MG TD - 1930s motoring in the 1950s

[@roygardiner2229]

Now THAT is a car! I must congratulate you on your camerawork: great stuff! The interior looks almost new so I guess that it IS. That was an interesting fact you stated about the increase in width of the TD over the TC. I used to be driven to University in 1964 in a red MG TC and was trying to figure out why the TD looks "different" in comparison to the TC: it is the increased width.

[@johnscarsandstuff]

Fly-off handbrakes are wonderful things. It takes a moment to mentally recalibrate, but I love how they can be released in an instant, or held manually for a hill start. I can also see that they would be handy for handbrake turns.

[@slh950]

my Dad had a 1946 TC ... it came from the factory with 2 different sized headlights and this was because of parts availability and afterwards was just left that way as a talking point!

[@steveosshenanigans]

Really !…..how bizarre

[@shanehnorman]

One of the sweetest dashboards of any era. Fly-off handbrakes were almost the norm on prewar sports cars; they were essential for traction control on the trials events that were popular then - and after the war.

[@harveydents]

My dad and I have a 1952 MG TD!!! Silver with red interior! Back to basics FUN! No power steering, no power brakes, Synchomeh gears in the top three gears, just a blast to drive!

[@charlesfoster141]

A lot of fun there. My MGTD will arrive today in about 10 hours if things go as scheduled. I already own a nice MGTF. We did a 40 mile drive in the TF yesterday. It was magical.

[@grayfool]

Lovely little thing. My woodwork teacher back in the seventies had one he was restoring. I was crap at making wooden stuff but could drive a lathe and milling machine so I made various bits of bracketry for him.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

My favourite model MG of all time Matt, combining 1930s style and excitement with some very beneficial improvments to handling and braking in the 1950s.A friend still has an ivory ' 53 MGTD 11 which he bought at 17 in 1966 and still uses regularly and says he wants to be buried with it !.

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

Lol that's sick.

[@slartibartfast2649]

It doesn't look 1930s. It looks like a cheap, tacky copy of 30s style, which it is. In terms of engine technology, MG went from OHC to pushrod. By this point the glory days were well over and they were just making the cheapest thing they could.

[@michaeltutty1540]

​@@slartibartfast2649when it comes to the engine, MG was using Morris engines. That makes sense since the company is called Morris Garages. MG did not have enough sales volume to justify a distinct engine for the T Series. Only 10,000 TC, 30,000 TD, plus 9,600 TF were built between 1946 and 1955.

[@matsk57]

@@slartibartfast2649 Oh you sound so jealuos and bitter..😅

[@KiwiStag74]

My favourite T-series and the prettiest in my opinion.....and certainly the T series was the best open top, seat of the pants drive. The B, while much more refined and a more comfortable drive, loses a wee bit of that, but as you say, that's what they said about the TD over the TC, so horses for courses, eh? You reckon the mirror wasn't much cop? Makers back then must have subscribed to the Italian Rule of Motor Racing - "What's behind me is no longer important". Great review, Matt. Love the whine of the gears and that SU snarl - both are something that is sorely missing from modern cars and sports cars in particular. Even being the Y-series engine, it still somehow manages to sound like a typical MG. Wonderful vehicles......

[@gryfandjane]

As an MG enthusiast and owner in the US, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The company has such a fascinating heritage.

[@johnquilter7620]

TD owner in the USA for 57 years. Minor point, most all had a pull knob for the starter operation, not a push button.

[@marial8235]

Lovely little thing.❤ I have a 1952 Packard Mayflower which was more of a “sporting” version for that staid company. It is big, heavy, comfortable, and handles like a Battleship. So this little MG was probably a revelation being so small and light. I just love the pre-war styling.

