MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 photographs

The TF register I have been getting together the past few years currently lists 850 cars. I am now in the process of adding photos of the individual cars with their information. Several owners have sent photos...mssrs Sheward, Stafford etc and their photos are now entered. Have also obtained photo from Art Mafli excellent TF site. Would appreciate TF owners out there sending photos with last 4 digits of chassis number so I can update the register. Anyone who would like a copy which can be viewed with microsoft EXCEL drop me an email and I will send out the file. Thanks Jeff Payne TF HDC 46/1085
Jeff Payne

Is four digits enough?

Mark B.
MG TF #10030
Mark Barrington

I have received a personal e-m asking for my TD's engine and chassis numbers. 90% certain it is genuine but have that wee concern about someone building a car from spare parts (probably with a Volskwagen engine) and cloning it with mine. No phots were sought. Are my worries justified.


Jan T
J Targosz

Mark,
You sure that isn't your "body #"?
"Body" on mine is 18004 ...Last 4 on "chassis" here would be 7427 ...,precedded by the codes for coloure and such. Then again, according to Clausager's book you could have a 5 digit if yours was one of the last batch of 1500's built (#'s 6951-10100 = TF1500's) with # 10100 being the "last" 1500. His book shows # 6950 as the last TF 1250. Looking at that I guess you would have to be a "1500" to have a 5 digit chassis number.
J, as to "Are my worries justified"....I hope not because my #'s have been out there for several years!
I never gave it much thought...(have BMIHT doc)...and I don't feel it would be hard to prove anything with a VW engine ain't quite right ;-)!!!!
Cheers,
David TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Is it not correct to call a MG TF 1500 an MG TF? I think of the 1500 designation as being a variant, not a separate model. I also thought (from Malcolm Green's book) that there was some overlap between manufacturing dates for the 1250 and 1500 models.

Yes, my car is a TF 1500, one of the very last made. It was originally imported to Singapore, and it is right hand drive. I still email the fellow who sold it to me, because he says he has the ownership history for the vehicle [somewhere], but he hasn't found it. Maybe I should offer some money to help motivate the search.
Mark B.

I read somewhere that the correct nomeclature for TDs and TF 1250s was MG midget Model TD etc and that when the TF 1500 was introduced, the name changed to a straight MG TF 1500.

My TF 1500 is 10027 and was registerd in the UK in early May 1955 some 5-6 weeks after the last one was built.

Surely the more 'public' information there is out there re owners and chassis numbers the harder it becomes to clone a particular car? I could probably dream up reasonable chassis and engine numbers from Clausager's book alone.

Regards

David
David Wardell

Mark,
"Is it not correct to call a MG TF 1500 an MG TF?"
I would have to aggree with you there! As to the overlapping #'s ...Does anybody really know for sure?
Clausager says: 6501-6650 / 6751-6850 / 6951-10100 were allocated to "1500 models"....that would make a total of 3400 1500's and seems to be widely accepted...but then again that's part of the fun of owning an MG....so many "facts" with so little "proof"! My PO swore mine was always "this coloure" ...but the codes say different. Haveing had her down to bare-metal...at some point she was red...but looking at the old photos of 1st restoration there was yellow (not ivory!) paint in places I am sure he had never been! My Dad's TF had a black dash (purchased it new that way) ...but the "experts" say "no,never built em' like that". My dash was every coloure you could think of durring her life (final 2 layers black & plack primer) when I got to "bare".It had been painted so many times they had discarded the chrome trim around the gauge cluster as the paint was too thick for it to fit! Lot's of luck with the "$ offer for doc's" ....I tried the same with my PO...even sent a pre-paid mailing label....hope you have better luck than I did. I would love to know more about her....but no luck yet...that's part of the reason I put my # out there ....hope someday someone will offer up some more information!
Cheers & Best Regards,
David TF1500 # 7427
David Sheward

