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MG TD TF 1500 - Identification please
I have conme accross the remains of a MG TD which looks like an earlier model, having square tail lights, first type front shockabsorbers, correct front wings to go with that etc. But the numbers puzzle me. Can anybody identify if body and chassis belong to each other and what would be the year of construction?? This is what's on the brass plates: Body Type: 22381 (should this not be bodynumber) Body Number: 9485/76301 (should this not be type?) Chassisnumber: TD EXL/NA 10113 Engine: XPAG TD2/LHX 10407 Any experts?? Thanks, Bas |
Bas |
The Body Type Number of 22381 seems to be common to all TD models. I have never learned how to interpret the Body No. These numbers seem to follow no logical order that I can figure out. My '53 TD, for example, has a Body Number 20002/92535. The Chassis Number of TD EXLNA 10113 indicates it was built for EXport as a Left hand drive to North America followed by the production number of the car. The Engine number XPAG/TD2/LHX 10407 also verifies that it had a later type engine with the larger clutch diameter, built for Left Hand eXport and a higher production number than the car. XPAG is the type of engine used in the TC, TD and early 1250cc TF cars. The higher engine number, compared to the chassis number, is normal which allowed for spares that were built along with production requirements and eliminated the impossible task of exactly coordinating Chassis numbers with corresponding Engine Numbers in production. |
Jim Merz |
Thanks Jim, any idea when this TD was manufactured? Bas |
Bas |
Bas, A quick look in the front of the Moss TD catalog indicates that the chassis number was from the Jan 1 - Dec. 1951 production run. The TD2 references the 8" clutch as Jim stated, which according to the Moss data began production in Sept. 1951. As 1951 production ends with number 12577, your numbers indicate an early 8" clutch '51 model. The square tail lights and Girling (I think) shocks with the big fluid refill top also indicate a TD of that time period. |
Mel |
Production was probably August, 1951 G'day |
Blake |
Now that it has been settled as an August 1951 TD what sort of instruments would be genuine? The earlier flat face dials or the later types? Anybody knows? Thanks, Bas |
Bas |
Here's a bit more on the Body Number. My TD (#10855) has the body number (77611) stamped into the left bottom main side timber. It can be seen if the floorboard is removed. Today, before I reinstalled the floorboards after an r/r of the gearbox I took some images that can be seen at: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~budkrueger/BodyPlate.html |
Bud Krueger |
Parts book says the magnetic instuments (dished face) came at chassis 10751 LHD or 10779 RHD. Earlier instruments are chronometric (flat face) like those in a TC. G'day |
Blake |
Bud & Blake, all thanks a lot for your help Bas |
Bas |
Bas, Most of your questions about configuration can probably be answered through Chris Couper's great website 'The Original MGTD midget' or by getting a copy of the NEMGTR's 'T Type Restoration Handbook'. I think you can find Chris' site at http://www.british-cars.org/uk/kimber/mgtd/ and the NEMGTR is at http://www.nemgtr.org |
Bud Krueger |
Sorry, I slashed when I should have dotted, try http://www.british-cars.org.uk/kimber/mgtd/ |
Bud Krueger |
This thread was discussed between 01/03/2003 and 03/03/2003
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