By the 1950s, MG had come a long way from its roots as an offshoot of Morris Motors and had cemented a place as an innovative builder of sporting road and competition cars.
Released in 1945, the TC provided a marginally wider body than its pre-war TB predecessor, and now featured a part-synchromesh gearbox. More than any other model, it was the MG TC that was responsible for starting the American love affair with the British sports car, and many of the 10,000 produced up to the end of 1949 found customers in the U.S.
This was due, in large part, to a post-war British government directive instructing domestic manufacturers that they must guarantee to export 30% — soon rising to 50% — of their products or the government would refuse to supply them with steel. This measure had three principal effects: Some U.K. car manufacturers withered and died; others, like Land Rover, turned to aluminium as the material of choice; and a few, like MG, pursued overseas markets as if their businesses depended on it — which they did.
Power came from a twin-carb version of the 1,250-cc XPAG engine, good for a little over 54 horsepower, although for those with deep pockets and a yearning for more speed, a supercharger could be fitted to it. Many did. And many went racing, including the legendary Phil Hill, who had his first win in one.
Built by Steve Baker and his son Luke, pre-war and T-type MG specialists, this aluminium-bodied MG TC special has been engineered in the style of a factory racing car. Finished in a fetching combination of burgundy and gray, it looks utterly sensational.
The original MG TC chassis is said to be “immaculate, with no significant modifications” and it still runs its original axles and braking system, albeit rebuilt. The engine, which has been rebuilt, is the correct MG-crested XPAG unit mated to a rebuilt TC gearbox. The car also has an aluminium radiator, oil cooler and electric fan fitted for better cooling and increased reliability.
It sits on new MWS wheels and Blockley tires. The cockpit features a full set of either new or rebuilt gauges, including a matching pair of Jaeger instruments that measure speed and engine revolutions.
Ticking off every vintage fantasy, the huge headlamps, separate cycle wings, wire wheels, upright chrome radiator and aero screens merge seamlessly into a beautiful and evocative period-style sports car.