David W. makes a good point....building a "clone" made even easier in that you can aquire a "blank plate" from several sources. Another $40.00 and you can make it a 1500 by adding the "TF1500" plaques and a couple of reflectors. If it is still out there....years ago I flew to AZ to look at an "all orginal TF1500"....when I opened the bonnet the carbs were on the wrong side of the engine...(volvo 1800)....it had a 5 speed tranny & fiberglass wings! Indeed I even have a BMIHT doc showing a different engine # for mine! (a typo on their part). That got the old blood pumping for a few dayz!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 # 7427
David Sheward

At recent MG meets and when I see one parked I have to admit I've been snapping photos of each and every TF I've seen in the past few years, mainly for personal reference. (Its become even easier in recent years due to digital technology.)

What is ethics of sharing these with Jeff Payne, could/would any owner seriously object??

In most cases I have no idea who the owner is, nor have made any inquiries.


Furthermore what is preferred view... Front 3/4, or Rear 3/4, or full-on front etc etc?
Will

Gents
sorry to have created minor tempest in the teapot. I have corresponded with quite a number of you fellows in the past who have copies of my humble reference work.Hopefully paranoia is not rampant amongst us TF owners....creating clones? If you havent noticed our "wheels" aint exactly D Type jaguars with lengthy racing histories headed for the next Barret Jackson get together. I dare say most of us will be lucky to break even on costs should we part with our little beauties. As for adding photos to my register I could just as well photograph my 1250 from several angles and change colors with photoshop but thought the actual cars might be a nice touch.
jeff payne

Jeff, I'd be happy to provide you with photos, but all you could get now is a picture of a frame with the tub bolted to it, and photos of many many many boxes of parts. I'd prefer to wait until the project is a bit further along. Then I'll send something.
Mark B.

Hi Jeff,
Are you "borrowing" TF pictures from Art Mafli's website? My TF is in his gallery, so do I need to resend to you?

Cheers - Dennis
Dennis & Pat Rainey

Anybody contemplating building a "clone" of my TF from parts aquired from Moss Motors other parts source is invited to give me a call.....I have never sat down to see just what that would cost,(perhaps a fun winter project),my car is not "for sale", but I bet I could be convinced to sell a bit below the cost of such a venture! ;-0 !!!!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

David Brown sold most of the DB series Astons at less than build cost. I guess that side of his business (as well as winning Le Mans) was his hobby. The DB Lagondas never made him a profit either. One of his "friends" once approached him to see if he could have a DB 4 at cost. Sir David replied that it would be OK because cost was more than the list price.

I think it is great that fellow enthusiasts are taking the time to compile info on "our" cars, specifications and model changes. A listing of TD and TF MG's supported by pictures will be a huge undertaking. It deserves our input and support.
Tony
Tony Cove

Snip:
"I think it is great that fellow enthusiasts are taking the time to compile info on "our" cars, specifications and model changes."
Jeff has done a great job with this on the TF's!
He is more than welcome to add the pic's of mine to the file. (I'm kinda proud of her, have given up what was left of my brain cells to several gallon cans of paint remover!)
Seems to me the more pic's and # information out there on our "lil' darlings" the less likely they would be victim's of theft and such. A data base listing all owners and car #'s would make a "T" very unatractive to theft as it would be hard to "unload" such a hot comodity. Even dissassembled with this BBS I would think that if somebody reported their car missing many of us would be a little leary of buying parts on ebay from somebody who has a whole car listed item by item.
Is there anybody out there that would even consider purchasing a XPAG or XPEG engine with the #'s ground off....and that's the "biggest ticket" item.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Thanks for the support guys. Only wish I was more computer savy as I tend to thrash about making additions to the register. First attempt at adding photos I presently have on hand went south as I had neglected to scale down images and some were quite large making download times longer than the average TF owners life expectancy! Presently busy knocking images down to a more suitable size. When all is sorted out will e-mail files out. Mark....take heart mine was in a similar state at one time....actually the photos taken at the time are rather neat...looks a bit like the British equivilant of the lil duece coupe.
Jeff Payne

For those TF owners who would like to take a look at the aforementioned TF Register. John Thomas owner of TF 538 was kind enough to post a copy at his website in the UK. Interested parties head to http://www.bath.ac.uk/~ccsjst/tfreg.xls and you may download your own copy of the latest update
Jeff Payne

Will: If the cars are in the public and you are the picture taker then they are yours to do with as you please.

