Description
Offered for sale is a beautiful little 1954 MG TF with its original, strong running, numbers matching engine and transmission, finished in striking Black over a Red leather interior with distinctive red welting and a beautifully offsetting white soft top. The car’s second owner purchased it in 1975 in largely original condition, enjoying it as “survivor” for 14 years before deciding to commission a sympathetic restoration in 1989 and 33k original miles. The work performed included:
– The original engine was rebuilt, including replaced pistons, rings and bearings.
– The head was rebuilt, with new valves, valve seats, valve guides and bushings.
– The oil pump gears and pressure spring were replaced.
– The clutch and pressure plate were both replaced.
– The front suspension and shocks were rebuilt.
– Tie rods and rubber boots.
– New wiring harness.
– Gas tank cleaned, flushed and coated.
– Radiator core and heater core flushed.
– Fuel pump rebuilt.
– Brake shoes replaced, brake drums turned and wheel cylinders and master cylinder rebuilt.
– All body panels removed, stripped and painted in the original color.
– Frame was sandblasted and painted.
– Bumpers, over-riders and knock offs ordered from Moss Motors and installed.
– Complete interior (including interior panels and leather seats) was ordered from Moss Motors and installed.
– The top was replaced.
From that point forward the second owner used the car sparingly on pleasant days always keeping it garaged and maintained and never subjecting it to the elements. The result of this quarter century old restoration and subsequent careful use is a wonderful weekend-driver quality car that’s turn-key, needing nothing to be enjoyed.
As the pictures show, despite being an older restoration the car remains exceedingly presentable, the black finish showing its age, yet entirely consistent without any significant imperfections or evidence of rust. The chrome trim is all in excellent condition, as is the welting between the body panels, and the painted wire wheels are in great shape, accented by chrome knock offs and wrapped in radial tires with plenty of remaining the tread. The car is fitted with a Lucas driving lamp and chrome down-flow exhaust tip, both period accessories for mid-fifties British sports cars. The interior is in excellent condition, the leather seats and interior panels appearing virtually as new, the carpets and driver side footwell insert entirely presentable and the dash clean and correct, housing the original octagonal Jaeger gauges, indisputably some of the most aesthetically appealing gauges produced in the era. The car also has a rare optional heater box, however considering that the second owner only used the car in fair weather, it’s likely that it hasn’t been used in the better part of three decades. Lastly, the car’s frame and undercarriage is solid and correct with no structural rust or corrosion to speak of.
Having clocked less than 10k miles since its comprehensive mechanical rebuild and sorting, the original numbers matching XPAG 1250 engine is entirely strong and sound. The car fires up easily, idling consistently and pulling strongly and smoothly through each of the original 4-speed transmission’s gears. Despite its sparing use, the car was always maintained as needed and it runs and drives beautifully. There seems to be no propensity for overheating, the ride quality is visceral and sporty (as it should be), and after having thoroughly enjoyed a half dozen miles up and down the Santa Barbara coastline, we’d not hesitate to take this lovely driver out on an extended tour. It’s truly a joy to drive, whether tooling about town, pushing it through the canyons or warbling down the highway.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a timelessly beautiful, numbers matching and mechanically strong MG TF finished in a desirable livery. An example that’s currently in turn-key condition, its been well-loved by its two previous owners and will undoubtedly provide its next with decades of trusty, grin-inducing service.
