MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Beautiful TF on eBay

I just noticed a nice TF on eBay. 140652407610
It has more "right"with it than wrong. It has a few problems, no outboard brake line clamps on the rear axle, no clock hands and the wrong threshold plates with no screws, but overall it looks to be a well restored, very clean car. It is certainly the nicest one I've seen in a while.
-David
D. Sander

Dang! That car looks factory new!

BobbyG

Bobby Galvez

$49k Buy it now? Imagine what it would be with a clock!
TM Going


The last time this was on eBay it reached a bid of $26,100 when the auction ended on October 29th.
What do you guys think it is worth? Is it worth emigrating across the pond to own?!!

Mike

Mike Sutton

Well, I frankly like the food better in the USA, so Id make the move if I were you. Just kidding.

As for what it is worth, perhaps the high $20s or low $30k range at the end of the day considering all you would have to spend to get one up to the level this one seems to be at (at least from the pics on EBay). That is, even if you took a nice one that you paid about $22 or $23k for, until you added nice wheels and all of the other things that go into making a TF extra special, you would probably have more than $30k in it, plus the work. But I still can't get over the fact it has no clock. (I just had to ask the seller about that. His response "There is no clock. I'm not sure why the face is there, but the actual movement is not. As far as I know, this was original.")

Sure makes me wonder.
TM Going

TM

I have what I think is a very nice TF and it doesn’t have a clock. Is it possible to read the time with all that vibration?! The problem with the clock is that when you send the speedo off to be repaired they don't have the parts to fix the clock so when it comes back the speedo works but the clock has no hands. I think most prospective T type buyers would put up with no clock to own a car that looks as if it has just come off the production line at Abingdon.

I am on my way to London on Monday to the US Embassy. If the food is so good and the MG's are in such good condition why stay in Blighty?

Mike
Mike Sutton

IMHO: It would take around $30k (or more)to get one to this level so this one is worth that. Hal Krammer can put a clock in it! (He did mine).
Very nice car.
David Sheward

All I guess that I am saying is that - aside from what I think is better food in the USA than the UK (among other things, no peas here in the Fish and Chips) - considering the seller seems to think $49k BIN has some merrit, than why in the world didnt he put a clock in that works. I paid $200 for a TF clock and all its parts on Ebay. I just dont get it?
TM Going

Am I the only one who thinks the car would be nicer if it were not so "tarted-up" with powder coated chassis, chrome wheels, polished brass bits,plated nuts and bolts,etc? It is pretty but......
J K Barter

I agree with Mr Barter.
Frank Cronin

By far the nicest TF on ebay for a long time. Most looks nicely done, body very straight, door fit looks nice. But no clock-huh? Worse is the JC Whitney steering wheel cover- someone should have their knuckles severely wrapped!! Carpet cheesy and shift knob not right. But that stuff would be easy to fix. Paint all of the nuts/bolts/flat washers underneath that are suppose to be black. I'm with David- $30K would be about right.
George Butz

I won't defend the missing clock or the steering wheel cover, but this car has those Moss floor mats. They, at least can be easily removed. it does look like a well restored car, with a lot of attention to detail. Maybe the wheel cover is to preserve the rim of the wheel?
Somebody spent some serious $$$ on this car, and from what I can see, they did a good job. All too often when a car is done this far, a lot of mistakes are made.
-David
D. Sander

David
I thought the upholstery was always to match the dash color? Here we have red dash with biscuit interior.

Personally, I prefer this presentation. Red, red and red would be too much for my taste.

Tom
'54 TF
Tom Norby

Well guys it didn’t sell this time either. Only got to $21,700 against the $26,100 last time. I was one of the bidders. Went straight in with a bid of $26,100 on the assumption that this was a no risk policy as it had not reached the reserve with this bid first time on e-bay. Very slow to reach $21,700 so on Friday I tried to find his reserve, bearing in mind the advice you guys gave me that it was worth high 20’s low 30’s. Gave up at $35,000 the most I was willing to pay.

Why you may ask am I bidding for a TF in the USA when I live in England? A long story (which I am quite happy to tell if any one is interested!) but in a nutshell my beloved only daughter is a US citizen who came to live at home when her marriage failed five years ago. She is now fed up with the constant rain and is re-crossing the pond to live once more in New Jersey. She and my grandson are insisting on bringing their dad/granddad with them.

Not wanting a “project” this TF looked perfect for driving all over what is soon to become my new home.

