I was offered a 1952 MG-TD with right hand drive in very good condition at a very reasonable price. I haven't seen the car yet, but I've been told that it's all original except for the wheels. The car has wire wheels.

I didn't think that TDs ever came with wires, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know, one way or the other, if TDs were ever offered with wire wheels?

The price is so good that, pending my seeing the car, it probably won't make any difference, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks.

 

Current Values per Hagerty, considered the best at staying on top of supply and demand for classic cars.

#1 Concours - $41,000. Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."
#2 Excellent - $28,700
#3 Good - $16,000
#4 Fair - $9,000

To answer your Question

Not according to a couple really good sources.

Note the first has everything you’d ever want to know. However, see my note that follows.
The Original MGTD Midget - Production Facts & Feature Time-lines

Wire wheels were never offered by the factory during the production the the MGTD. They were available later as a service kit, part number ACG 5163 (5162?). These were essentially the parts used by the TF's that would also fit the TD's. There is also a slight difference in the '54 wire wheels from the '55 wire wheels. The '54 wire wheels inner hub was more pointed in shape, similar to the shape of the original dash finish washers, while the later wire wheels found on the '55 model TF had a more rounded hub common on MGA's and later cars.

Carl Cedarstrand of the Vintage MG Club of Southern California wrote an article about wire wheels on a TD for the June, 1979 issue of The Sacred Octagon. Carl discovered a factory part number for the TD spare wheel carrier - ACG 5162. The part number was confirmed by Mr. Pete Neal at the MG drafting office. Mr. Neal also advised that the part number was taken out on November 4, 1953 which Carl points out was almost 2 months after TD production ended. Carl goes on to say that is very unlikely that a wire wheel TD was ever produced by the factory, but that a TD could be retrofitted using all factory parts. A proof of this was an advertisement in March of 1954 for the TD Wire Wheel Conversion kit from Gough Industries, the MG Importer in Los Angeles. The kits used all factory authorized parts admittingly from the production of the MGTF.

Hagerty Insurance backs up the no wire wheel claim.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...MG-TD?id=69662

MG’s TC roadster sold well initially and proved American demand for an English sports car, but the car’s right-hand-drive configuration and 1930s specifications meant it was ripe for a redesign by 1950. In response, Syd Enever and Alec Hounslow took two weeks in 1949 to strip a four-seat Y-Type Tourer and shorten the chassis five inches. Just like that, the MG TD roadster was born.

The TD also carried a few modifications aimed at the U.S. market. Specifically, left-hand drive was offered, along with rack-and-pinion steering, smaller, 15-inch steel disc wheels (no wire wheels were offered), and larger bumpers. In turn, the car was wider and 200 pounds heavier than the TC. Keeping with its predecessor, the TD’s weather protection was minimal.

The MG TD still used the 54-hp, 1,250-cc XPAG inline-four motor to reach a top speed in the mid-70 mph range, which meant the second of MG’s T-Series cars was a tad slower than the first. Even so, the TD’s modifications conspired with a newly devalued British pound to make the TD an unqualified success and 29,664 were sold in four years - three times the TC production. More than 80% of that figure were imported to the U.S.

In the middle of 1951, the TD received a new engine block and sump, as well as a larger clutch and a new flywheel, and this iteration is now commonly referred to as the TD2. MG also manufactured 1,710 TD Mk IIs, and it was essentially produced for club racers. The Mk II held 5.5 percent more horsepower (and a top speed of 83 mph), thanks to increased compression ratio and bigger valves. Additional friction dampers, badging, a bulge over the carburetors, and chrome grill bars also differentiated the model.

In general, the MG T-Series delivers a pure 1940s / early 1950s British driving experience, and the TD is no exception. Its mechanicals are robust and mostly easy to source, which makes ownership relatively straightforward. The cars were designed for weekly maintenance, however, so it is essential that everything is greased and oiled before putting one on the road.

ON THE OTHER HAND . . I have to point to this reference book written by John Thornley.

John Thornley, who was the factory general manager in 1952 and who book Maintaining the Breed, first published in 1950 but updated numerous times since lists the TD Mark II as offering both Disc and Wire Wheels!! That’s from a 4th edition published in 1990 that's in my library.

Still most likely the first source I listed is probably the best.

Final word of advice - - Only buy it if you love to "tinker" with cars because it never ends when you own an MG. Enjoy.

Have you ever driven a right hand car before? Personally, I would not be too keen on it.

 

Wow, Dave. Remind me not to ask you any MG questions. Only so many hours in the day.

But great answer.

 

 

of course, then again that's like asking a baker about bread.

 

Thanks Dave. Your information is exactly what I thought. Still, if the car is what it's supposed to be I won't let the wires stop me.

I do like to tinker and I know that its and every weekend chore. This will be my 3rd MG if I get it so I know what to expect. Let's put it this way, it's not a Honda.

My 1952 BRG TD was also right hand drive. I loved it.

 

Go for it Rob, you'll relive your youth and what could be better.

 

^ Just do it!

 

Thought all Brit roadsters had to have wire wheels to be "authentic." Heck, my TR4A-IRS had them.

As a child I recall our neighbors driving their "T"-type on the sidewalk after (I imagine) a few beers. I think that's where the oil on the sidewalk came from.

So many toys I still want. Not enough garage space (or driving time) to handle what I have now but that won't stop me from being jealous if you get this car!

Two problems for me with RHD are (1) the gearbox is "backwards" and (2) after a few decades of driving I automatically position my butt just left of center in the driving lane tending to put the left wheels over in the other lane (or on the curb in countries where they drive on the wrong side of the road). I rent automatics when I'm in those countries and have to really watch where I put my butt. Last car I rented in Ireland was trashed on the left side. Bloody tourists!

We will demand several dozen photos when this car comes home.

-- Chuck

 

Three of my close friends have TDs but only one is national award winner. He can't help himself, he has a national award winning MGA too. And, is working on another MGA. Still, and this is the best part he drives them!! He made the 1400 mile trip to VA in his MGA a few weeks ago that I had to cancel. In any case, I asked him to send me a couple pictures of the TD.