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INCREDIBLE SURVIVOR 1952 MG TD MGTD TIME-WARP ALL ORIGINAL!!

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Edwardsville, Illinois, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: MG
  • Model: T-Series
  • Type: Convertible
  • Year: 1952
  • Mileage: 89,026
  • VIN: XPAGTD216423
  • Color: Black
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Interior color: Green
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1952 MG T-Series Description

INCREDIBLE SURVIVOR1952 MG TDOrignal Paint, Interiorand TopMatching Numbers and Strong RunnerRust Free and Totally StraightExciting 1952 MGTD representing a rare opportunity to own a true survivor time warp and excellent runner.

This 1952 MG TD is an all-original MG TD that has retained its original finishes since the day it left the factory on May 13, 1952. The paint, interior, chrome, motor, windshield, side curtains, tools, even the convertible canvas top are all-original. Moreover, this incredible 64 year-old survivor car is in excellent running condition. It starts, runs, shifts, turns, and stops as designed and is a real joy to drive.

A North America export left-hand drive model, the car's history starts with Henry O**t owning it first in Morton and Kankakee, Illinois. After his long-term ownership, he sold it to his friend John Mc****n of Kankakee in 1980. Mr. Mc****n owned the car for the next 28 years, with his friend Henry O**t serving as mechanic to maintain the car. In 2009, Mr. McCracken sold the car and it became the property of Donald D***y of Springfield, Illinois, who in turn sold it in 2014 to Michael F*****d of Charleston, Illinois. (Documentation, copies of 2 prior titles, and names of previous owners will accompany car)

The car has a documented total mileage of 89,025 miles. Having always been in the upper Midwest, XPAGTD216423 has been strictly a summer car only. Because of that fact, it was never exposed to salt and hence rust, nor has it suffered desert states year-round blistering sun, resulting in preservation of paint, factory textile fender welting, interior finishes, dash fabric, and canvas top. More importantly, the body and frame is completely rust-free and all metal work is as it left the factory.

I am including many photos that show the true condition of the car. As you can see, the car has lots of patina, as would be reasonably expected from a 1952 model car with almost all of it's original finishes. The paint is mostly original lacquer, with chip touch-ups throughout and a couple of blended spots. It still shows well from a distance and has its very unique survivor appeal up close. The right-hand upper engine bonnet has been repainted once and that finish now has its flaws as well blending in nicely with the rest of the car.

The body panels of the car are extremely straight with no major dings or damage. This car appears to have been accident free its entire life. I see one minor door ding on the passenger side door and a small dent right in front of the driver's headlight. The doors are arrow straight with no waves. The fenders are excellent as well.

The car's chrome is in excellent condition, especially the radiator and windscreen frame, stanchions, and folding mechanism showing only minor blemishes and still having a beautiful luster. Chrome door handles and door latches are in very good condition showing some wear but no major pitting or flaking. Headlight bezels are in very good condition. A recent owner has added two fender-mounted rear view mirrors to make the car safer to run on modern roads. Not original, albeit correct model, one could reverse or leave as is. Running light tear-drop chrome bodies show wear on the driver's side. Front bumper is in acceptable condition with three holes drilled for license plate mounting. Rear bumper is showing wear and areas of its chrome are worn through.

The interior is a wonderful place to be. The original dash and instruments are in excellent condition. The original green canvas and welting is very well preserved, vibrant, and strong. The glove box is intact and fully operational. The little rear view mirror is showing some very slight pitting and the mirror itself is slightly fogged though fully functional. The steering wheel shows typical shrinking where the bakelite meets the metal spokes and the rim has been covered with a leather stitched-on cover that is supple and pleasant to the touch. It appears as is it was put on early in the car's life. The original green leather seats are present under simply tacked-in modern vinyl covers. The original seat covers are age-worn, cracked, and show losses. As such, the vinyl covers are an effective solution to preserve the original leather, yet make the car fully fun to drive. The door cards are in excellent original condition. They are vibrant and have a mellow patina. The forward interior covers are original as well and show damage—more pronounced at the driver's side—right in front of the door opening from drivers dragging their feet against it when exiting. These can be touched up and restored to serve many more years. The carpet on both driver-side and passenger side has disintegrated but comes with the car for historical reference. The parcel shelf area is excellent condition, needing only some minor regluing of the storage box's inner lining—see photos. Remarkably, the canvas top is original. It shows minor discoloration outside, and minor wear and water stains to the inner side. The window shows wear but is still clear. The car also comes with a full tonneau over. It is still functional but its zipper is missing the odd tooth here and there. In all, this motorcar is very unique and original. The interior (door cards, chrome latches, foul weather curtain retaining nuts, top, dash) could do with a good cleaning as much of the dirt and stains showing will clean of,but I am leaving that up to the next owner.

