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MG TD TF 1500 - TF9052 For Sale - Best in the World!

The most significant and best example of an original mgtf in the world is for sale.

The TF is offered by LBI Limited with a suggested price of $95,000. Additional photos are on the LBI listing:
https://lbilimited.com/offerings/1955-mg-tf/

I have been in awe of TF9052 ever since, at the request of David Sander, Frank Cronin documented the car by interviews with the 90+ year old owner and over 300 photos.

Chris Couper hosts the history and photos with comments on his website, "The Original MG TF midget." I have used the photos for reference on my TF7211 and TF681 countless times, and have recommended them to dozens of other TF owners. Here is the link to the story and photos:
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/TF9052/Thumbnails/mgtf_tf9052.htm

Classic Motorsports recognizes the importance of the car and devoted this article about it:
https://classicmotorsports.com/cars-for-sale/the-most-original-and-well-preserved-mg-tf-1500-on-the-market-1955-tf-1500/?mc_cid=e7a22288f0&mc_eid=d50d2a0815

Is $95,000 too much? I don't know, but I do know that it couldn't be replaced for $95,000,000.

I hope that TF9052 will be purchased by a major automobile museum and conservator so that the world can continue to see and research the car. Maybe the Revs Institute, Petersen Automotive Museum, or Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in the U.S. Or the British Motor Museum, National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, or the Brooklands Museum in the U.K.

If you like originality, then I suggest that you download all of the photos on the LBI site now. I don't know how long they will be online. And of course, bookmark the photos on the Original MG TF Midget site ... better yet, download them too.

Lonnie
TF681
TF7211



LM Cook

I'm sure it would cost that much to do it again, even doing a lot of the work yourself. But sadly the market won't support the asking price. British cars have taken a nosedive and M.G.s seem to have been hit especially hard for various reasons. I commend whoever did the work though. Hopefully they find that one buyer who appreciates it.
Steve Simmons

Except for cut & buff and photography, there wasn’t a lot of restoration. The car is totally original, except as documented on Chris’ site. The final selling price isn’t as important as preserving and sharing the car’s amazing history and quality.

Lonnie
TF681
TF7211
LM Cook

Are those vintage Dunlop tires original or repro?
John Quilter (TD8986)

Hmm. The site now says Pending Sale so ...
Christopher Couper

"Are those vintage Dunlop tires original or repro?"

They are vintage Dunlops and Made in England. I suspect they are from the 70's. I used to have a set just like them with the same sidewall. Then later I got some Dunlop Gold Cups, which were similar, but made in Zimbabwe.
Christopher Couper

Lane museum in Nashville would be another good place for this. Jeff Lane was/is a big MG person. He has some great examples of MG cars in his collection.
Bruce Cunha

(I am posting this update on both of the TD/TF forums)

Here is some info about the details of TF9052 that may answer some of your questions.

> The LBI site has almost 500 photos of the car. Many are similar to the photos that Frank Cronin took. Others show details not previously available. Look at them and download them soon, because they may disappear after the car is sold ... "Pending Sale" is noted on the site.
https://lbilimited.com/offerings/1955-mg-tf/


> Chris Couper noted how to see comments about some of the photos of TF9052 on his site: (Be sure to look for the icons. They add a wealth of information about the car - LC.)
"When you look at the complete slide set you will see a little (i) icon on the right of the picture on some of the slides. We felt it necessary to explain a particular detail or perceived issue on that slide as it was a bit controversial to us when were assembling the slides. Just click the icon to see a popup of our comment."
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/TF9052/Thumbnails/mgtf_tf9052.htm


> Frank Cronin sent this info to me in 2019 about the fasteners on TF9052:
"9052 did have work done to it on the front end at one time. The aluminum spacer for the rebound rubber should be black. The castle nut for the spring pan should be black and installed in the wrong direction. This is off the top of my head not viewing the pictures but I've seen them dozens of times.
The owner did have access to cad plating when working for the aerospace industry. He had the original hand
crank plated and installed a reproduction installed in the car."


> See Frank's original post on the MG Enthusiasts' BBS here:
( Thread title ... The True Survivor MG TF -- Red TF 1500 #9052 )
https://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2013112801205031800

> Excerpts from Frank's post:

"The light brown marble/ pearl steering wheel also like new however does not have the usual cracks we are accustomed to see."

