As the years go by and automotive technology advances further and further, performance numbers have become almost comical. The supercar standard now seems to be 0-60 in under three seconds, with top speed and grip levels commensurately high. Even more attainable sports cars like the Ford Mustang now put down numbers seen in supercars of only 20-30 years past.
In a way, it seems as though in the quest for better lap times and cars that can only be pushed to their limits on a track, the essence of what makes driving fun has been lost. What about pure and simple driving fun? What about forgetting 0-60 times, lateral grip and top speed, and just enjoying the ride?
The MG TD is a car whose sole purpose are just those things. Featuring an open air design, spirited engine and a chassis made for long drives on back roads, it’s made for good times rather than speed alone.
Introduced in 1950, it’s one of a series of roadsters made by the historic BritMGTD Interior Classic British Roadsterish marque, MG. Let’s explore what makes it special.
MG: Born In Great Britain
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MG was founded in the United Kingdom in the 1920s and attained notoriety through the production of various sports cars. MG stands for Morris Garages, a dealership and service center owned by William Morris. Originally selling cars under the Morris brand, eventually, Morris Garages General Manager Cecil Kimber began modifying them into special versions. These standard Morris models were given MG Super Sports badges along with special coachwork from Carbodies of Coventry.
Growth was steady throughout the 1920s which necessitated a different name than Morris Garages. Beginning in 1928, MG Car Company was used and eventually incorporated in 1930.
Though also producing regular sedans and coupes, as the years went by, MG became best known for its drop-top roadsters that provided loads of fun when hustled along back roads. By the time 1950 rolled around, MG had been producing sportscars for over 20 years, and the MG TD would be the beneficiary of that expertise.
A Simple, Satisfying Design
The MG TD used a classic, basic design that puts the driver in touch with the road and the air around. Using a chassis from the MG Y-Type Saloon, it featured independent front suspension, which was cutting edge at the time.
This chassis was substantially more rigid than those used on previous versions like the MG TC or MG TB. The side rails and cross members of the frame were box-section, and they were all held together with fully-welded construction. All of these changes made for substantial improvements in both the comfort of the ride and handling in the corners.
Rack and pinion steering, the standard in feel and performance, was used, and the driver’s inputs transmitted through a large wooden wheel. Engine-wise, the MG TD used the venerable XPAG engine, an inline-four design displacing 1.3-liters and producing 54 HP at 5,500 RPM. Also featured were ventilated steel wheels that aided in brake cooling.
Clearly, outright performance wasn’t the goal of the MG TD. A 1952 road test produced a 0-60 number of 18.2 seconds and a top speed of 77 MPH. But more than anything, the MG TD had the classic, easy-going feel of a car that was designed for a good time and not speed alone.
With the way the front fenders roll like waves down the sides of the body, and the minimal bodywork lets the wind flow freely through the passengers’ hair, the MG TD projected an air of free-spiritedness few cars could match. Eventually, with increased sales in the North American market, around 50,000 MG TD's went on to be produced.
What Makes the MG TD So Fun To Drive
So what does it all add up to? Take a look at a test drive video, and it’ll be easy to understand why, after all of these years, people still love driving a small British Roadster with a little over 50 HP.
First, the driver starts the engine, and it grumbles to life, sounding like it’s right there in the cockpit. As the driver pulls away, a mixture of engine and drivetrain noise begins, the gears whining and wind beginning to buffet. The long, flat hood of the car points the way with the prominent chrome headlights nestled on each side.
As the miles roll by, one gets the sense that people driving the MG TD are just having a good time feeling the wind in the cockpit and going around corners at whatever speed feels comfortable. The MG TD, in contrast to many expensive sports cars today, has an unpretentious and light-hearted spirit about it; it’s a car that seems to just make people smile and wave.