.

Body color on exterior finishes,
black on inside finishes. Note that

the black paint was not glossy but a
Body bucket, doors, tool box lid
(outside)

Body
Color

semigloss or satin finish. Used as a

protective coating more than a

shiny finish like the color coat. Note

that on some cars the inside of the

panels were painted the body color.
Scuttle, side curtain box, steering

wheel column and steering wheel
extruder plate, propeller shaft

Black

tunnel, gearbox cover and plate,
hinge for seat back, sleeve for
seat hinge, rear cross brace
assembly (behind seat), crank
clips on seat back, inside of
toolbox.

Headlamp bodies, headlamp ring
retaining screw, King of the Road
medallion

Body
Color

Note that on early TD's (50 and 51)

the headlamp bodies were chrome

plated.

Engine and Transmission

Top

See the note on Gold Seal engines.

Item Color Comment
Engine block, head, tappet

inspection cover, water outlet
manifold, oil pan, timing chain

Engine
Red

This color was similar to MG red
but a little darker.

cover, cradle, bearer plate,
transmission housing and
cover, oil pump housing, main
pulley, water pump, water
branch pipe, throttle return
spring clip, front motor mount
bracket

Breather pipe and clamp

Inlet manifold

Exhaust manifold, manifold
clamps

Engine stabilizer and bracket Black

Valve cover

Oil canister - old style Orange

Oil canister - newer style 1952
(Tecalemit) Part number
I62451

Engine
Red

Engine
Red

Aluminized

Light Gray­Green

Bronze

Some cars may have had this
painted black.

Some cars may have had this
painted black.

This is a spray of liquid aluminum
that gives the appearance of a
white, softly textured surface.
Very hard to keep clean.

Some like to cad plate the nuts
and expander but they were all
black.

See comments above

These were through away
elements. There is a decal that
went on these parts. Cast
element housings were an add
on.

A slightly darker color than the
instrument cluste
center color.

r/steering wheel

Oil canister - newer style 1952
(Purolator
I62429

Air cleaner, starter, generator
body, fan blades

Thermostat body, upper hose
elbow

) Part number

Used on some later cars. Noted
by the large attaching bolt and

Light
Silver­Green

Black

Black or
Engine
Red

capped plate at rear of the filter.
They had no identifying plate as
on the Tecalemit filters, but were
decorated with a decal naming
the company and listing the
maintenan

This is a controversial item. Many
believe that this was painted the
same color as the engine but
replaceme
Others believe that it was
assembled as a unit with the
radiator and therefore black. All
the pictures that I have are not

ce procedures.

nt parts were black.

clear on this as they are in
shadow.

Generator fan/pulley, distance
piece

Engine block drain, oil drain,
engine ID plate

oil line - block to head

Carburetor parts: choke
coupler, jet links, springs,
couplings, anchor clips

Most carburetor parts (see
exceptions elsewhere), air
cleaner wing nut, transmission
dipstick cover wing nut,
carburetor overflow lines,
generator lubricator,
tachometer reduction gearbox,
crank handle, distributor body,
oil pressure gauge line and
brass coupling on firewall

Engine
Red

Natural
Brass

Engine
Red

Black

Natural

Most believe these to be red but
some claim they were black.

Some paint this the engine color.
The ID plate should be left natural
but on original cars the drains
were most likely painted red.

Many like to leave the brass ends
natural. Most likey all red from
factory.

Note that some of these parts
were blued and not painted black.
Bluing is a metal treatment that
has a black, transparent type of
look to it. It is very common on
firearms.

Many like to polish these
unfinished parts for an enriched
look.

Carburetors, fuel pump base
sections

Fuel pump and carburetor
fittings

Exhaust pipe bracket, clamp
and spacer on transmission

Gearbox remote linkage Natural

Natural
Aluminium

Natural

Black

Chassis

Polishing these items makes for a
very nice effect but was not
originally done. If you do polish
these parts it is recommend that
you spray the carburetor body
with a clear sealer because it will
be impossible to keep the polish
up after the carburetor is
assembled.

