1952 MG TD Hot Rod - Jay Leno's Garage

[@avimiron2722]

Jay, I don't know whether you read these posts, but if you do, this is directed to you. Sometimes around 1978-79 my wife and I were walking around Carmel, CA when we stumbled into a red (just like your MG) 54 MG TF. It looked stock, but below the front bonnet was a little sign "powered by Cobra" Sure enough the tranni was an automatic. I spoke to the owner who had informed me that it was originally built for Bill Cosby (too small to rape anyone in it though). At the time I owned a 75 MGB. That car made me dream of creating an MG Cobra....my dream has finally come true. I still own the '75 but now it has an LS 3 under the bonnet, a 6 spd Tremec from a Viper, a 8.5 Curry rear end, 4 Bar suspension and it looks almost stock. Maybe I'll drive it up from Palm Springs to the Rock House on a Sunday morning later around April so you can see it.

[@ellomirza]

One old timer figured out how to use KZbin and doesn't like the mods. Thanks so much to everyone who produces films edits and everything else required to bring these vids to us for free no less. And thank you Jay for maintaining rolling history lessons. I love this channel.

[@paredding]

Totally. Something out there for everyone...

[@kevinhorning3624]

back in 74 my buddy and i put a chevy 283 with a muncie 4sp in a 59 bug eye. found a cut down 57 pontiac rear at a maple grove dragway swap meet and away we went. very scary car.

[@leonardclark615]

I had a bone stock 1953 TD in the 1970s. I affectionately named it the Death Trap. I guess that makes this one the Death Star. I love it.

[@coreyberry5283]

The shot at @22:24 is sublime. The sun reflecting, and the lighting just makes you go back in time. Beautiful car.

[@Parnelli1963]

I had a friend in high school whose big brother build one of these. Midnight Blue with White interior and a hand machined dash. Fast and beautiful. This was in the very early 1960's.

[@Chuck59ish]

Now that was fun ! You can't beat old guys in old Hot Rods ! And unless you know what you're looking for, except for the bigger tires on the back, it looks close to stock. But I want to see a video of Jay taking it to a MG Club meeting. It would be hilarious ! Thanks Jay.

[@martinda7446]

David is a wonderful guy. Really enjoyed listening to him. Marvellous.

[@monsteryes]

My grandfather had a mgtd with a gm small block back in the day, raced it all over New England, thanks for giving me a chance to see what he had!!! He started the gear head gene in my family that is still going strong.

[@PorkOMonTCG41]

I so love episodes like this. I work in engineering for a living and this is our bread and butter. I specifically work in Bio-Medical Engineering, but engineering doesn't change from application. So awesome.

[@zachyenonjoseph9295]

Literally the best channel on youtube

[@rodhogg8858]

Jay, I’m almost 70 and you make me feel like a kid again, keep it up!!

[@javifabela]

Jay, I loved this episode. I also watched the 2015 Z06 episode and I appreciate that you are so mindful of the financial aspect of the cars. I hate watching those shows that act like every one should be able to afford $200-500,000 cars. You make your episodes seem like everyone should be mindful of the afordability of any car, to include gas prices. Thanks for your show.

[@paulperales6009]

Sweet ride

[@javifabela]

Hi Paul!

[@paulperales6009]

What's up bro!!!

[@chordkc734]

This is simply a cool car. Say all you want about how it should be stock, but you cannot disagree that this is one badass MG.

[@xmo552]

Every time I have a great idea....within a few days it pops up on Jay's channel and someone already did it.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Great car! I love the finish on it. It looks like a very straight body, and perfect paint. The guy who built it looks like a great guy, too...it was so nice of Jay to feature him prominently in the video.

[@GhostTownRanch]

Not hard to resto, only part that’s metal are the fenders and doors, rest is wood 🤗

[@francisdoss8642]

Awesome 1952 MG TD Hot Rod...!Thanks for bringing David and Dustin on the show Leno...Marvellous people...Cheers...

