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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 - OT, sort of

Okay, so a guy in a 57 T-bird approaches me in town Sunday and wants to know if I might want to sell my TD to a friend of his! Yesterday the guy shows up and we went for a ride. I quoted him my costs to date plus a few grand. Who knows? But if he's serious I might consider restoring an A down the road. My question for you guys is there substantially more leg room/power in a A (1500, 1600, MKII, etc.?, which one?) than my TD? I've never driven an A!
I love the TD but I can't realistically drive it over 1/2 hour. I'm just too tall. And getting out of town, it just don't have the power. (A 5-speed, turbo, etc. ain't gonna happen either, sigh). I know a lot of you guys have "A" experience, hence my post.

Your toughts, as always, are appreciated,
Ed
efh Haskell

I can't answer your questions about the MGA Ed because I never got that far. But if the deal doesn't go through, hook him up with me. I'm thinking about selling the TD as I just never drive it. The TF is too much more fun.
L E D LaVerne

Ed,

My experience is that it is harder to drive both an A and a TF due to the lower scuttle/dash in both cars. Also, the A door opens normally, with a very wide fender section, and I usually clobber my knee on the way in.

If you are having trouble fitting your TD, please contact me off list and I will run down the improvements I made to make it more comfortable.

For the record, I'm 6'3" with a 34-35 inch inseam, and weigh 225 lbs on a bad day.

warmly,
dave


Dave Braun

Dave, you have mail.
LaVerne, will keep that in mind. There is an A for sale over in Carbondale. Know the guy? If so, please email me off list.
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed,
Too Tall???? Do you have the underdash cover installed??? Get rid of it,,, it gives you a lot more room for your legs/knees,,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve, negative.
efh Haskell

You won't find the driver's seat of an MGA any more roomy than a TD. In fact I'd say there is significantly less leg room in an MGA. I can drive my TC comfortably all day long but I feel cramped in the MGA. I would strongly suggest finding an A to try out before selling the TD!
Steve S

A good running TD 1250, with a MGA ring & pinion, non supercharged, with one of my roller lifter camshafts, will curise at 80 MPH, & is much faster than a 1500 MGA.
Len Fanelli

I am 6 ft tall, and weight a lot over 250 and the A is a pain to get in and out of. I love them but the Suicide door on the T is much easier on me. I look over the windscreen on my T as you can see in the photo on my heading. That given, I have a 4;1 drive with a bored 80 over engine and running at 400 rpm's i am going about 70-72 or so with ease. Dave B has some ideas on seating that can be worked out. Besides, the T is much easier to work on and a lot more kick to drive and be seen in.. Lens Roller cam is the next step for me. saving up my coin...
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Ed,

As a 5 foot 8 inch teenager back in the late fifties I owned a very clapped out TD. My buddy, a rich kid, received a 1960 mga twin cam as a graduation present. Getting in and out of the "A" was a pain even with youth on our side. We drove each other's cars frequently but he always wanted to borrow the TD. Getting into the "A" we stepped over the door, spread our knees and dropped into the seat. Even the fun of driving the twin-cam did not make up for the feeling of confinement. JMHO

Jim Haskins

1953 TD (Not the same one)
J. M. Haskins

Update. Have not heard back from the prospective buyer.
Roller cam...I did frame off resto myself but I don't do engine "internals". Something an amatuer could do:<?
Ed
efh Haskell

Hello Ed, the block & head would need to go to a automotive machine shop for pistons, valves, etc. I would recommend having them assemble the short block.
Len Fanelli

I've had a MGA MkII for about 25 years. I'm 5'8" and 170, so I can't tell you exactly how well a larger/taller person would fit.

The main issue would be that you are sitting lower to the ground and the front of the door opening is relatively far back. Even at my height I have to grab my knee with my hand and pull it back to get it into the car.

Once you are in, though, I don't find it cramped at all. The interior is wider than a TD, though there is a big transmission hump in the middle that tends to crowd your feet, perhaps. You are sitting down in the car as opposed to on top of it, so your legs are stretched out in front of you more and the sides of the car come up higher around you.

I've never driven a T series very far (mine is still under resto) so I can't compare directly. However, I can say that I've driven the MGA 10 hours in one day at 70 mph quite comfortably. I didn't feel particularly buffeted by the wind and the ride is surprisingly smooth. The MkII benefits from a bit more hp and a slightly taller rear gear than the 1500's and 1600's, otherwise mine was stock 1622 at the time (I have since put in a MGB engine, long story).

YMMV
David Littlefield

The MGA is harder to get into and out of than the TD. Steve Wincze, who has driven his TD extensively, has sat in my MGA and found it very uncomfortable.
David Werblow

This thread was discussed between 13/09/2012 and 17/09/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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