1951 MG TD Restomod

Description

The traditional MG: light, quick, with cut-down doors and flowing fenders, and that upright MG grille up front. Evolution was slow at Morris Garage, but there's a reason why cars like this 1951 MG TD were brought home by the hundreds by GIs returning from Europe, and why they remain wildly popular today. This particular red droptop has been taken a step further to accommodate the bigger roads Stateside, and now features a 4.3L V6 engine matted to a 5-speed manual gearbox, along with the vastly improved stopping power of 4-wheel disc brakes. All that same classic British styling, but with a healthy heaping of American power and reliability. A 'Special Relationship' indeed.

The look is pure pre-war, with separate fenders and a long hood, but the energetic handling and performance were quite contemporary. This MG was fully restored from top-to-bottom three years ago, but not to the point where you're afraid to drive it, which misses the point entirely. The body construction is traditional, but that also means that it's light and easy to repair, and this one shows no signs of serious damage or the MG's arch-nemesis: rust. Hood and door fit are quite good, and the bright red paint is a very correct-looking finish that's got a great shine but no metallic, so it looks right on the diminutive roadster. It is certainly nice enough to attend just about any British car show on the circuit, and with only 1226 miles on the build it still looks very fresh with only the smallest of imperfections to speak of. And the overall presentation is what endears MGs to their legions of fans; this car gets the look right. Of course, things like the chrome grille, stand-alone headlights, mounted rear spare, and simple bumpers give it an old-fashioned look, and they're all in great shape too, which means this MG is ready to impress.

Inside the cabin, there's adequate room for two once you settle into the rather wide seat and assume the proper driving position. In actuality, with an upgraded, sculpted bench seat wrapped in high-end red vinyl hides, you'll probably find it's easy to spend hours behind the wheel without fatigue and there's plenty of room for two normal-sized folks so no complaints about long road trips in this neat little roadster. Well, maybe your cheeks will be hurting from grinning so much, but the driving experience is involving without being exhausting. The interesting split-bench seat has been properly reupholstered and even includes a mini-center console complete with a cup holder, because as Americans we simply can't resist taking our beverages to go. The upholstery does a pretty good impersonation of leather without the added maintenance, as do the matching door panels, while plush black carpets with MG- embroidered mats complete the ensemble. The padded red dashboard houses an array of pretty Stewart-Warner instruments that retain the vintage British look, and we're particularly fond of the ornate metal center panel with the secondary controls. An upgraded AR three spoke steering wheel forgoes that traditional skinny rim and is a perfect complement to the 3-ball topped shifter down below, and there are wind wings at the flanks that help keep the cabin comfortable at speed. And since MG lovers are serious about their cars, this one includes a fresh black canvas convertible top and side curtains for the cockpit.

The whole point of an MG isn't brute power, but this one is much peppier than the originals thanks to the GM 4.3L V6 under the bonnet. It's a wonderful runner with a great baritone soundtrack, firing up easily through an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and inhaling through a chrome air cleaner. The whole engine is scarcely bigger than a mini-barrel of English stout, but all the parts are easy to get at and maintain, which is the whole point. It's also beautifully detailed with red engine enamel and black valve covers, making this an MG you can show with pride almost anywhere. The engine's linked to a slick-shifting Borg Warner 5-speed manual transmission whose light action and progressive clutch are the cornerstone of performance driving and you'll never get tired of dropping down a gear to hear the engine's song, which is further enhanced through the long-tube headers that feed the dual exhaust system through glasspack-style mufflers below. The chassis features an independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, QA1 adjustable coilovers in the rear, and 4-wheel disc brakes, and it sits on painted steel wheels adorned with proper MG center caps, wrapped in staggered 165/80/15 front and 215/70/15 rear radials that finish the look perfectly.

One drive and you'll see why it's so easy to love an MG and why the market on these cars is on the way up. And with the killer upgrades this '51 features, they'll have to pry you out of the driver's seat. Call today!