"The car is close to 100% factory new for a few minor exceptions. The spark plugs, the spark plug wires, and the hose from the engine block to oil PSI union have been replaced. The battery was replaced with a Lucas reproduction. The battery terminal cables are still original though. The owner replaced the top hose to the radiator / thermostat connection as preventive maintenance but he did keep the original one. For safety concerns the factory Dunlop Bias Ply tires were taken off the car and replaced with radials and new Dayton wire wheels. The original tires remain mounted to the factory wire wheels are neatly stacked near the car."

"He did install his homemade rubbers between the over-riders and the bumper so it wouldn't scratch the chrome."

"He stated to me that he was concerned the hand crank might rust. He worked for an aviation company and the shop had a cad plating department. He brought his hand crank to work so the shop could cadmium plate the crank to end his worries of rust. This crank is still in his possession in the garage but an aftermarket is used instead in the car."

"The amount of effort the Factory did to detail under the bonnet to painting bolt heads and screw heads to touch up to match the color of that part it is attaching. They even touched up the tacks exposed heads to the rubber strip with black paint.
The stability of the paint they used. For me, it was a better understanding how the factory paint wears and how unstable the paint it is. Due to this often causes a lot of disagreements "what that color should really be". In addition, how some painted items hold up very well up presently on this car but somehow the same exact paint most likely it was applied to on a similar bolt -- in a similar location -- does not continue to exist! I couldn't understand that. I also suggest caution to prevent jumping to conclusions. One must study the whole car to better understand the Factory final detail procedures when completing these cars. This fine car is still just one example so we must also take in account of other surviving TF to fill in the gaps of where paint was applied or left bare with a natural finish.
All the surviving rubber and protective boots in this car. Comparing to what most is often seen today of what is left remaining is a melted "glob". All melted away and unable to identify.
The surviving black paint on the brake lines
The surviving black paint on the muffler.
The bright white aluminized finish of the exhaust header that is just starting to show some age.
The valve color without a doubt is flat silver. Non metallic. Same paint matches the wire wheels.
How bright red the dash is and under the scuttle.
The bow color is tan light brown that matches real well with the top. The "coffee - pink rose" color most commonly described is only evident on minor finish items on the exterior of the hood which is an area more exposed to direct sunlight.
Last but not least. ... "Never say, NEVER" what is original on these cars. There are a few "stray cats and dogs" out there that the Factory must of had to do to finish these cars. Most likely a supply issue or what was on hand on the assembly line to complete the car. On this particular car, they did not use rivets to the body plate under the tool box lid AND the copper tag on the valve cover. Brass, dome head, flat style screws were used."

David Sander, who introduced TF9052 to Frank Cronin, wrote about the gaiters on the rear springs:
"The leather wraps on the rear springs were put on when the car was new. He wanted to preserve the springs. They are one of the many available to protect the springs from road dirt and keep them lubricated."

Frank followed up with a description from the owner:
"These are Leaf Gaiters. I asked him right away when I saw these. I was told by him it was to protect the leaf springs from rust packed with grease ... when he bought these leather leaf gaiters he also purchased from the same company a cover to the grill when driving in cold weather." [The radiator cover is shown in a photo on the LBI site. - LC]


Lonnie
TF681
TF7211
LM Cook

Bruce, I too thought of the Lane Museum. I believe his first collector car was a TF. Last time I was there, there were 2 TFs, an M-Type, TC, B and some other MGs. Of course you would hope this TF would be on permanent upstairs display rather than buried in the basement! Have any of you guys been to the Lane? A must go to if you haven't been! George
George Butz III

Tanks Lonnie for a good review of changes. Even if this car was put in a cocoon since it was new, I would expect that there would be parts changed to keep it running and safe.

If it were mine, I would strive to find as original replacement parts as I could and replace anything that did not fit what the factory did.

