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MG TD TF 1500 How old are you? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG TD TF 1500 - How old are you?
| Ok, I am intrigued by the age range brought out by this question on the MGB BBS. How old are you now and how long have you owned a T series MG? I am 60 years old and have owned our present TD for 29 years, although I had a TD for a year when I was in high school when I was 16 years old. I sold that in 1960 when I went into the Navy for a whopping $400.00! Ah, for the good old days. Cheers - Dave |
| David DuBois |
| I am 54 and we have owned our TD one year. Looked at one 12 plus years ago but on the test drive the passenger door opened when we took a slow curve and we quickly opted out. Regards, Dennis |
| D F Sexton |
| Sitting @ this computer,50....behind the wheel of the TF,16! Owned the 1500 for about 6 years...(been in my "heart" since age 3) Obviously more than just your average mid-life crisis going on here. Cheers, David 55 TF1500 #7427 |
| David Sheward |
| I am 37. I have owned my TD for 7 years. My Dad had it before me. He bought it in 1962. I have known it all my life! Tim |
| TIM MAYOR |
| I'm 38, and have had stewardship over my TD for a year, although it has been in the family for the last 49 years. My 3 boys already know one of them is to take care of it once I no longer can. |
| Stan Griffis |
| Just entering my prime at 61, I have had the TF for a cople of months short of 33 years - God can it be that long? The car was off the road for about five years after I acquired it as I had to spend a few years overseas for work and then was restoring it. Until about 3 years ago it was usually my only car and while not quite used on an every day basis was in reguluar use. It could be loaded up with my kids and their friends for weekend excertions - up to six kids with surfboards, boogie boards and associated impedimentia. All my kids learned to drive on it. It has ventured extensivly around Australia, including across the Nullabor and on 4 wheel drive tracks as a geologist's field vehicle. Just about everything that could bust has busted at one time or another - or more frequently. And I claim to be one of the last, if not the last, to have had to have a hand screwed back together after breaking it cranking a TF. I am planning to drive it for at least another 33 years before throwing it into the ring for my kids to fight over ownership. |
| Bill McGee |
| My father bought the TF in Manchester in 1963 when in University. He shipped it to America when he got a job out here. I started driving it when I turned 16 in 1986 when a sophmore in high school. I have been driving it ever since. She is up to 150,000 miles. That means I am now 32. He retired five years ago and took the 75 Jaguar XJ6C I bought him when he left. I blame him for my MG problems. Ben. |
| B J Simpson |
| I turned 60 last week. I have had my TD for 5 years. Four of that was restoration. Don 52TD #17700 |
| Don |
| So far, it looks as if I'm the Old Man in the bunch. Last birthday was number 68. At the age of 16 I fell in love with the first TD I saw. While in the USMC I owned a '53 for a short while in '56. Had a '52 when we got married in '58 and we drove it from Massachusetts to San Diego. Then outgrew it (no room for a bassinet). Have had the present one since 1988 and first got it on the road in 1995. |
| Bud Krueger |
| I have just turned 66, I bought my TD as a basket case in 1972, but did not get it on the road untill 2000. I wish I had done it a lot sooner, Dave |
| David Broadbridge |
| I will be 56 this month. Had a 52 TD in 89 with a volvo engine. yickk. Traded it in 94 for a 54 TF right hand drive with ceased engine. Currently being painted MG red. Living a dream since high school. Dan H. |
| Dan Hanson |
| hi, i'm an owner of a TF 1500 for 5 years and my age is 53 now. Before this TF i had a Citroën traction avant out of 1954 for 12 years and restored that one myself. Never regretted that i did change the Citroen for the MG. |
| jan |
| I am 55 and bought my 50 TD three years ago. When I tracked down production dates, I found that I bought it within a few days of its 50th birthday! Steve |
| Steve Markman |
| I'm 47. I bought my first MG (an MGB) when I was 36. I've just finished my '53 TD restoration after 2 years. I also have a '60 MGA coupe, and another unrestored '53 in storage. I started restoring cars in high school ('64 Olds); and am still addicted. |
| Ira Spector |
| I am 58 years old and have owned my 1980 MGB since 1989. I had the MG bug and in 1991 purchased the 1955 TF-1500 (for my wife LOL). I did not get the 1500 on the road until summer of 1992. Now drive the TF about twice as many miles per year as the B. Dave |
| Dave kalp |
| I am 39 and bought my TD 6 years ago and began its restoration. I first saw the car about 12 years earlier, when my dad bought it from an estate sale. The car had been in storage since 1975 after a core plug began to leak. I fell in love with the car at first sight! It took me more than 10 years to convince my dad to sell it to me. |
| Evan Ford - TD 27621 |
| 46 years old here. I have had my TD for 6 1/2 years. It was a birthday present from my wife who watched me lust after one of these for at least 15 years prior to that. If she knew how much time and money it has since cost, she would have never bought it for me. But hey, I've been thrilled with the car and try to drive it regularily before the snow flies in upstate NY. |
