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MG TD TF 1500 - Our duty to drive the T cars

The sun was shining and it was 86° today - too hot! (Yeah, I know, but there are those of us who live in the cloudy far corner of the country because we like cool weather). The wife and I decided to take the TD to run errands this afternoon. We are used to having people swivel their necks to look and point at us, but today was different. We got thumbs up, waves and horns tooted from a whole bunch of other motorists. Those who weren't waving or honking their horns all had big grins on their faces as soon as they saw the TD. I remarked to my wife that it made me feel that it was our solemn duty to drive the TD to spread cheer and good will amongst the other drivers (it's a rough job, but someone has to do it). Besides, it is a lot of fun to watch drivers of BMW Z3s and 4s and other modern "sports cars" drool all over themselves as we drive by.

So everybody with T cars do their duty and drive them on the public by ways and make this country a happier place.
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Your right there David... stops people in their tracks. My favourite (we live in a tourist town with thousands of visitors every summer day and tons of exotic cars) is to pull up and park behind a Ferrari, or Lambo and watch the people come over to the T....hehehehe.
I've been driving London Cabs on historical tours around the area, and what a treat to drive to work in the T and jump in a right hand drive cab, then at midnight drive home through the back roads with the top down...life doesn't get much better (at least at my age).
gordon lawson - TD 27667

I was passed by a fellow in a new Lotus Elise yesterday while driving my TF. He gave me a thumbs up, and then quickly left me behind.

He was certainly quicker, but I felt I could hold my own on the coolness factor.
Mark B.

Dave

My wife and I are new to the TD but have driven a Miata since they were introduced in 1990. However, driving our 1950 RHD TD makes us feel good because it is such a friendly little car. It always brings a smile to the faces of folks. Kids are especially fun because they squeal at the site of the lil thing. I agree with you.....I think it is our obligation to drive our cars and bring smiles and joy to the world.

Off for a Sunday drive about.

J FLESHMAN

Dave,

I'll grab my broken tub, which currently is sitting on my slave chassis and run, ala Fred Flintstone, around the neighborhood (once- I probably can't carry it for more than one circuit of Boundary Creek). If anyone waves, I'll just give them a polite nod since my hands will be busy holding the tub, which takes much more hand business than simply steering and shifting and waving.

On a more serious note, it is lovely here also today, 75 and sunny. I finished my teardown of my engine, and anticipate going over to the machinist on Monday with my collection of carefully bagged and sorted items, my head, block and shafts.

Warm regards,
dave
Dave Braun

Totally agree with all. Take the TD to our car cruse night and people Ohh and Ahhh on all the muscle cars, but they all stop and chat about the TD.

Most have stories of either their MG or the one that their father had.
Bruce Cunha

As mentioned above, it is the kids that we get the most response from. They are the ones waving and smiling with the little noses pressed against the inside of their dad's mini-van windows. Ya just know they are asking their dad "what kinda car is that"?, and hes giving them some cock-a-mamy answer because he has no idea. Anyway, the kids are the most vocal ones. Maybe they will be future MGers themselves. I would be more than willing to give them all a ride but in this day & age, someone is gonna mistake your intentions.

Cheers - Dennis
Dennis Rainey

Gentlemen,
I couldn't agree more! I find myself in the fortunate position to be able to own and enjoy 3 toys (cars), other than the daily drivers, and I get the most fun and enjoyment out of the TF, even though the little gem is the one that must be fussed over the most. When I get to heaven, to heck with the wings...I'm using the TF!
Gene
Gene Burgess

I'll go you one better Gene. our two "toy cars" (TD and MGB) are also our daily drivers! In fact, they are our only cars.

"When I get to heaven, to heck with the wings...I'm using the TF!" We have a friend here in Bremerton, an 80 something expat Brit, who like us only owns and drives MGs. He has a mgb roadster, a MGBGT, a MGB roadster V8, a mga twin cam and a MG midget. He is also a long time member of the local Morman church. One time when he dropped by to give my wife an article for the newsletter, he was chuckling and said, "Well I just set all those Mormans on their ears, I just told them that if they didn't have MGs in heaven, I didn't want to go."
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I think we not only have a duty to drive the cars but also to show them -- wonderful classic cars should not be kept out of sight for fear someone might hurt them.
Yesterday was 97 with 105 heat index but we still made the local car show benefiting Special Olympics. Stayed under our awning and didn't get to socialize as much as usual but had several people visit under out tent to ask about the cars and tell their stories. We try to pick our shows based on the charity it benefits and exposure for our club.
We were driving the car along a quiet 30 mph boulevard once and in the rearview mirror I saw a Volvo overtaking us at extreme speed. I thought it prudent to pull to the side of the road and the Volvo quickly pulled up alongside. As the young boy in the backseat waved and said cool car the mom said I didn't care if I got a ticket, my son said "Mom, catch that car!"

