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MG TD TF 1500 - Period Photos

I was going through some old issues of News Exchange, the Nuffield Exports magazine from 1953 and 1954 and came across some lovely period photos that I thought I would share.

This page from the July 1953 edition shows Hollywood heart-throb Kathleen Crawley who is soon to appear in "The Farmers Wife". No mention of where these photos were taken but the UK plates make me think it was a British pickup bound for USA.

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

This page from the August 1953 Coronation Edition really shows off the fashion of the day. Note the wheel trims.

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

One from Australia: The 1953 REDeX 6,500 mile Reliability Trial covered a huge part of Australia on some of our most punishing corrugated and potholed dirt roads.

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

Last one comes from the September 1953 edition: "A motor sport enthusiast, M.J.D. Fuhrman, of Belguim, drives his third post war M.G. aboard a Silver City Airways plane to prepare for the return flight to Ostend".

How many extra fittings can you count on this car?

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

9 anyway....
dual spares
reflectors/rear fenders (low?)
reflectors(?) just behind elbow cutout
grab bar
some kind of horn ring(?) something on steering wheel?
ralley clocks
below dash switch plate
something just in front of the rear view mirror
big whackin'' headlights


Interesting in the first photo, the tonneau is vinyl... I would also think that the shot was a publicity shot just taken on the back lot... its left hand drive so was just a local car or stage car.
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

ALSO,,, Looks like some sort of a modified fuel tank filler, and a different rad cap,,,,,
And the driver side radio antenna,,,,,
STEVE WINCZE

Matthew,

Thank you for taking time for a fun return to the past. I always enjoy a reflective time when we can see our cars in their virtual "moments!"

Jerry
Jerry Chandler

Matthew,
Thanks...great pix...still looking for those TF stamps for you. (They are in a very safe place!...so safe I can't find them!)
David Sheward

Well, this is my TD #3966 in 1956...not an ad or an article in the newspaper, just a period pic of her in the fifties...got it from the daughter of the 2nd owner (who owned her for forty (!) years).

Jasper




Jasper L Nederhoed

There are no overiders on the rear bumper. That is inusual.
Bob
Bob Jeffers

Gordon, I belive that the part you thought might be reflectors (reflectors(?) just behind elbow cutout)
are actually directional turn signals. When I bought my car in France in 1962, a set of those had been mounted in roughly the same place on each side. The base was made of pot metal and the streamlined cover was made of red plastic. The plastic had deteriorated to a point of falling apart and the base was terribly pitted. I assumed they were a cheap aftermarket part sold in Europe somewhere and were discarded when I restored the car. It was an excedingly poor place to install a signal in the first place.
Jim Merz

After my last posting, I looked for a photo of my car after shipment to the USA from my base in France via the port of Chicago. The inoperative, misplaced directional signal lamp is clearly shown. The second picture will follow.


Jim Merz

Jim,

Actually factory installed annuciators as they are called were installed just behind the doors on sports type vehicles or up high on the pillar between the front and rear doors such as on London taxis and sedans.

Regards,
Jim
James Neel

The second picture.


Jim Merz

Thanks for the input Jim. We learn something new every day on this BBS! I still wish I could locate the origiinal owner who had it shipped to Europe from the factory. It is an EXR model.
Jim Merz

Jim,

I should have added that the annunciators were lighted swing arms that swung out and up from a slot in the body. In some higher end cars they were self cancelling and swung back down after the turn was completed.

It looks like your car had an aftermarket version since we know the T's never had annunciators probably to keep the price down.

Regards,
Jim
James Neel

Yes Jim, I have seen the annunciators you mentioned but mine were only lights (that didn't work) and fixed in place. They were not the semaphore type you have in mind. Mine were the only signals on each side of the car and could not be seen by drivers on the opposite side. Useless.
Jim Merz

...were they not called 'trafficators'...... ?
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Jim Is that an antenna on the right corner of the rear panel?

The first pictures appear to be a modified TD. Note the rims are painted black on the inner part of the rim. It also appears the sides of the hood has been taken off.

The one going onto the plane must have been a rally car.
Bruce Cunha

1st pix ...tyres look a bit "fat" also?
David Sheward

Matthew, Nice period photos. Judging by David Sherwards post to you, it sounds like you may a stamp collector.
Although not a TF have you got this one?

Has. {hasoldham at tiscali.co.uk}


Has Oldham

Bruce....the right rear apron did have the stump of an antenna mounted in it. There was no wire underneath so it was removed during my restoration. There were two more antenna holes in the left side forward of the door but were concealed by some rally plaques. These are now mounted on a badge bar in front.


Jim Merz

Has, I will collect anything that features a T type (provided I can afford it of course). Yes, I have that stamp set thank you.

Matthew.


Matthew Magilton

Gordon,

Trafficators and semaphores are two of a kind. When my car was imported in 1950 the dealer mounted a pair of them, So I have trafficators on my car. I did not know the term annuciators.
My trafficators are not Lucas but SWF, in those days frequently used on i.e. Volkswagen. They are in bad shape after 61 years but fortunately I found a guy in Switserland who promised me a pair NOS in the original boxes. So within a couple of monthes I'll replace them.

Jasper
Jasper L Nederhoed

Oops...forgot the pic...

Jasper


Jasper L Nederhoed

This thread was discussed between 21/10/2011 and 23/10/2011

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