| Rob Silverman |
| I am 75 years old. I bought my TF 1500 in November 1964 ( 39 years ago) from an auto museam in show room state and drove it as my only car for 11 years. My daily driving included a trip, with my wife, from Long Island, NY to Key West, Florida and back on a Vacation. I still put about 2500 miles per year on the TF. |
| Don Harmer |
| I’m 56,,, I purchased our ’52 TD in 1984 for my wife’s birthday,,, The car had been sitting “in storage” for 17 years in a barn on top of Avon Mountain here in Ct. I put it on the road in 1986, and our first trip was to the G.O.F. in Toronto to greet the competitors of the MG”T”Register’s “Ocean to Ocean” trip as they crossed the finish line..Since then we have enjoyed well over 50,000 miles of adventures and met some really great MG people from all over the world.. I think David Sheward's comment describes the feeling perfectly !!!! |
| Steve |
| I'm 52 and drive a 52 TD. At the end of the 1970's my father was driving my mother nuts, having finished all the house remodeling projects he cared to. I suggested he tackle an MG T car because I loved their look. He dove in and completed the restoration of his first MG by the early 1980's. He gave me the TD about five years ago and I have been performing a rolling restoration ever since. My objective is to keep the TD on the road and move it closer to original. Always concerned about equity, about six years ago my father bought a 1954 TF that had been in storage for about 25 years and performed a ground up restoration, then gave the TF to my brother. Realizing he was now without an MG, I helped him track down a very pretty 1960 MGA that he now enjoys. At 82 he decided on an already restored MG, rather than perform another full restoration. Don't get me wrong, he's still going strong and our conversations always seem to gravitate to these enchanting little cars. Larry |
| Larry Shoer |
| I'm 46. When I was 5 my dad brought home a fun but very impractical TD, and rebuilt it for use as a second car. When he sold the house in '63 he traded it in on a Volvo panel truck so that he could move the family. For years I would try to catch a glimpse of a "T" series when we were out and about. Dad and I would go to shows to ogle them, speed-up to catch them (then slow down to stay with them), and consider it a great day when we crossed paths with one. A few decades went by while I was busy with school, career and family and we saw each other rarely. After his second bypass, and with the knowledge that time together was limited, I decided to buy a "T" for the two of us to work on together. With an industrial designer's eye, he had always liked the lines of the TF. In 2000 I found one in Alabama and had it sent to Pittsburgh. We have spent countless enjoyable [frustrating and perplexing] hours together working on her. A couple weekends ago on Dad's 74th birthday, we attended British Car Days then took an hour-longer detour home. Safety? Fast? Scott Ashworth |
| S. R. Ashworth |
| I'm 46, and I've got a 55 TF 1500 that I acquired two years ago, and I've been working on for about a year. I hope to drive it before my 50th birthday! Hopefully well before that ... |
| Mark B. |
| 44. Dad bought the car for my mom when I was around 16. He and my grandfather couldn't get the handbrake off when they collected it to tow home. I started working on it that day. I drove it almost exclusively, including overheating, fouling plugs, etc. with Miss Dream Girl in the back in the homecomming parade. It was sort of mine from day one. Have been legal owner since 1987. When I bought my first house, mom and dad gave me the TD (glad to be rid of it), and brought over all boxes of old TD parts the rest of my junk (filled with cockroaches!)from their shed while I was at work. Pretty funny now! |
| George Butz |
| I am 75 years old, When I was student my mother gave me my first MGTC in 1950. But due to the horible belgian road at the time, Belgian block streets, I sold the car. In 1958 I brought a TF when I was in Switzerland, I kept this car for 2 years and I sold it.Now I am living in France and I have an MGB 1957 and a TD 1951 and my intention is to keep these cars as long as possible. The TD is completaly renewed with an engine 10/1 compression ratio, a 5 speed gear box ( I kept the 4 speed GB). Electronic ignition, oil cooler. MG is a type of ilness!!!! |
| Georgibus |
| I'm celebrating my 74th today; bought my TC (Betsy) in Sept. 1953, so we've been together for just a few weeks over 50 years now. Many memories! |
| Carl |
| I am 62 and fell in love with the 1953 TD when a neighbor gave one to his daughter as a going to college present in 1953. I was 12 at the time. I watched that car move from owner to owner in my home town and in 1959 became the seventh owner. Eventually married, joined the USAF and had to sell. For years I told the wife that if I ever saw another late 53 TD for sale I would buy it. It was a safe sort of dream because there are few MGs here in north west Florida. But, strange things happen, and one day my present car appeared for sale near where I work. The wife said, "do it." Have owned number two for a little over a year and am again a happy MG owner. Safety Fast Jimjbo6 1953 MG TD |
| J. M. Haskins |
| When I graduated in 1962 my father offered me the cash to buy a Saloon but he was persuaded to lend me £350.00 to buy the Tf which sits in ythe garage. :eag;;y it is my eldest daughter's. We gave it to her for a 21st birthday present but we pay and maintain it. |