As for the Lane Museum. We recently brokered a deal with them on a car that was located after 47 years of being missing. They were great to work with. We actually delivered the car to them.


https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/clifft-commutercycle-1974-dale/
Bruce Cunha

Totally weird that Georges post preceded Bruces, even though it referenced it. Must be in the Twilight Zone or something.😱
Christopher Couper

My TF had the original Dunlops on it when I bought it as it sat for many years in the original owners garage due to accident damage along with a couple of Jaguars and I think a Lotus and something else. Someone wanted to buy the old Dunlops off my car and gave me $100 for them. I was assured they were only for show???
PJ Jennings

Good catch Chris! Bruce had mentioned Lane on the other board, and I posted response here by mistake . If you are ever in Nashville- go to museum. Try to go on a day when the basement will be open, as 2/3rds of the cars are there. If you are lucky, the Nissan guy will be there and on rare occasion opens the Heritage Collection through the sliding wooden doors. I can’t confirm or deny there are amazing things in there! George
George Butz III

Hi All,

I commend the owner of this magnificent TF1500.

I also wish to congratulate Frank Cronin for taking the time some years ago to create a photographic record of the various aspects and details related to originality factors. A fantastic reference 'TF Auto Library'.

The discussion on values is interesting. Earlier this year I sold our MGTF1500(1955) for $74,000AU within four(4) days of it being advertised. I restored the car to original Factory detail over a five(5) year period. The new owner already had six(6) MGs which included TFs.

I too am hoping that the next owner or orgnaisation
who purchase this incredibly preserved TF1500, respect
the efforts of the long time owner who purchased the car from new.

Rob Grantham
Perth
Western Australia

Rob Grantham

The price of any pre 1970 car in the the UK has nose dived and TDs and TFs have been hit badly. Pre war ones are very difficult to sell with many not achieving modest reserve prices at auction. Many enthusiasts who can remember MGs when they were teenagers are no longer with us There are quite a few for sale via probate or a widow or a tearful 85 year old and they have clogged the market and further depressed values. I am depressed about the future of classic cars in the UK and wonder what will happen to them in the near future.

Jan T
J Targosz

I am dumbfounded that this actually sold; especially since the asking price started at $95,000. It seems there is always some idiot out there, with more money than brains.

How outrageous is that?

Hey, maybe my TF (XPAG only) is worth that kind of money. My car is absolutely original, and I am the original and ONLY owner. I have only 375,000 miles on it, and I too am in my 98's

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Jan: Unfortunately I share your concern. To me, I see younger generations only living in the now. There is no interest in history, how we got to where we are, what it took to get there and how important it is to observe, understand and even more so, preserve what came before. It's not just old cars, but just about everything, including stories, pictures, buildings, furniture, you name it. :-(

Even if special examples of regular cars like TF9052 make it to a museum, there is no guarantee that it will survive when museum attendance dwindles to nothing and they cannot capture there costs. They will have to close or shrink, depleting less than "exciting" cars for an audience that will only spend 30 minutes in the museum, most of the time on their phones.
Christopher Couper

Hi Christopher,

I am in my late 70s and my son and four grandsons have absolutely no interest in older cars so I have sold my MG and Austin Healey. Car museums in the UK aren't as popular as those in the US and in fact a number have closed. There are car shows in the summer but I think attendees are families looking for a day out rather than enthusiasts. The really popular older cars in the UK at present are Fords from the 60s and 70s. Mk1 twin cam Escorts can cost over £50,000. I think this reinforces the suspicion that pre and immediately post war cars were in demand a few years ago because people could remember them as teenagers but sadly many are now infirm or no longer with us. Late 1900s cars like BMW 00 series and Golf GTIs are in demand because people who can recall them on the street are now at an age where they afford to buy one. I do remember going to scrap yards with my father in the 1960s and seeing Morris Bull Noses, Austin Sevens and dozens of MGs piled one on top of another. I hope the same doesn't happen in the near future.

Jan T
J Targosz

Chris, that is true but there are exceptions. My kids (30+) are both history buffs. Son is encyclopedic about WWII. He and a group of friends have camped at the Sebring 12 hours for 13 years now! He started going to GOFs at age 3. There are a ton of young people at our cars and coffee- admittedly with more tuner cars and things like a Datsun 510 with a 13B rotary in it. Lots of youth with old Miatas around here too. A big problem with youth and cars is money. Many have student loans, can't afford to buy a house so no garage to keep anything nice. The biggest problem with T-series cars around there is they are flat out dangerous to drive. Florida has incredibly high accident rates, so I go out early in the morning on weekends. Time to go for a drive in the TD George
George Butz III

This thread was discussed between 07/09/2025 and 14/09/2025

MG TD TF 1500 index

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