1951 MG TD Supercharged

This MG TD is understood to have been supplied to a dealer in Los Angeles, California back in 1951.

Unlike its predecessor the TC, which was also sold in huge numbers in the USA, the TD was available as a factory left-hand-drive for export markets and indeed this car started life that way, with a maroon exterior finish and a beige-coloured hood and interior upholstery.

Little is known about the car’s history Stateside but we believe it was in use up until the mid-sixties (carrying a California “black plate”) before being put away in storage. Fast forward to 2012 and the car had found its way back across the Atlantic to be MOT’d and registered in the UK.

A couple of owners later, running but looking rather tired and faded and now with black seats, the TD was bought from Sussex Sports Cars in early 2020 as a COVID lockdown project. It was then subjected to a full mechanical restoration and conversion to right-hand-drive, and its 1250cc engine was fitted with a period-perfect Shorrock supercharger.

Forced-induction MGs had a long and successful competition history and the addition of a supercharger like this was a popular tuning modification back in the fifties, adding around 50% extra power up to 80 bhp.

Rather than make the exterior of the car pristine and lose some of its history and character, the then owner decided to recreate a kind of faux-patina with a slightly dull black finish. The RHD conversion required extensive work in the interior so it was given a replacement engine-turned aluminium dash, upholstered in red leather and the radiator vanes painted to match. The “shabby-chic” naked hood frame was left untouched but a new full tonneau was purchased to give a modicum of weather protection.

Since its restoration, the car has had a couple of relatively short ownerships with only minor improvements being done to the car. The first spell was curtailed due to ill health and, having bought the car from us last year on something of a whim, the current owner has discovered that life sometimes gets in the way of fun. Several months on, he still hasn’t found the time to enjoy it.

Although still listed with the DVLA as maroon, this TD is most definitely black. And not a shiny, modern black that would look totally out of keeping, but black with a slightly dull finish that evokes more of a feeling of post-war austerity. A degree of patina has also been retained or recreated in the coating too - the odd chip, scuff and area of wear adds to the apparent authenticity.

As is customary, the radiator grille slats are painted to match the interior. Originally they were beige but now - along with the interior - they are finished in red. There are a couple of small dings in the two nearside vanes.

The bumpers have been removed (but retained) to give the car a sportier look and the addition of a distressed “Shorrock Power” badge on the rear, gives anyone looking to overtake a further subtle warning that it may not be so easy.

The TD sits on original style 15-inch steel wheels with chrome MG hub caps. Like the bodywork, the wheels are not in pristine condition but have the look of use about them, although they don’t appear damaged in any way. All were refitted with Nankang Econex tyres a year or so ago. The identical, rear-mounted spare is shod with older Goodyear rubber.

The floor and sides of the cabin have been left largely untouched and without any panelling, along with a bare hood frame and wooden rear trim. New seats trimmed in red leather have been installed with new mounting brackets and modern inertia-reel seatbelts. Safety is one area where authenticity should rightly be put into second place.

There is also a new dashboard in engine-turned aluminium, replacing the wood panel that was present in LHD configuration. The original banjo-spoke steering wheel and instruments have been retained and an engine temperature gauge added, alongside a St Christopher medal and passenger grab handle.

Like the supercharger, these competition-look instrument panels were also a popular modification in period and the racier dash complements the uplift in power and usability.

Although it’s not been driven much this year, the car’s original engine and gearbox are still in good order. The engine bay is a sight to behold, still clean and tidy from the restoration and subsequent care. Open up from the right hand side and the big Shorrock blower socks you straight in the eye. It does more than just look good - it adds around 50% more grunt and, unlike a turbo, it all comes in seamlessly – like driving a TD with a much bigger engine.

Underneath, the car’s structure is unrestored but solid. Its 60+ years in California mean that it avoided the rot that its domestic contemporaries would have suffered. All the mechanical parts have either been replaced or overhauled. Give the detailed photographs some scrutiny and you can spot plenty of new or reconditioned components underneath.

This car last had an MOT on entry to the UK in 2012. In that year the UK Government gave exemption from testing to pre-1960 vehicles so it has not needed one since then - although we think an independent assessment of a classic’s roadworthiness each year is no bad thing.

The history file includes a handful of invoices - mostly relating to its mechanical restoration and repaint in 2020. This lockdown project included a number of changes to the car, including the following.

The original engine was overhauled and set up on its original twin-SU carbs before they were swapped out (but retained) and replaced with a fully reconditioned period Shorrock supercharger and single SU. The supercharger installation and setup was done professionally and is a sealed unit, which requires no additional oil supply or regular maintenance, so it is no more work than a standard TD. The gearbox was also overhauled and the car given a new clutch, brakes, suspension and gear linkages.

The TD was converted to right-hand-drive using - among other things - a kit from the MG Octagon Club, which included a new steering rack, track rod ends, brake pipes, pedal box and pedals, speedo and tacho cables.

The last owner also carried out a few improvements so here is a summary of the updates on the car over the last few years:

• Right hand drive conversion
• Shorrock supercharger system
• New wiring loom with indicators and LED bulbs fitted all round
• New red leather seats and aluminium dashboard
• New full tonneau cover
• New braking system
• New fuel system
• Rebuilt suspension all round
• New stainless exhaust
• New seat belts

The car also comes with its original twin carb setup including inlet manifold, the front and rear bumpers, original side screens (very poor condition), hood frame and sundry other small parts.

Whilst shiny and immaculately-restored cars are a thing to behold, there’s something even more beguiling about a car with patina (albeit recreated in part) that speaks directly to your soul. Of course the mechanicals have been overhauled for better reliability, and the cleverly aged paint is only a few years old, but it still looks like a septuagenarian survivor.

And then of course, there’s the supercharger.

It’s a period correct part too. Had you been hanging out in LA in the late fifties, when a second or third owner had decided their MG needed more get up and go, you may have seen a blown TD cruising between the swaying palm trees on Sunset Boulevard.

The car has been put together really well and has a surprisingly modern driving feel to it. The handling with the rebuilt suspension easily accommodates the extra power from the supercharger and thankfully the overhauled brakes are more than up to the job of stopping it.

We think this car will sell for between £13,000 and £18,000 and it is so much fun for the money it will quickly put a smile on the new owner’s face. Of course, it's not at all practical, it’s a 72-year-old car with no roof or heater… but who cares, eh?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Spalding, Lincolnshire; 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’.