[@joepacheco4038]

Hi Jay I'm also from Rhode Island. Back in the early 1960s there was an MG running around with a 283 two fours stand shift. I remember being behind it seeing two tailpipes had to pass to check out, seen small block under hood. Thumbs up to driver and backed off.

[@adrienperie6119]

People criticizing the fact he decided to make a hot rod out of it are really ignorant about basic principles. *If you are a car's last hope to ever run again or even just look like a car again*, *anything you do with it will be better than letting it all turn into rust*. Including using it to make a coffee table. Now if we were talking about an incredibly rare car, or that the car was moded beyond recognition, I could at least understand the hate. But here, the car is incredibly stock for a hot rod, its perfectly recognizable as a 52 MG, and 52 MG's aren't scarce enough to justify all this hate anyways. From this I conclude that people are just being ignorant/never actually restored a car/are MG tightasses who never drove an MG.

[@prophetsnake]

Well, it wasn't the car's last hope. I 'm an MG enthusiast, and I don't mind conversions to TDs, but it isn't true to say that it was the car's last chance. The two guys were, in my opinion, being facetious when they said that it was, because they know that it wasn't. The owner just wanted to do it, and that's fine. This conversion is not reversible, either. The frame has to be cut for the larger engine. But there were plenty of TDs built, and it wasn't the best of the MGs in any case. Fun car, but it doesn't compare with the earlier or later cars. TCs were often modified for racing, but the stock engine can be modified to make a hell of a lot of power, and with a lightened chassis they fly.

[@GhostTownRanch]

MG owners are tightasses lol use to show stock (we’ll converted exhaust to a TF) MGTD 52 British racing green with Tan leather (not an original combination), MGA 61 (Carrera yellow, not orginal) and Black 79 MGB with aero racing kits...all car shows considered my MGs bastardized. Though would always win best of show cause the non-MG owners would vote for my cars.

[@ridanann]

im British an i love it MG engines need more ppoowweerr in the world lol

[@chrishenniker5944]

@@prophetsnake I’d rather have a car like this rodded than see it go to rust, at least you can have a lot of fun with it.

[@prophetsnake]

@@chrishenniker5944 if you can rod it, then it can also be be restored to original condition. Any chimpanzee can destroy something

[@_chipchip]

Hope I'm as onto it as that dude when I'm 71! Such a sweet car.

[@ClayLoomis1958]

I love the skeleton sitting in the Falcon(?) at 19:44 . I bought a full-sized human skeleton (made of plastic) when I had a Yamaha V-Max in the late 80's. I used to sit it on the back seat, wire its feet to the back pegs and its hands around my waist and take it out for a ride. The looks on people's faces was worth the hassle from any cops that saw me. That sort of crazy generates a lot of laughs.

[@randalmontgomery4595]

Great sense of humor, man.

[@DrGrant-jw6xh]

My neighbor had an MG. Always wanted on myself and never expected to see one that performs like this one. Makes me smile hearing the glee in Leno's voice. Must be a fun car to drive.

[@smithfamilyvegetables7666]

Thank you for the video. Made me smile. I'm in the process of building my first hot rod. 1979 MGB with a Ford 302. Its almost to the point of starting. Jay your an inspiration!!

[@NolaGB]

Has been my most favorite car since I was 16 and THAT was a looong time ago!!! Awesome, Jay!!!!

[@BlaiddDrwg2]

I think it was really nice how you let David do all the driving, it must have brought back some good memories for him!

[@motosys8615]

Thanks for Creating Jay Leno's Garage. For those of us who have gas in our veins it is great. I wish I found this much sooner. I have always loved the looks of the 50's MG's

[@G56AG]

I've always loved the classic look of the MG TCs and TDs, I love it!

[@BigChiefWiggles]

Oh that is just gorgeous, one of the most beautiful cars ever made, right there with the Hudson Terraplane coupe

[@DrFruikenstein]

Just a slightly modified little MG... Love it!