Brass parts left natural. Again
polishing and coating with a clear
paint will preserve the shine of
these parts.

Top

Item Color Comment

It appears that the green and red were the
same as the red and green body colors. If you
do not have a red or green car, and your
interior is not tan, then choose the MG Red or

Radiator grill slats

Frame, suspension
parts, rear end,
brake drums, brake
lines, springs,
shocks and all
chassis parts.

Radiator

Interior
Color

Satin
(soft
mat)
Black

Satin
(soft
mat)
Black

Almond Green as the grill color appropriately.
The color that matched tan interior was a light
tan color. It is reported that on some red or
green cars with tan interiors, the grill slats
could be painted the body color.

Note See the comment on the Mark II's.

Note most people prefer to use a high gloss

paint for all the chassis parts in current
restorations because of its look and durability.

It is not recommended to finish the radiator
fins with a heavy based enamel. Optionally
you may first paint the fins with a heat based
(exhaust type) flat black finish and then paint
the rest of the radiator with a high gloss finish.
The original was paint
of satin gloss black paint.

ed with a very thin coat

Satin

Shock absorbers

Wheels Silver

Exhaust pipes,
exhaust pipe
brackets

(soft
mat)
Black

Black

Some late TD's with Armstrong shocks were
left unpainted for the body with the shock
arms painted black.

Al Moss reports that the valve cover and
wheels were originally painted with plain silver
paint, non glossy. Similar to the finish you
would get out of a spray can today.

Most today paint the exhaust system with
modern heat paint. Originally painted with
chassis paint which und
days.

oubtedly burnt off in

Woodwork

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Item Color Comment
Floorboards, shelf

behind seat

Black Made of mahogany plywood.

Dash
Battery box underliner Black Made of mahogany plywood.

Covered in interior
cloth (Rexine)

Same material as seat backs
and door panels

Wooden panel behind
fuel tank

Note: All woodwork with the exception of the firewall mounting frame was
painted black. This was often oversprayed when the body was painted.

Black

Interior/Softgoods

Top

Item Color/Material Comment
Seat tops and

outside bottoms,
seat back face,
top of map pocket,
top of door piping

All door panels,
kick panels, seat
backs and rears,
boot area

Leather

vinyl cloth
(Rexine)

Died to match vinal cloth interior. Used
where wear and tear would be a factor.

Slightly textured precursor to vinyl. Note
that the wheel wells were padded with a
thin felt. Also on some cars the wooden
area that the spare tire bolts go through
received some light padding.

There was a small length of black vinal
that was tacked to the wood floor behind
the seats that covered the ends of the
wheel wells
over at both edges to form a ¾ inch wide
strip. It started in the back corner and
went forward over the edge. It then
turned the corner to the outside of the car
and terminated at the panel. It was
affixed to a small tack strip. The tack strip
is held to the wheel well by three small
rivets.

Also to note that the piping from the rear
at the hood tack strip, down under the
doors and along the dash top, was all
one piece. This material was similar to
the piping used on the fenders. At the
location of the door strikers the piping
was opened up and the spline was
removed to allow clearance for the door
striker. The striker underplates had holes

. This material was folded

in them to allow for tacking the piping in
place. You will see a tacking hole in the
inner metal plate for the door latch to tack
the bead down.

On many cars the hidem that was used to
hide the tacks on the panels was in one
piece. This means that the panels were
put in place at one time as the hidem
continued from one panel to the next.
This is especially evident from the front
kick panel to the door sill panel.

The door panels, the panel under the
door, and the panel around the rear
wheel arch are a three ply plywood about
2-3 mm thick. The panel in front of the
doors is a about a 2 mm thick piece of
black cardboard so it will bend over the
"scuttle" hoop. Besides being tacked on
around the door, there are two small
chromed wood screws with finish
washers at the front to hold the front
panel on.

