What are MG TD's worth these days? | FerrariChat
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What are MG TD's worth these days?

Discussion in 'British' started by nathandarby67, Jul 7, 2012.

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  1. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #1 nathandarby67, Jul 7, 2012
    Anyone happen to be following the market for these or bought or sold one lately? I have always liked these and always thought of them as a car I would like to own at some point, but certainly haven't been actively looking for one. Anyhow, there is a very nice one that just came to my attention that is available, and I am thinking seriously about making an offer.

    From trolling around the usual sites I am having a hard time getting a feel for pricing. They do seem to have appreciated some over the last 5-6 years or so. Currently there seems to be a spread from the mid teens to high twenties on nicer ones.

    The car I am looking at was very nicely restored about 6-7 years ago and has had other work done since, and is basically in very nice, local show winning type shape. Looks like a new car from 5 feet.

    I don't know if this will be a long term keeper or not, so I'd like to at least be able to get money back out of it when/if I sell. Still have a couple of other cars I would like in the next 1-2 years, but maybe a TD would be a good, fun place to park $15-20K for 6-12 months?
     
  2. beachmk4

    beachmk4 Formula Junior

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    #2 beachmk4, Jul 8, 2012
    I follow this market fairly closely. You need to buy the car in the $13,000 TO $17,000 to assure yourself of getting out when you want. The car needs to be mechanically sound and look good pretty close up. You will see asking prices at much higher amounts but the cars are not selling there. Real money is in the range stated above. There are a bunch for sale and you need to start making offers to see who really wants/needs to sell. An O.K. car at the low end and a pretty nice one at the high.
     
  3. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

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    #3 kevfla, Jul 8, 2012
    I've been around "T" types for decades. Generally, they are horribly slow by today's standards.
    A supercharger helps. Without one, when you hit 50 or 55 mph and reach for the shifter, you'll realize that you are already in top gear.

    While you are looking at this particular TD, drive it and see if it is a good fit for you. People buy TCs for the looks, the best T-type is a late TF with the 1500cc engine. TFs are better looking than the TD as well.

    KevFla
     
  4. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #4 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    Very good post. Drive one.

    Don't expect to put a supercharger on it, though. Kits are no longer available, and older ones cost half as much as the car.

    I have a '52. It's a great car. The front end feels modern, with a rack-and-pinion steering and coil springs and A-arms, while the rear is old school.

    Anything that looks that good, for that kind of money, is awesome. There aren't many affordable cars that can fold down their windshields (or use Brooklands screens) or use tonneau covers.

    Matt
     
  5. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #5 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    I apologize; I didn't answer the question.

    It depends highly on condition. Teens to twenties. Buy the best car you can, because it's not worth putting money into one, and the rougher car will be harder to sell.
     
  6. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #6 nathandarby67, Jul 8, 2012
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2012
    Thanks for all the input guys. Excellent info! I have ridden in but not driven a TD, so am somewhat familiar with their concept of "safety fast". I've owned and/or driven several B's and Midgets, in addition to several Triumph models, the earliest being a TR-3. So overall I think I have a good feel for old British stuff, but haven't personally owned or driven anything as old as a T series car. All things being equal, of the T series I like the TC the best, but with the TD a close second. And it is hard for me to justify the price difference at the current asking prices.

    Interestingly, with the TD I have ridden in, I have had a chance to experience it both with and without a supercharger. The owner has gone back and forth over the years, originally using a Judson unit that he never could get quite sorted so eventually took it off. Then later on he added a different one that I think he still has on the car. It does make a noticeable difference, but either way you slice it the car will still be about the slowest thing on the road at any given moment. So for me I think I would be perfectly happy buzzing along an empty backroad at 40-50 mph. One of the great things about these cars is that you really feel like you're going fast, even when you are getting passed by Priuses and minivans!
     
  7. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #7 nathandarby67, Jul 8, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here are a few pics of the car in question. I apologize if they don't come out very clear. The owner is an older gentleman and didn't have a way to email pics, so he sent me a big envelope full of 4x6 prints, just like in the old days! :). I suppose such a vintage car calls for a vintage purchasing experience. Anyway, I just snapped pics of the pics with my iPhone and uploaded them here, so I don't know how great they will turn out.

    Obviously, the dash is not original. The gauges look off to me as well, but I am not certain. I know they came in an early and later style, but I must admit I am not familiar enough to just tell at a glance if these are correct. I suppose the air filters are not factory correct either, I will have to ask the seller if he has all the original pieces for the air filter and intake assembly. I have no idea if the steering wheel is correct or not, but I do like it! I love the old Brooklands style 4 spoke wheel you see sometimes, and this one reminds me of those a bit. Does anyone else see anything that jumps out at them?
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  8. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #8 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    Well said.

    And you obviously know what you're in for! It looks like a lovely car.

    (TD steering is much nicer than TC steering, IMHO. And the TR3 is almost the same age... In fact the rack-and-pinion steering of the TD is newer than the worm-and-peg of the TR3.)

    The walnut dash isn't concours correct, but I want to do the same to mine. I like it a lot. The gauges and dash insert all seem original. The steering wheel also looks original. I prefer the Brooklands, and put one in my car.

    Is there any heater? (I would assume not.)

    As you said, a TD would be a good, fun place to park $15-20K for 6-12 months. The ballpark price sounds right.

    Go for it!
     
  9. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #9 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    In Mississippi, you may not care!

    Do go for it!

    And keep us updated.
     
  10. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #10 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    Check for bias ply tires and get a discount if it has them.

    You really, really want radials. 5 at $250 or so each adds up.

    (That number's for negotiations; you can get them for less.)
     
