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MG TD TF 1500 - Newbie

Well, I just stumbled across this site while scouring the net for TD related sites. Looks interesting, and from my cursory look at a few threads, a wealth of information awaits me! Thanks!

I am working on the restoration of a 1953 TD that was originally purchased by my father-in-law in 1953. He bought in in California and drove it back here to Aspen, Colorado where it has lived ever since. He was the only Doctor in town at that time, and was an avid sports car enthusiast.

The car was used as a daily driver and sometime road rally car. He moved on to a Jag and then to some Merlin racers after the TD.

The car was under restoration by a good friend of his back in the mid 70's, when the friend was murdered! The car at the time was in Arizona, in several pieces. He was able to retrieve the car and most of the parts and return to Aspen where it has been sitting unassembled since.

I have recently convinced him that it should be returned to whole and driven once again. I will be sorting through the boxes and attempting to learn what has gone missing. Wish me luck, and I look forward to your assistance!!
Brian Nichols

Hi Brian

Nice to hear you are working to got another back on the road. This is THE place for information. Lots on the archive on just about any topic. The people here are the best.

I restored my 1950 back in the early 70's and I still post a lot of questions.
Bruce Cunha

Hi Brian, and welcome. Definitely get the following books- The factory shop manual, Clausager's (sp?) Original MG T-series, The New England T register's "The T Series Handbook", and Horst Sacht's (sp again?) TD restoration guide. Between those and the Moss Motors and Abindgon Spares catalogs you should have tons of info to help. Also, many of the guys on this board have been into these cars since new. Anything you need as far as parts is available from Moss, Abindgon, ebay, and several of the posters on the board as well. There is also a wealth of info here as far as who rebuild/repairs/restores various components. Most parts for TD's are relatively cheap for a collector car, a few exceptions being crankshafts and transmission gears. We were at Snowmass for a week last winter- unfortunately not this season. Certainly a great place to have a TD in the Summer! George
George Butz

Nice to have you here. I have witnessed a wealth of info from these guys.
V.W. Piña

Brian, are you in Aspen also?

LaVerne... in Fruita... 54 TF under going total resto
LaVerne

Brian - If you can only get one of the books that George quoted above (and you really should get them all), make it Horst Schach's book, The Complete MG TD Restoration Manual. I finally got a copy years after completing teh restoration of our TD and still find it invaluable. You can order the book directly from Horst. His e-mail address is hschach@uky.edu. Welcome to the fellowship (which make Tolkin's Fellwoship of the Rings seem tame) and don't be shy about asking questions. Nobody on this board is going to make you feel silly about asking any question about the car, since we have all been there ourselves. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Welcome Brian! As one who has recently completed a TD and used the information from this group on a regular basis, you will find the help available here invaluable. Now that I am finished I have gained a little insight and can hopefull answer your questions. I have recently posted a website that provides a few pictures of my project from start to finish but if you should require pictures of a particular area or stage let me know as I have documented the restoration completely. My site is at http://www.island.net/~btsmith

Brian Smith
Brian Smith

Welcome Brian, and congratulations on joining the 'brotherhood'.

For me the key as I work on my car is not to be afraid of doing something over if I don't like the way it came together the first time. A good example would be the number of times I rebuilt my gear box before being satisfied that it went together well. I often fit a piece, go back and adjust, and then paint and reassemble before I consider it done. You can peek at my progress at www.mysteryship.photosite.com/MGTDRebuild/

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Welcome Brian!

I also finished a restoration of a 53 this past spring. I can honestly say, without this site it would have been a much more difficult task. There's nothing like the first time you hear it run after building it with your own hands.

Keep us posted. I look forward to your updates.

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Brian,

The redeeming thing about this BB, is that you can post a question, and expect an answer virtually within minutes, and from all over the world! This will expedite any action your are awaiting, while you have stopped your progress.

There are some pretty knowledgable chaps out here and in time, you will learn to navigate your way through the maze of threads that will answer almost any conceivable question. And the archives are immense.

The MG factory didn't completely document things, and some of the materials and techniques, have moved ahead with time and the improvements and increased knowledge of the car; all of whaich at one time or another, already has been shared, or will be.

Then again, and in return, you are expected to contribute any new-found item, so we in turn, can benefit from your experience.

Best of luck with your project.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.





Gordon A. Clark

Wow, thanks all! Yes, I'm in Aspen, and would love to stop by and see the TF.

I'll get the books, I have a couple, but the restoration guide sounds great. Specifically, I guess I need assistance with the type of hardware used to attach body work. All the panels are off the tub, and I'd like to get them hung before they get too banged up!

Is it possible to post pics here, or do you just link to them posted elsewhere?

Again thanks, and let the onslaught of newbie questions begin!!
Brian Nichols

Brian

This BBS does not have picture ability. If you don't have a web page, easiest way is to go to one of the free photo posting places such as webshots.com

Here is my TD at my daughters wedding using wedding cars tunbridge wells.

http://community.webshots.com/album/425130233WzPqIc

Here is what happens when a vital part of the engine breaks.

http://community.webshots.com/album/180841264OTqYGN
Bruce Cunha

Welcome, Brian, you've found a good spot here. I have a website, http://www.ttalk.info/, on which I'm quite happy to post images (Picure_this) to post images to share with the group. Just send things to me at the above email, or to admin@ttalk.info -- Bud
Bud Krueger

Welcome Brian... lots and lots of help here... have a '53 back on the road last summer...

http://www3.sympatico.ca/gordonblawson/td/td.html

gordon lawson - TD 27667

David DB,

Tried <hschach@uky.edu.> but was undeliverable. Have I got it right?

Cheers Has
HJ Oldham

Brain,

Best bet for help with the tub is the Horst Schach book mentioned above. Also, search the archives here for lots of good information. If you need specific help, start a new thread and you'll get quick replies.

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Has and Brian - Horst's e-mail address is through the university of Kentucky where he is (was) a professor. He may have retired by now (it has been several years since I contacted him) and is no longer on the university's e-mail list. His book is available through Brit Books at: http://www.britbooks.com/index.htm Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks Dave DB. Order confirmed through britbooks.
Should have had it 40 years ago. (like this BBS)

I've enjoyed the steep, sometimes overhanging, learning curve!

Cheers Has
HJ Oldham

Brian:

You are welcome to come by and look at our 1952 TD Mark II if you are ever in the Wichita area. I also have most of the books mentioned if you would like to see any of them before ordering or buying.

John Masters
Wichita, KS



John Masters

Brian,
Here's a nice web site dedicated to TD's that is useful.
Once you get it running, the Glenwood Rallye is out your way! Maybe we'll see you there next year!
Bob & kim Dougherty
52 RHD TD
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/
Robert Dougherty

Brian,
Welcome, always great to hear from somebody raising a "Phoenix T"! Even neater when it has "family history". You have definetly found the right place...folks here with a wealth of experance & knowledge...but most of us still manage to learn something new a couple of times a year...well at least I do ...or maybe it's just because I forget over the winter and need to be "re-trained" for the spring each year! Two of my most rewarding finds ever (besides the car itself, of course)...this site & Chis Coupers site that Bob pointed you to!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 05/12/2005 and 07/12/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

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