| Bob Marshall |
| I am 68, graduated from high school in 1953, and bought my '53 TD about a year and a half ago. I fell in love with the TCs and TDs when they first came on the market. I flirted with a purchase of a TD in the early 1970s, but I thought $3,500 was just too much to pay for a toy. Of course, I was saving for college for my four children then, and man toys were almost out of the question. Dick |
| RF Wacht |
| I'm 52. My father bought the TC in '96 at age 67, and the TF in '99. I have had the TF since Feb. '02, and the TC since Dec. '02. I was 20 ('72) when I bought my first MG, a circa '60 MGA. A couple of years later I bought a '70 MGB. It died about four years later. Nearly 30 years without an MG! Greg |
| Greg Van Hook |
| '54', bought my first '53 TD at 19 and more over time, but always had at least one in the garage, (usually more). My MKII arrived in '74 and has been here ever since. Paul |
| Paul Gaynor |
| For those demographically interested folks, I calculate our average age to be 54.9 years and the average time our current T-Series has been in our family at 18.3 years. I used "time in family" because it sounds like there's a few that have passed hands within the family. I also note that this is beginning to sound like an AA meeting. "Hi, my name is _______ and I've been an MG-aholic for XX years now." Keep them coming! |
| Stan Griffis |
| So far I rank 3rd in the loyalty list with 35 years with my TF but would be the longest owner of those of 52 or less. I was in my last year of school when I got my car and spent the first 10 months doing a chasis up restoration. It served as my only car for 14 years. Peter |
| Peter Falconer |
| I am 55 and have owned our TD Mark II since October, 1992, that is 11 years now. Back in 1978, I purchased my first MG, also a 1952, but a YB saloon. My ex hated it and I wound up selling it after a year. Except occasional down time for mini-overhauls, it has always been on the road. |
| John Masters |
| I'll be 53 this Monday. Bought my 53 td locally in 1996,in a lot worse shape than I first suspected,as it turns out. Was hoping for a rolling restoration but turned out a lot of the wood was deteriorated and a ground up was really required. Began the restoration in early 97 and haven't made much progress since then, ( a couple of 280z's got in the way). I do spend a great deal of time searching for parts and, in fact, bought an engine and interior-less 52 td parts car to that end this past winter. Now I have 2 that don't run. Turns out the 52 is in much better shape rust and wood wise than the 53 I already owned. Just finished a new garage so I'm running out of excuses. Pete W. |
| Peter Whelan |
| I admit to 57. We have had the TD for 14 years and done some long trips in it. Prior to this I had a Magnette for many years when my family expanded, a sprite for about 10 years and a TC that I restored, sort of, from age 22. I am still very active in the local MG car club which I started in 1990. Cheers, Paul. |
| Paul van Gool |
| I'm 57. After wanting one for years, finally got my TF 5 months ago. Terry |
| Terry Jacobs |
| http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/Story/author_father_52.gif Cars brand new, I'm not driving, you do the math :-) Chris |
| Chris Couper |
| Bought my feb. 1952 MG TD (#13402) in june 1994 from a Dutch classic car dealer who imported them from the States. I was 45 years old then During restoration which completed since 1999 I found a ticket of the Florida Highway patrol of april 1980 on speeding. I enjoy working on it as much as driving it and plan to leave it to my son, who doesn't (yet?)care for it at all. Erik van Hardeveld, The Netherlands |
| Erik Erik |
| I'm 39, my father bought the TF 1500 in '73 from the first owner (Dad also had one in the late 50's). I competed in MGCC events in this when I was learning to drive about '79, '80 and then Dad went and sold it back to the same first owner in 1980. This guy passed away in 1989 so I bought the TF from his estate and I am still competing in MGCC events. I have also driven this car solo around Australia (3 months, 15000 miles). I wish B.L. of Sydney was on the 'net, he bought his TF 1500 new and still drives it. Matthew. |
| Matthew Magilton |
| G,Day All, FromOz, Don't own either, but does having an enormous affection with a TD and TF for 50 years count? Regards Maurie Prior-Australia |
| maurie prior |
| 49, fast approaching 50, and fully agree with the statement "16 while driving!" Have had the TD for 1 year and love the XPAG engine! Have had MGB's since High School over 30 years...there is no cure for this sickness! My 14 year old daughter calls the TD "her car!" FAT CHANCE!! (Maybe the B, someday...) |
| Robert Dougherty |
| I'm 45 and have had my TD for about 6 years. I have been interested in owners ages as well. I know a retired gentleman locally who, among others, owns a TF, Y-type, MGB, MGA. His theory is that we tend to own vintage cars that we admired in our youth. Since my car was 7 years old when I was born, that seemed to disprove his theory. So, I was intrigued to see that there were even a few owners younger than I!! I thought I was on the young (sort of) side, since all I have met that own TCs, TDs, and TFs have a few years on me. Larry Thompson |
| Larry Thompson |
| I'm 63. My TF has owned for over 20 years. Larry |
| Larry V. Brown |