[@paulscountrygarage9180]

Great video Matt. My father had a few T series cars, here in Australia, in the 1950/60’s. I do remember going for a ride in his last one. He was a huge man, tall and wide, and he managed them quite well. I do like you have finally identified the correct fly off hand brake. I’d scream at the screen every time you’d call a large upright hand brake a “fly off” 😝

[@bladerunner6282]

using two hands, one to turn, the other to cushion the resulting tendency to rap the fingers, is helpful when releasing the hood latches. as noted, using one hand can be painful. BTW, the "flyoff" handbrake is an ingenious bit of kit. confounding to most, but very useful to those In-the-know.

[@RobbieHerrera]

This brought back a lot of fond memories. I had a 1951 model in yellow. I miss it to this day.

[@stevenmccaughan2752]

Boy did that bring back memories had at it in 1970’s and the tool box was always a must have on any MG I had a 1976 MGBGT which ate fan belts

[@hectorshouse7348]

That looks like a bundle of joy…and the colour is wonderful. Thank you, great video👍

[@anthonystevens8683]

What a terrific example Matt. A cracking example of British engineering before the war. It must have been a thrilling time, this is one of those less is more moments. Less tech but a lot more smiles per mile when the weathers good.

[@Loyer333]

Suggest you make a small clip to hold your wipers up out of the line of sight. It would attach to the top frame of the glass.

[@maxidyne]

Interesting backstory on the history of this car! Such a simple but cool looking car. Dashboard is very nice. Thanks for another great review Matt, enjoyed it.

[@tim9987]

My grandfather had the TC model. It was that car that got me into the world of vintage motor racing. It was one of a long line of vintage cars he owned, including a Triumph TR2 and an Austin 7 Ulster. I keep scouring the web to see if I can find the MG, as my grandfather seems to have changed his mind about selling it all those years ago

[@adoreslaurel]

This was the last of the true MG's, perfect styling.

[@Farney-gy1qo]

Beautiful cars, My dad had a PA in the late 60's (before I was born unfortunately). I still have the workshop manual, its a big thick book. It covers all the MG'S from M types, and even J types.

[@nigelprince987]

Lovely video Matt, the three camera angles and the awesome noise. It really felt like I was in the car with you.

[@alanjones7815]

I had one, and after a few times use I found the fly off handbrake very easy to use, in fact I would say intuitive

[@danielrussell446]

Well done Matt a great review as ever that TD is a lovely survivor and in great condition there was something special about the T series MGs and it just seems perfect riding about in those Kentish lanes!

[@andysvehiclehistorychannel]

Great video it looks like it drives like a go kart and it's bone shattering ride but i'd still love a drive especially the TA model.

[@charliemansonUK]

2:47 we weren't going to try importing Tea into America again!

[@carlmarkwyatt]

Great video, thank you. I can see the appeal of a car like this.

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i saw a MG TF with a MGA twin cam engine - had twin bebers ! wow what a fast car 4 wheel discs mga rear end !

[@CatherineGeissler]

The MG YT was also produced in a left hand model at the same time (1948 to 1950) primarily for the Us and Canada. They

[@MikeTAS]

Disagree with so much - the TC was a delight and arguably the world's first commonly available sports car. The fly-off handbrake was/is brilliant (I had a TF) and as the poster below suggests is great for handbrake turns. The engine was underpowered but the road holding was phenomenal. The TF IMHO was a superior looker while keeping most of the TD's features. In the 60s, the TF was more sought after with its superior body design.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A beautifal looking little Sportscar Matt and a excellent review as always.

[@tubaman66]

@15:25 what happened to the wipers?

[@peterriggall8409]

Beautiful example, probably better than new. Lovely to look at, ok for short drives but I couldn’t live with the rough ride typical of MGs. Percival Motor Co. always have some lovely cars in stock.

[@furiousdriving]

He does find the best classics to have in stock there

[@bubbabb8464]

i can see you owning and enjoying an MG TD with mrs furious driving.

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Why are the doors on 1950's British sports cars so low cut? Was it A: So that you could jump over them? B:To show off the tweed jacket? C:To allow hand signals? D:As an elbow rest? E: To allow the bloody wheel to be turned?. Or F: All of the above?. PS: In this model the upholstery/dash colour always matched the grill.

