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MG TD TF 1500 - 1931 F-type MG For Sale

There is an interesting and unusual MG for sale at Beverly Hills Car Club right now, a 1931 F-type Magna (6-cylinder) 4-seater:
car F1275.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-F-Type-Magna-/222250301438?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33bf2677fe:g:f4YAAOSwCGVX2ZNz&item=222250301438

ANY pre-war MG is rare in the USA, and this one has one very unusual feature - it has been converted from RHD to LHD! Like a TC, it must have involved some chassis-chopping. With the exception of the instrument panel and gauges, it seems quite complete, although the wooden tub and interior would be 10x more difficult to resurrect than a T-type, due to the uncommon nature of the model.

F1 4-seaters have some nice lines, including the rump, the built-in fuel door, and the way the fenders are smoothed where they join the tub. There were at least 4 bodies readily available, the Jarvis, Stiles, 2-seater and 4-seaters. This one would be a challenge, but a 6-cylinder Magna is certainly rare, with probably only a couple of dozen in the US - see the F-type Register at http://www.fmagna.org.uk/.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Wow! Appears to be a very reasonable price if condition is OK and not hacked about too much. Very desirable car in good condition.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Just like a T-series, the wood is the thing, and it's going to be hard to know what shape it is in without seeing the actual car. There's some rust, some rot, some rust-through, but it looks pretty much there except for the dash and instruments.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Taking offers... I'll offer $15,000 right now. OPPS ! the wife is watching...

I wish I could offer $15,000. Add another 25K and this would be a great car.
M Grogan

I have written to the sellers and asked for the correct chassis (VIN) number and some other photos of the engine compartment and instrument panel in particular. I'm not personally interested, but just trying to establish the correct identity as I am the Registrar of the North American Triple-M Register.
Lew3

Lew - as I wrote above, it is F1275.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

t lange

According to my copy of the Triple M Register, there are 20 F-Types in the US. 13 F-Types (referred to as F1), 2 F2 and 3 F3.

The conversion to LHD is sad. Probably took someone a long time to do it. I saw an LHD converted TC that sat on a dealers lot for 6 months. Then it just disappeared.

But this example represents good potential, assuming the chassis to be straight. F1275 is not shown in the MMM Register dataBase.

$19,500 seems high in respect to the tremendous amount of work that will be required to restore this to original. Like all MMM MGs however, they can be desirable. Below, the longer 6-cylinder F-Type (top) compared to the 4-cylinder, D-Type (bottom).

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.



Gord Clark

Not sure where they came up with "Excellent original car" but it's a decent start for a nut and bolt restoration, once you source replacements for the incorrect parts and weld up the extra holes in the body panels. I agree the price is high considering how much rust there is, the missing and incorrect parts, and how much work the car would be to make right. At that price, in my opinion, if you did most of it yourself then you could probably break even.
Steve Simmons

It's interesting that BHCC has found the niche market for long-stored and abused cars, that were once only old cars - they have reached the price point where they can be sold with an entirely new viewpoint. On the one hand, cars that would have been junked in past years are now being saved. On the other, the oldest, tattiest, rustiest and most incomplete car can be an "Excellent and original restoration project, un-touched for many years" and "very desireable project car with lots of potential" or "very original and rare car to find, missing the motor and transmission, an excellent candidate for restoration and a great addition to any collection."

They DO have the cars, though, and a few of them are even nice - four (!) Fiat Abarth double Bubbles; seven Mustang convertibles and 2 fastbacks (some 6-cylinder); four Xk120, a 140 and a 150 Jags, SEVENTEEN E-types; F-type, TC, 12 TD MGs (2 Mark II cars) ranging in price from $9.750 to $15,750, 13 MGA's; 7 356's, SIXTY-TWO 911/912 and later Porsche's; a total rust-bucket TR3 with swiss-cheese floors, badly hit on the front with a tweaked frame, missing the windshield, instruments and interior, described as "Excellent original project car. Comes with solid wheels and side curtains. Lots of potential. Great platform for restoration. For $4,500"

Another great case for caveat emptor is a 230SL Mercedes, a "Very desirable project car" and "Great candidate for full restoration or strong parts car" that is so fire damaged that the aluminum doors have melted - as has the timing cover. All this for $11,500 - have a look.

Worth a prowl, though - that's how I found the F-type, which, considering what it needs, I would judge is a steal at $12,500, fair at $15,000 and over-priced at $19,750.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Hi

Never heard of anything good coming out of BHCC.

Barry
B Bridgens

That is a very scary project!

The swept wings don't belong on this bodystyle and the rear fenders shouldn't be smoothed into the body...

This is what it should look like.
http://a2goos.com/data_images/galleryes/mg-f-type-magna/mg-f-type-magna-11.jpg
Willem van der Veer

For the record 1

Willem van der Veer

For the record 2

Willem van der Veer

I wrote to them asking how it could be "completely original" when it's been converted to LHD...this is their response:

Thank you for your interest in our vehicle.

This vehicle is currently pending with another client,

However, We are open to backup offers.

This vehicle is all original.

Attached are engine and chassis numbers.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best regards and talk soon,

Gevik Massihi
Sales Associate

Gene Gillam

Never having seen one in person, I have to say I'm struck by how narrow these cars appear to be... they look like they are only about 3 feet wide!
In all seriousness, how do they compare with the TD, are they narrower?
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff the seat backs each measure 16 3/8" at their max, so that should give you a clue as to the inside. Body could be the original one, or should it be historical one, as the car was also sold by MG as a chassis only for a owner to have a body made.
mog

Looks like the rear wheels are outer laced and the front are center.
Mike
Mike Hart

It would obviously need an extensive and expensive restoration. Great to see it for sale rather than parted out or crushed. George
George Butz

Why is there a bolt through the ID plate? Looks like it has the outer holes for mounting.

It is an interesting car though.
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

Try and find another....
Dave H
Dave Hill

Another F for the record - lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. Shown at our Greymouth Pre-56 Rally.

David

DavePro

In the picture of the ID plate,,,, why is the bolt through the middle of it ??????

Steve
Steve Wincze

In the picture of the ID plate,,,, why is the bolt through the middle of it ??????

Steve
Steve Wincze

Probably for a ground strap, by an owner who didn't respect the car.
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2016 and 25/09/2016

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