Today’s car is the 1953 MG TD Roadster owned by Richard Johnson. This beautiful MG is finished in a two-tone combination of Autumn Red and Ivory with a biscuit leather interior. The Stayfast top, side curtains and tonneau cover are done in tan canvas. The TD was wider than its predecessor, the MG TC, and provided 5″ of extra width in the interior. It also was, unlike the MG TC, available with left hand drive, expressly for the US market.
It is powered by the XPAG inline 4 cylinder engine with 54.4 hp, 76.3 cu in, 1.25 l, with 2-1bbl SU H2 semi-downdrafts carburetors. Transferring that power to a 4-speed manual transmission with 4.3:1 rear axle gear ratio. Slowing this beauty down are 9 inch hydraulic drum brakes in all 4-corners. It has independent front suspension with coil springs and the rear suspension is a rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs. The later TDs did not come with a fuel gauge, but they did have a green light on the dashboard that flashed when the fuel tank became low. Earlier models had no gauge or light, and owners often carried a yardstick to drop into the tank to check the level.
The MG TD 2 door Roadsters were produced between 1950-1953. During that period of time 29,614 units built, in 1953 6,510 were built with 3,509 of them being exported to the USA. The MSRP was $2157.00. The published top speed was 78 mph and with a 0 to 60 time of 18.2 seconds. This is a beautiful example of one of the cars that introduced sports cars to American buyers. This award winning MG is impeccably restored and will continue to do well in the all British and MG marque shows, drawing attention at any Cars & Coffee events it attends. This is a great car to take a cruise up the coast with like minded friends on the weekend morning. Top down, of course. Thanks for riding along. Frank
