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MG TD TF 1500 - TD Grill Colours

I am new to TD's, will be picking up one this week.
I notice a lot of TD's have painted grills, some the same as the car others in patterns etc. Others are natural chrome or stainless.
What is original?
Norm Peacey

First off ...Wecome to the group!
Matching interior color would be "correct" from factory.
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

I did some research on this subject when I first got "Rocky", my '52....
There is some conflicting information, but basically, my understanding is that either interior OR body color is o.k., but , if you're going for concours, then interior color is the better choice....
If I'm not mistaken, there are some later TD's that came with chrome grilles and headlamp buckets (I think , on '53 Mk 2's, but I could be wrong about that.)
Edward
E.B. Wesson

Ed is correct about the later Mark II cars having chrome plated grille slats. As far as I know, the only factory color for the slats matched the interior color. Many of us changed the colors as you observed. I opted for the chrome plated version since my original painted slats chipped from small rocks, ect. Welcome to our group!
Jim Merz

I have had an MGB for a number of years and have been lurking and asking question here while I looked for a TD.
I purchased the 1952 TD18310 from what is believed to be the 2nd owner who owned from 1964 to present.
There are a few non-original issues but she is very drivable and those can be attended to over time.
Pictures as soon as I pick her up this Thursday.
Thanks
Norm Peacey

Norm, Try this link. The whole site is filled with lots of good info. And welcome to the TD world. Let me know if I can ever help you out with any TD issues.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_finishes.htm

C.R. Tyrell

i would be curious as to the source of the "slat color matches car exterior". i have never read this. regards, tom
tom peterson

Norm,
Also, welcome to this forum,,,
The Ottawa MG Club is a good group to belong to up there,,,, We have been on a few trips with some of the members,,,
Our TD is number 18283,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Norm,

Welcome! This BBS is the place to be for all your questions and answers.
Did you already register your car on www.ttypes.org in their database? If not, please do!

Jasper
JL Nederhoed

Tom
I wish I could remember, but there was a link to some
info, when I first started inquiring about it...(about two years ago).It was a "history"-type link...Naturally, I can't recall...but then, I can't recall what I had for breakfast!
Edward
E.B. Wesson

O.K...
After some hunting, here is further info from MGCars.org
U.K. FAQ:

"Chip Olds' research revealed that the cars left the factory with silver wheels and and the grille was usually painted to match the upholstery, though sometimes to match the body color. Which grilles were upholstery color and which were body color is uncertain. See his Points of Originality in The T Series Handbook.
On TCs and TDs, the grille color should match the interior color (to be original). But you asked for advice, not facts,
so......paint it whatever color you think looks best. It's your car and you'll have to live with it!"

And so, I have!
Edward


E.B. Wesson

My grille has been three different colors...
First, it was the interior color, then the body color, and now, the fender color....
Edward


E.B. Wesson

Another


E.B. Wesson

Norm,

Mine came with the chrome slats of the PO, but I think upholstery-color (ex works) gives far better looks. So now they're green.

Jasper




JL Nederhoed

Welcome from TD18337!

don
don scott

Interesting as with Bs there is never a easy answer to a simple question.

Mine is chrome, I will wait and see.

I see 2 chassis close to mine, TD18283 in CT & TD18337 in Oregon.

Do either of you know your cars original selling dealer?

Thought I might try to trace 18310s history.

BTW thank you all for your welcome. I am and have been a member of the Ottawa MG Club since about 2003, they are a great and active group.
Norm Peacey

Norm,
"there is never a easy answer to a simple question"
IMHO:
Just part of the fun of owning one of these cars!
They were hand built and I feel that was a big part of the "reason" things seemed to "change" along the way. The other reason (not just "my opnioun"...but that of at least one person I talked to that worked at Abingdon when my car was made) was that the factory wasn't really doing all that well....sales were dropping and in the day to day struggle to keep the doors open "supply inventories" changed durring production. (According to him ...sometimes "borrowed" from surrounding factories to keep the line moving.)
The fellow I had a lot of conversation with years ago told me (at least in 1954) they would have done just about anything to a car if they had a buyer for it or to finish one to make shipping schedules!

There seems to be a wealth of info out there on what was "correct" for these cars...but there also seems to be a lot of people that counterdict what has been written!
My father had a black TF w/ biscuit interior he bought new and it was un-touched by the dealer as far as paint. All accounts say the dash "should" have been tan. ("only" colours avlb for dash : tan / green / red according to all books I have read). The dash on dad's TF was black ...of that I am sure.

Just part of the fun!
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

Edward, thank you for the follow up. this is why i love this group..so much info offered up. thank you. regards, tom
tom peterson

This thread was discussed on 10/12/2012

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