1938 MG TA Special Race Car: First Startup after a 6 year restoration

This was the first startup of the 1938 MG TA Special (Chassis 2962) after 6 years of work. It's great to finally hear it run! I'll post more detailed videos after I get the mixture dialed in and sort out some of the smaller issues like the electric tachometer and the Ki-gas pump not priming. Stay tuned for more updates.

[@classicperformanceltd]

Well done. Sounds great and looks like a very high spec restoration.

[@ccootsona]

Thank you. I set the bar quite high on this one because I wanted to continue pushing my skills learned from previous projects, and the longer I spent on details, the better the car became. Thanks should go to the great community of MG pre- and post war people who offered helpful suggestions. and contacts to get ahold of the rare bits that make this car unique. I spent many hours reading about and looking at photos of P-types, Q-types, and T series, trying to find a way to build a period correct T-series special but with a new Q-type pointed tail body. Finding the crossflow head and the 4 Q-type gauges were the most crucial pieces because they are characteristic of the pre-war examples. This summer I will swap out the current Wilson Pre-selector gearbox (lighter duty from a Daimler Consort) for a stronger rebuilt unit of the same design (from a Daimler Lanchester) that can handle the supercharged XPAG. That will make the car absolutely a thrill to drive without worring about babying the gearchanges! Stay tuned for that video series!

[@billmarsh3767]

APPLAUSE!!!!-----great car---fantastic workmanship.

[@gregcdchannel7312]

Wow, it's so cool!

[@ungurdani8346]

Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ...

[@bertiewooster3326]

Not a TA engine though but a Xpag engine !

[@ccootsona]

Yes, XPAG TD2 block with all new internals. Bored to 0.080" over so room for at least one more rebuild if I wear it out. This puts out plenty of power for this old chassis, so tire grip and suspension are limiting factors.

[@bertiewooster3326]

@@ccootsona Interesting Craig but where did you get your +80 pistons from have you a reference number ? Thanks

[@ccootsona]

@@bertiewooster3326 They are JE Pistons Custom made Part # 228536, and Farndon connecting rods. I used Steve Baker to source these parts because he races them and knows what works. Most XPAG blocks can go up to 100 thou overbore to give 1350 cc, and some even more, so I have room for another rebuild left in this block if needed.