17:12. A heavily modified TC. My TC and TA have original steering boxes and don't wander at all. It's all about the set up. B&G must have made a pretty penny selling these 'improvements'. VW steering, 16" wheels, ghastly bonnet louvers, and painted headlights make this a poor example.
‘Poor example' is a bit needlessly harsh? David’s car is in fantastic shape, and he’s helped share the story of these lovely cars with the world by taking me for a spin. I get the argument for keeping things original, particularly when there are low numbers remaining, but let’s not pretend cars came out of the factory as perfect machines. These kind of mods are also now part of the history, whether we like it or not. People made these changes over the years with the aim of making them more useable and reliable (and I appreciate the effectiveness of each mod could be debated). I’m grateful to have had 90% of the original experience in a car that gets used regularly, rather than 0% in something that’s kept tucked away. If people value originality, I’m sure your cars' market value reflects this compared to a modified one.
I disagree. Half of all TCs remain; one of the highest surviving cars ever made. That's 5,000 from the original 10,000 production. My TC (and my TA as well) are as near original as possible and drive perfectly well without these changes to make them 'more useable and reliable'. Go read the Australian restorer Harry Pyle's book on driving his TC around the world, with his wife. 53,000kms in an original car, from Perth Aus. I bought his spare gearbox which he never needed. (I also drove his car on a visit to him some years later). No modifications to make it more 'useable or reliable'. Few are show-room beauties; most get out when the weather is clement, some (like ours) visit Europe regularly. Their 'values' have now had their double peak, and will decline now as sub-30 year olds are no longer prepared to put in the effort before rushing off to their next fancy. In their original form they are slow, uncomfortable, thirsty, impractical, and British. And I love them.
I see this, there is an ass for every seat and a place for every style of "restauration". My 1946 TC is long gone, purchased in 1965 for the princely sum of $800 USD. It was a worn out, full blown race car. in Central and southern California. What do we do with a car that was purposely modified to race, emasculate it and make just one more crumpet in the brothel? Or, restore it to its original intent as a credible racer. I see an obligation to history. What if there were no MG TC racers or rally cars, hell I'd make one just as I am doing with my 1963 MGB. My TC motor had been bored and sleeved. Everything in the motor refurbed and balanced, custom made rods and pistons, racing clutch, lightened flywheel. Wild cam ,oversized valves. Deck shaved. Cross flow cylinder head with 1 1/2 SUs, custom headers and exhaust. To top it off modified shocks, 15" (not 16) Borani wheels, Alfin brake drums Roll bar, close ratio gearbox, modified seats, aircraft seat belts, etc. Still streetable. Fats and fun, blowing off Porsches of the day. I find no reason not to make your car, "you car... your car". I have owned well over 100 cars and trucks, 30 of them British to include: 46 TC, 50 TD modified for Bonneville, 53 TD MK II restored to original, 6 Morris Minors including a 51 convertible, , 2 Oxfords, 4 Thames vans, 1980 SD1, Fairthorpe Electron Climax (racer), 58 Bugeye restored to original. 56 MGA in which I slammed an 1800 3 main B motor, 1969 MGC GT bought new and kept original, 64 B and my current 63, and a few more such as my Mini Morris pick-up with an Austin America motor completely modified. So shoot me. As to the video and the owner's mind set as to what he did or did not do, three cheers for his choice to dare to be, and make, his own "original". As to your mind set, go for it, the world needs cars that are examples of the originals. I admire you for it.
I had two friends who owned them in the 1960s, one car was red the other red and black and that looked gorgeous . Neither car was in pristine condition as they were used as first and only cars. The driver of the second car could reach up to 75mph, but unfortunately using it for distance journeys he began to dislike the handling and swapped it for an Austin A40. Looking back what a waste!
I have a TC had it for years a great crumpet puller it nippy and very tuneable it is very fast into corners and roundabouts as the steering is only 1 1/2 turns lock to lock so quick and light. But as a crumpet puller it supreme but I'm also blessed with outstanding good looks so that probably helps with my lothario styled personality.
Great interesting video just one point to mention, it wasn’t built with trafficators or indicators therefore you only need hand signals, which is quite legal. If they have been fitted, whether as standard or aftermarket then they must work.
i've often read comments boasting speeds of 65-75mph but i'm very skeptical. these cars like 40-45mph. 55 is about it for any length of time, say and hour or two.
My 1946 racer would do over 90 and do it safely. Fact. Sadly long gone. The video makes me want to get another or another MG TD MK II. . Unfortunately here in the states the majority of the TCs have had the wrong owner. We call them DPO... Dreaded Previous Owner. Clueless. Example MG TD MK II which I was intending to buy last year until I saw it. All the wood replaced incorrectly, doors won't shut. 5 speed Ford gearbox with a wooden gear box tunnel. Hideous taxi cab yellow. On and on. Criminal.
Greetings from another MG TC owner in Canada. A buddy of mine and I are currently restoring a 1947 car. We bought if a few years ago. It was in bits being taken apart by the previous owner for restoration. Unfortunately he became ill and was unable to continue. We bought the car and are now deep into the rebuild. Seeing this video encourages us to carry on with the project. It will be a while yet but we are getting on with it.
Welcome to the channel, thanks so much for the comment Tom. Which part of Canada are you from? We went to Montreal for the F1 last year and had a great time; now looking forward to exploring more of Canada. That sounds like an interesting project, these seem 'nice' to work on in terms of accessibility etc., but obviously parts hard to find. Best of luck!
I am in British Columbia about 40 miles east of Vancouver. Parts wise, Moss Motors is a good supplier, we have also used Abingdon Spares and From the Frame Up, all located in the U.S. Right now we are wrapping the steel around newly replaced wood sections. The running gear is already done and not far from speaking.Oddly enough there are three other TCs in our immediate area and we have them available as reference. Our aim is a nice looking 20 foot driver, not a museum piece. We are going to do the paint work ourselves. The car will be black, just as it was when it left Abingdon many years ago.@@NightfallDrives
I am in British Columbia about 40 miles east of Vancouver. Parts wise, Moss Motors is a good supplier, we have also used Abingdon Spares and From the Frame Up, all located in the U.S. Right now we are wrapping the steel around newly replaced wood sections. The running gear is already done and not far from speaking.Oddly enough there are three other TCs in our immediate area and we have them available as reference. Our aim is a nice looking 20 foot driver, not a museum piece. We are going to do the paint work ourselves. The car will be black, just as it was when it left Abingdon many years ago.@@NightfallDrives
That sounds like delicate work, best of luck. Fantastic to hear you plan to use & enjoy it. We hope to visit the Vancouver area within the next few years. I’d love to see how it turns out, ping me an email if you remember/get chance! 👍
I owned a TC in the Sixties. It was equipped with 16 inch spoke wheels and the larger tires. Your TC has these wheels, not the 19 inch you mention. I purchased my car in Edmonton in 1963 for $650., and I believe it was brought to Canada by an armed forces person. We had several enjoyable years exploring the West Coast before our lovely children changed our lives! These great machines, in good condition, now command between thirty and seventy thousand dollars. Rodney Vancouver Island Canada
My dad bought a white one in the early 1960s. After WW2 he watched people race these cars at Bridgehampton, New York. I remember one drive when I was very young. I was sitting in the small space behind the seats and my father driving and my uncle Mortimer in the passenger seat. The chassis of the TC flexed while going over railroad tracks and my uncle, who was leaning on his door, rolled out into the street!
That's a great story (obviously, I hope your uncle was unhurt!!). I can't quite comprehend one of these transporting more than two people, but it seems to have been a frequent occurrence back in the day!