[@joeseeking3572]

Really appreciate the drive experience, however having viewed, I just don't think so - not for me. As an American, I've enjoyed the MGB and the more or less concurrent TR6 (never got to drive the TR4) but I think that's about as far back as I want to go, at least with this genre. Maybe a little earlier with the Corvette or the A-H 100. Classic to be sure but a little argicultural for me and I'd bang the heck out of knuckles with the shifter.

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, I'm sure you'll end up owning one if these in about 20 years, Matt 😂

[@jerrysiggins1609]

I enjoyed this video very much....thank you!

[@charliegardner6804]

Great video thanks for sharing 👍.

[@tonys1636]

Owned a few vehicles that had fly off handbrakes, not intentional ones but worn pawls and ratchets caused by pulling on without pushing in the button or squeezing the lever. .Knock it and off it flew!

[@simonburleigh5551]

Something else on these was the fact the the grill was always painted the same colour as the interior.

[@lesklower7281]

Such an extremly simple car not much to go wrong

[@ammr3870]

Marvellous. Just marvellous.

[@claughton1345]

Right hand front wheel is slightly buckled

[@Steve-Cross]

Always thought they were crying out for a retro rebuild. You would have all the style, but also performance and handling of a modern car. I wouldn’t call this beautiful original a daily driver, but I would have so much fun, taking it on rallies. You definitely need a flat cap and a pipe, if you want to be authentic. 🙂

[@michaeltutty1540]

Retro rebuild is very easy. Morgan Plus 4 is in every is very much like the T Series MG. They both date back to the same general era, but the Plus 4 is, I believe, still in production.

[@Steve-Cross]

@@michaeltutty1540 Yes that is another classic design, which is still being made in Malvern.

[@jamesonpace726]

Have always wanted one, my favorite since a boy at a car show....

[@barbarabarbara4841]

初っ端からオープニングカーの過酷さが伝わるの笑う

[@petertrinder3127]

Great little car, so sweet 😊

[@allanriches9381]

TD my favourite MG model

[@John-zw7vh]

Great little Car.

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Good video Matt 🚘🚙🚗👍👍⭐️⭐️👏👏

[@davelloyd-wide1556]

Racing handbrake my wife and I never had a problem. Why are you using first gear? That is for hill climbing. Drove it for three years in Malaya. Happy days.

[@MrRobster1234]

There was no MG "TE" because Alvis already had one.

[@stuarthunt6519]

Beautiful car ❤

[@markc1921]

When you said work of the devil about the handbrake, I thought you were going to say it's an automatic!

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

Compare this to a '54 MK1 Corvette and it's like comparing an Polestar Roadster - now & Morgan. 😅😂

[@DrEvilsFinger]

That is furious driving

[@johnscarsandstuff]

The TE was skipped because it sounded like a laugh (tee hee).

[@alendovzan6768]

Price??

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Is this the car Percy Pickwick drove?

[@SportFury1966]

What an odd colour. My 64 MGB is quite primitive enough, thank you.

[@mikefoley360]

No to the flat cap and shorts combo. You need to sell baseball caps as merch, on this occasion especially so as it's a Yank market car :)

[@danmccarthy4700]

It's pretty much mandatory to be wearing one of those hats while driving this car.

[@miguelpaneda1607]

who came here from watching the 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, looking for this car?

[@bladerunner6282]

a top speed of 77mph (!) with the standard tires and differential ratio of 5.125:1 would have put that little engine at about 5700 RPM. surely not realistic!

[@billgriffiths1685]

Yipee I'm 2nd

[@kd23se4]

Did all of your tooth fillings survive?

[@michaelisaacson9735]

Terribly dangerous car. I never had a ride in my father's beige, 1952 TD not was it around for me to inherit due to a terrible thing that happened to my father in 1960. I was born.

[@aspectcorrrectedvideos8683]

WTF left hand drive in the UK. can’t watch

[@miguelpaneda1607]

MGs are now Chinese motors