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1948 MG TC               SOLD

Similar quality car available soon, please enquire.

 

Chassis Number – TC5951

Engine Number – XPAG6574

 

Matching numbers, original specification car with history, restoration documentation and tool kit.

UPDATE - Available with brand new 19" centre laced roll edged painted wheels with Blockley tyres, at additional cost, as shown in some of the pictures above.  Age related number plate now issued by the DVLA.  Carb service, rebuilt dynamo and new HT leads have the engine running beautifully ready for summer motoring.

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Post War classic motoring at its best especially in a motor vehicle as well cared for as this.

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Purchased new in 1949 from Lane’s Motors of Melbourne, Australia (Dealer plates still installed in the passenger foot well), AHZ524 had two keepers before passing to its previous owner in 1962.  With the car is a hand written mileage maintenance record dating from November 1953 to June 1963 covering 103,340 miles.  The TC was taken off the road in 1965 when the mileage read 112,499.  Also present is an Australian equivalent of Road Fund Licence dated to 3rd of April 1963 and a wind screen sticker from 1964 is still visible.  This cars originality is therefore unquestionable.

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The then owner started a long and extensive restoration a year later by his memory.  The body and chassis were in well used condition but being a dry climate car had not suffered from corrosion.  The body panels were refitted to a new timber frame which was oiled.  The chassis was refreshed by Jack Pryer and certainly no welding is evident so likely it was just straightened where necessary.  Mr Pryer was well known locally and built custom racing cars in the 60’s and 70’s.  Another local racing legend, Eric Pengilly, rebuilt the engine to what we would now call ‘fast road’ spec.  The engine work was completed around 1980.  Many new parts were purchased from a local New South Wales based MG dealer ‘Ron Ward PTY Ltd’ when he ceased trading in the mid 60’s.  With the cars documents are receipts from Ron Ward for ‘Front Guards - £12 each’, ‘MG TC Gearbox - £60’ and a crank, imagine the value of these items today.  Other original new parts used were the radiator, exhaust system, steering column and box, steering wheel control cables, wiring and majority of the chrome parts.  These brand new parts were used during the restoration which was completed in 2006.

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Presented in its original build colour scheme of black with green interior and grill, which is not believed to have ever been anything different, the car is a picture.  Two folders of documents, related letters, invoices, period magazine articles, some photographs of before and during the restoration, original instruction manuals and a near complete toolkit come with the vehicle.

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Since AHZ524 had not turned a wheel the after restoration was completed, or even had its engine started, extensive recommissioning was undertaken in September this year.  She sat on axle stands in the owners living room until his wife passed away and a smaller home no longer allowed this.  The process was simple since the owner had changed the engine oil yearly and filled it to the top of the rocker cover preventing any internal corrosion.  Neither the brake nor cooling systems were filled until now.  All rubber parts on the body work, engine and braking system were replaced and auxileries checked at the same time.  Fluids all replaced.  All that stopped the car starting first time was the distributor being 180 degrees out.

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Other nice features of the restoration are Alfin brake drums, stamped MG but likely made locally, by a dealer, for racing.  With the fully rebuilt system, braking is excellent (I do have experience of other TC’s).  The interior is still the original green leather, well-nourished and quite wonderful.  The instruments are also original and unrestored but work perfectly and look beautiful.

If, like me, you find many restorations go way beyond the original quality of manufacturer and like patina in appropriate areas, this car is for you.  Having said that, the body work is concourse and engine and running gear mechanically perfect.  Only dry weather use since recommissioning which is evident when looking at the pictures.

Performance is surprising and has improved during the fifty miles covered since recommissioning.  When pushing on past three thousand RPM, which the fully balanced engine allows, an extra shove is quite noticeable.  Suspension is standard.  The gearbox, unsurprisingly, is like new.  The none standard alloy engine parts were fitted in the 60’s and appear in photographs from that era.

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Modern updates during restoration are limited to indicators (switch with blinker to right of steering column on dash edge) and the ability to independently control the fuel pump and ignition power.  Currently these switches are removed (wiring joined with Lucas connectors) and the key controls everything but this could be re-instated if desired for security.  The air filter is modified with cast alloy ends for element replacement.  The vehicle is still positive earth with a new cloth covered wiring loom.

Wet weather gear is not original except for the metal frames.  Hood, tonneau and side screens are PVC dating prior to 1963 and are all tight and perfectly usable and showing patina like the interior.

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The balance of original and new is adorable and one not often achieved.  The unique opportunity of rebuilding with parts from period combined with no use since the 60’s is frankly beautiful.  You may prefer 19” wheels but we know many 16s were fitted to aid handling and ride.  Simple to change if you desire, as would be changing the wet weather gear and interior.  Out of interest the soft top is correctly installed onto the lip above the bodywork, not nailed through, meaning it could be completely removed if desired.

 

Sitting on brand new 19" centre laced roll edged painted wheels with Blockley tyres, as shown in some of the pictures above.  Age related number plate issued by the DVLA.  Carb service, rebuilt dynamo and new HT leads have the engine running beautifully ready for summer motoring.

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Details to be addressed are cockpit carpets and tyres.  The latter are an MOT pass from an appreciative engineer but lacking in grip.  Price also includes a replacement leather interior kit.  

 

Car can be viewed in Hampshire and test driven in dry conditions by appointment only.

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Ecurie Historica

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