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MG TD TF 1500 - Paint codes for TF

My car number starts with 'HDA26/' and I've been told that from that code I should be able to tell the original color. I've looked on The Original TD midget site (linked from the main page), but that code does not seem to be listed. Not surprising, since their chart only lists colors up to 53, and the car is a '55 TF-1500.

There are so many layers of paint on the car that I have no idea what the original color was, the lowest stratum appears to be either light yellow (close to 'Primrose Yellow' on an MGB) or a dark green. If someone could point me to a lookup table for paint codes, I would be grateful. I'm not completely sure that I will return the car to its original color, but I'd like to know what it was before I make my decision.

Thanks in advance, MB
Mark Barrington

Mark,
Your TF was Black, that's what the A is in HDA
H = MG D= ROADSTER
the 26 has to do with the paint, enamel, lacquer, if the wings were enamel if the body was lacquer, etc.

My TF is HDA46/8986 and it was Black from the factory.

There were only a limited set of colors available for the TF; Black, Almond green, MG Red, Ivory, and a gray;

All had Red dash panels, except the green.
Don Harmer

Mark - You will not finde anything about TFs on the Original TD Midget site, since it only deals with the TDs. The TF Record site <http://hometown.aol.com/tfrecord/index.html> is the place you (and other TF owners) should be looking for information on the TF. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Sorry Dave, but that page doesn't exist.

Regards,
Lew Palmer
Lew Palmer

Thanks! I haven't even thought of black, and I didn't find any black on any of the body panels. I'm not sure if I can stand it here in the Texas heat, but I'll think about. A black car can look pretty slick, but it means that the body and paint work has to be excellent ...

Dave's site is: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/tfrecord/index.html

The BBS software caught the bracket at the end of the URL and mangled it. It's OK without the bracket.

This car has been: light yellow, dark green, red, and possibly gray from the layers of paint I stripped off. Now I can add black to the list. Thanks again.
Mark B.

In the spirit of cooperation I have added a few TF links to my Links pages.
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_links.htm#mgtf
Chris Couper

Mark,
HDA46/8986..From Clausager's book "Orginal MG T Series"
H = MG Midget
D = Open 2 seater bodywork
A = Black (1881 cars/20%)
4 = North American export/Left hand drive
6 = cellulose finish on body/synthetic finish on wings
# 8644 1st chassis # for Jan 1955
About 33% of these cars were Red.
The above book shows a pic of a Black TF with red piping...very sharp...you might want to hunt down a copy of it and take a peak at it before you make your choice.
My 2 cents ...I would take it back to orginal black.
Cheers,
David #A1 55TF/1500 7427 (shipped Oct 13 1954)
David Sheward

Thanks, David. I'll look for a copy of 'Original MG T-Series.' I was a little concerned when I read your message, because the car is definately RHD, and there are no signs of relocation of the pedal box. But the problem was mine, I put a typo in the car no.

The complete car # is: HDA26/ 10030 (engine XPEG/ 3888). It is one of the last TFs made, with only about 70 more made, and I believe it was originally exported to Singapore ... The PO will be sending me a ownership history, if they ever find it.

I'm warming to the idea of painting the car black. I've seem some examples, and a TF looks GOOD in black. I may do something weird and have a green interior, though. Perhaps biscuit, anything but black or red, which I just don't like. I won't be ready to paint panels or put in the interior for several more months, so there's still time to decide.

Thanks, MB
Mark B.

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2001 and 04/01/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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