The car comes with all its period accessories. The jack and two-piece jack handle, the engine crank handle (mounted behind the seats), complete toolkit, full canvas foul weather curtains (two windows broken, frames showing rubbing from banging around in their storage box behind the seats for 60+ years), and the optional heater core.

Structurally, this MG TD is a dream. All fenders, frame, inner fenders, and metal are rust free and accident free. The underside of the car needs a thorough clean up as it is wearing decades of grease, road tar, and oil. The fenders also sport a layer of sandy grime from the last owner's exercising the car every couple of months on his property. I washed up part of the passenger side underside to show true condition—see photos. With some elbow grease the underneath could be put back close to factory plus normal wear.

The wooden frame of the car is superb as well. The door shut perfectly and there is virtually no sag. The exposed wood underneath the car is in fantastic shape.

As stated initially, this beautiful car drives very well. Performance is perky for the 1,250cc capacity and the car has a wonderful bass'y and throaty sound while under load. With its 89,000 miles, the engine smokes slightly on revving but feels strong, smooth, and responsive. Compression is excellent and the engine has excellent power. As all MG TD enthusiasts know, the engine starts right up: a sign of health and proper tuning. Steering is good, the car tracks straight, the brakes work well. Clutch take-up is excellent and the transmission makes makes a very satisfying and intoxication snicking noise—see videos. The gear whine in first is normal for MG TD with their straight-cut first gear. Second through 4 do not have this whine. In all, this is a wonderfully driving car that can really be enjoyed on the road. Please take a look at all the videos of the car driving. I do not know how many original paint, chrome, interior, engine, and accessories MG TD's are left, but there cannot be many. The term "reference car" car came to mind when writing this description and, for sure, to the true enthusiast this car represents a unique opportunity to own one of the most original MG TD's to be offered online. An exciting find! We all know the saying by now: "Original only once!”

Please ask all questions before bidding and the close of the auction. I reserve the right to end the auction early as it is for sale locally as well. I will not disclose the reserve, but that said, the reserve is extremely reasonable for such a remarkable example of this iconic MG. Bidders with less than 30 positive Ebay transactions, or with more than 3 negatives please contact me directly so as to make your intent clear. Finally, a $1,000 deposit paid through PayPal is due within 24 hours from close of auction.

I welcome international buyers and am willing to work with your international shipper. Positive feedback and deposit as per above holds here as well.

Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding!

Good luck and please contact me with any questions.Good luck and please contact me with any questions.Click here to see descriptionINCREDIBLE SURVIVOR1952 MG TDOrignal Paint, Interiorand TopRust Free and Totally StraightMatching Numbers and Strong RunnerExciting 1952 MGTD representing a rare opportunity to own a true survivor time warp and excellent runner.

This 1952 MG TD is an all-original MG TD that has retained its original finishes since the day it left the factory on May 13, 1952. The paint, interior, chrome, motor, windshield, side curtains, tools, even the convertible canvas top are all-original. Moreover, this incredible 64 year-old survivor car is in excellent running condition. It starts, runs, shifts, turns, and stops as designed and is a real joy to drive.

A North America export left-hand drive model, the car's history starts with Henry O**t owning it first in Morton and Kankakee, Illinois. After his long-term ownership, he sold it to his friend John Mc****n of Kankakee in 1980. Mr. Mc****n owned the car for the next 28 years, with his friend Henry O**t serving as mechanic to maintain the car. In 2009, Mr. McCracken sold the car and it became the property of Donald D***y of Springfield, Illinois, who in turn sold it in 2014 to Michael F*****d of Charleston, Illinois. (Documentation, copies of 2 prior titles, and names of previous owners will accompany car)

The car has a documented total mileage of 89,025 miles. Having always been in the upper Midwest, XPAGTD216423 has been strictly a summer car only. Because of that fact, it was never exposed to salt and hence rust, nor has it suffered desert states year-round blistering sun, resulting in preservation of paint, factory textile fender welting, interior finishes, dash fabric, and canvas top. More importantly, the body and frame is completely rust-free and all metal work is as it left the factory.

I am including many photos that show the true condition of the car. As you can see, the car has lots of patina, as would be reasonably expected from a 1952 model car with almost all of it's original finishes. The paint is mostly original lacquer, with chip touch-ups throughout and a couple of blended spots. It still shows well from a distance and has its very unique survivor appeal up close. The right-hand upper engine bonnet has been repainted once and that finish now has its flaws as well blending in nicely with the rest of the car.

The body panels of the car are extremely straight with no major dings or damage. This car appears to have been accident free its entire life. I see one minor door ding on the passenger side door and a small dent right in front of the driver's headlight. The doors are arrow straight with no waves. The fenders are excellent as well.

