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MG TD TF 1500 - Paint color

I have a 1950 TD that was made Nov 1.1950. When I restored the car it had like three layers of different color paint on it. Last color was sun bronze.

In looking at reference material, It says sun bronze was a 1951 color. Could this be another of those end of production switches that we talk about? Anyone else have a 1950 that was sun bronze?

I am in the process of getting the car ready for a re restoration and am considering bringing it back to original as close as I can.
Bruce Cunha

Its a rare colour and therefore difficult to find. It was used on Y Types from 1949 and I saw one painted that colour at a recent classic car show over here. The Y Type Register has some useful references.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Sun Bronze ("Metallichrome") was also used on the Riley RM saloons,roadsters and drophead coupe's between April 1949 and August 1951. Since both Riley and MG TD bodies of that period were built in the same factory (Morris Bodies Branch), it's not surprising they shared the same colours.

Nick (TD3232)
Nick Herwegh

Bruce, your post got me to look into my copy of Clausager's Original MG T Series book.

On page 100 it's noted that Sun Bronze was introduced in late 1950, which puts it right in line with your November production date.

Hope this helps,

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

Thanks Bobby. Should have pulled out Mr. Clausager as I do have a copy. I was looking at Chris Coopers page on this site. I know Chris really tries to get things as correct as possible. This may help him adjust the color page.

Wonder how many were painted this color. Because it is not as common, that may tip my thinking about really trying to bring it back to as close to what it was when it left the factory. I know that is an impossibility, but can get the color and interior as close as I can.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce: What is your car number?
Christopher Couper

Hi Chris.

Car is 4139




Bruce Cunha

Hello Bruce. I have aTD 4490 produced
21.nov. 1950. The car was registred as
FGG609 in CA. Date first sold 00/00/51
First owner Steven Robert Bailey
Sunnyvale CA. sold 08/23/75 to
Michael and margaret Freeman, San jose.
The car had chromed grillslats, headlamps,
doorhinges.petrol tank sides and
facia panel.the car has obviasly been stored outside. the dash and steerinwheel was
destintegrated by the sun. the color was difficult to see. I think it must have been
atumn red or somthing like that. I have no parts left with any color.

Thoralf.NORWAY TD 4490
Thoralf Sorensen (TD4490)

Thoralf, I discovered my car's original Autumn Red color on the front (hidden) panel of the fuel tank. When the cat was repainted they never removed the fuel tank. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thoralf, interesting!! I too own a '50 MGTD (1275) and have been told that the chrome grille, headlamps, door hinges were options. Since I wasn't even a bad idea on a friday night at that time, I'm assuming that this is correct. I don't know the original color as I did not restore this car. But hey, the car looks good and I'm happy with it!! And that's all that matters right?
Keith Yarbrough(TD 1275)

It was my understanding that the chrome headlights are correct, but only the MK2 had the chrome grill. There were actually very few factory options. Radio and I think a luggage rack.

Might have been others. Also could have been dealer changes.

But remember, during the 50's customizing your TD was very common. I havr seen some very interesting items with MG on them that were aftermarket.
Bruce Cunha

Thoralf. That is 351 vehicles in 13 days if they only ran one shift and only worked 5 days a week. And if they came off the assembly line in order.

There were 4717 build in 1950,

Anyone have information if they did work multiple shifts and if they worked more than 5 days a week?
Bruce Cunha

Mine is TD3966, she came off the line October 23.

Jasper
Jasper Nederhoed TD3966

I have TD 0581, January 1950. Sequoia Yellow over green interior. Not sure if original color, car re-done in the late 1980s, two owners ago. Originally a California car that went to Texas and came back to California. The only option is a dealer installed water temp gauge (which seems to be off about 40 degrees F) located on the left side of the dash. Matches all other original gauges.


Charles Duffy

Colour looks right to me Charles. In the TC it was identified as Sequoia Cream (code YL5) & when used on the TD it was referred to as Ivory. Same colour as mine (1st Feb 1951). Ivory appears lighter in full sunlight. Nice car. We have the same numbers, albeit jumbled a little. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

That is about 20 cars a day. If they did not work weekends. Considering the manual manufacturing I see on the TD assembly line video, that is pretty good.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce: A November build car is really the next year. Cars generally changed over around late September or early October. So your November 1st build date in 1950 is really a 1951 car.

Note for example the TD's stopped being produced in August of 1953 and TF's started as 1954 cars, even though some were built in 1953.

When my father bought our car in August of 1952 he was given a choice between waiting for a new 52 or a new 53. The delay was only days. The $300 price increase cinched the deal for a 1952. :-)

I suspect your car was not delivered or registered until 1951 unless it was picked up at the factory.
Christopher Couper

Chris,

FWIW - my TD3966 came off the production line on October 23 1950, embarked on November 6 in the port of Rotterdam, and was picked up by the first owner on monday November 13 1950.

Jasper
Jasper Nederhoed TD3966

Hi Chris. That is an interesting comment relating to TD's. It was my understanding that there really were not any specific differences between the years. The changes were made as the cars rolled on the assembly line. For example, My TD does not have the foot well in it. According to Clausager, the foot well came in just after my car was made.

Things like the dual temp/oil pressure gauge, the 8" clutch, Dish speedo and tach, change to the integrated oil pump ets, ware more identified by the car number rather than by year.

Price might have changed each year as you stated.

Your the guru on this topic, so I am not disputing you, just an interesting point since there was not a formal model change with the TD.


Bruce Cunha

FWIW: page 21 from the 1951 Nuffield Organization's Salesman Reference booklet published in October 1950.
No Sun Bronze on TD's.....
Seems we've entered a minefield here......8^)

Nick (TD3232)


Nick Herwegh

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2017 and 23/07/2017

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