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Frank Brault | all galleries >> Galleries >> Eclectic > MG TD Midget 1950-53
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31-May-2018 Frank Brault

MG TD Midget 1950-53

Vintage Motorcars, 2000 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT USA

"The 1950 TD Midget announced in January 1950[8] combined the TC's drivetrain, a modified hypoid-geared rear axle, the MG Y-type chassis, a familiar T-type style body and independent suspension on front axle using coil springs from the MG Y-type saloon: a 1950 road-test report described as "most striking" the resulting "transformation ... in the comfort of riding".[9] The reference cited here was incorrect to infer the entire drive train was lifted from the TC, as along with the new hypoid differential, a completely different transmission was used (albeit also a four-speed). Also lifted from the company's successful 1¼-litre saloon was the (still highly geared) rack and pinion steering.[9] In addition the TD featured smaller 15-inch (380 mm) disc type road wheels, a left-hand drive option and standard equipment bumpers and over-riders. The car was also 5 inches (130 mm) wider with a track of 50 inches (1,300 mm). It was seen by enthusiasts at the time as a disappointment, mild and "not a sports car". ". . . the new model is largely designed to consolidate and expand the car's sale in North America."[8] The first TD's were actually built in late 1949.

For the driver the "all-weather protection" was good by the standards of the time.[9] For night driving, instrument illumination was "effective but not dazzling, by a pale green lighting effect".[9] There was still no fuel gauge, but the 12 British gallons (15 US gallons) of tank capacity gave a range between refuelling stops of about 300 miles (480 km) and a green light on the facia flashed a "warning" when the fuel level was down to about 2½ British gallons (>3 US gallons / >11 litres).[9]

In 1950 the TD MkII Competition Model was introduced, produced alongside the standard car, with a more highly tuned engine using an 8.1:1 compression ratio giving 57 bhp (43 kW) at 5,500 rpm. The higher compression ratio engine was offered with export markets in mind, and would not have been suitable for the UK, where thanks to the continued operation of wartime fuel restrictions, buyers were still limited to 72 octane "pool petrol". The TD MkII also featured twin fuel pumps, additional Andrex dampers, and a higher ratio rear-axle.

Nearly 30,000 TDs had been produced, including about 1700 Mk II models, when the series ended in 1953 with all but 1656 exported, 23,488 of them to the US alone." Wikipedia

Olympus PEN-F Digital ,Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO ,Best at original size
1/200s f/6.3 at 19.0mm iso200 Raw/PP full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Buz Kiefer21-Jun-2018 18:44
Very sharp and crisp photo of the interior. BV
Tom LeRoy21-Jun-2018 15:29
Excellent shot. I remember these from the 50's. What a fun sports car! V
Walter Otto Koenig19-Jun-2018 14:39
Nice shot of this interior. I like the detail and wood dashboard. "V"
Fong Lam19-Jun-2018 12:47
Fabulous shot of this classic beauty...just love that handsome dashboard...V
Blandine Mangin19-Jun-2018 09:47
bel intérieur pour une belle ancienne ! v
Graeme19-Jun-2018 09:05
Great capture of the interior and dash of this beauty, Frank.V+
laine19-Jun-2018 08:20
Very classy looking, Frank
Marcia Rules18-Jun-2018 23:55
A quite thoughtful angle does it here!! V
bill friedlander18-Jun-2018 23:22
Excellent shot. The colors and details are superb. Love the car. V
Jean D18-Jun-2018 23:21
Excellent capture and composition of this classic sports car. Thanks for the background info, as well. ~V