| Hi,I'm 54. Bought the '55 TF1500 in 1967, Third owner, very rough, burnt more oil than petrol but only cost $240.Done it up & used as my every day car for 9yrs Drove it all over Queensland & NSW Even had the name of our Surf Shop painted down the side at one stage. Trailered to Perth when I got married in 1981 Sat in the shed to 1999 when thought I better restore it before I was too bloody old to drive it (how wrong I was)got it on the road in 2001. The Wife and I have been 16 ever since.MG magic. Second W.A Safty Fast coming up. TF1500 9790 |
| A.J. NEWTON |
| I'm 45, my wife is 40 (oops, shouldn't have said that). We bought our '55 MG TF1500 project this past May at her urging (I couldn't believe it). We have had our '79 MGB for 15 years. And I was 5 when my Dad bought his '63 MGB new. Yes, he still has it and we still drive it. |
| Carl |
| Maurie, I feel you should have Status as "Octogonly Challanged" having a long term love affair! If I were you I would try to find out where in TN Carl lives and watch for the "estate sale" after the little woman reads that one you might be able to pick up a good deal on a TF. As for me my 29 year old wife of 30 years and I enjoy very much being "OWNED" by the TF! Cheers, David |
| David Sheward |
| Well, an average age of 54.9 years eh? I certainly agree that these cars attract the people who saw and admired them in their youth; that certainly applies to this 67 year old. Unfortunately, the 30 year olds now lust after Corvettes and such things as Datsun Zs etc.. SO, who the hell are we going to sell them to when we croak? All the other old fossils, who also admired them in their youth, and who might possibly have both the desire and wherewithal to buy one, will be popping off as well. I wish I had seen large numbers of 20 year olds putting their 5 cents into this discussion. I wonder who my widow will sell it to? Mark you, my three daughters, (1,42, 1,38 and 1,14, (yes, yes, I know!)) are all eyeing it especially the 14 year old who told me only yesterday she can't wait to drive it! |
| G.E. Love |
| I am 65 and have owned a TD for 14 years and TF for 3 yrs ( now sold.) I am still hanging on to my E Type. David Tinker. Wales UK |
| David Tinker |
| Coming up on 55 and I have had my 1950 MGTD since Feb 1999. Hope to have it on the road next summer. This is the first TD but I have had MG's since 1968, always an MGA and usually an MGB GT as well. Good to see that so many of these cars are passed along through the same family. Brian |
| Brian Smith |
| Hi, I'm Kevin and I've been smitten with TDs since I was a wee lad (OK, I'm only 34 but I was just 3 when the 1952 TD was brought home). My pop used to drive my older sister and I to school in the TD. We sat in the back. Once we had the whole family in the TD - all five of us. Well, times and laws have changed and the TD has been in my care since 1991. Now my young son loves to go for rides in the TD in his car seat. The TD has been in the family now for 32 years and after spending 9 years to restore it I have been driving it with pleasure since August of 2000. And may I also note that I see three TD friends have already posted entries here. Hi Brian, Bud and Don. Kevin |
| Kevin TD Terry |
I am 57 and the TD is 50 (1953) You see I have always had a thing for younger girls. The problem that Mr. Love refers to is one that we can only blame ourselfs for. These cars can no longer complete with the current cars. If you want to own one of our cars you need somewhere around 15 to 20 K. for a car that you can not use as a daily driver.That my friend is a lot of cash. Unless modified the cars are too slow for todays freeways. So how do we get the next generation of TD owners interested? We need to show them that these cars can be FUN, we need to have more rallies auto-crosses, etc. These cars are a blast to drive, but if the only time a young person get to see one is in car show, that point will never be reconized. Safety Fast Tom |
| T.L. Manion |
| I am 53, this is my first TD since March 2002 (first registred : sept 1952), before I hava had a MGB GT during 4 years. Cheers, Patrice |
| Patrice MENAGER |
| Hi all, I wasn't going to but I've decided to join in. 67 going on 68, bought my first car, a TD, in 1956 and after half a lifetime in other great cars - Jaguar, Fiat, Alfa, Rovers by the score, returned to the fold with an MGA in 1991. The A has gone, replaced by a ZA Magnette in 1998,and since then the garage is now filled with the Magnette, a TF, a bugeye Sprite, an NSU Sport Prinz under restoration and a Subaru Impreza for every day use. Have just returned from a 2,700km trip to Adelaide in the Magnette to take part in the Bay to Birdwood Classic - a magic weekend! 1,976 cars and motor cycles this year. |
| Peter Daley |
| Now listen here all you young whipper-snappers! Pay attention to an old timer! At 71 I'm single and still quite horny and can still get it on with the best (not much staying power, unfortunately!). I've owned everything including 2 Ferraris (250 SWB (#1931) and for 20 years, 275GTB4 #09285). 2 Abarth Zagatos, 2 Porsches including a 2.7RS, a zillion MGs including my present TF which I bought new off the showroom floor in July of 1954, and I still own an 1957 Alfa Conrero which unfortunately is still undergoing restoration (many of the magnesium parts are impossble to find). I drive to at least one GOF yearly (NEMGT Reg. nbr 100) and average about 4 to 5,000 miles per driving season. For the first time since 1968, I tried to put up the top - it was rotten - so I found a used one in Maine and had forgotten how pleasant it can be with sidescreens and top in place. I've driven the TF to Florida and California (my back will never be the same!). I burn wood as my principal source of winter heat, and have just finished putting in (for the un-initiated, that means splitting and piling) 16 cords for my new air-tight stove. I'm a good cook (note: not great) and I go to church being a committed Anglican. So take that young children! And ... I challenge any female T-Series owner to come and see my etchings and try some of my curried roast wild turkey. Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