[@TMB247]

My brother put a Ford 351 in a Bug Eyed Sprite but in those days tiny starters were not available and the reg starter would not fit in the frame so he always parked on a hill ... I pushed him many times, but it was a blast to drive (and with that tiny Gas tank you didn't go very far either) Good Times!

[@thatblue_en]

My grandpa built one of those he got it from a junkyard and made it look brand new all original too amazing

[@fr.jimwatersfranciscanprie7187]

Hey Jay. .friends of mine just vlogged you as they passed you. She's Farris Patton.. the Farris and Jimmy Show a channel on you tube. She's the Orbit Gum Girl and is now a month away having her baby. ALso.. I come from Braintree and Boston, Mass. Great you have your show. Great going on your channel. Jim Waters. spent 25 yrs in TV News. 3 Emmy's and 30 yrs in Army Reserve retired Intel Officer.. last over in Afghanistan in 2010 we all loved you for your support.. thanks buddy!

[@johnulrich5572]

Jay is such a cool guy and a class act letting Dave Stenmark, the builder, drive the car. Both Jay and Dave looked like they were having a blast.

[@enigmaPL]

Your collection astounds me more and more every time I come back to this channel. What I wouldn't do for a visit, to just walk around the place to admire all the cars... I could spend years in there.

[@warci]

Easily one of the coolest cars on the show so far!! I love MG's (got a '66 B myself) and I really like to keep mine original, but this one is so well done and he didn't ruin the exterior at all so it gets 2 thumbs up :) I don't get why 'purists' don't like this beast, an MG was built to tinker with!!!

[@groovyhippie1165]

22:13 No need for words or the radio, that sound is awesome! That's one of the best MGs I've seen. All the MG I see are mostly original, don't get me wrong they still look great, but I like the hot rod look better :)

[@jammur48]

Hey, thanks to Jay and the crew and the staff and the wrenches for ALL the great videos, blogs and reviews. I can't wait for the notice to show up on my phone. It's amazing, by the time I fire up the computer there are already 10,000 hits. Forget Conan or Letterman, this is what I watch at night. I would have never thought a Nash Ambassador could be interesting. I grew up in the 50s and was able to ID most cars at age 4( according to my dad). I do remember the MG TCs and TDs as being very very cool. Can't get enough motorcycles either, keep them coming.

[@EvilUnderTone]

Loving this MG. I drive a pretty much stock classic as my daily but I do love a nice hot rod. The people who moan tend to be the people who can't hold a spanner in my experience. Anyone who's worked on classics in any detail can appreciate all the work that actually goes into creating these class of machines. Especially when you consider most were beyond economical repair when they started with the restoration work in the first place. Thanks for the vids Jay and crew.

[@IanSmithCA]

When I was in college, I set about putting a small block into a 49 MG-YT. Never got it finished. Sure wouldn't have been as clean as this piece of work!

[@ericheydenreich2846]

Thanks for sharing, and your time and effort into bringing this quality of entertainment is greatly appreciated! Best wishes to the whole staff that make it happen!

[@3613caledonia]

Jay - I own a supercharged TD and in order to upgrade the handling I installed an MGB front swaybar. TD's have the same front geometry as B's, so the installation is quick and sanitary. There are two sizes - with all that weight on the front end, you probably want the thicker bar. It won't turn the car back into a sports car, but it'll tighten up your handling a bit. Nice build - thanks for the video. Cheers, Dave

[@motorv8N]

Just an awesome little car. "Makes you feel sixty-five again,". LOL - hilarious Jay.

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Koni used to make a conversion kit for the TD to add better shock absorbers. You took the damping valves out of the lever arm dampers but left them there to act as the top wishbone. Then added the Koni brackets for a regular twin tube Koni shock absorbers. They made a very similar kit for the Healey 3000 cars, which also used the Armstrong lever arm dampers. By the look of the amount of front wheel patter on this video, I think this might be a sensible mod.

