An MG That Fits You to a ‘T’

The fastest TF takes 18.9 seconds to reach 60 mph and you run the risk of being rear-ended by a soccer mom in her SUV

by Gary Anderson

The MG TC, TD, and TF brought top-down British sports car motoring to America, and all three are now affordable collectibles that give you an authentic taste of a bygone era.

In the beginning… well almost

Bankrupted by WWII, Britain faced “export or die” pressure in 1945, and the MG TC Midget was rushed into production, little more than an update of 1936’s MG TA.

It was a surprise hit in the U.S., with 2,000 cars sold between 1947 and 1949 and a further 1,500 being brought back by returning servicemen. MG even made a U.S. version with turn signals and bumpers, to account for American parking skills.

All TCs were RHD, so in 1949 MG introduced the TD. It was available in LHD, but still had the 1,250-cc engine dating from 1939. However, the pound had just been devalued and the now-affordable TD was a huge success, with 24,388 of 29,664 being sold to the U.S. The TD’s list price in 1950 was $1,850, which was $626 less than a Buick Super...