| Gordon A. Clark |
| All - I just added the 'votes' since the ;ast update and interestingly the average age is still 54.9 years (I think Gord weighing in to offset Kevin TD Terry helped that) and the average time our T-Series has been in the family has dropped to 18.1 years. Somewhere a marketing person is salivating at this group. I wonder what they'd sell us? Single Malt Scotch in a T-Series shaped decanter? |
| Stan Griffis |
| Greetings everyone. My name is Terry. I'm 51 and have been an "MG-aholic" since I bought my first car, a brand new red midget Mk III after graduating from high school in 1970. I remember the day my dad and I went to pick up "Lucille." There was a BRG TD on the showroom floor. I thought that TD was the most beautiful thing on four wheels. It didn't bother me at all that the dealer had a catch pan on the floor under the sump. It's now 33 years and nine MG's later. My current TD is my third. I bought her in pieces 3 years ago and "lit the fire" on her for the first time during labor day weekend of last year. Since thaqt glorious Saturday morning, she's takin' me about 1500 miles down the road. Like Dave, I also think this is an interesting question to explore. A few months ago a friend discovered 5 T-series cars in a barn. He wanted to just get them all running and sold (except for the TA Tickford). After lengthy discussions with area gurus he decided against it. The interesting and perhaps most unexpected comment he reported was that the cars were more valuable 10 years ago then they are now. I wonder if anyone else has observed the same decline in market value... t. |
| Terry McArthur |
| In sorting through the records for my car (was my fathers for the previous 48 years) I found documents from his insurance company appraising the car at $18K. The document is dated 1977 and the car was in the same condition then that it is now -- clean unrestored condition that has been painted a couple times. I'd have to agree that there has been a decline in the value od the T-Series (TD's at least) in the past 10-15 years given this car is probably worth about $10K as it sits. |
| Stan Griffis |
| Gord - If you can drive from Quebec to Florida and California, I can't see where you have a problem with staying power - Oh, maybe you are talking about a different staying power. Seriously, I feel good when I put in 4 cords of wood and I am only a youthful 60. I wish I had some of your energy. Cheers - Dave |
| David DuBois |
| Close to 51 now and running a TD since 1975. |
| Bas |
| Gord; Your problem appears to be one of HIGH VIRILITY. Is it possible that it may be all in your head? Sandy Sanders |
| conrad sanders |
| Hey Sandy, I'll be down your way in a few weeks. I'll let you know my schedule. Maybe we can get together again. Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
| Gordon A. Clark |
| I have just turned 60 and now retired. I have had my TD called "Tessa" now for some 2 years --great motering. Prior to this car I have enjoyed in the past an A/H sprite Mk 11 ,MGB GT , mgb roadster.Currently also have an MGF which we had from new in 1996. The TD left the Abingdon factory in July 1952 for the USA and was repatriated back to the UK in 1992 when she was rebuilt. With my children now living in Australia ther is a strong possibility that "TESA" will again go a travelling, this time down under to OZ. Richard "PSK 726" |
| Richard Hyde |
| I'm 38 and the '51 TD has been in the family for 17 years. |
| Andrew |
| When I first saw this thread I thought it was a little silly but I've really enjoyed reading it! It amazes me how many of these cars have been passed along in the same family. I'm 55 and I've owned my 51 TD for about 2 years. I hope to have it restored and drive it in a couple of more years. I've owned a 74 MGB for about 11 years. Prior to owning the MGB I really knew nothing about MG's. I do remember coming across an 'old' car in a barn when I was about 18 (1966) that I thought was really cool and exotic. I had no idea what it was but believe now that it was probably a TD or TF. It was uncovered and a mess. It's probably long gone but I wish I could remember exactly where it was - who knows, maybe it's still there...... Cheers, Jim Kalamazoo |
| Jim Budrow |
| At 45 I try to lower the average age. I purchased my 52 TD last year through e-bay and never regretted it. Proces of restoration is slow, but constant and I can't wait to drive it. My children seem to love it: 'Papa, when you are dead, can I have Your car then?' I hope to postpone that event into the far future. regards Frank, TD 16237 |
| Frank van Geldern |
| I have had my TD for 5 years now and am almost 59 years old. I bought it from one of the local club members family and did a full restoration on it over the last 5 years. Have loved the TD since I was about 16 and my Dad would not let me have one so had to wait till I was 54 to get one on my own. Have not regreted a moment of owning or driving the car. |
