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MG TD TF 1500 - TD to TF transition

So my TD was built on July 20th 53, which means it might have been purchased in August/ Sept, or at least delivered then. From what I have read the TF was announced in Sept of 53. I am curious about what was "known" by the dealer network and the public during that time frame? Were TD's built to order? Or to ask the question a different way, would the US serviceman that purchased my car in Germany have placed the order some time before, or would the dealer have purchased for the showroom? Would the buyer have known a new model was coming? Were dealers discounting the heck out of TD's at the end knowing that the "new" TF was coming? I would be interested into anyone's insight into what was happening in that era?
S Griffin

I keep forgetting that this BBS does not put a name on a post. Thanks much
Simon, Troy Il
S Griffin

The TF wasn't received well as a 'New' Model. Many saw it as a 'warmed over' TD. You could by a new 'Modern' Healey or Triumph and reach 100mph for similar money as the 80mph TF.

Mike
TF-8257
M Brand

New models were probably no great surprise and the dealer may have had to offer inducements to clear the floor. My late TF was sold to a guy who had already seen the new MGA but made a decision that he preferred the older style. In Australia the dealers pretty much took what was offered and although the customer may order a particular colour they sometimes were induced to change their minds depending on what was available in the next shipment. I know of one example where a TF received a cheap respray to satisfy a demanding customer.
Any individual 'factory' orders were extremely rare and exceptional and I don't recall any coming from overseas. The dealers seemed to take responsibility for fitting any accessories that were ordered.

Matthew.
M Magilton

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_america.htm

and you can read some comments from my father when he bought the car new here:

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_story.htm

Bottom line: There were no surprises. People had plenty of notice between years. They generally saved a bit of money buying the older year than the newer year, and did not get a lot of value for the difference (the TF1500 probably being the exception).
Christopher Couper

Matthew,
If my memory suits me right, I could be corrected but the TD and TF came into Australia in a CKD condition only being undercoated with the finally assembly and paint to be undertaken at the Pressed Metal Corporation at Cosgrove Road in Enfield. Not sure about the MGA but I do remember the MGB being assembled at the BMC plant in Zetland together with the Morris Minor and the Ferguson Tractor.
John Walton

OK, so based on this I can surmise that my cars original purchaser in August 53 knew very well that the TF was about to come out.
S Griffin

Gday John, The T types rolled off the ships (possibly crated?) at each of the 5 main ports for each of the 5 importers, fully assembled and painted (unless the wheels and screen were off -in a crate). Quite a different system to the Aussie assembled later models. I have seen photos of crated T types but not sure if they were Australia bound. Local content was mainly restricted to tyres and battery. A very small number of CKD T types were exported, mainly to Ireland if I recall.

Matthew.
M Magilton

Simon, the TF was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show, October 1953 but I am not sure what rumours may have reached the US beforehand. I cant recall seeing anything in print about the TF before October.
There would have been no prizes for guessing the TD run was about to finish though.

Matthew.
M Magilton

"There would have been no prizes for guessing the TD run was about to finish though."

Classic. :-)
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 11/12/2016 and 16/12/2016

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