Regards

Mike
Mike Sutton

Mike,
I wish you good luck in your transformation to this side of the pond,,,,,Keep us posted,,, we are only up in Ct which is only a few hours from NJ,,, there are a bunch of real nice T Type enthusiasts in NJ,,,
SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Thanks Steve

Niki, my daughter lived for twelve years in the states, first in Dallas then in Flemington and my wife and I had some wonderful holidays over there. I also have a brother in LA and a sister in New Orleans. As I no longer have a wife (taken by the big C on the day I retired two years ago) there is nothing to keep me here in England. I am really excited about my future in your country. We are house hunting over the Christmas period in Hunterdon County NJ!

Regards

Mike
Mike Sutton

The kind of money you chaps are talking, is serious bucks. You can get a heck of a nice TF1500 for under $20G, and I've seen them in the $12 to $15 range. The October TSO had a nice 'starter' for $19,000 (Could probably barter it for less). There must be more - just takes a bit of looking.

From there, a new Heritage interior and some paint all for less than $10G, and you've got a winner.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Gord

What is a TSO and how do I get a copy?

Mike
Mike Sutton

Mike,
TSO is the bi-monthly publication of The New England MGT Register. TSO stands for The Sacred Octagon.
Give me your address, and I'll send you a copy. You can read a great article featuring our very own Gord Clark on page 28 of the latest issue.
Email me at dasander at aol dot com with your address.
-David
D. Sander

Mike,

I'm sure that Steve W. will tell you that the best all British car show in Southern New England is "British by the Sea"--in Waterford, CT first Sunday in June. Make a point of stopping by!
David Werblow

As far as the TF clock, of which I have two that didn't run, they were dried out, no lubricant! I cleaned them with a fine artists brush, blew them out with light air pressure and then lubed them with clock oil, 3&1, a little heavy, will work. They both run but haven't been set for time accuracy. Not to sound like a grump, I'm not interested in selling the spare one at this time. The car has to be done first and that's probably a couple more years due to other commitments. PJ
P Jennings

Thanks for the replys guys. David you have mail and Mike I hope to see you there.
Regards
Mike
Mike Sutton

Hi Mike,
You have spent a lot of time,effort and money on your TF, why not convert to LHD and ship it. The conversion is not all that difficult or permanent.
Naylors, who you have dealt with before have done this many times LHD to RHD so should have left over racks and pedals.
A couple of guys in the local Octagon group have done LHD to RHD themselves with no difficulty
On the other hand I have driven my TF which you know is RHD in France & Spain, we sit so close to the centre of the car that it doesn't make much difference.
Ray Lee
TF2884
Ray Lee

Or, leave it RHD and ship it over. A few RHD TDs and TFs show up at our GOFs. RHD TDs are somewhat common, RHD TFs are rarer.. With the cars flying out of this country I'd imagine shipping wouldn't be too bad. Just a thought.
-David
D. Sander

Mr Sutton,

To begin with, I'm sorry for the loss of your wife. I lost Robyn to cancer two months ago. I bet you already know this but I wish I could say it get's easier. I miss her terribly.

I'd say too bring the car over and leave it RHD like David has said in his post. I don't know the whole history of your TF but it sounds that you have done a lot of work on it. Why start all over trying to figure out what the previous owner has done when you have your own TF? In addition, for someone who has lived in England his whole life and coming to the USA is a huge leap. Bringing the car would have you meet new people and friends in person at rallies and get together's that you know only from screen names on this board. It will make this transition easier I think.

And hey, I'm just going to be honest here.... A guy from England driving in a RHD classic British sports car with a British accent... those Jersey chicks are really gonna dig ya.

Probably drive your daughter crazy but at least you're having fun!!


Best to you and good luck what you decide to do.

Frank





Frank Cronin

The figures don’t add up. The proceeds from a UK sale of an average TF will buy a much better car in the US and that is not taking in to account the conversion and shipping costs. Yes I have spent a lot of time and money on Patsy Two but I have had great fun in the process. Like they say in those adverts for fancy Swiss watches we don’t own our T types we just look after them for who ever comes next. I like to think that by improving Patsy Two I have ensured she will be around that little bit longer. As you saw on your last visit Ray I haven’t stopped working on her and will not be putting her on the market until I have a buyer for my house. To top it all there will be the fun of finding Patsy Three. Attached is the only picture I have of the original Patsy taken in 1966. She was a TB in which I drove 25,000 miles in twelve months pursuing the Patsy sitting next to me. It is the only car on which I have made a profit; purchased for £120 sold to buy the engagement ring for £150!
Regards
Mike


Mike Sutton

You are right Frank. The saying “Time Heals” must mean more than 710 days and 21 hours.
You have my heartfelt sympathy.

As for the chicks?!! Would a left hand drive TF with a smooth talking Englishman attract the more mature ladies?

Regards
Mike
Mike Sutton

This thread was discussed between 02/12/2011 and 11/12/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.