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MG TD TF 1500 - Inner Dash Strengthener 2

Hi, I am ready to install our reconditioned fascia/dash in my wife's TD and was poking around the Archive for information and found a thread by Richard Taylor, Corbin KY USA on an "Inner dash strengthener" on his car.

A general discussion followed on whether the brace was a "one off", period commercial product or factory feature. About 5 people had seen similar braces on TDs, but no one knew of a source or part number. Anyway, I wanted one and it stuck in my mind.

WHTroyer

At some point, a PO or mechanic had cut out a portion of the inner fascia support on our TD and I repaired it by laminating 1/8 - inch pieces of mahogany to build it up to original thickness. It was now time to clearance it before installing the new fascia/dash and remembered the metal brace.

WHTroyer

Ordered several parts from Abingdon Spares before the dash installation and saw a listing for a Fascia Panel Support, Metal without a picture and I thought for $6.00 it was worth the gamble. Bingo, it came today and was indeed the previously discussed part.

Most of you probably are aware of this brace, but I decided to post this in case anyone else needed information like me.

WHTroyer

Why is the PN? I have never seen one of these

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W. A. Chasser

I've never seen one before. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bill and Bud, the Abingdon Spares part number is 51-025A

Bill.
WHTroyer

Another picture from R Biallas in 2009 (date of the original thread).

WHTroyer

My original sub dash had broken at that point & showed signs of a repair attempt. I saw it as a design weak point & at the time I wondered if some sort of metal brace could be added. After cutting out the new one & trial fitting both it & the new dash to the car I didn't think it was necessary. Nice to know that such an item exists. I may well knock one up. How thick is the metal? I could use a paper template if anyone has one, otherwise I'll just wing it. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I have seen a number of fascia panels on cars from around the conversion from chronometric to magnetic instruments that needed support. I suspect that this brace could have been created around that time. It's a 'relatively' new addition to the A/S catalog, i.e., not shown, or mentioned in the 2009 catalog. The original inner fascia of Lazarus (Car #10855) could have used such a brace. Bud
Bud Krueger

Peter, The new one I received is 1/16-inch (0.0625 inches) thick. Based on the older pictures, they are all made to the same dimensions (shape and screw locations)and have been available for a long time from someone. Regards, Bill
WHTroyer

My 53 TD has one.
I was amazed when I replaced the dash and found the metal plate.
Thought it was a repair, Now I see it was factory.


M Grogan

My TD 29271 has one.
Sorry, not at home to take photo.
Stuart Duncan

Mr. Grogan, it's interesting to see that the opening for your odometer reset is a large cutout, rather than just a hole drilled through the panel. I can see why such a support piece would be added. Bud
Bud Krueger

My inner dash had bee opened in several places by the PO.
The bottom middle had a cigarette ash try inserted.
I disassembled it in 1968 0r 1969. By the time it was ready to go back together it was in many pieces.

I have always tried to retain as much of the original car as possible. So the holes were plugged and inserts glued in place. Sometimes by rounding out the hole sometime by making a piece to fit.
When finished, I felt it was still too weak so I added a pair of shop made strengtheners.

It took a bit of work.

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

My TD 29133 hase also one.

Laurent.
LC Laurent31

It's a good idea, definitely a weak point. Mine didn't have one, and thanks to additional cutouts by a PO was pretty weak. I was able to clean it up, fill in cutouts with epoxy, and then I just used varnish cut 50% with thinner in about 50 coats to really "solidify" the wood.
Worked pretty well...
Geoffrey M Baker

Pretty sure TD 19629 has one also.
Christopher Couper

I am installing a new inner fascia panel on my 1950 TD because may old inner fascia panel broke. I'd like to buy one of the above-referenced metal inner fascia supports for my new inner fascia panel. I went online to Abingdon Spares and they don't seem to have it on their parts list now. Wondering if anyone knows how to get one. Thanks.
Milt
Milton Babirak

I called Abingdon Spares today March 17, 2026 and they have 50 of these metal inner fascia supports in stock for sale. The day before, I went on their website and they did not have them. If you go on their website now, they may be listed as of today. If not, call them. Abingdon Spares part number 51-025A.
Milton Babirak

At the time of my first comment I only had TD-4834 built 12-7 -1950 as a reference. Now having owned a dozen or so TDs this piece did show up in many of my later cars after TD/c-8151. This is a factory solution to what became a common problem of the subdash fracturing because of a lack of material strength exacerbated when using the starter pull.

TD-4834
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

I went up into the attic and found my original dash -TD 10835. No bracket, no screw holes either. And the wood was cracked in that area. May have been a hot or miss deal. George
George Butz III

Gentlemen
Thank you for your comments. Helpful.
My old inner fascia was broken at this location. So a support seems like a good idea and I am in the process of installing it now.
My old inner fascia also delaminated in several places. I purchased a two part clear penetrating epoxy sealer which I will apply to my new inner fascia to better preserve it.
If anyone has any advice on how to properly drill the center hole in the upper edge of the inner fascia to screw the inner fascia to the wood support under the rear view mirror, please share. It appears the pilot hole has to be drilled at an upward angle. Just guess?
Milton Babirak

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2016 and 20/03/2026

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