1947 MG TC

The MG TC started a romance between the US public and British sports cars in general, although MG was always 'the sports car America loved first'.  On cessation of hostilities MG’s Abingdon factory was cleared of war work and their engineers modified the TB, which had been launched in 1939 just before the war started. They widened its cockpit area by four inches, fitted shackles in place of sliding-trunnions and created the TC, the first of which came off the line on September 17th, 1945. During the following four years 10,000 examples were produced, 6,593 of which were exported. Troops from all over the world had been billeted in the UK during the conflict and had fallen in love with MGs and these returning servicemen provided a market, not just in North America but in the British Empire. The TC made a vital contribution to Britain's post war 'Export or Die' campaign.

FOT 820 was first registered in the UK on June 28th, 1947. In 1968 it was bought by a gentleman who used it as his transport through his university years. He put it into dry storage in 1976 and it remained there until 2013 when it was offered for restoration.

Rebuilt by Ant Anstead and his team at Evanta Motors, working with acknowledged marque experts Peter Edney MGTC, TE/2771 has been wholly rebuilt to its original specification. A completely new, and correct, ash-frame and steel-skin body was sourced from The Hutson Motor Company, leaders in this field. The chassis was stripped, shot-blasted and powder coated then rebuilt with new or refurbished components from NTG and Edney MG. A correct TC XPAG engine was sourced and rebuilt by Peter Edney using his sports camshaft and a 40-thou overbore plus hardened unleaded valve-seats. The SU Carburettors were rebuilt by Burlen Fuel Systems and refinished as period. The new wire wheels were built by Turrino Wire Wheels and, like many of the feats of craftsmanship that have been performed to create this car, the process was captured on film.

The trim and hood are also new and came from A.S. Pickering in the correct tan/fawn, the only colour offered on a blue TC. The steering wheel was restored to its correct factory finish and all the chrome work refinished to a high quality or replaced with new components. The bodywork was then painted in Evanta’s paint booth in a beautiful blue.

This is an absolutely perfect example of the car on which MG built its post-war fortune, the nut and bolt rebuild of which has been documented in glorious HD.. It drives wonderfully, looks delightful and would be welcome at any classic motoring event.

Statistics (The Power & Torque are approximations)
Engine cc : 1,250cc
Engine details: 4cy in IL – OHV
Power: 54bhp @5,200rpm
Torque: 64lb.ft @2,600rpm
Production: MG, Abingdon works
First Registered: 28.06.1947
Produced: 1945 - 1949
Body: Standard 2 seater open TC body, wooden frame under steel panels, Coachbuilder: Morris bodies Coventry
Chassis: Ladder-type separate steel chassis frame
Colour: Clipper Blue
Trim: Tan/Fawn
0-60mph: 22.7secs (21 seconds from MG T Series In Detail TA – TF 1935-55 by Paddy Willmer)
Maximum speed: 75mph (73 mph from MG T Series In Detail TA – TF 1935-55 by Paddy Willmer)
Production vol:  10,000 built between September1945 and November 1949