| Tom |
| ....Hi you all.... I am a proud owner of a 1953 TD for about 3 years now. I was 56 when I bought "Tuffy" that's what my wife calls her. Great motoring. I have been on three occasions to Silverstone gathering, drove all over the UK. Both my children love the little car. Greetings. Alvin. |
| ALVIN ST.JAGO |
| Im 57 and have owned my TF 1250 for four years. My first car was a 58 MGA and also had a Healey 3000 MkII and 76 MGB before getting the TF in 1999. Without a doubt the TF has been the most enjoyable to drive of the lot.Thus far no need to bash the fuel pump with a spanner (MGA) or fret over overheating ( Healey) or constant run ins with the Prince of Darkness ( LUCAS electrics in the MGB). God Bless her the TF just motors along with no problems......probably shouldnt have said that eh? I dare say MGS will be the first and last sportscars I will own. |
| jeff payne |
| Hi all, I'm 60 and fast coming up to 61. My wife and I are the custodians of a '55 TF-1500, a '65 B and a '64.5 Mustang conv. and a much newer BMW. My wife is just as much "into" our cars as I am. I am a very lucky fella. Cheers - Dennis |
| Dennis Rainey |
| Assume every TD that was ever built still existed. Work out the average age for all of them as of 1 Jan 2004. I am four years older than that. ps David this has been an excellent thread. Great to see so many new names and old friends (very apt expression). Makes one wonder how many people read these pages - don't send individual responses to me though! Jan T |
| J Targosz |
| Maybe I can help bring down the average age a couple of weeks. I received the under 35 award at GOF 73 in Nova Scotia... but now I am 35. I have been giving care and feeding to what was my fathers 53 TD for the last few years. In the winter of 2001-2003 she was restored, fitting for her 50th. All the damage my brother and I may have done to the transmision dry shifting it for 30 years in the garage is now my problem. My first car was a '70 BGT, and I really lost interst in the cars after that... but since driving the TD, there is no turning back. My girlfriend has also caught the bug, she began taking pictures of MGs at shows and around her travels... even entered a couple of photo's in the photo contest at GOF 74. She didn't win, but ironically it was a picture of the winner's car. She gave the picture to him. Can't wait for Painted Post (Watkin's Glenn) next year!!! Blair |
| Blair Weiss |
| I had better jump in now, as this thread may last untill I am senile! 55 years old, or 55 years young, when i'm driving the TD. I've known this car since i was 6 years old. Dad received it in '77, from his friend. My turn came in '98, to pass on to my daughter, when she pushes me into the "chair", not very soon.I have created a monster, as after the GOF, in Nova Scotia, my wife of 26 years, tomorrow, stated "This was the best vacation i ever had".Previously she had said, The Sacred Octagon? The Gathering of The Faithful?, Is this a cult? Don't drink the cool aid! I use the car as a daily driver, depending on conditions, to comute to work at 75 mph, to 85mph, (corrected speed!!}Thanks to a 4.3 gear set, & a roller cam from an earlier engine rebuild!! & a special thanks to all my internet buddies on this BBS! Keep the shiny side up, & the rubber side down! Len & Andrea |
| Len Fanelli |
| Okay here's another entry. I am 52 and my car is younger than I am. I have a 53 TD and should be on the road for next year's GOF in Vancouver (hopefully). My wife is 40 and is getting into it. She want to find a little A or B in the future but is pushing me into finishing the TD and getting it on the road. We have only had the car since last fall, so not a year yet, it was found in a warehouse where it was all but forgotten for the last 30 plus years. It was disassembled and stored (I think they got scared of the wood package). Hopefully we will have it on the road now that the wood has been conquered. All other pieces are ready for assembly (still 98% original). Love it, just wanna drive it. Richard & Amy |
| R & A Budd |
| Hi all: Great thread. It has been fun to learn a bit more about the folks whose advice and comments I have been reading for past few years. I'm fast approaching 61. I first purchased a 55 TF in 1963 when I was in undergraduate school. While I loved the car, I found that I needed a bit more speed on the highway and sold it for a 58 Jaguar XK 150 fixed head coupe. Later I owned a 61 TR3 and a 71 Spitfire Mk IV. In '83, I became sportscarless in order to restore a 35 ft wooden sail boat (which I stell have). I have never forgotten the first TF and started looking for another in about 98. I purchased my current 55 TF in 2000, and drive it all summer as weather permits (this is Vermont, after all). Keep driving ans smiling. maybe we'll cross paths one day. Mike |
| Mike M |
| I am 66 and have had TD5902 since 1969 and TD29744 since 1974. TD29744 took 24 years to rebuld. Also my "new" MG, a 1974 MGBGT. MG's are like "Cracker Jacks",you cannot have one. |
| Janson Hurd |
| I am 58, feel like 28, and bought my 1950 TD in 1965. Denis |
| Denis L. Baggi |
| I'm 57 and just bought my second TF, a fully restored 1955 1500. My first TF was in 1965. I was engaged to be married and going to the University of Washington. It was a '54 1250 and cost $350..... but it was all apart in boxes and tub off. I put the car together the best I could with a new paint job and all the best I could afford. We had every part needed and no extra parts. Some luck. We took our honeymoon in it from Seattle to Victoria BC Canada and I commuted for a year to school with it. This new one sure brings back a lot of memories. |