[@gregraines1599]

There's plenty of stock restored MGs out there. There is only one (probably) of these. It's a testament to the vision and effort of a true gear-head. Kudos.

[@ZeekDuff]

Jay, read this book; "The Red Car." Your red MG could be a SERIOUS factor in adapting that story to a movie. The book is a good read regardless, taking place in the Colorado Rockies, and mainly demonstrating some important differences twixt a British Sports Car ('49 MG-TC) and an American Hot Rod ('50 Merc - not positive about those years, but close + - 1 or 2), and especially their basic handling characteristics. The story takes place in the early-mid '50s, but it's timeless, and it IS a great driving lesson for young drivers (if you can keep their attention long enough). At the very least, and as a new driver in the late '50s myself, that book helped set me straight on how to properly get around mountain curves, when I was just 16. And, the story certainly held MY attention, way back then. There's a lot more to it though, of course. :D Seriously, it's a really good read, think I'll read it again!!! Nice red car, m'man! ;)

[@wcd46]

Don't ever grow up Jay!! Keep up the cool stuff us old guys love this! You are doing a great job. Willy

[@IchibanMoto]

340 rwhp in a TD.. now that's bad ass !

[@kenarndt1]

Nothing better than a unique ground pounder it is a excellent example of what hot rodding is all about .

[@stwhite5135]

The Garage is better than anything Jay ever did on TV. Thanks, Jay.

[@pottmishayne]

Thanx to Jay Leno for loving cars so much! My favorite one is Your 48' Indian Chief.

[@arthurhohensee9902]

Nice Jay!!! Really LUV your GARAGE! I wish I knew half as much as you about Motorized Vehicles!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!! Thank You Also for helping Veterans in need!!!

[@IExposeMormonism]

Had a step-grandfather who lived in Arcadia, Ca. In 1963 I learned to drive at Arcadia, in a place called Santa Anita Race track parking lot. He had 2 MGTC's, black and red. His son had a new AC Aceca Coupe. ......Sure was fun. some months later my dad bought a 1960 MGA and later, in 1966, a 1959 Corvette. (I bought the vette in 82 restored it, pulled the 2.x4/283, put in a nice 500hp 350 and sold it in '99.)

[@jonathanpeden9930]

I worked on an MG TD in the 80's at PPG Industries UK - it was a restoration to original condition but I would have loved to have had that motor and back end. Cool video.

[@bobbymink6425]

The classic Carrol Shelby recipe: 1 small, light Brit car + 1 hawg of an American V8 = the car everyone wanted but was too afraid to ask

[@jamesphillips2141]

Thank you for all your videos. I love cars but haven't learned how to work on them yet. These videos keep me motivated towards retirement investing and learning more about cars :) Enjoyed this video episode! Thanks again.

[@fonce9965]

My 1956 Lotus model 11 Lemans Sports Racer is the first car with 4 wheel dual piston disk brakes, at 900 lbs & an all aluminum Coventry Climax Stage 3 overhead cam engine it stops so fast it is hard to remember where you've been, It's like you have never left in the first place, I think it puts you into some sort of time warp! Good Video Jay!

[@Motovader72]

Those front wheels really hop going down the road...if I had Jay's money, there'd be an upgrade in store.

[@TrevorMarty69]

Man, I love that. I've got a 1977 MGB so this episode was super cool.

[@375GTB]

Rubber Bumpers 64 HP SUCKS! Get a nice RED '64.... J.C.

[@GhostTownRanch]

I’m sorry, use to show a 79 with aero kit. I lived the frustration

[@cdnpont]

I'm a true fan of this blog, but I just realized it with this video, like a guest on his show, Jay's interviewing the car, it's the car..hilarious!

[@AmesiesCorner]

11:56 He ain't kidding. I lost count of how many times I have had to grab some handbrake to get a little more from the rears when someone jams on the binders in front of my classic car!

[@gchampi2]

Too true. That's why Jaguar used to fit a warning sign to the back bumper of their early disc-braked cars...