There was a recent court issue here in the states because a young woman took her top off (not her bonnet) and exposed herself in public. The person that took the video used it in a promotion. She sued wanting some of the take. The judge said tough. She was in public, knew what she was doing and gave up all rights to her 'image'.

So to all you T-Typers. Drive with you top up :-)

Chris
Chris Couper

The "re-cap": (if I understand all this!)
Drive with your: "top" up....ie, shinny side up / rubber side down. (clothing optional)
Your "hood" down...unless raining or cold.
Windscreen up or down (dependent on aquired "taste" for bugs!)"Brooklands" engaged if undecided.
Your Bonnet latched.
(Beware of people under your bonnet with flat-blade screwdrives "eying" the number plates with that "clone" look in their eye's!
Keep an eye out (digital camera or cam-corder in the "boot" ready) should you encounter "exposed young women" or other "T" series you would like images of to share with the rest of us.
Avoid "contact" with "deer/dwags/skunks/possum...ect.
Cornor "robustly" at every opertunity whilst MGjoying your drive.
By George ...I think I've got it...believe I will re-install the "dizzy", pack up the old tea pot, and get on the road!
Cheers & Safty Fast,
David 55 TF1500 # 7427


David Sheward

Did the judge get her phone number?
Geoff Love

<<<snip>>>
I read somewhere that the correct nomeclature for TDs and TF 1250s was MG Midget Model TD
<<<snip>>>

MG Midget (Series "TD")
MG Midget (Series "TF")

<<<snip>>>
Clausager says: 6501-6650 / 6751-6850 / 6951-10100 were allocated to "1500 models"
<<<snip>>>

That's what factory SPL I have seems to indicate.

"See above for intermittent Finishing and Commencing Nos." is used in reference to half engines.
Blake

Anyone can have pictures of our car and I have loads of "digital details", sent to lots of TF owners who are into original restorations. As mentioned on the TF Website, "I am not an expert, but have a very original running car that is an important archive of how it was really put together".
colin stafford

<<<I'd be happy to provide you with photos, but all you could get now is a picture of a frame with the tub bolted to it, and photos of many many many boxes of parts. >>>

Hello all!

I just brought home a TF 1500 Sunday in the same state of assembly. Solid car that was taken apart 30 years ago. Unfortunately, it seems to not have the original engine.

'55 TF 1500 #7271.
Carl

Congratulations, Carl. My TF 1500 was mostly together when I obtained it, I'm the culprit who disassembled it. The tub is back off the frame, because I decided to add another couple of coats of paint to the scuttle. When I polished it down, I wasn't happy with it. I'll put it back and bolt it back down next weekend.

I also put about three thick coats of primer on the front fenders. When it's 95 degrees F in the temporary paint booth in my garage, the primer actually hardens faster than I can spray it! My plan was to be done with painting and body work before the really hot weather, but there's no way to keep to a schedule with this kind of work, especially since I'm only able to work on it on the weekends. And lately I've been having to work some Saturdays and Sundays. That should be over by the second week of June, so I'll be able to devote more time to the project then.
Mark B.

It's all well and good for you guys and girls to talk about your TF's, but I don't have one to talk about. So help me out, if you can.

I'm a serious, immediate buyer for the right TF. It must have been restored -- engine, drive train, suspension, brakes, body, interior and top --in recent years and need little if any work done or parts replaced. I will travel anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. I want a really nice looker and driver, but it need not be concours in quality.

Does anyone out there have any leads? I am not a tire-kicker, I'm ready and able to buy.

Thank you.
GJ Humphrey

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2003 and 01/06/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

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