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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 - TF 1500 Jack

Attached is a picture of what I believe to be the original jack for my TF 1500 (TF6779). However it does not have any markings whatsoever. From the archives, I believe TF's were equipped with either King Dick or Shelly jacks, all of which I believe are marked. Mine looks more like the Shelly jacks, but I don't know. The original tool kit I have is all marked King Dick. Alas, I also am missing the 3-piece jack handle. Any ideas what it is? Is it original? Where I can get a jack handle?
Thanks!
Gary


G Mantey

Hi Gary,

I'm no expert on jacks, and other more knowledgeable 'readers' may wish to comment. For what it's worth it looks right for a late TF, very similar to one for an early MGA. See Matthew Magilton's pics in the Archives for further info. I just want to make a general point that may or may not relate to your specific query.

Even though there were original specs. for tools and accessories, in post war Britain there were shortages of steel affecting small suppliers from time to time. Like other manufacturers MG would get supplies from whowever, if there was a problem, and reference to this is made in the drivers handbook. Certain tools were not always supplied in the kit, not that anyone would have bothered at the time, since many drivers accumulated tool kits etc from previous cars they had owned! I've got a set of flat spanners for the TF, identical to the Shelley ones, but with no name stamped on them. It doesn't mean they wern't original, just stamped up by another anonymous tool maker, of which there were many!

Jack handles of square section were very common in 50's Britain and all very smilar whatever the make. Can you not get some square section mild steel,OD sleeve the two parts to join, weld some 'bulges' on the ends and wait until a better part comes along?

Hope the above helps.

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

That looks very similar to my Shelly jack. My car is #1414 Dec. '53.


Frank Cronin

Maybe a few jacks were made by King Dick or Shelley that did not have markings? Yours looks the read deal to me Gary, unless it is an early repro?
Attached pic of my KD jack original to TF9097.

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

Hi Guys

Have a look at my Shelley Jack database: http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/shelley_jacks.htm

You will see that the MGTC, MGTD, mgtf jack is the very first entry.

Picture attached.

Steve


Steve Gyles

I have to say, pretty impressive research on those Shelly jacks Steve! Very informative.

Frank
Frank Cronin

Thanks Frank and Matthew for you pictures and comments and I seconthe d comment about Steve's impressive research on the Shelly jacks! Problem is all the images show markings on jacks and mine has none. Does anyone else out there have a "plain" jack? I'm hpoing Matthew's comment "looks like the real deal" is true.
Thanks!
Gary
G Mantey

Oops! Sorry about my keyboard issues/typos!
G Mantey

Oops! Sorry about my keyboard issues / typos. Guess I should proofread before pushing "submit"
G Mantey

Hi Gary,

Just as an observation concerning your TF 1500 (TF6779)... My wee car probably left the plant within hours of your car on 30-31 August 1954... My TF 1500 number is TF6798...

She runs like a lady half her age, and brings me great pleasure on warn Summer evenings with her top down... Picture attached...

Cheers,

Rod Macleod - TF 1500 HDB46/6798("Molly")


Rod Macleod

Hi Rod,
Your TF looks fantastic and it looks like you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. According to the MGCC
T Register, my build date for TF6779 is September 3, 1954. From other sources also had a date of late August. Either way, I'm sure our cars were together in Abingdon in late summer, 1954. See image below.
Regards,
Gary


G Mantey

Gary - for the record, your TF6779 with XPEG 753, was built on Sept. 3, 1954, and is one of nine TF's built that day. I have the TF production records (more later).

Tom Lange
Bar Harbor, Maine
t lange

Hi Again Gary,

We are fortunate to be "caretakers" of these great little pieces of automotive history... I do enjoy my TF 1500 and drive her at every opportunity I have, as long as the weather permits it... After all, I live in Michigan, and freezing rain, sleet and snow tend to keep "Molly" snug and warm in the garage for a considerable portion of the year... We are right on the edge of the beginning of that long Winter season... Oh well, I will be looking forward to that first long drive in the Spring; it's always fantastic...

Stay safe, and keep the shiny side up...

Cheers,

Rod Macleod
Rod Macleod

Thanks for the comments about my database. It got started by accident over on the MGA BBS when I was researching what jack I needed for my car. Some wag suggested that I write a book with all the data I had gathered together! The online database on my MGA website was the compromise. It has been going for about 6 years now and very much depends on information that is fed through to me. I cannot be certain all the detail is correct, so if you have any corrections or data on other Shelley jacks please let me know.

Cheers

Steve

PS. I owned a TC until 1997. Great car.
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2011 and 17/11/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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