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MG TD TF 1500 - TD Mark II Bucket Seats

Does anyone have any information on the lightweight
bucket seats that were fitted to some MK II's.
I have a friend who's car originally had these seats,
were removed at some point and he would like to
replace what he now has (std TD seats) with
buckets as close as possible to the original.
Marty

Marty:
MKII's never had buckets. The only mods were, [with not all on all cars],: Andrex shocks all around, dual fuel pumps, big (TF) valve head, Shaved head for raised compression, 1 1/2" carbs, cam, bulge in rhd side panel of bonnet for carb air intake (had a large pot), MKII badge in plinth on rear bumper (later), some dispute about black background on MG radiator badge, TF rear end gears, designated as TDC with TD3 engine#. Most were LHD, as the target market was NA.
Paul
52 MKII, RHD, TDC/17198
Paul

Paul, this is TDC 9019. The family has owned
the car since it was new, and had info that it
originally had bucket seats. Guess that info is
incorrect. Thanks for your information.
Marty

May not be incorrect. There was a thread some time ago where someone claimed that you could order a TD from the factory fitted with Y front bucket seats. Terry
Terry O'Brien

Terry:
I have a couple of Ys and there is no way you could reasonably fit them into a TD. There is a frame beneath the seats, which would have your head well into the jet stream above the windscreen. Lot of stories out there.
Paul
Paul

Well it may have the bucket seats new, but not from the factory. It was not unusual for dealers to modify the cars before delivery in order to increase the cost/profit and differentiate them from other dealers.

Chris
Chris Couper

If there is any truth to the claim it would have meant that the supporting metal frame was removed so that the bottom of the seat sat on runners to the floor boards. The Y seats have the same frame as that for a Morris 10 and maybe an 8. A friend has bucket seats from a pre war Austin or Morris fitted to his TC and that meant removing the metal supports so if it works there it should also work on a TD. Terry
Terry O'Brien

I used 1956 Healey buckets in my 1952 TD in about 1962. Much lighter than the bench and sexier also. Might be hard to find a pair though.

They must have gone in easy because I had the in and out a few times. The Healey belonged to a garage-mate who was in the Navy so I borrowed the seats when he was deployed at sea.

Edd Weninger
Edd Weninger

I bought a '52 TD that had a pair of TF bucket seats installed. They fit very well. I have removed the buckets in preparation for installing original TD seats.
Thom Strunk

All you have to do is pull out the old seats, unscrew the runners, drill new t-nuts holes and secure new t-nuts and you are on your way.

Not much holds these seats in but a few tiny brads and the rim of the t-nuts from the bottom.

Chris
Chris Couper

A few years ago I restored a 1959 Frog-Eyed Sprite. The buckets were comprised of a relatively flat metal pan with a cushion that dropped in and was positioned by a turned up rim. The seat back was also formed of metal with rather thin upholstery and pivoted on the seat bottom pan. If my memory serves they would sit on the floor positioner slides much as the TD seats do and are fairly small. Might find them available as many Sprite racers replace them with aftermarket racing seats.

Good luck.

Jimbo6
Jim Haskins
1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

This thread was discussed between 02/03/2003 and 10/04/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.