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MG TD TF 1500 - What is it worth?

A club member owns a '52 TD that has a Nissan engine, transmission and rear axle. The car was modified about 12 years ago and has covered 20,000 miles since then. Wide wire wheels are fitted as are disc brakes. I don't know to what extent the rest of the car was restored but it looks reasonably solid and in good shape. The instruments are all modern. So my question is, as it has been extensively modified, what do you think it is worth?
Paul Brown

Car is now a Nissan and not an MG

Probably only worth the cost of the MG parts that can be salvaged

Suggest do an inventory of the MG parts, look up prices in Abingdon's and value at 10%


Jan T
Jan Targosz

Hello Paul,
I would say it has to be worth more than a T type kit car. However some vital parts are absent. The instruments, engine, gearbox and running gear are all big ticket items to replace so unless they are sitting in his garage the value drops off sharply. There may well be someone looking for a good road car in the TD style but I would say you are looking at MG midget/MGB money. That would depend on the Quality of the conversion/renovation.
Tony
Tony Cove

Truth be told, as a daily driver, its worth more than an unmodified TD, but its value is probably more than $6000 less than an umodified TD's. Sounds to me like a great car to thrash and have fun without worrying about stressing such weak points as crankshafts, half-shafts and 30,000 mile replacement of bearing shells. Just my opinion, as most people never recover the cost of restoration and only drive their restored cars on occasional pleasant Sunday summer days. I am willing to withstand the flames and respond.
George B.

It's only worth what you think and what someone will pay for it. My opinion since I have restored my 52 TD is, I wouldn't give you much for it! Someone may be willing to pay you a lot more than me. I wouldn't have a kit car but you see a lot of them around. Yes I can spot one from a far distance. If you want to sell it, put an ad in the paper and someone may offer you a fare price for it, maybe.

Good Luck,

Don
Don

Is this the TD with the Automatic trany ??? From the Mass USA area ???
STEVE

Paul,

As you can tell from the responses, most of the readers of this site are pretty avid MG fans, and generally not open to too many "modifications" to the original cars, such as replacement of engine, gearbox, instruments, wheels, brakes, etc. with non-MG parts. Jan is probably right in that the car is no longer an MG, but more of a Nissan.

Having said that though, I think there is a good market out there for someone that likes the looks of the T-type, but isn't inclined to deal with the "character" and "limitations" of an original T-type. What you have described sounds like a very good, reliable daily driver, that you can cruise some distance with little worries.

Regardless, it is difficult to put a value on such a car. As Don in Kentucky said, only you and a prospective purchaser can put a value on it. Make a guess on value, put it up for sale, and hope.

Larry
'51TD
Larry Thompson

Thanks for all the feedback. The car is owned by a member of the San Diego MG Club and he needs to sell by the end of the month. It was put together with the help of Nissan Motor Sports in LA. The engine is from a '78 B210 and the gearbox is a close ratio 5 speed. The car has sat under a cover for the last year after the clutch hydraulics failed. I'm thinking of buying it as back-up transportation for my wife, her daily driver is a MGB.
-Paul Brown
Paul Brown

Hello Paul,
Could be a good move. I would still say MGB money. Even so it is more important than ever to make sure the body panels and wood frame are excellent. If you are looking at any body/frame work in the near future it may cost nearly as much as the car is worth. I am assuming you are are familiar with the TD. If not get someone who is to check the body/wood frame over.
We have just had our first significant snow of the year so if I seem a little negative it is because my daily driver is not my MG!
Tony
Tony Cove

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2002 and 19/11/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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