The car's chrome is in excellent condition, especially the radiator and windscreen frame, stanchions, and folding mechanism showing only minor blemishes and still having a beautiful luster. Chrome door handles and door latches are in very good condition showing some wear but no major pitting or flaking. Headlight bezels are in very good condition. A recent owner has added two fender-mounted rear view mirrors to make the car safer to run on modern roads. Not original, albeit correct model, one could reverse or leave as is. Running light tear-drop chrome bodies show wear on the driver's side. Front bumper is in acceptable condition with three holes drilled for license plate mounting. Rear bumper is showing wear and areas of its chrome are worn through.

The interior is a wonderful place to be. The original dash and instruments are in excellent condition. The original green canvas and welting is very well preserved, vibrant, and strong. The glove box is intact and fully operational. The little rear view mirror is showing some very slight pitting and the mirror itself is slightly fogged though fully functional. The steering wheel shows typical shrinking where the bakelite meets the metal spokes and the rim has been covered with a leather stitched-on cover that is supple and pleasant to the touch. It appears as is it was put on early in the car's life. The original green leather seats are present under simply tacked-in modern vinyl covers. The original seat covers are age-worn, cracked, and show losses. As such, the vinyl covers are an effective solution to preserve the original leather, yet make the car fully fun to drive. The door cards are in excellent original condition. They are vibrant and have a mellow patina. The forward interior covers are original as well and show damage—more pronounced at the driver's side—right in front of the door opening from drivers dragging their feet against it when exiting. These can be touched up and restored to serve many more years. The carpet on both driver-side and passenger side has disintegrated but comes with the car for historical reference. The parcel shelf area is excellent condition, needing only some minor regluing of the storage box's inner lining—see photos. Remarkably, the canvas top is original. It shows minor discoloration outside, and minor wear and water stains to the inner side. The window shows wear but is still clear. The car also comes with a full tonneau over. It is still functional but its zipper is missing the odd tooth here and there. In all, this motorcar is very unique and original. The interior (door cards, chrome latches, foul weather curtain retaining nuts, top, dash) could do with a good cleaning as much of the dirt and stains showing will clean of,but I am leaving that up to the next owner.

The car comes with all its period accessories. The jack and two-piece jack handle, the engine crank handle (mounted behind the seats), complete toolkit, full canvas foul weather curtains (two windows broken, frames showing rubbing from banging around in their storage box behind the seats for 60+ years), and the optional heater core.

Structurally, this MG TD is a dream. All fenders, frame, inner fenders, and metal are rust free and accident free. The underside of the car needs a thorough clean up as it is wearing decades of grease, road tar, and oil. The fenders also sport a layer of sandy grime from the last owner's exercising the car every couple of months on his property. I washed up part of the passenger side underside to show true condition—see photos. With some elbow grease the underneath could be put back close to factory plus normal wear.

The wooden frame of the car is superb as well. The door shut perfectly and there is virtually no sag. The exposed wood underneath the car is in fantastic shape.

As stated initially, this beautiful car drives very well. Performance is perky for the 1,250cc capacity and the car has a wonderful bass'y and throaty sound while under load. With its 89,000 miles, the engine smokes slightly on revving but feels strong, smooth, and responsive. Compression is excellent and the engine has excellent power. As all MG TD enthusiasts know, the engine starts right up: a sign of health and proper tuning. Steering is good, the car tracks straight, the brakes work well. Clutch take-up is excellent and the transmission makes makes a very satisfying and intoxication snicking noise—see videos. The gear whine in first is normal for MG TD with their straight-cut first gear. Second through 4 do not have this whine. In all, this is a wonderfully driving car that can really be enjoyed on the road. Please take a look at all the videos of the car driving. I do not know how many original paint, chrome, interior, engine, and accessories MG TD's are left, but there cannot be many. The term "reference car" car came to mind when writing this description and, for sure, to the true enthusiast this car represents a unique opportunity to own one of the most original MG TD's to be offered online. An exciting find! We all know the saying by now: "Original only once!”

Please ask all questions before bidding and the close of the auction. I reserve the right to end the auction early as it is for sale locally as well. I will not disclose the reserve, but that said, the reserve is extremely reasonable for such a remarkable example of this iconic MG. Bidders with less than 30 positive Ebay transactions, or with more than 3 negatives please contact me directly so as to make your intent clear. Finally, a $1,000 deposit paid through PayPal is due within 24 hours from close of auction.

I welcome international buyers and am willing to work with your international shipper. Positive feedback and deposit as per above holds here as well.

Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding!

Good luck and please contact me with any questions.