MG T series history
Now owned by the Chinese company Nanjing Automobile Corporation, MG (which stands for Morris Garage) was a private British company founded in 1924 by William Morris and Cecil Kimber.
Morris Garage was the car sales division of Morris, and Kimber had the idea to build sports cars based on Morris sedan platforms.
Although the company produced a variety of vehicles, it is best known for its two-seater sports softtops. The first MG was called the 14/18 and was just a sports body fitted to a Morris Oxford.
When World War II broke out in 1939, MG introduced their new TB Midget roadster, based on the earlier TA, which itself replaced the MG PB.
Production stalled as the plant prepared for hostilities, but shortly after the end of hostilities in 1945, MG introduced the TC Midget, a sleek little open two-seater.
In fact, it was TB with some modifications. It still had a 1250 cc four-cylinder engine. Cm borrowed from the Morris 10 and now featured a four speed synchromesh gearbox.
The TC is the car that cemented the MG name in Australia. That he has succeeded here and elsewhere should not be surprising.
After World War II, cars were generally practical transportation rather than entertainment. There wasn't enough gas either. And after years of war, everyone was eager to enjoy a hard-earned peace. Cars like the TC bring joy back to life.
Without a doubt, despite the massive participation of TC, TD and TF in the MG National Competition this Easter, the T series cars continue to bring smiles to faces and joy to those who drive them.
The TD and TF followed before sweeping styling changes introduced the MGA and later the MGB, cars more familiar to those born after the war.
In recent years, the company has brought back the T series with the TF model built in 1995.
Approximately 10,000 MG TCs were produced between 1945 and 1949, many of which were exported. The TD resembled the TS, but actually had a new chassis and was a more durable vehicle. It is easy for a layman to distinguish TC from TD. The one with the bumper is a TD.
The TD was produced from 1949 to '53 when the TF was introduced with a new 1466 cc engine. The TF only lasted two years when it was replaced by the more streamlined MGA, which inherited the legacy of a series of cars that were yes, selfish, but mechanically simple, reliable enough, and fun to drive like all open-top cars.
Throughout its history, MG's road has been rocky. In 1952, Austin Motor Corporation merged with Morris Motors to form British Motor Corporation Ltd.
Then, in 1968, it was merged into British Leyland. It later became MG Rover Group and part of BMW.
BMW relinquished its stake and MG Rover went into liquidation in 2005. A few months later, the MG name was bought by Chinese interests.
The significance of the Chinese purchase stems from the belief that the MG brand and name have some value in the global market. The vehicle that played a significant role in establishing this value is without a doubt the MG TC.
