1954 MG TF
Description
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
“MGs are the backbone of all sports car interest in America,” famed road tester Tom McCahill wrote in 1951, and he didn't have to look far for evidence to back his claim. Servicemen returning from Europe after World War II had become infatuated with the fun little MG TB Midget, and their love for these T-Series open roadsters continued upon their return to the U.S.
The MG TC arrived in 1945, followed by the TD in ’49, and finally the TF — the last of the “Square Rigger” cars — in 1953. The more modernized TF served as the perfect steppingstone to the all-new MGA that would be introduced later in 1955. The TF sat three inches lower than its predecessor and had a sportier, sloped grille surrounded by swooping fenders with integrated headlights. The TF was powered by MG’s 1250cc XPAG four-cylinder engine, which offered spirited performance in a lightweight roadster.
Why was the MG the backbone of early American sports cars? This 1954 MG TF is here to remind us. One of 9,602 built between 1953 and ’55, it is finished in its original Dark Red paint with a contrasting tan vinyl interior and features a number of mechanical upgrades.
Highlights
This 1954 MG TD is among the last of the “Square Rigger” MGs
Powered by a 1250cc XPAG inline four-cylinder engine producing 57.5 horsepower
Four-speed manual transmission
Finished in Dark Red paint over tan vinyl interior
Chrome wire wheels with knock-off hubs
Upgrades since 2019 include:
New canvas top
New tonneau cover
New wiring loom
Rebuilt carbs, suspension, and fuel system
New stainless-steel exhaust
New wooden floorboards beneath carpet
The chassis number (HDC461465) decodes as:
HD – MG two-seater
C – Dark Red (MG Red) paint
4 – North America left hand drive
6 – Cellulose paint on body, synthetic finish on fenders and splash pans
1465 – Serial number
The engine number (XPAG/TF/31565) decodes as:
XPAG – 1250cc engine with oval water holes and eight-inch clutch
TF – MG TF series
31565 – Serial number
Features
Rear-wheel-drive, two-door roadster
Fold-down style windshield
Stainless steel exhaust
Driver’s side exterior mirror
Reverse-hinged doors
Chrome bumpers
Bumper overriders
Nankang CX-668 165/80R15 tires (2017)
Vinyl bucket seats
Three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel
Floor-mounted gear selector
Octangular-shaped instrumentation:
100 mph speedometer and odometer
Tachometer
Water temperature / Fuel level / Amps
Dash-mounted rearview mirror
Seat belts
Storage pockets in the doors
Like-new carpeting
Floor mats
Electric windshield wipers
Known Imperfections
Patina and paint imperfections
Original chrome shows minor aging
Included
Rear-mounted spare tire and wire wheel
Car cover
Fire extinguisher
New spare parts: Ignition coil, ignition points, carburetor, oil filter
Maintenance records
Ownership History
The Hawaii owner of this 1954 MG TF purchased the sports car in July 2019 from the owner of a repair shop in Wisconsin and has meticulously maintained it for more than five years. The previous owner upgraded the trim, and upgrades during the current ownership include a new wiring loom, canvas top, and tonneau cover and rebuilt carbs, suspension, and fuel system. Of note to enthusiasts: The doors do not sag, and they close tightly, which is often a problem with T-Series cars.