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MG TD TF 1500 - Unusual instrument panel

I have had this panel for several years and only recently rediscovered it in a storage bin. Always wondered if it was a homemade or fantasy piece as my research from years ago yielded no info on its origins. It is well made of solid copper and of the same size and shape as the TC/TD panel. The lettering is excellent and appears to be stamped with uniform spacing and size.Black flocking remains in some of the recesses. The switch holes along the lower portion are marked as follows from left to right; head lights,parking lights,panel lights,windscreen wipers,right spot light,and left fog light. Any ideas? Thanks, Dan


momsauto

I think it may be the standard instrument panel. They are chrome plated, under the chrome is a thick layer of copper plating.
Be well,
David
D. Sander

As it has positions for spot light and fog light switches, it may be worth mentioning on the TA/TB/TC section, and possibly also the Pre-War section. You would need to open new threads.
R A WILSON

Does it have a rolled edge light TD/
TC?
Those two small holes in the panel just above the DATE 18 are something not familiar to me.
Sandy
Sandy Saunders

No Sandy-no rolled edge like the normal panel. Does have a nice channel cut paralleling the outline of the edge. Wondering about a sedan car since all of the sports cars until the TF had wiper controls on the motor itself. Been looking for dash pictures of the Airline's or Tickford cars - not a lot of pics found.
momsauto

Good to hear from you again, Dan. Hope things have been well at Mothers. Bud
Bud Krueger

It's not the same as my Tickford as mine has a rolled edge
Sandy
Sandy Saunders

Hi Bud - ya all settled in? Been occupied with the MGA project and not taking time to be helpful on the Forums. Hope for more free time these days.

Thanks Sandy. May post as Mr Wilson suggested.
momsauto

The lettering should be a clue. What MG had wiper switch in the dash cluster? Other is the headlight switch. TD/TC had it in ignition switch.

It is not a MG YT. It had four top holes and 5 bottom holes.



Bruce Cunha

My guess is that it's from a replicar. The give-away for me is what's missing... there's no choke. I suspect the bottom center hole is for the ignition light.
Kevin McLemore

The big center bottom hole looks like for a cig lighter. I have one like it as a spare. Mine is all chrome.
The two holes for power plug is missing right where the cig lighter hole is.
M Grogan

I have seen some Tickfords with TC type panel that would have had seperate switching for the wiper motor, not that this is one of them. The SA's, Airline Coupes and Y's do not use a panel such as this. It may be from a kit car but I have doubts about that. The kit cars are all about cost, and the stamping tool for this would not have been cheap. In addition the large openings are set up for standard Jager/Smiths Switches and gauges. Something I have never seen in one of the knock offs.


L E D LaVerne

Missed you at the Fayetteville show Dan. PJ
Paul161

True, LaVerne. That being said, if this was from a British knock-off, it would have Smiths/Jaeger size gauges. As for the stamping, are we sure it's stamped, or is it etched? Etching is fairly inexpensive and works well on copper.
Kevin McLemore

Quite possibly from a kit,Kevin. Quality of the work was just superior to any kit components I have ever come across in my limited kit experience. Used a bit of emery cloth to bring out the lettering in this pic. Somebody did nice work on this and I always respect such examples. MG logo is equally sharp and well proportioned - I would think kit manufacturers would avoid using a trademarked logo. May never know.

PJ; Had to make a choice this year - Colorado Conclave got the nod. Laverne and I terrorized the front range for a couple of days. We managed third in the rally and the A won class. Sorry I missed ya.


momsauto

Definitely not from an Airline Coupe.


Lew3

Thought I remembered your coupe a having a drop dead gorgeous dash, Lew. Memory finally works right today.
momsauto

Did some looking at kit cars. None had a dash like this. One has a plate similar to the TD, but it only has three gauge holes. Another, (british coach works) has two holes. Others just put the gauges in the wood dash.


Oh, and while I was searching, I came across this one that as the owner says, This is a steel for any true MG lover"

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1952/mg/mg-td-replica/100799438


Bruce Cunha

Here is the three gauge kit. Looks like it is molded into the dash.

The other interesting thing on the one we are trying to identify is it says "windscreen" If this was a US built part, it may have said "windshield"


Bruce Cunha

That's just weird, Bruce. And cheap looking,per usual.
momsauto

Did some more looking. Looked at all models of MG and none had a gauge plate that looks like this and did not have the raised edge.

Not to hijack the thread, but I always thought the TF had one of the nicest looking dash's. Well, I think I found one I like even better.

Look at the MG VA dash. WOW


And how about that steering wheel center Double Wow.



Bruce Cunha

The only Airline Coupe that may had had a dash panel like this would have been the 1936 TA Airline Coupe - they only built one, and it has a centre dash panel identical to the TA Sports.

I would suggest that this panel is scratch built by someone with impressive engraving skills for a "customised" T-series (TA, TB, TC or TD, maybe a YT).
A L SLATTERY

This thread was discussed between 25/10/2016 and 27/10/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

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