First things first: This is an early TF. Like first day of production early. HDA0537/XPAGTF30346 was built September 17, 1953, the 8^th MG TF off the line. According to the records I’ve found, it’s the third oldest car still existing. Which adds nothing really to the value, but is pretty neat just the same. It was black/red originally, but turned green/tan at some point since.

I’ve had her for about five years. Bought her off a guy in Iowa who restored her in the mid 1990’s. He did an okay job—it wasn’t a “no expense spared” job, but it was good enough. The engine was rebuilt, the bad wood was replaced, and it got a new interior and paint job. It’s worn in well and has picked up a nice patina (which is code for a few scratches and dings). When I bought it, I thought I’d fix the few little things that would take it from a “nice driver” to a “very nice driver”. I spent a few hundred bucks with Moss on some new chrome bits, a new top, a new steering wheel, etc. I put the chrome on and quit. Turns out I like patina. And, as a result, I was never scared to drive it or leave it in the grocery store parking lot. You may not win first prize at your local car show, but you won’t get laughed at either. It turns heads everywhere. Trust me on this.

And—and this is important—she’s never left me by the side of the road. Well, the starter seized up on me in the Publix parking lot once, but I just had to rock the car back and forth a little bit to get it to disengage and then it was right as rain. During my time of ownership I thought about an electronic fuel pump, a Pertronix ignition system, swapping the generator for an alternator, a gear reduction starter motor, all the usual upgrades…never did any of it. All the original bits just plain work well enough. Sure, it needs a lot of choke in the winter, but it still starts with a good heavy foot on the gas. It’s got a few rattles and squeaks on the road, but nothing has ever fallen off.

Now I have fixed the things that needed fixing—the fuel line was a complete bodge, the carbs were way out of tune, the turn signal was buggy—but that’s it. It just doesn’t NEED anything else.

So in the spirit of complete and total honesty, here’s the comprehensive list of what’s wrong with it:

Wipers don’t work. I honestly never cared enough to find out why. Could be anything from a loose wire to a fried motor. No idea. I don’t drive it in the rain, anyway.

Speedo doesn’t work. This is my fault. It didn’t work when I bought it because it didn’t have a cable. I bought a cable, installed it, and it worked fine for about a month. But I didn’t lube the cable per instructions and it snapped. Completely and totally my fault. And I didn’t care enough to replace it. $49.95 from Moss and about a half hour to install, if it really bugs you. I know this, I’ve done it.

She’s got two minor scratches and a chip about the size of a dime on the driver’s door cap (pictured below). The scratches you can blame on my darn kids (that’s my story, anyway); the chip came with the car when I bought it. Thought about fixing them, never did. The paint is really very good. Deep and shiny.

Doors need minor adjusting. It’s the first thing you’ll read how to do on all the T owners forums. I actually did it once when I first got the car, but they’ve slipped back over time. Fixing involves taking off the door card and tightening a turnbuckle. Takes about an hour per door, almost all spent in taking off and reinstalling the card. But they stay closed without requiring any of the many fixes you’ll find on the internet.

The top is an old canvas top; window is more than a little yellowed. I’ve got a brand new Moss sunfast top I’ll send with the car. But I like the way the old canvas top looks, so I never put it on. Also see my point about driving in the rain. Works fine in the cold.

Side curtains are ancient. Complete, but ancient. Black vinyl and yellowed plastic. Maybe Amco ? If I’d replaced the top I’d have probably ponied up for new covers but I didn’t, so I didn’t. They work as well as side curtains work (hint: not much). It’s marginally warmer and drier with them in than without.

Seats are vinyl. Higher quality vinyl, but not leather. As I said, not a no expense spared restoration. But when I drive it to the pool, I don’t mind when my kids sit on it in a wet bathing suit on the way home. So there’s that.

Chrome is peeling on the brackets that hold the windshield. I did try to replace them, but they’re made of unobtanium (see pic). They could be replated, but that seemed like a hassle. Your results may vary.

It leaks oil. Duh. But a “normal for a sixty-one year old MG” amount. Think of it as a self applying undercoat. And buy a drip pan.

That’s what’s wrong with it. Nothing that will stop you from driving and enjoying this car. Now to be clear: this is not a show quality car. But it’s absolutely one hell of a lot nicer than your average “driver”. There may be a little surface rust underneath, but that’s it. Nothing structural or on the body. Wood is good. Paint is shiny and deep--better than any other 20 year old paint job you’ll see. The plain fact is you will not be even a little bit ashamed driving it and showing it off. You’ll probably come to appreciate the “patina” yourself. It is an honest, solid, good-looking, reliable car.

Comes with the abovementioned tops and sidecurtains, a good full tonneau, a brand spanking new steering wheel, and original shop manual, and an uninstalled Smiths underdash heater that should work works.

The sharp eyed among you will note an antenna and an extra hole in the dash. No idea what the extra hole was for, and there is no longer a radio. But holes were drilled for the antenna, and the PO didn’t feel like filling them when he restored the car. I actually think it looks pretty cool, but that could just be me.

So why am I selling it? I live in the ‘burbs, and I just don’t drive it enough. It just wasn’t made for modern highways, and where I live you have to go on modern highways to get anywhere. It’s perfect for piddling around town, but if I need to go to the “big” city, it’s just not practical. I’m thinking there’s a B or BGT in my future (would consider a partial trade…?).

So I’ve looked all around to see what TF’s are selling for. Most folks are pretty darn proud of their “drivers”! I set a fair reserve on this. I mean, really fair. I’m not asking top dollar because it’s not a top dollar car, but I see too many people doing exactly that. I’m not one of them. I absolutely positively guarantee you won’t find another TF in this condition with as fair a reserve as this one.

Questions, comments, whatever, hit the button below and I’ll get right back with you. Want a pic of something specific? I’ll take a pic of something specific. But be quick: this baby is priced to move.