  11. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #11 nathandarby67, Jul 8, 2012
    Actually, I would much prefer a heater. Here in south Mississippi, our driving season here is more or less 12 months long. In Dec-Feb we may get a week or two of cold (and by that I mean highs in the 20's -30's), but it will invariably be followed by a week or two of days with highs in the mid 50's. Those sunny winter days in the mid 50's are some of my favorite old-car driving days. Not to mention spring and fall, which are glorious. So for those type days a heater is very nice to take the edge off of any chill. Honestly, the summer may be the worst time here for convertibles, as it is just TOO dang hot and humid. Without AC, 100 degrees with 90% humidity is just flat miserable even with the top down, although summer nights can be very nice.

    Back to the original heater topic, they were optional in these cars, correct? Any idea what parts for one would cost if I wanted to add one?

    Great tip on the tires....thanks!
     
  12. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #12 Smiles, Jul 8, 2012
    Abscence of a heater would have been original; anything added would be OK.

    Obviously, a period heater might be more attractive. However, adding a modern 12-volt heater and fan to the passenger footwell works best. It can be compact, draw few amps, and be efficient. The warmth will stay below the tonneau and keep you happy.

    Don't worry about originality. (Your dash has dashed it!) But find the heater that fits what you want. Look around the passenger footwell, on the firewall side. You'll figure something out. PM me if you'd like.

    I wish there was a better MG TD Forum...
     
  13. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #13 nathandarby67, Sep 19, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2012
    Got one!!

    Well I ended up passing on the red car. Seller was a little too sticky on price. I came across this '52 model the other day, and was able to work out a deal with the seller we were both happy with, in the middle of the range mentioned above.

    The car was nut-and-bolt restored in 2004, and used as a nice driver since then. Needs essentially nothing, is ready to enjoy for the fall. My plan is to freshen up a few cosmetic items as i go and just enjoy the thing for 6-12 months. My to-do list includes: under the hood cosmetics such as polishing up the carb and manifolds, replacing some tarnished lines and hoses, and touching up the engine paint. I will replace the dash with one of my own in burl maple, may look for a Brooklands steering wheel too. May go ahead and put in fresh carpet, although what is in it is not bad. Otherwise interior is perfect. Paint and mechanicals need nothing. May look for a heater. Has about a 1 inch tear on the front corner of the top I will try to have mended. Tires have good tread but are a little dry, I will probably get new ones. Any advice on the best kind?

    View attachment 1588740 View attachment 1588741 View attachment 1588742 View attachment 1588743 View attachment 1588744 View attachment 1588745 View attachment 1588746 View attachment 1588747 View attachment 1588748
     
  14. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #14 nathandarby67, Sep 19, 2012
  15. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #15 Smiles, Sep 20, 2012
    Congratulations!
     
  16. rcsaH-CR

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    #16 rcsaH-CR, May 14, 2013
    That's a really beautiful TD - congratulations! Having spent many happy years enjoying windscreen-down motoring in a TD, I can promise you're in for a lot of fun. :)
     
  17. nathandarby67

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    #17 nathandarby67, May 15, 2013
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    Oh yes, I have been loving it. My 2.5 year old REALLY loves it....he can't resist jumping in it every time we walk by in the garage. I love the vintage driving experience, you really have to think and concentrate to drive it well. It also has wonderful steering feel, very communicative.

    Speaking of windscreen-down, on my short list of TD stuff I want is a set of Brooklands racing screens to mount behind the main screen for just that purpose. I tried the screen down without them, and there is quite the wind blast coming at anything over about 40 mph!
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  18. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #18 Smiles, May 15, 2013
    That last one is great!
     
  19. FerMaz

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    #19 FerMaz, May 15, 2013
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    Thought I would post a picture of my MGTC. I have had the car since 1981 and in 1998 had the car shipped to England along with 11 other TCs belonging to members of the TC Motoring Guild and drove through the country for 3 weeks. I can tell you that it was one of the greatest trips of my life. The T series cars are great to own and a TD is a good tourer because of the brakes and suspension. If you havent already join an MG Car Club.

    Mel
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  20. leead1

    leead1 F1 Rookie

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    #20 leead1, May 15, 2013
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    Glad to see you are still kicking around. I hope you are well and enjoying yourself :)

    Was it at your house that guy brought his because he wanted to sell it, It is slow by todays standards but O liked the light drive feel and the car is well just cool.

    But as you know I did not buy it. I can understand someone wanting to own one. I think the asking price was $15k but I cannot remember for sure.

    For you guys who do not know Kevin he is an expert on these cars and the old Porsches to name a few. I have known Kevin for along time and trust his judgement totally. On this forum which I love you get kids posing but Kevin is the real deal. Many people seek him out.

    Regards,
    Lee
     
  21. kevfla

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    #21 kevfla, May 15, 2013
    Lee...

    I don't know what to say at the moment but "Thank you" for your kind words! I'm very flattered.

    My dad started restoring T-types in the mid-1960s as a technical challenge for himself. He would spend around 2000 hours for a complete "ground-up" restoration. He said that if you treat the car like a 1:1 scale model, you'll get it done."

    I picked-up on a lot of details thru osmosis.

    Lee, you are a "real deal" yourself! You've shared many of your insights and experiences with us kids. For that, we (collectively) are grateful.

    Kevin
     
  22. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #22 Smiles, May 29, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
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    #23 nathandarby67, May 29, 2013
    Very nice! Love that color combo, especially with the black wheels.
     
  24. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #24 Smiles, May 29, 2013
    Thank you. It also has red leather seats that I got from Moss. They're so much better than vinyl in the heat.

    Matt
     
  25. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #25 Smiles, Jun 21, 2013
    I finally found this thread again!

    "MG" and "TD" are too short to search on.

    So: MGTD, XPAG and XPEG!

    Matt
     
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