1954 MG TF - Freshly Restored - Gorgeous!

Description for MG T-Series 1954

For sale is my 1954 MG TF which was subject to a complete 1 ½ year body off frame extensive restoration. Every part has been restored or replaced to factory specifications. The attention to its final details puts this classic sports car in a class of its own.

I am the third owner of this California car. It was originally purchased by a man in the military who was based in Northern California who sold it in 1959 when he was being sent overseas. The car was bought by a couple who also lived in the bay area until they relocated to Southern California. They drove the car up until 1968 then parked it in their garage where it sat until I purchased it in September 2013. I have the original California DMV issued black and yellow plates that were on the car when I purchased it. The last registration sticker on the license plate is 1968.

When I bought the car I was just finishing the restoration of another car so the MG sat until January 2014 before I was able to start working on it. Now that it’s complete the car is fresh and absolutely gorgeous with approx 75 test miles on it. This car is ready to be shown at a local, egional or national level and should score very high. Or it could be driven and enjoyed for many years to come.

Listed below is what was completed during its extensive restoration. If you have any questions please contact me via e-mail or phone.

BODY TUB AND PANELS:

The entire car was disassembled and each panel inspected to determine necessary repairs. The body tub was stripped to bare metal with automotive paint remover while the fenders and all ancillary pieces were media blasted. We then sprayed a coat of etching primer on all pieces to protect them from flash rusting. The body tub showed no evidence of any prior damages with only a few slight dings and small dents primarily on the fenders. There was absolutely no rust anywhere on the car. We found a few minor wooden pieces that were dry so they were replaced with new pieces. Once the superficial dings and dents were repaired each piece was painted with numerous coats of epoxy primer then block sanded smooth. The body and all the other pieces were then reassembled back on the chassis to verify their fit and to adjust the gaps and alignment. Hours were spent to achieve a near perfect fit of the doors using new hinges and latches. At this point of the restoration I decided to modify the bonnet to allow improved access to the engine. Following a fellow Vintage MG Club member I cut the side panels where they are behind the front fender allowing the (now) top panel to be removed from the car offering full access to the carburetors on the right and distributor on the left side. When installed there is no trace what so ever of the modification. This is certainly something the factory should have done! Once I was satisfied with the body fit and panel alignment it was once again taken apart and readied for paint. After numerous coats of primer and hours of block sanding we applied multiple coats of single stage urethane paint. Once sufficiently dry each panel was color sanded then buffed to a high gloss. We chose to paint the car Rossa Corsa which is a very rich nonmetallic red that is synonymous with Ferrari Red. The color looks magnificent which is further highlighted by the new tan interior and top.

All chrome and stainless steel pieces were either re-plated or polished to a high sheen. The grille shell is perfect as is all other bright work including the windscreen frame (with new glass), umpers, ights and all inside and outside latches and handles. All fasteners are the original factory Whitworth or metric type throughout the car. They have been cleaned, ightly polished then zinc plated.

INTERIOR & WEATHER EQUIPMENT:

All new interior wood pieces were fabricated including floor boards and a complete side curtain box assembly using cabinet quality Baltic Birch plywood. Once their fit was verified all pieces were painted a flat black as was the factory wood. The seats were disassembled and rebuilt using medium density foam then covered with tan leather. All interior panels are new including the front kick panels, he rear quarter panels and the door panels which were all installed by a professional auto upholstery shop. The tan canvas top, onneau cover and new side curtains were also professionally installed. Finishing off the beautiful new interior is short cut pile tan carpeting matching what was originally used by the factory. There is also a contrasting black shift lever boot sewn into the carpet.

