MG's post-war adventures in the United States had gotten off on the right foot. Discovered and brought back home by returning GI's, the cycle-fendered TC became the choice of enthusiasts who liked to race their cars. Because of the big US market, the TD of 1950 came about with left-hand drive.

Annual production at the Abingdon Works exceeded 10,000 for the first time, peaking at 10,838 TDs alone in 1952. But the design became increasingly dated, and sales started falling off as more modern competitors like the Triumph TR2 and Austin-Healey 100 entered the marketplace.

MG had an answer to the competition's new cars (the MGA) but its release was stunted due to political problems with the merger of MG and Austin. The merger formed the British Motor Corporation and the president, Leonard Lord, feared that the new MGA would hurt the sales of the more profitable Austin Healey. Left with no alternative, MG carried out a hasty makeover of the TD, the TF.

Many things were new with the TF. The front end had a radically altered appearance, with its swept-back grille, sloping hood, faired-in headlamps and broader, fuller fenders. What was less obvious was that the body tub was essentially unchanged from the TD. The 1,250cc XPAG four cyl. motor was similar to that used in the TD Mark II with a compression ratio of 8.1:1, and equipped with SU H4 1 1/2-inch carburetors. The OHV four only made 57 horsepower.

British reviewers largely ignored the TF, and their American counterparts gave it a rude welcome. Was Abingdon so wedded to tradition, they wondered, that it could not produce a sports car with modern lines? Popular Mechanics' influential reviewer Tom McCahill called the TF: "Mrs. Casey's dead cat, slightly warmed over.", adding : "I personally feel that the current management of MG has let me, and hundreds of other American MG fans, down pretty hard."

After one year of production, the TF got a new, 1,466cc version of the four, rated at 66 horsepower. MG called the motor the XPEG. It cut 2.6 seconds off its predecessor's 0-60 time to 16 secs., and the torque increased tremendously that you could feel the added power. Production of the TF-1500, as this car was called, continued through the spring of 1955. Its successor, the MGA, finally began rolling off the assembly line that summer. In spite of the TF's "unwanted but tolerated child" history, today's market shows the TF's value. Current prices show that you could get 3 MGAs or 5 TR3s for the price of one MG TF!

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to own this true classic, the 1955 MG TF 1500 Roadster. It's finished in high gloss Black with Red interior and a light Beige top. It sports the optional wire wheels including the spare, with a boot for it, and a folding luggage rack in the rear. All octagonal instruments work and the interior is in excellent condition. The tachometer has been converted to electronic but original mechanical cable is still installed. Only a total of 3,400 T Series cars were produced since 1954, with about 90% exported to the US. Only 1,460 of these TF 1500 models were produced, about 1340 made it to the USA, making this car a rare collectible. The TF is often considered the most desirable by collectors of the T-Series because of its great chassis with hairline steering, an engine that sounds as if it could rev forever, and a gear change so slick it makes you want to sell your Microsoft and Apple shares to own and drive one.

In 1991, this car was bought in California from the original owner, the President of the TF Registry. It had been driven carefully and maintained meticulously since factory-new. The new owner shipped it to the East Coast, drove it 300 miles, then cleaned, polished, covered, and stored it properly in a heated garage. We found this car very recently, uncovered it, and put it through a very minor cosmetic restoration. The interior has clean, firm seats, the folding windshield is clean, and the back window is clear. The fascia, doors, and carpeting are like new. Before starting the motor, we correctly replaced fuel lines, and installed a new fuel filter. The twin SU carbs were overhauled and tuned. Valve tappets were re-gapped, timing set to factory standards, and the valve cover gasket was replaced. Front and rear brakes were overhauled and all new hoses, seals, and brake linings were installed. We sent the fuel tank out for a proper restoration. Professionals sand-blasted, sealed, applied a special coating on the inside, and repainted the outside in the correct gloss black. We gave it a full tune up, installed the necessary replacements, new ignition wires and cables, new plugs. We did a minor top overhaul then inspected the engine from the head to the crankcase. It is definitely a cleanly-run motor that you can see, hear, feel, and enjoy. The engine starts immediately and idles smoothly, clutch is smooth, and the gearbox shifts like a dream. Drive it and hear the exhaust sound like it should. The suspension handles the bumps nicely with no rattles. The steering holds straight and really turns cleanly...as it turns heads while doing it. Park it and be prepared for people gazing, gawking, asking questions, and cameras clicking. We hate to let this one go but we have to.

More: http://youtu.be/8-yfl-il47k

Brief technical specifications…

Engine type: XPEG.
No of cylinders: 4 in line.
Capacity: 1466cc.
Bore & Stroke: 72mm x 90mm.
Compression ratio: 8.3:1.
Max power: 63 bhp at 5,000 rpm.
Max torque: 76 Ibft at 3,000 rpm.
Carburation: Twin semi-downdraught constant vacuum SU HS4's.
Clutch: Single dry plate.
Gearbox: Four speed manual with synchromesh on 2,3 and 4.
Chassis: Steel box section overslung at rear.
Wheelbase: 7' 10".
Track: front: 3’ 11.4" rear: 4' 2".
Suspension: front: independent wishbone and coil. rear: half elliptic springs with live axle.
Performance: 0-60 mph 16.3 secs.
Max speed: 88 mph.
Number built: T series: 3,400. TF 1500s: 1460 (1300 in USA)

We reserve the right to cancel this ebay sale in the event of a private offer we can't refuse. We WILL give the highest bidder a chance to beat it, however.

Call us at (516) 674-8106 to inspect this car. Thanks for looking and good luck!