| D Clark |
| Great post. Nice to see I am in good company, both in my age and the cars I love. I am 51 and have had my TD since 1973. At age 16, I bought an Austin America and that got me hooked on british cars. Had a couple of bug eye'd sprites, a 68 midget, and then the TD. Also have had a 67 MGB (built for my wife). |
| Bruce Cunha |
| I am 54 as of last month. Learned to drive in a '59 MGA. '72-73 owned and cleaned up an 54 TF. Worked on a '52 TD basket case 81-83 (did finish it). Bought a rolling wreck 51 TD in '99 and have it cleaned up to rolling restoration stage. Just plated for antique and lovin' life! (I don't get out much - can you tell) Walter |
| Walter Thompson |
| New to the TD game, but entusiastic. 49 and depending on the day, much younger or much older. '52 TD, ODO says 19k +. Not sure yet whether 119k or 19k or the speedo doesn't work, not running. Needs a frame up restoration for me, more than for the TD. Always wanted a TD/TC from the time I was 7. Now I am in it for a 'pound' not just a 'penny'. |
| S Brumbaugh |
| At 66, I'm TGDO. Bought TF 1250,6688 some 5 years ago after forgoing ownership of an English car for some 18 years. That was hard for an expatriate Brit. Prior to that I had a 1959,A-H 100-6 for 7 years. That got sold for a sailboat. Dumb! Next we had a Rover 3500 S, which was a great driving car but a PITA to keep running. My family cried when it was sold for a Chev. Corvette in 1974. The TF was, as they say, "in the family", my wife's cousin. In 1964 I swapped the A-H for the TF for a weekend of driving, never knowing that I would some day own it.. Other than its purchase in Germany, I have seen this car its entire lifetime in the USA. Next on the list is another Healy MK 2 or 3. A comfort tourer. I was asked one time by a teenager, "why do all you guys with gray hair have these cool little cars?". My answer, "because we have money". Right! |
| colin stafford |
| I'm 44. My father bought a 1955 TF 1500 in 1969. We worked on the car and finally restored it by 1971. He passed away that year and I have kept the car ever since. My son is 7 and daughter is 4. When the time comes it will be passed down to one of them. |
| Thomas Strombeck |
| I am 70 yrs. young. First fell in love with MG's In 1952 when I was in the Navy in California, Making 89 dollars a month and hitch hiking on the highway and seeing the TD's go by.Finaly got one. Been restoring it for a year, probably another year to go. |
| David Rezin |
| I am 66 yrs. old or young?, Ì,ll say, age is only on the outside. I bought my TD in 1999 from Denmark. The car was imported from California. s.no. TD 4490, late 1950 ?.Appr. 1500 hours on restoration, Finished 2001. Have lots of fun driving the car in Norway. Would like to know more about the cars history. |
| t g sorensen |
| I'm 57 years old, I found my 51 TD, in the fall 1 week after my 16th birthday. It had been left at a small import dealership, needed a timing chain. I purchased it for $425.00, the dealer immediately spent it on his racing Lotus. I used many a crescent wrench that first year, with international tractor parts. The car is fully restored, it taught a young man about failure and success. |
| Tom |
| I'm 54 years old. I went for my first TD ride in 1960 and have been hooked ever since. I have owned my TD since December 1968. I received it as a Christmas present. I made the trip to Abingdon last year, and highly recommend it. Paul |
| paul valles |
| I guess I'll have to contribute. My 54TF is 17 years my junior. It's in my care 4 years now. I bought it fully and beautifully restored after getting bit by the sport car bug again while helping a friend restore an XK120. I had a TD Mk2 (as my only car -winter and summer) back in 60 thru 64. It had just enough room for a bowling ball and a girl - my only requirements at the time. The Mk2, with its Abarth exhaust system, was quite a machine except for weak axles. Sold it after my wife became pregnant. Not that the TF isn't a joy to drive here on the back roads of Northwest New Jersey and Pennsylvania but it can't hold a candle to the peppier engine and nimble handling of the Mk2. By the way, my son loves to drive it even though it doesn't have a radio or CD player! |
| John Flanagan |
| As long as we are on age. I am 47. Have owned a 58' MGA for 30 years. Just finished a 65' B for my boy last year, age 19. We have had that car 4 years. |
| 2mgdad |
| Hey guys and gals, I'm 59 and I have the fever real bad. I have owned Porsh's, Pinaferina's, Fiats,MGB's and assorted other sports cars through the years but my 53 TD is here to stay. Some of you may remember it from the GOF's as it is classic "crackers and cream". The car is an absolute blast. At the moment I am deeply involved with a '47 TC which is in several hundred pieces. I am in love again! I want to drive the TC this year but time grows short along with my budget. Someone should print and bind the thread as it tells a lot about us MG nuts. Lastly, it is interesting that many of these cars are being passed down through the generations. I want mine to be. Oh well, down to the basement to continue......I may be looking for a TF in 2005. Any available? Tom McNamara |
| Thomas McNamara |