The hidem is one continuous piece from
the door latch to where the rear panel
and the panel below the door meet.
There is a short piece of hidem from the
door latch to the top of the front pannel.
The rear pannel's hidem is sewn on also,
but it is not contiuous with the hidem of
the two other panels. The trim panels are
long enough to go clear to bottom and
meet the main wood beam across the
bottom of the car.

The floor boards are cut slightly narrow
on the outside to allow room for the trim
panels.

Dash underpanel

Glovebox Interior
Tonneau cover,

top, side curtains

Black vinyl
(Rexine)

Brown flock like
coating

Tan canvas

There was a whole under the clock large
enough for a hand to fit through to allow
the clock to be reset. Panel was made of
hard fiberboard (similar to cardboard and
the same material as the glovebox).

Must have been sprayed on.
Similar to light tent material. Side curtain

ows were made of celluloid and

wind

yellowed immediately. Side curtain nuts
were painted tan.

Toolbox

Side curtain box
Gear lever gaiter Leather Could either be black or interior color.

Steering column
excluder

Carpets

White woolen
felt

Black woolen
felt

Tan leather

Black short hair
wool

Carpets were untrimmed. The carpet
under the seats was separate from the
carpet in front of the seats. There was no
carpeting behind the seats, over the rear
end. Under the arch of the seat back,
covering the emergency brake cables,
was a piece of cardboard covered by
carpet with the front edge bound in black
leather (black Rexene is also
acceptable). Under the drivers feet was
stiched a rubber mat. The drivers side on
LHD cars starting in the 1951 model year
had a rubber footwell with the MG crest.
This was sewn into the carpet through a
recess about halfway from the edge. On
some cars a leather patch was sewn onto
the transmission tunnel to prevent wear
from the accelerator foot.

Brightwork and Chrome

Top

Item Color Comment
Headlamp bodies, headlamp adjusting

nuts, headlamp rings, headlamp ring
retaining screw, King of the Road
medallion

Headlamp bracket to radiator Chrome

Radiator hose clamps, air cleaner
clamps, steering excluder clamp,
headlamp bracket to radiator bracket
bolts and nuts

Oil cap, body plate, MG Car Co. plate,
patent plate

Chrome

Cadmium

Nickel
Silver

Note that on later TD's
(late 51, 52 and 53) the
headlamp bodies were
painted the body color.

Some cars have this
body color or black

Zinc plating is often
used as a substitute for
Cadmium today. Some
headlamp bracket bolts
may have been chro
or painted body color.

Note that etched writing
or background on
nickeled items were
painted black. Plates
were made of brass.

Plates held in place with
brass round headed
slotted screws with
square nuts.

med

Air cleaner manifold

Transmission dipstick, engine dipstick Chrome

Hub caps Chrome
Hub cap medallions Polished Background painted red.

Radiator shell, nose Chrome
Radiator slats Chrome

Radiator medallion Chrome

Fuel tank filler cap, bonnet hinge strip Polished Polished stainless steel
Fuel tank filler cap lever, tail light and Chrome

Polished
Aluminium

Some like to paint the
background of the MG
Logo red or black.

Some like to paint the
background of the MG
Logo red or black.

See note on hub cap
medallions

Only on late model Mark
II's

Brown MG on cream
background. Late Mark
II's had black MG on
white background.

marker light screws, windscreen screws
and nuts

Splash pan x-screws and washers front
and rear

Bumpers, overriders, door knobs, door
latches, side curtain clamps, side
curtain nuts in door tops, seat back
adjusters and brackets, fuel tank strap
nuts, side lamps, windscreen parts and
brackets, rear view mirror, tail lamp
rings and bodies, rear license plate
lamp cover, fuel tank side nuts and
washers, dashboard edging, glove box
hinges, bonnet handles, snaps and
studs, side curtain strips, emergency
brake handle and release button, gear
shift lever