Dennis
D F Sexton

My favorite feeling is when I see a Z-3, Miata or MR2 with the top up, while I motor by top-down! It can be 100 degrees here in Boise, but the top will be down! Can't understand a modern roadster, with A/C, leaving the top up, while I fell fine in a 52 RHD TD, top down!
Robert Dougherty

Hi Gang;

I don't know about you but in the very hot days here in South Florida I run in my air condition configuration, both the top and the windshield down. It is amazing how how much cooler the ride is and of course how cool the car looks in this configuration. Always an eye catcher.

Dick
Safety Fast
Dick McCutcheon

This summer the TF went to France (2400 miles in 18 days) it goes to the supermarket, transports the dog and rubbish and can still show many cars a clean pair of heels. In the winter it is out and about.
This morning we went through a river with it - just for fun.
There is that saying USE IT OR LOSE IT. That applies to cars.
Bob Marshall

Good thing i'm still "USING" the car at least......
gordon lawson - TD 27667

I'm just visiting from the Midget board. About fifteen years ago a friend had a '52 TD professionally frame-off restored, and then promptly parked it under a dust cover in his garage. The car hasn't seen the light of day in 15 years! He recently offered the TD to me for the price he paid BEFORE the restoration. My garage is full of Midgets and I have a daughter in college, so I fear I'm going to have to turn this generous offer down. I'll assuage my anguish by helping him get the car in running condition for sale. I don't think that he yet realizes the work needed to bring a car back from a 15 year hybernation.

Drive them!
West Nile '66 Sprite

I'd say its time to sell the Sprite and move "up" to the TD....!!!!!
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Speaking of driving... just got back from a club evening run... what a beautiful night... really had a great time...well, the freshly tar/gravel stretch of road wasn' t the greatest, but still a nice night.

http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/mozie/mozie.html
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Nice to ride along with you through the photos, Gordon. :)
Steve Simmons

Nice evening Gordon!

Pretty cool, even with the larger displacement that Jag couldn't keep up with you (or at least that's the way the pictures appear ;)

dave
Dave Braun

Oh, it was filling my rear view pretty well...the advantages of a wide angle lense on the camera...pretty good self portrait eh, one handed over the head?
gblawson

My new favourite photo......

http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/mozie/images/IMG_4520.jpg
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Getting back to Dave's original comment, I also find it great when someone in an expensive roadster looks and waves. It's even greater when a cute gal turns her head, smiles, and waves. But what makes me sure that T-series cars will always be loved is when an eight or nine-year-old kid looks, perhaps with a bit of a curious expression on his face that shouts "what the heck is that?", then smiles and waves. They just know what's cool, different, and special.

Steve
50 TD
Steve Markman

Went to a local show today in glorious weather. Only doing about 45mph around country roads, but it was great, top and sidescreens down of course. Parked up in a row of B's. One person walked by the B's, and when he got to me said "Now,thats what I call a real MG". Had another interesting conversation with a guy, who has since sold his car, but had spent 11 years restoring his TD. Kept apologising about talking about what he had done! Went on about the virtues of changing the rear axle ratio for better cruising, and replacing the original air filter with a simple foam mesh soaked in oil. Seems under dyno test, the flow of air in the original filter restricts performance.
Henry

All winter long you can find me on ebay collecting the little yellow "micro-machine" TF's. In the summer "junior" sits on the radiator cap at car shows...until one of those squelling, smiling children spots it! At that point I ask if they would like to "drive" the TF. After mom & dad get some pic's of their youngen' "driving" the M.G., "junior" goes home with them. Last year I drove the TF up for a haircut and a small child started screaming "it's him, it's him". Mom told me he had been carrying that little yellow car around in his pocket for over a year and constantly plays with it. With her permission, we wnet for a little spin.
If that isn't "magic" ...it'll do till something better comes along!
Cheers & Best Regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2005 and 23/08/2005

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