[@luvperu1]

So good seeing you Jay !!! I have been missing you!!!! I would like to wish you and Mrs.Leno a wonderful Merry Christmas....HAppy evening to you....

[@thomas5809]

I like the ending, just two old guys cruising around swapping stories; looks like fun. Can't believe anyone would boo at that car.

[@JustLikeParadise]

What a beautiful car. You are living the dream, Jay!

[@mrbadx19]

i'm 56 and half grey today, my 78 year old dad went through a crap load of Midgets, wrecked one, bent it in half, took an ax to it and put it in the trash, he's on his second Miata now. what a drag it is getting old!

[@GhostTownRanch]

mr bad example midget plus rotary b-series motor is bliss, 3rd gear burnouts never get old

[@Hugofreddie]

Great job and sympathetically done . The only change I would make is to make the rear wheels slightly smaller . Then it would be a giant killer sleeper

[@nccrawford]

17:43 that low battery isn't going to change itself on that smoke detector... ;) Thanks for all the great stuff, Jay!

[@GolfCartCappy]

good catch i hear it too

[@man_on_wheelz]

Great, now Jay had to send someone to that part of the garage to stand around there telling all the mechanics to be quiet while he/she listens for the chirp.

[@mmontgomeryy]

I think that was a shoe squeaking on the floor...

[@nccrawford]

Kevin Montgomery I wish. I'm pretty keyed into the smoke detector...

[@incubrian]

the floors here are coated, and are actually very squeaky. :)

[@Star3]

i really hope you never die Jay, seriously, my respects!

[@CrazyLazyPotato]

This car makes me so proud to own a MG!

[@bynumjimmy]

Starting at 12:54 David Stenmark has the mannerisms of Johnny Carson. He waves his hand back-and-forth like Johnny. At 13:55 he touches his nose and puts his hands behind his back JUST LIKE Carson. Thanks for another great video.

[@Tclans]

Great build, awesome guy! Can Dave come back and feature in more episodes please?! The chemistry is really good here.

[@daleskidmore1685]

Loved the episode, loved the car. As a former owner of a BGT and a Roadster and always lusting after a TC, I see no problem with this TD. How many MG owners does it take to change a light bulb? " Well, lets just see if we can't get the old one working again....."

[@randalmontgomery4595]

I was literally Laughing Out Loud, these two guys had a blast. Jay was really funny and David was the straight man but got in a few subtle responses. Really entertaining.

[@GhostTownRanch]

OMG Jay!!! I zipped through a couple red lights when I had MGs...thought I was the only one 🤗. I got out of a ticket once cause I pulled myself over before the unmarked officer could turn on they’re lights 🚓 👮‍♀️ they escorted me home because I explained my brake replacement issue and was actually on my third brake repair in 2 months and I thought I worked out the issue (replaced 80% of the lines) 🤔 too funny thanks for sharing. Actually contacted Wilwood back then about a modern conversion, funny thing they told me (had to have been around 2005) they were working on a system that would be released in 6 months for MGs.

[@v.e.7236]

This is the first time I've seen someone other than Jay drive the car being show-cased. I went Wilwood when putting disc brakes on my Corvair, as those had the same flimsy front drum system as this MG. My Corvair stops like a champ now, even got to keep the 14" wheels I have on the car.

[@1silvervespa]

Awesome Build !!

[@aserta]

That's such a clean car. Usually it's all the bells and whistles. Nothing against that, it's a way of owning your car but i like a clean car a bit more. Edit: i actually think this is the first classic car where adding huge tires on the back doesn't make the car look bad. I really like the posture, watching this again.

[@yakadee1]

Looks are subjective and I think the rest of the car is well done, but I don't like those giant wheels/tires sticking out way past the fenders. It ruins the entire look for me. Just my opinion. His 33 Chevy is badass though.

[@intomatrix1]

No MG club in England would except this.

[@paredding]

daz samuels And therein lays the point...

