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MG TD TF 1500 - Introducing the 2024 - 1950 MG TD
My restoration has reached its end. I drove the TD out of the garage today.
TD 4139 was finished on November 1 1950. I acquired, pretty much a rolling basket case in 1972 at the age of 21. I had no knowledge of the TD, so with the help of a shop manual, and with moss motors and NTG catalogues, my brother and I restored the car. When I retired, I wanted to do another restoration of the TD. My goal was to try and make it as close to what it would have been from the dealer as I could. With the assistance of Chris Cooper and his Original MGTD web site, AND with the help of the international TD community (and their patients with my endless originality questions), TD 4139 is now about as close to my goal as possible. The car was restored with a mixture of original and aftermarket parts. It sports an original Radiomobile 100 radio that was offered as a factory option. It also has a factory light bar and driving light. It has a period correct lucas sports coil, a Smiths water gauge, an Arnolt heater, and Lucas electric windshield defoggers. I am open to critique from the TD community, and happy to discuss my choices for some of the colors of various parts. ![]() ![]() |
Bruce Cunha |
Additional pictures
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Bruce Cunha |
Engine
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Bruce Cunha |
Heater and working Radio ![]() ![]() |
Bruce Cunha |
I also need to thank Bill Chasser for his support. The radiomobile radio, access to his barn find (and forest find) cars for original parts. A variety of TD bits and pieces, and a great friendship that helped keep my sanity while doing this restoration. |
Bruce Cunha |
Bruce, a terrific job and a great looking motorcar. I have followed your trials with the TD for what seems like forever on this forum, and the end product is superb. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your 'journey'. Kev S TF6288 |
K Simonsen |
Your dedication shows. The car looks wonderful. Jim Barry |
J Barry |
I know you still have a small issue to deal with but I must say your efforts have paid off. The car is gorgeous and I hope to see it very soon. Congratulations on a superb job. A lot of blood sweat, frustration and love went into your project. You can be most proud of your accomplishment. I raise an Old Soeckled Hen to you and a fine motor car. Thank you for your friendship as well my dear friend. Cheers !!! Bill Chasser TD-4834 TD-5779 TD/c-8151 TD/c- 16920 TD-19408 TD-24060 |
W A Chasser |
Congratulations. Well done. Looks like a car that just left the dealership with a few fancy upgrades. Bill and I will take you out on tour for a trial run in it in a few weeks before the heat sets in. I have a few local haunts to try out (freewayless jaunts). |
Christopher Couper |
That should read a Jager temp gauge. |
Bruce Cunha |
Simply stunning. You must be very very pleased----but what will you do now! Lionel TD3490 |
L.F. Thorne |
Looks great! Congratulations on a job well done. Joe |
Joe Olson |
Lionel. There is never a shortage of projects up at my house.
Next up is a 1972 Blazer. My brother and I inherited 2 72 blazers when my older brother passed away. One is a parts car. Right now in the US, the 72 Blazers are selling for stupid money. This one is going to get a modern Chevy LS motor, a slightly lifted suspension, and a new interior and paint job. Strictly doing it to sell. But then, I enjoy the building part. Nice thing about doing the Blazer is that there are a lot of companies making all the parts. I also don't have to spend hours researching what was original. |
Bruce Cunha |
Very impressive, both the effort and the result. Now enjoy the driving ! Have fun Mike |
Mike Fritsch |
Beautiful! The best restorations I’ve seen are the owner restorations when the owner took their time, and did everything right. The problem with professional restorations is simply at $200 an hour, there is no economical way to do it right, and not loose a small fortune. 99.9999% of the time, professional restorations cut corners due to financial constraints. Be well, David |
D. Sander |
Well done Bruce, Excellent job Rod |
Rod Jones |
Beautiful! Beautiful work Bruce, my compliments. PJ |
PJ Jennings |
Absolutely dynamite! Beautiful. You'll have the entire T-Series community drooling. BTW Bruce, where did you find an original ½-tonneau? Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
Gord Clark |
Gordon. I purchased a 1/2 tonneau along with the top from NTG. When I got it, I found it had the aftermarket cut to the rear was not as the original was. I took it to Jim Silva at Sure Fit Seat Covers in San leandro CA. Jim is one of, if not the top MG upholsterer there is. He redid the back to be as the original. |
Bruce Cunha |
This thread was discussed between 08/05/2024 and 09/06/2024
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