1974 White Mg Td available in Bristol for £16,995.

Only 50 miles since full engine rebuild; current owner 25 years; rare Competition model with various factory upgrades; matching numbers; one of only 51 made for the UK market and 1710 in total. Following on from the successful TC, the MG TD arrived in 1949, introducing some much-needed post-war refinements. Its rigid box-section chassis featured independent double-wishbone front suspension, a well-located 'live' rear axle, four-wheel drum brakes, a hidden reinforced scuttle hoop and perhaps best of all, rack-and-pinion steering. Powered by a twin-carb four-cylinder XPAG 1250cc engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the 54bhp TD was capable of 80mph. In 1950 MG launched a high-performance MkII version called the TD/C, developed in conjunction with famous MG racing driver, Dick Jacobs. As W Jacobs & Son Ltd, Dick owned Mill Garage, the most famous of all MG dealerships, in South Woodford, Essex, and his exploits on track arguably gave the MG marque more publicity in the 1950s than the BMC and Nuffield PR men ever did. The TD/C featured Andrex shock absorbers in addition to the standard items; larger 1.5-inch carburettors with increased inlet ports; larger intake manifold and air cleaner; tear-drop bonnet bulge; larger valves; increased compression ratio; higher 6000 rpm rev limit; higher rear axle ratio; twin electric fuel pumps and a higher performance ignition coil. Round tail-lights were another distinguishing feature and as a nod to the extra performance, a passenger grab handle on the dash was standard and bucket seats and triple windscreen wipers were options (as fitted here). Easily identified by the TD/C chassis prefix, only 1710 were made between 1950 and 1953, all but 51 of which were exported. Quite apart from the fact that most Brits couldn't afford a new sports car in the early Fifties, the high compression TD/C engine was not well-suited for UK use: wartime fuel restrictions still in place meant that the only fuel readily available was feeble 72 octane 'pool petrol'. As confirmed by the chassis number, NFF 500 is one of those 51 UK cars, the MG Car Club T Register confirming that it is a Home Market car built in July 1953. A letter from the Octagon Car Club also confirms the original engine and chassis numbers which match those on the car (see photos). The V5C states that it was first UK registered in November 1974, so it had presumably been off the road for quite some time prior to that, or perhaps residing somewhere offshore like the Channel Islands – who knows? It has only had four owners since then, the third being a Shropshire gent who owned it from 1995 – 2001, old rally plaques showing that he used it on Octagon Car Club runs in the UK and a couple of long-distance events in France in 1998 and 1999. The current owner acquired the car in March 2001 to join his collection of classic machines when it was showing 6900 miles on the clock. Invoices show that he had the front suspension rebuilt and a new clutch kit and stainless steel exhaust system fitted before using it fairly regularly over the next three or four years, adding some 1200 miles to the clock, as shown by old MOTs on file. In 2005 it was sent to the mechanic who looked after his collection for a more thorough mechanical overhaul, but ended up sitting at the back of his workshop for the next several years. In 2014 work finally started in earnest and included a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings, reground crank etc, the cylinder head being converted to run on unleaded fuel. A new water pump was also fitted, the carbs were rebuilt and the whole braking system overhauled and fitted with Goodrich braided stainless steel hoses. Various other jobs were also carried out, as detailed by invoices on file. Finally back on the road with a new MOT in September 2016, it was then very briefly used before being put back into storage where it remained for another decade due to the owner's advancing years. The car was subsequently put into his widow's name when he passed away in 2024. Shortly before the auction it was taken out of storage, given some fresh fuel and fitted with a new battery. We are told that it then fired up readily and performed well on a short test drive. It has continued to start easily since arriving on site and was certainly driving nicely as we whizzed it around our yard for the video, with good 40psi oil pressure – as you might expect from an engine that has only done about 50 miles since it was rebuilt. Ten old MOTs on file show the mileage slowly rising from 3265 in July 1995 to 8403 in September 2016 (when it passed with just a couple of minor advisories for slight play in the front suspension), the odometer currently showing 8453 miles. A tonneau cover and side-screens are also present along with indoor and outdoor car covers, sundry useful spares, original handbook and workshop manual, parts catalogues and technical literature relating to the model. As you can see in the photos, NFF 500 looks to be in good shape for a 73-year-old both above and below, with well-fitting doors, good bodywork and a nicely mellowed interior with what appear to be original red leather bucket seats. The paintwork is rather dusty but looks like it will polish up well, although the chromework on the bumpers is past its best. On offer here at a modest guide price (the last TD/C we sold made over double the estimate shown here in 2022), this rare and sporting 'matching numbers' MG now needs an enthusiastic new owner who can get it back on the roads where it belongs and reap the rewards of all the good work so recently carried out. PS: This car has now been polished and has come up a treat, as you can see in the last seven photos View our selection of vehicles in our indoor showroom, where you can see your potential car undercover and in a well-lit area. All of our cars come with a 3-month parts and labor warranty, which is extendable up to 3 years. Reserve any vehicle today with a fully refundable £100 deposit. If you choose not to purchase the vehicle, your deposit will be returned in full upon inspection. 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