Steering wheel medallion ring, horn
base, lamp bezels, gauge bezels, horn
push ring (early cars), starter and choke
knob bases, steering column
expandable cover

Fuel tank sides Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

Chrome

The inside of the fuel
tank sides were painted
the body color with
exposed edges in
chrome

Tach cable, speedo cable, choke cable,
starter cable, emergency brake cables,
clutch cable housings, water
temperature retainers on stabilizer rods,
bonnet latches (inside), seat runners,
fuel lines (braided), wire harness
retainer straps on rear frame tube, lug
nuts, front wheel grease cap, starter
switch

Door threshold plates, running board
strips

Cadmium

Many like to use the
"MG Car C
threshold plates which
were not original to TD's
but to MGTA's. TD's had

Polished

plain threshold plates.
The threshold plates

were held in place by
slotted flat headed
woodscrews. Some may
have been brass.

ompany"

Miscellaneous

Top

Item Color Comment

While most of the car was painted in
pieces prior to assembly, there were
a few exceptions. In some cases
items were assembled and then

Firewall bolts, wood frame
and caulking

Crank, tonneau bar, crank
clips, front license plate
brackets, front license plate
and clips, starter cable
bracket on firewall, horns and
brackets, passenger foot
ramp, accelerator peddle
assembly, fuel pump body

Body
Color

Black Crank handle was brass

overpainted with a color coat while
others had bolts and fasteners hand
painted after assembly. The firewall
and body bucket were painted as an
assembly which meant that the
firewall bolts were painted the body
color.

Rear license plate brackets, Black Optionally can be color of body.

rear license plate lamp base
Side curtain frames, top

frame, side curtain nuts on
frames

Tan

Spare tire carrier, head lamp
brackets, hood latch screw
heads

Fuel line Black

Steering wheel center,
steering wheel cap, and
instrument panel

Fuel tank strap bolt heads
and washers, side curtain
storage lid hinges

Rear splash pan bolts and
washers, instrument panel
carriage bolts

Door checks, bonnet latch
receivers on fenders, bonnet
bumpers

Water temperature tubing Black

Body
Color

Bronze

Interior
color

Black

Black

This was part of the chassis
assembly and got painted black.
Many today polish this with copper
polish for a nice effect.

Hand painted to match interior color.
Have also seen the side curtain
storage lid hinges cad plated

Many have these chrome or cad
plated as they scratch so easily

May have been treated to look black
rather than painted.

Windscreen wiper motor
cover

Windscreen "D" washer and
locknut (under Acorn nut)

Grease gun body Blueing
Tools Black

Wiring Harness Black Black with two thread yellow tracer.

Black
wrinkle
paint

Polished
Brass

Same type of finish found on
firearms

Nitty Details

The following items are the hardest to achieve for a person who is trying to
create an absolutely original car. In a Concours d'Elegance these would be
the items that could differentiate two winning cars. Some of these items will
most likely be impossible to achieve but they are interesting goals to pursue if
you want the ultimate in originality.

It may well be that there never was an original TD once it left the dealer
showroom/lot, especially in the United States. It appears that modifying the
car was one of the major features of the model. This is attested by all the

accessories that were available at the time from dealers and parts suppliers

such as Arnolt and others.

Note: To see a picture of the detail item in a seperate window click on the
icon.

Item
Engine number that

matches body plate
Size of front splash apron

piping (smaller diameter
than rest of exterior piping)

Exhaust pipe diameter
Original engine oil pan bolts
Original soft metal tappet

cover bolts
Original flat gray

windscreen wiper wire
Rubber rear license plate

lamp wire cover
Correct battery (series,

Lucas, vented caps)
Cap style battery cable

connectors at battery

N/A
Make it yourself by taking the cord out of

a piece of the piping that you used on the
rest of the body and replace it with a 1/4
inch diameter cord

