Description

1954 MG TF 1250

In the current ownership since 1967 following time spent in Singapore; engineer owned and maintained; used sparingly with little recent use showing just 34,911 miles

Dating from 1954 this MG TF 1250 was supplied new as a General Export model, in right hand drive, finished in dark red with cellulose body paint and synthetic paint to the wings (data from the Octagon Car Club letter on file) and spent its initial years with a Naval officer, Mr C. Ellis in Singapore until he returned to the UK bringing the car with him in 1967 where upon it was registered LTA378F, confirmed by a letter on file from H.M Customs and Excise.

Our long-term owner, a (now retired) engineer undertook a complete restoration of the car upon purchase in September 1967 from Mr Ellis with the registration changing to NDD55 during this time. He has also replaced the engine with another 1,250cc unit with hardened valve seats permitting the use of unleaded fuel.

Seeing limited summer use only since restoration, the car was garaged when not in use along side its ‘sibling, Lot 42. Together with the owner, they have been members of the MG Car Club and Gloucestershire Motor Vintage Transport club for decades attending many shows over the last 64 years.

The car and owner were pictured next to a Lancaster bomber at one event, the image particularly poignant for the vendor. It was picked up and used by Castella Tobacco in their classic sports car card collection, a copy of which is also included in the file along with the car featuring on the front cover of an issue of the GVMTC magazine.

The history file includes the current V5C, old V5C, old style green logbook, note from the vendor, aforementioned magazines and H.M Customs letter, photos, MG car club correspondence, 20 old MOTs dating from 1986 at 19,707 miles to 2005 at 33,758 miles, few sundry bills from the mid 90’s, insurance valuations from the early 2000s and selection of parts catalogues.

Our vendor, now in his 90s has decided that with such little recent use, the TF and its little sibling, Lot 42 would be best continuing their stories with a new owner either together or separately. The car starts and runs but given it’s seen little recent use would no doubt benefit from a service and tune up – we also noticed one of the brakes felt like it was binding.

Within the car, we find the hood, side panels, cranking handle and splined centre-lock wheel hammer and jig. With nice time worn patina to the paint, body and interior its not a concours car but a very usable example with an interesting story of far-off places and long-term ownership.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com