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MG TD TF 1500 - Abingdon Worker Autographs

It is always fun to see Abingdon workers signatures on our cars. I found these on the back panel of my TF driver seat. Obviously workers in the upholstery shop. "Jean" is clear but the second name is difficult to see. John


JR Mahone

'Drivers'
R A WILSON

I thought drivers also. Still a nice piece of history though.

Tim
TW Burchfield

I am puzzled that the upholsterers would know which side was drivers side since there is no difference between LHD and RHD seats. The left and right seat backs are obvious from the shape.

Matthew.
M Magilton

Matthew, I think the fact the worker was named "Drivers" and that panel wound up on my driver seat is just a coincidence. By the way, the pictures you have posted on this BBS over the years have been immensely helpful as I restore my TF. Thank you. Regards, John
JR Mahone

John, but the names are written in two different colors. I find it odd that someone would write their first name in yellow chalk then switch to white chalk for their last name. Perhaps there is a subtle difference in the upholstery between the driver's and passenger's seat backs? Maybe someone in the upholstery shop was doing a favor for Jean and redoing his driver's seat back? Maybe I should have better things to do with my time. :-)

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

I realise the TF is in the USA, but is it LHD or RHD ?
R A WILSON

RA, my TF is a US specification LHD car. TF 6773 built in August 1954 and shipped to California.
JR Mahone

I just installed a solid walnut dash. Also cut out a new back board.
This old dash looks like it might have been installed in 1991
Next two pics are what I found on the back board.



M Grogan

Next pic


M Grogan

last pic


M Grogan

Anyone know these folks in Calif. I think?

M Grogan

Not on the TD, but on my 67 BGT, I found the Letter L finger painted on the tail light housing. I left it when I repainted it.
Bruce Cunha

When I did my upholstery course it was explained that the way you stitch your pleats depends on the way you enter the car. e.g.. LH or RH drive.
When you enter on to the seat you put more pressure on the stitching than when you exit because you slide in.
Therefore the way you fold the pleats ready for sewing should be considered for either LH or RH drive.
Sadly most people don't follow this practice anymore and it can lead to premature failure of the stitching on the pleats.
This may explain the word drivers on the seat back.
Regards Rob.
R Browne

But the seats are L-R handed anyway.
M Magilton

I agree, and I agree with your original comment. I did ask whether the car was LHD or RHD, and John has written LHD, but I now don't think that helps any argument. I also think the employee's name being 'Drivers' is rather a long shot.
R A WILSON

Drivers seat made by Jean.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Possible - is the handwriting the same - the 'e's look similar. However, how would Jean know the LH seat would be fitted into a LHD car, as the seats were probably made elsewhere.
R A WILSON

The runners.
Dave H
Dave Hill

The runners, in which case there is no need for "drivers". That's assuming the runners were fitted in the upholstery shop. Would make more sense to simply match the floor-attached part of the runner on the assembly line with the steering wheel.
"drivers" has a strong left slant, so cant be by Jean, who wouldn't use a different marker anyway.
Blimey! Have they any idea how much trouble they have caused us? -LOL!

Matthew.
M Magilton

This is serial production. Somebody puts the parts hardware together in a bin and marks "Drivers" on the seat back because the kit includes Drivers side runners. Somebody else (Jean) puts the cover on. But we can go on forever postulating various theories and will never know the real answer.
Dave H
Dave Hill

My TD has TF seats - I increased the rake of the backs and they are far more comfortable than TD seats. Anyway, I have just looked at the runners, and apart from being mirror images of each other, they are identical. Thus I do not think that the LH runners fitted to a LH seat will indicate if the seat is to be a passenger's seat in a RHD car, or a driver's seat in a LHD car.
I thought the idea was to show the picture or the seat to Jean's children or grandchildren - they will obviously know the answers !!
R A WILSON

RA, unless your seats are original wouldn't it be impossible to tell how the runners were oriented at the factory using your seats as an example? Or do you have the factory original seats? If Jean was like most factory workers I've known I doubt if he told his family much about the repetitive work he completed every day. And yes, I know you were kidding.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

My TF seats and runners are original and the same as in any other TF, although they were fitted into a TD. The owner wanted original TD seats, so I was happy to swap my TD seats and runners - I thought the TF seats looked better and would give better support. I then increased the rake of both backs to make them more comfortable.
Over here Jean is more likely a woman's name, unless the person was French.
R A WILSON

This is what they look like.


R A WILSON

Should have said, a photo with the door open would be better, but I don't have one on file, and it's cold outside.
R A WILSON

Of course it could have been something like bathroom graffiti: Drivers, for a good time see Jean.

Tim
TW Burchfield

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

MG TD TF 1500 index

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