1947 MG TC Roadster
The early MG roadsters were the quintessential British sports cars and were "discovered" by our servicemen fighting in Europe during World War II. There was nothing like it in the states and once discovered, soldiers were determined to get the cars stateside. By the time the post war TC was being produced, the U.S. appetite was big enough to start exporting the model, which was produced from 1945 to 1949. About 2,000 of the 10,000 TC's produced were shipped to the United States and the rest, as they say, is history!
For consignment, a 1947 MG TC roadster with a title verified 56,257 actual miles. This is a very fine example that's been well cared for by an MG enthusiast and collector. A folder with receipts of parts purchased and service will accompany this car and give the new owner a history of its upkeep.
Exterior
A particular air of class and quality is relayed by the Sequoia Cream paint that covers this car and its full length front green grille and rally light bar are bedazzled with badges and emblems from various clubs and affiliations. A chariot like profile has the cab set far back, almost to the rear axle and behind a long front end which will not be confused with very many cars. The low door is almost a mere suggestion of a door which opens in reverse and allows easy access to the interior. 19-inch wire wheels are less than five inches wide and provide some ground clearance for this low sports car, plus there's a matching spare on the back. Beginning back at the grille, the chrome shell is in fantastic condition as is the brightwork to include the marker lights on the fender, the headlight barrels, wheels, and the luggage rack on back. A tan canvas top is fully retractable and houses two small plastic windows in the rear and we note the side curtains are included for driving during an errant storm. The top is a bit dirty and contains one small area of wear and two small holes but will suffice to keep the elements out. Other imperfections include a few minor scratches, otherwise the exterior is in beautiful shape.
Interior
A storage pocket is included on the light green leather panels that cover the inner doors and is a nice contrast to the cream exterior. A split bench seat in the same green leather is simple and stitched and the seats are intersected by the transmission hump, while a small storage area exists behind the seats. Overall in very good condition, the leather shows some minor creases from use, but is 100% presentable and clean. The banjo style 4 spoke steering wheel is on the right side, which we call the wrong side, but is the proper British side. Behind it, a curvaceous dashboard made of real wood and housing gauges, knobs, and switches in a logical arrangement that puts the tachometer front and center and speedometer in front of the navigator. A number of dash plaques from previous shows and events are attached to the dash displaying this car's breadth of travel and provenance. Rising from the transmission hump is the straight shifter cradled in a ball socket style boot. Low pile black carpet covers the floor and is quite plush.
Drivetrain
Behind the engine cover we find a gleaming green 1250cc inline 4 cylinder engine with Pertronix ignition and rated at 54.5 horsepower. It is fed fuel by two SU carburetors and tied to a 4-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle with 5.125 gearing. Drum brakes are found at all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Simplicity is the name of the game underneath where we find a very clean undercarriage. We note some surface rust on a leaf spring and some oil on the oil pan, and that's really the entire list of things to note. A single exhaust runs from the engine to a stainless steel muffler, then exits out the back through a tailpipe. The simple suspension consists of leaf springs front and rear.
Drive-Ability
This writer's father wrenched on MG's in the 1950's, so just to sit in one is special. A quick prime of the carbs and the car bubbled to life with that skinny exhaust sound so characteristically British. Off we go onto the loop and this spry little car was built to go! Shifts are short and crisp, and the drivetrain is eager, while the drum brakes work with the gearing to slow the car down. Visibility with the top up is challenging directly behind you, but the door is so low, simply employing a quick look back works just fine and with the top down, the sky's the limit for visibility.
This is not just a piece of British motoring, it's a piece of automotive history. If not for these early MG's we might not have developed our own American brands of sports cars and roadsters, think Corvette. War is ugly, but one positive legacy of WWII was the exposure of Americans to foreign cars which have merits of their own, and ended up creating clubs and racing and careers right here in the good old U.S. of A.!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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