Mike and Barb s 1953 MG TD The first time I remember seeing an MG was in about 1959. I was like in 2 nd grade. I remember my dad bringing home a remote car for me. Not the remote you think of now, it had a battery box with a steering wheel. A 3 foot cable connected to the most beautiful car a kid could want. A green 1952 MG TD. I ran the tires off that thing. As well as using more than my share of batteries over the next several months. Don t have that car anymore, darn. As a teenager, I tried several other cars. But never could find an MG that would fill the spot in my mind left by that car. Fast forward to 2006. Barb and I were talking and I had told her about that car. She told me to buy one. Should I wait any longer? NO. I found several candidates on EBAY Craigslist and some other sites. Well we settled on this one. It was in California. The seller stated it was in fair shape. Pic showed a nice car. And it ran! Good enough for me. It was not the same color as my old one, but it ran and I could get it. Got the money, a trailer and off we went. When we got her home, and checked it out more. It had a solid body. This is a numbers matching car. Paint has some chips and the top needs replacing, but did I say it ran? The inside was in fair condition but the carpet had to go. Back to EBay. Found a carpet set in black, along with a few other items. It was addicting. And I was hooked. I had built a spare part inventory. Now was the time to start working on her. I changed a few things on her. Like replacing the cracked windscreen. But mostly took short trips. Grand kids loved it.
Meanwhile, back on EBay 2007, I found another car I had to add to my stable. Even the paint was close to the one I already had grown to love. Barb would not let me drive it so I had David drive for me. I was a little jealous of those chrome spokes I tell ya.
Of course David was hot rodding the car and had to work on it often. He said it crapped out a lot. Later on he grew up and we sold it in 2011. Fast forward to 2016. Out for a drive in our TD and the engine made some strange noise. Time to work on it some more. Time for a rebuild. This is where the noise came from. Another one had big chunks of the ring missing and in the sump. Ok I need help. Contacted Doug Pelton at From The Frame Up. He would take a look at it for me and give me a price.
This thing ran hot and is just tired. You can tell this by the color of its skin.
The more I took it down, the more I just had to FIX. Full brake system ( lines cylinders - M/C ). Brake light relay. Another radiator from Clark s of Prescott AZ. The old one had a couple leaks after a cleaning.
Front springs ( springs messed up a bit ). Replaced with new. Right dumb iron bent. Doug at From The Frame Up, picked up my engine. It took several weeks, but he had it back looking like new.
They had to take it out to +.60 on the bore and pistons, which means it needed it. And only.10 on crank and cam. Had them install the MOSS rear seal ( with crank groove cut MOD ). Timing chain and sprockets. Re-built oil pump gen starter and new improved thermostat w/ replaceable thermostat. New water pump with 6 paddles for more water movement. I just kept cleaning up the engine bay- dash new wire harness ( which was really easy to complete ). When I installed the new harness. At the rear, I connected a 4 wire connector for the rear tail lights. This gave me a connector for 2 LED lights for brake/turn and running lights. These can be pulled for shows as the base sits on top of fuel tank with magnets. WIRES everywhere!
Changed out the dash to a solid walnut dash with glove box along with a new back plate. BTW When I took out the old dash, I was greeted with a message from 1991. From the last people to work on the dash.
So Barb and I left one of our own on the new back plate. No I am not going to show you. It is for the next care taker to find. Next I had to fix the tool box. Battery acid had eaten a big area. I cut it out and welded in some new metal. After cleaning up the shuttle, I found where the factory must have stored the preformed steel outside before welding it all together. Note the top edge and the side edge as welded. The top must have been really rusted before being used.
A few weeks later Doug delivered my new engine and I could not wait to get it installed. From The Frame Up did a fantastic job. AND It looks great. When I fired it the first time, MAN what a RUSH! 1stRUNuP.mp4 Made lots of mods to the car, from new floor boards to rebuilding the pedal shaft (which was a piece of cake with floors out) and was publicized as the worse job you can do on a MG. I also drilled a 3 rd hole as well and grooves for the grease. So many rebuild items to put here. Ask me and I have rebuilt it. I have learned so much about MG s. I am glad Barb and I rebuilt every mechanical item on this car. All that s left is to re-do a paint job. BTW I did not paint this scheme on the car. But it is a close copy of Al Moss s TC. Cookies N Cream.
Our engine installed 2016 After a few trips to club events and around town, what a joy to drive. You can see the 3 of us almost every week. Now for Barb s side of the story!!! Time-lots Money- whoa Nellie!!! Fun-priceless
November 2017 UPDATE Because I added a heater, it was still too chilly for barb without side curtains (no frames as yet) and cold air sweeping into the cab, so I built clear side windows.
And for when it is hot outside, I built a chiller to drop inside temp. down a good 25 degrees( it works ). She calls me a macgyver sometimes. Wonder where she got that? So what do I do when its just right outside for a drive but too sunny?
10/24/2017 Started out on a club run when the clutch rod broke after only 1 block from house (thank you ). Just another was going to do items left. Then built a new clutch rod w/ swivel ends. Need to build the other rod and shorten this one. No room for adjustment ( ½ inch too long ). Made up an over flow jug for radiator. Works good and no more sick kitties.