Hardware store or automotive supply

Abingdon Spares
Moss Motors, Abingdon Spares, Rhode

Island Wiring Services

Source

Black braided negative
battery and starter cables

Rubber starter switch (not
nylon) and rubber boots

Horn wire to battery cable
clip

Original spark plug wires
(plastic coated black cloth
braided wire)

Original spark plug caps
(black bakelite)

Spark plug wire retainer at
distributor (red fiberboard)

Black painted bolts on valve

Rhode Island Wiring Services, The In­Point

Check NOS at classic car parts shops

N/A

cover
Original black coil
Correct dates (within a few

months prior to car date) on
starter, generator, and coil

Braided and cloth covered
wires and loom, black
sheath with dual yellow
tracer

Correct (small diameter)
braided fuel lines

Wooden battery box liner Moss Motors, 407-710
Rubber pads between

battery and battery clamp
Correct profile dashboard

attachment washers
Double slotted temperature

gauge conduit clips for
radiator stabilizer tubes

Moss Motors

British Auto Electric

Rhode Island Wiring Services, The In­Point

Local hardware store

Moss Motors

Radiator drain pipe
Appropriate front rebound

rubbers (short - late or tall ­early)

ID plates finished in nickel
silver

Oil cap finished in nickel
silver

Correct oil cap chain
covered in rubber tubing

Etched 'Auster' windscreen
emblem

Correct nuts (fat) on
windscreen frame

Brass finished flat 'D'
washer and lock nut on
windscreen sideframe
(under Acorn nut)

Moss Motors 408-730, 408-740

The rubber cover may not be original.
Most people from the period have no
memory of it.

Dunlop tires 5.50x15
Andrex shock absorbers on

TD Mk II

British Wire Wheel

Glass tail and side lamp
lenses

Moss Motors 157-908

Lucas "Anchor" quartz
iodine headlamps

Wide topped bumpers
No rubber packing on

bumper overriders
Front license plate with

correct 'Z' brackets to
bumper

Original ignition switch with
correct labeling (not the
'window' variety)

Original tachometer and
speedometer cables

Original starter and choke
cables

N/A

While I do not know of a source for the

switch,Abingdon Spares, has a decal for
the labels. It is part number 39/2D. You
can also retain the original facia and knob
and marry it to a replacement body and
switch.

Under dash cover in black
Rexine

Original interior materials
(Rexine)

Leather on map pocket tops
and door piping, seat tops

Correct number of pleats on
seat cushions (6) with wider
borders

Correct holes on firewall
(there were some empties,
see manuals)

Original top/tonneau
materials

Original half tonneau cover
Correct radiator hoses

(large hose pebble finish)
Correct (thin and textured)

radiator webbing strip

Abingdon Spares, Moss Motors 451-795

Moss Motors, Abingdon Spares

Moss Motors, Abingdon Spares

Moss Motors, Abingdon Spares

Tapered rubber packing
under headlamp arms to
fenders. Not straight sided.

Abingdon Spares

Correct routing and copper
carburetor overflow lines
with clip on front engine
plate

This arcticle from Just Brits will show you
how

Original hose clamps
(radiator hoses, air cleaner,
steering column)

'Mickey Mouse' air cleaner
wing nut

Original tan marbled
steering wheel

Original steering wheel
center piece

Moss Motors 326-388

I have not been happy with the
reproduction units as I feel the color is too
dark. If you have an old wheel you might
want to check with Kimble Engineering, in
the UK. They reportedly have the original
mold tooling for the steering wheel and
has them made in the original materials
(even in the original city).

Also note that I believe the centerpiece to
be darker than what is generally accepted
today. See finish details for more
information and the attached image.