[@zachcoldwell7978]

daz samuels They wouldn't accept it either.

[@aserta]

daz samuels Yeah but that's a purist's club. Yes, there's a limit past which you're being disrespectful to the history of the car and to the car but he clearly didn't cross it. There's two ways this car would of had wound up. 1. chinese screwdriver 2. by some kind of magical luck, given by the MG fairy, a restorer from Britain happened to pass by instead of this guy. IMO, what happened to it now is ok. Could be a worst...it could of had become a clown car. And i'm not talking about circus clowns.

[@sjbobkins9442]

Terrific Jay, beautiful job putting this puppy together, I would have enjoyed a two wheel turn though. I remember when my friends dads got divorced they immediately bought a red sports car, MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey why I have no clue. I miss the spindly, rickety sound of the original MG engine the sound of the big 8 does not fit, great car hats off the the restorer

[@danielnadeau3409]

Thats BAD ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing guys

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

There nothing like upsetting the establishment and a first for me, an MG I'd actually like to own. Another great video...

[@dposer10]

probably the best use of a mg ive seen

[@Aearonjer]

I recently bought wilwoods for my project, wont get to see them until i return home, they look sweet! And they look good all the time. :)

[@wallacebentley6655]

Just when I thought I had seen everything. Thanks Jay. Always have a treat for in gear ⚙️ heads!

[@ErniePreciado]

Jay, we love you" you're the greatest still the king" Signed your friend and brother gearhead Ernie,

[@was91355]

This MG is a chuckle-mobile, more smiles and laughs per mile!

[@GhostTownRanch]

was91355 cause that’s all you can do when your pushing it!

[@GT-gt4bf]

What a beautiful car, never seen an MG that old. Thanks, Jay!

[@MichaelVanDyke-c1g]

My dad had a shop in the late 1960s and installed a hipo 289 and 4 speed in a 1952 MG, was a fun car, the guy lived on a mountain in colrado and used the car to drive the Guinella pass by Georagetown colorado.

[@davidlane2025]

My brother-in-law use to have one with the four banger which was kinda of anemic....but fun. Yours with the small block Chevy is awesome! The sound with the headers uncorked is mind blowing! I see it as Chevy's version of the Sunbeam Tiger with the Ford 289. What a great car!!!:)

[@DouglasCPalmer]

I worked for a guy in L.A who built a couple of those. One with a 427 Chevy. Took me for a ride in the hills pulling wheelies.

[@anthonyzarlenga5282]

I love the part of the video riding down the high way with the top down and the setting sun in the back ground. I put myself in the driver seat but I was in my car.

[@starmountainkid]

MG T series are beautiful cars, I have a pic of a TC on my monitor. I wanted one so bad as a teenager, but bought a '59 Triumph TR-3 instead. Great video.

[@oldfarmshow]

Thank you for all your videos!!

[@jaimedDR]

I love it. Beautiful job. It looks like it needs stiffer front springs, it bounces like a basketball with that engine.

[@choppergirl]

I had a Camaro Berlinetta with a 450 in it, so yeah wow I know the power. It will throw you back in your seat like an Apollo blast off. A 357 in an MG TD is wild.

[@justins.1283]

I love it that such a great looking car got saved and personalized and now has a new caretaker

[@alex3rail]

Thanks Jay...little bit of old and new..love it!

[@guyharris9646]

My all time favorite car & it's hotrodded, AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brianfulk1074]

My parents had one in the late 50's,Drove it up Pikes Peak.

[@arturolaines2332]

too cool, I have been around these cars since I was 7 years old.

[@rogerbgypsy7485]

Wow they did do a great job! Very nice brakes from Wilwood. Glad they didn't drill big holes in the rotors. Despite what people think that is a bad idea for racing! I have seen drilled rotors literally split in half on high performanced race cars.

[@MrAtheHun]

Great fun, love it. Thank you very much for yet another superb video.

[@James-hb6ee]

What a blast! Great episode. :)