1948 MG TC

This 1948 MG TC is a matching numbers car presented in its original colour scheme of Sequoia Cream with a contrasting green leather interior. It also sports the more desirable Triform headlights, which were an optional extra when the car was new.

The vendor says: ‘The car runs fantastically and has an immaculate body and paintwork. The interior has just the right amount of original patina, delivering a superb 1940s driving experience.

‘This TC was subject to a significant restoration between 2015 and 2017, and has only been driven a handful of dry weather miles since. We currently keep the MG in a temperature-controlled garage alongside our other classic cars.

‘We’ve traced the cars history, which saw the car owned and enjoyed by a US based MG enthusiast and driven in a number of high-profile events.
It has been fitted with a period Lucas heater, and it comes with its original tool kit.

‘The car has the privilege of being a Getty Image for MG TC. We recently had a new fuel tank fitted at a cost of £1400. An additional set of wheels will accompany the car and are included in the sale.’

It’s easy to see how the TC charmed the American public when it first appeared way back in 1946. What a pretty little car it is. If you asked a child (or me) to draw a 1940s sports car they’d come up with something pretty much like this.

Its compact dimensions, spindly painted silver wire wheels and those gorgeous Triform headlamps all add up to an absolute picture – especially in this colour scheme. It’s a beautiful little sports car in absolutely stunning condition.

We couldn’t find any fault with the primrose paintwork, save for some tiny marks on the bonnet’s closing edges – almost impossible to avoid on a car like this, and the chrome work is also all in excellent order.

The green leather interior has been left in a rather more worn-in condition than the car’s stunning exterior bodywork. There are wear marks and the odd split – noticeably on the passenger seat squab.

That said, the dashboard is in gorgeous condition, with the large Jaeger speedometer and rev counter must have been completely refurbished as they look like new. The dash itself has also clearly been the subject of some serious restoration work and it looks superb.

The discreetly added flashing turn signals are controlled by a switch mounted on a box on the transmission tunnel – and this looks like an historical addition as it all looks quite natural and period.

Under the folding bonnet the XPAG 1250cc overhead valve engine sits happily. The engine itself looks smart enough but the rear of the folding bonnet panels are quite a lot more scruffy than the gleaming outer panels. The new owner could improve this area quite easily and at minimal expense, with just some TLC and elbow grease.

Looking at this MG’s powerplant, which works in exactly the same way as any modern petrol engine, makes you wonder how cars managed to get quite so complex. This car is a DIY mechanic’s dream – it’s so simple and everything is within easy reach, although we couldn’t find the diagnostic socket anywhere.

The car’s underside is in great condition and has clearly been the subject of a thorough and expert restoration. It’s also clear that since that work the car hasn’t seen a wet road, let alone one covered in salt. The chassis is still black and the body panels are yellow, with no rust, or even any mud to spoil the vista.

This TC was manufactured in Sept 1948 and first registered in the UK on 31st Dec 1948. Soon after the car was shipped to the USA.

While in America the car was owned by a fashion photographer, and was then bought by a well-known MG enthusiast call Paul Johnson.

The current owners bout the car in 2017. During this period they’ve only used the vehicle a handful of time during the summer, and estimate they’ve covered fewer than 100 dry weather miles.

The vendor says:

‘When we first bought the car, we contacted friends of Paul Johnson’s in the US but unfortunately he had passed away in the ’90s. However, we learned that he was very active in the MG scene throughout the US, and organised a long-distance trophy which bore his name.

‘Paul was also the founding member of GOF Central, an MG car club based in Washington. I have various printouts featuring Paul, the car and the trophy.

‘The MG was shipped back to England by Cars from the UK in 2015, and was bought by Howard Blackburn. Howard bought the car in March 2015 from Classic Cars of the Wirral for £27,999 (Receipt included in the car’s paperwork).

‘Howard was an ex-Bentley mechanic and completed the recent restoration of the car at his home over a period of two years. On completion he decided to sell the car, which is when we bought it. (Included with the car are some images of the car prior to his restoration, although Howard didn’t keep particularly good records).

‘We bought the car in Oct 2017 (£28,500). During our ownership we have only used the vehicle a handful of time during the summer. I’d estimate less than a hundred dry weather miles.

The only works we deemed necessary were a new fuel tank fitted at a cost of £1400, and a new dynamo. We don’t use the car at all due to others in a collection, so we’re reluctantly moving it on.’

Is there a prettier post-war sports car than the MG TC? Well, that’s a matter of opinion, but whatever your take on it, this has to be in the top five cars of its type. And this is a stunning example. Okay, the interior isn’t quite as spangly as the bodywork, but of that bothers you it’s easily sorted. Personally, I’d slap on some hide food and call the job a good ‘un.

If the sun is shining and you fancy a Sunday lunchtime pint, could there really be a better way to travel than this MG TC? We don’t think so. And of course, its value is only going one way.

Our estimate for this car Is £25,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.