| I'm 47 yrs old. Our 52 TD has been in our family since September 1972 (31 yrs ago purchased in Spokane, WA). My wife loves our TD - a quote after her first ride -"we're never selling this vehicle". Our sons are ages 11 & 8. When the time comes, the TD will be passed down to our boys. One of my most fondest TD memories has been - my younger brother & I driving the TD from Coeur d'Alene, ID south to Boise, ID. Then west down the Columbia Gorge road to Portland, OR. Traveling north on I5 to Seattle, WA. Closing the loop - east (ever drive thru Moseslake, WA during a summer afternoon, try it in a TD!), back to Northern ID. All in 4 days - sometime in mid-August. Joe 52 TD #5823 |
| Joe Johnston |
| OK, I'll bite. I'm 47, have owned my TD MKII for almost 3 years, but just finished the restoration this year (drove it unrestored for a year as well). I bought my first MG (a 1977 MGB) at 36 (the car my father never let me have at 16). I still have the MGB, although another one came and went in between. I also have a '60 MGA coupe (for the winter); and anothe '53 Td waiting for my retirement as a furure project. A GREAT weekend is when I get to drive each car! My 16 year old wants the MGB and my 14 year old (both girls) wants the TD when I'm "too old and decrepit to drive." I hope they have to wait a LONG time. The 16 year old has driven the TD, but can't seem to get the hang of shifting on the MGB quite right. My plan is to get her driving it by the Spring, so that my wife, daughter and I can take all three to shows. With college payments around the corner, this is probably it for restorations in awhile. In the meantime, we need to start passing along the LBC bug to our kids if we expect them to take over custodianship of these cars when we do get "too old" for them (like when I'm 90). Best, Ira |
| Ira Spector |
| 53 here! Of course, an overwhelming majority of us T owners are over 50, but I am pleasently surprised to see that there are a good number of 30 and 40 somethings out there. It is a good sign when these cars start to become attractive to people that are younger then the cars!! I own my TD (24885) for around 6 years. When I was around 4, my family physician made house calls in a red TD...office visits were $5.00 and house calls were $7.00. This must have been cheap, even in 1955 dollars; afterall, no one had medical insurance!! Anyway, that is when my MG illness was born-how ironic that it came from my doctor!! |
| Steve Tobias |
| I am also pleased to see several owners under the big 5-0 (I'm 45). I am a little distressed that there weren't many younger than I. Since my daughters (13 and 16) have little interest, and most of the boys I see around today seem much more interested in tweaking those ugly Japanese boy-racers, I wonder who is out there to keep the fire burning. There are an awful lot of LBCs out there (besides our wonderful T-types) that are going to need care-takers over the next few years. Most of the folks I see at our local British car shows are men my age or older, not too many younger, though there are a few that tote along their young boys. Since it seems that the vintage cars we typically own are cars that we saw or experienced as youngsters, that doesn't bode well for the future. Hmmmm. Something to think on. Larry Thompson '51TD (7 years older than I) |
| Larry Thompson |
| Larry brings up a good point...however from my own experance: I fell in love with the TF @ age 3. My younger driving years (16/25)were filled with "Muscle cars" though. It wasn't till I got a little older that it was "practical?" to own a "T" series auto. I have said several times that at car shows I let little ones "drive" the TF most of the time they go home with a pix of themselvefs behind the wheel. Pehaps in their later years this will help keep the intrest alive. My neighbors son just turned 16 and into "hi-rev-rice-burners" ...but when the TF comes out he and his friends are right there with a lot of intrest and his comments "I'd love to own one of these some day" leads me to believe there will be an intrest. I think as we get older "hi-tech" gives way to "simplicity". I don't see my children having much intrest in ever owning a Gremlin / Honda 600 / Plymouth wagon or many of the other "wonderfull" autos we owned durring their childhood years, but I CAN see them fighting over the TF and the TR! Cheers, David 55 TF1500 #7427 |
| David Sheward |
| I am 75 years old, my first MG was a TC bought by my mother in 1950. Due to the bloody Belgian blocks street at the time, I sold the car, it was a mistake!! In 1960 I bought a TF I also sell, again a mistake. In 1980 I bought an MGB but my idea is to find again a T model. Now I have a 1951 TD I have completely restored. Engine remade with modern gaskets on the crankshaft,. no more oil leak!!And I am pehaps an iconocalst but I fit on the car a 5 speed gear box, wonderfull to run.But I kept, on the side, the original one. |
| Georgibus |
| My wife came to me two years ago and said "I have a dream car..I have always wanted one." With fear I replied "And what would that be, dear?" "A 52 MGTD." Two years later, a trip to Salt Lake City (to look at one), many, many trips to the local garage, and untold late nights in the basement garage, I am the one who is hooked. At 58, I have overcome my Triumph bias (I owned a 64 TR4), and now enjoy the TD. It is classed as a "driver", but what a great car. I can only hope that my daughter (or perhaps my granddaughter) gets the fever. |
| Ken Martin |
This thread was discussed between 01/10/2003 and 11/11/2003
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