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN:

This is a number matching car meaning that the factory designated engine number matches the number on the ID plates and it is therefore the original factory installed engine. As part of our restoration process the engine was completely rebuilt with new and original parts. After complete dis-assembly the block and cylinder head were sent to the machine shop to be cleaned. The cylinders measured 0.40 overbore and received just a slight honing. The crankshaft was inspected and balanced along with the lightened flywheel and clutch. The connecting rods along with the pistons were in excellent condition and were reinstalled with new rings. The cylinder head was inspected then the valves were reseated and a newly rebuilt rocker shaft assembly installed. The 1 ½” SU carburetors were rebuilt, uned and balanced. A rebuilt water pump was installed as was the original Lucas distributor and a rebuilt high output SU fuel pump. The coil, ive wire control box were tested and checked out to be in fine working order. We fit a new Bell stainless steel exhaust system to the engine. The cooling radiator was acid washed and pressure tested to be found in working condition. All new rubber hoses and fan belt were installed along with a 160 degree thermostat. The gear box was inspected and thoroughly cleaned then reassembled with new gaskets. The internals of the gearbox was found to be in excellent condition. The driveshaft was rebuilt, alanced and new u-joints installed. The differential was inspected and found to be in fine working condition needing only a fluid change. The fuel tank was sent to an automotive chemical stripper where it was subject to an acid bath to remove any old fuel and contaminates from its insides. The tank was found to be very solid requiring no further work. The engine and gearbox were painted a dark red to match the factory color while the rest of the drivetrain was painted a semi-gloss/satin black as was done by the factory. The valve cover is painted a dull silver to match the factory color. The engine received a complete detail with paint and newly plated fasteners and the correct air cleaners installed since the photos were taken.

CHASSIS, USPENSION, TEERING AND BRAKES:

Once completely dis-assembled the chassis along with all the suspension and brake pieces were sent to the media blaster where they were thoroughly cleaned of all grease and grime. After all the parts were inspected and any necessary repairs completed they were sent to be powder coated a semi-gloss/satin black. The re-assembly of the suspension included all new bushings, eals and bearings. The original Girling shock absorbers were rebuilt by a reputable antique shock rebuilding company. The rear road springs were also dis-assembled and powder coated black then refitted with new pads, hackle pins and U-bolts. All 5 original wire wheels were carefully media blasted then painted to match the factory original silver color. Fitted to the wheels are 5 new Firestone F 560 165-R-15 radial tires with new tubes. The steering rack and pinion was thoroughly cleaned, nspected then painted and re-assembled with new tie rod ends, ack seal boots and rebuilt couplings. The steering shafts were powder coated then re-assembled with new upper column spring cover and caps and column clamp assemblies. A new original factory style steering wheel and center assembly was also installed.

The brake system also received a complete rebuild and restoration. We began with the master cylinder which was sent out to be re-sleeved and rebuilt as was all six wheel cylinders. The brake drums were resurfaced then powder coated black. Along with new brake shoes, prings and hoses the factory fluid lines were thoroughly cleaned and retained. The handbrake assembly was re-chromed to a high shine and fitted with a new grip handle and is working perfectly.

All chassis, uspension, teering and brakes components were assembled with a high degree of detail. Every piece was either painted or powder coated in a semi-gloss/satin black and assembled with new or re-plated original fasteners. The entire underside of the car is as nicely detailed as is the rest of the car.

ELECTRICAL:

A complete new factory style lacquer-braided wiring harness was installed throughout the car including the under dash sub-harness. All electrical components were tested and rebuilt as necessary and are in perfect working condition. The generator, tarter, oltage regulator, nd turn signal indicator relay are all date appropriate. The twin horns, indscreen wipers and turn signals were tested and adjusted and are working as they should. All the lamps, ights and lenses are new.

OVERALL:

This car is in near perfect condition. It runs well and looks absolutely gorgeous. We started with a very sound and solid California car and have achieved our goal of building a show winning TF. Although the car has yet to be shown it should do very well in any level of show competition. Show it or drive it, t was built to be enjoyed!

If you would like to see the car or have someone else inspect it please contact me at 714-609-3685.

International buyers are welcome and I will assist however I can with the shipping process.