Moss Motors 262-340

Plain door threshold plates
Original width running

board strips and rubber
Original Karvel unbound

carpeting

Original transmission
dipstick cover wing nut

Mahogany marine plywood
floorboards

Tan leather steering wheel
excluder at scuttle with
correct clamp

Sewn in rubber footwell
with MG logo

Painted interior color fuel
tank strap bolt heads and
washers

Painted instrument faces
rather than decals

Moss Motors, Abingdon Spares

Moss Motors 454-040

N/A

Vintage Restorations

Original flocked lined glove
box

Original tools and tool case

Moss Motors 454-155
The In-Point and www.britishtool.com for

reproductions

Original hand crank with
brass handle, clips on rear
of seat back

Original operation manual,
workshop manual, parts
catalog

Original dealer brochures
Original Factory

Accessories

Direction of and correct
type of bolts and nuts (see

manuals for guidance on
positions)

Note that depending on the Concours d'Elegance that you are attending,
accessories that were available during the production run of the MGTD may
or may not be acceptable. This varies from event to event, judge to judge.

Moss Motors 386-150

N/A

Replacement Parts Reviews

We are greatly in debt to the many parts suppliers the world over who provide
replacement parts for the MG T-Series cars that we love. Sometimes new old
stock parts are still available but this is the exception. Many times an original
part can be repaired to function like new again. You might also find just the
part you need from a swapmeet, on-line auction, or a fellow enthusiast. When

these options don't provide you with the original part that you need, you must
resort to replacement parts.

Many times the replacement parts are exactly as original. In this manner one
could not tell the replacement part from a new original part. Unfortunately this
is not always the case. Many times a substitution from an original part is all
that is available. While I understand the business economics that creating an
exact original replacement may not always justify the cost, I do support any
vendor that goes out of their way to create as an original part as is possible.
To that end I have created this list of replacement parts that I am aware of
and how they compare to the original part they are attempting to replace.

Grading:

This grade is assigned to a part that

A

is virtually identical to the original
part it is replacing.

This grade is for a part that looks
like a reasonable facsimile of the
original part but there are minor

B

differences that a reasonably
knowledgable enthusiast would
notice from the original

The assignment is for a part that
looks similar to the original part but

C

is clearly different upon immediate
inspection

This classification is assigned to a
part that functions in an equivalent

D

manner to the original but does not
look original at all.

This assignment is for a part that
does not function or look like the

F

original part that it is attempting to
replace.

Part Grade Number Vendor Comment

A good replacement for the original
coil. My part was marked 9-48 for
the date and the bottom end did

Ignition Coil B+ 143-210

Moss
Motors

Tools and

A

Tool Roll

MGA Tool
Roll

A-

A

The In­Point

The In­Point

not match the rolled edge of the
original. It also did not sport the
Lucas name.

While I have not seen these parts
in person, the pictures do
represent a reasonable
replacement of the original tools.
The tool roll may not be completely
appropriate for the MGTD though. I
prefer their MGA tool rolls for later
TD's.

For later TD's (late 52 and 53), the
MGA tool roll may be a better
replacement than the Inpoints
standard TD/TC roll.

Battery A

Battery C 459-400

Hood Latch
Handles

Original style
luggage rack

A-

C

244-500
61 003A

Abingdon
Spares

Moss
Motors

Moss
Motors

Moss
Motors
Abingdon
Spares

great replacement for the original
battery even down to the ventilated
caps.

This battery had the same
dimensions and was made of
similar material but did not have
the correct top, lugs, and was
embossed with the Moss Logo.
Use the Abingdon Spares battery
instead.

A good imitation for the handle but
they came with American nuts and
threads. You will need to rethread
these for BSF and add your own
original nuts.

While similar to the original factory
rack there are three deviations.
One is the addition of a bar at the
top front that helps keep the
luggage from moving forward
during hard stops. This was not on
the original rack. A minor but
noticeable deviation is the
elimination of two small loops in
the rear bar that accommodated a
belt or strap for securing the
luggage. In addition the rack is
made from a much lighter material
than the original.

Steering
wheel center
and

A 262-340

Moss
Motors

This part is essentially
indistinguishable from the original.
The only question comes from the