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MG TD TF 1500 - Remember 'Duplicate of Original' ?

When I first became involved with T-series MG's in the early 70's, most of the parts suppliers, especially Moss Motors, would specify "duplicate of original" on many of the reproduction parts. In those days I am sure the T-series business was a better, more profitable venture, and a strong effort was made to produce duplicates whenever possible.
In my opinion, those days are gone and anyone concerned with originality in their restoration must be very diligent when buying reproduction parts. For the last several years I have been regularly disappointed with many of the parts I ordered from all the well known vendors. There was no problem with the quality, and the part would work to keep my car running, but it just did not look correct. In most instances, I rebuilt, re-chromed, or bought good used original parts off EBay, just to get the car looking correct.
This is not intended as a supplier "bashing", there has been too much of that. My most recent disappointment was a very simple part, so simple I cannot understand why the vendor could not get it right. I think the T-series parts business has become marginally profitable and is probably declining due to lack of interest from the younger generation. Maybe I am wrong, what do you think? Best Regards, John

JR Mahone

I believe the part you are showing is used on the emergency brake.
I bought one from Abingdon and was also disappointed. I mad a new one out of 304 SS. Polished up it looks much better.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Parts apart, I have to sadly agree with you about the lack of interest in MG's shown by the under - 60's. Perhaps a dozen of our 200 - odd club members are in that bracket, and in most cases they are with us because they grew up with MG's.

We are trying to generate more interest among the young, but in most cases they just aren't interested in the cars.

In the 60's, when I bought my TF, most of us were in our mid-20's. Many of us are still with the club, often with the same cars. Then we took part in a lot of speed events - track, hill climb, tarmac gymkhanas, lengthy trials and so on. Now many of our members, for obvious reasons, prefer more gentle runs.

It's an impasse: before we can interest younger people in the cars, we have to enthuse more of our older members in the events that the youngsters like.

David

DavePro

I think the interest is still strong & will remain so. When these cars come onto the market, usually because the owner has gone to you know where, they don't last long. The good ones are snapped up immediately, often by those who have just retired & are able to satisfy a life long dream of ownership. As we drop off the perch the same thing will keep happening. Gone are the days when T Types were the chosen vehicle of the younger set. So fret not. Their popularity will never wane & will always be sought after by retirees looking for a project or to satisfy a dream. P.S. I didn't say a word about the parts! Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Precisely how I feel. There is a decline in interest from youngsters, but interest overall seems as high as ever to me, especially the early stuff. It's tough to find solid axle MGs these days. And pre-war, forget it. Prices are still going up. There are a few TCs on the market at any given time, usually the over-priced ones. The rest get grabbed up pretty quickly by the 50+ crowd. These are people who weren't born until T-Types were out of production. TDs aren't quite as sought after, perhaps because there are so many of them, but there isn't exactly a flood of unwanted TDs out there either. And TFs are highly collectible at the moment. So I'm not worried about the future, just have to get used to grey hair behind the wheel of these old cars.
Steve Simmons

I think the average age at any type of auto race in the US is about 60. Many kids are in late teens and don't have driver's licenses yet and don't care about driving or cars at all. My son is exception to all of that, having been to most GOF South events since he was 6 years or so old. I think all cars that look "cool", including our T-series of course, will always have value and be collectible. A big problem in the US is they are slow and just not safe to drive on most roads anymore. Parts: we are super lucky we can purchase just about anything for our cars that may or may not be as original but will work . I have been looking for a 280Z gas sending unit for a long time, there are none anywhere. George
George Butz

I'd heard following statement:

I want to drive the car of my youth an not the car of my father's youth.
W. Mueller

The part in the picture looks like it would be pretty easy to make. If anyone has an original, and can send it or take measurements, I can lath it.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2016 and 14/11/2016

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