MG TC and Piper Pacer Rendezvous

Описание: A visit to Sherburn Aero Club for a fun afternoon and a 'behind the hangars' rendezvous between the quintessentially English MG TC and the American Piper Pacer which represented an affordable family aeroplane on its introduction in 1950. The MG sports cars were very popular with former wartime servicemen and cost $1895 dollars, about half the price of a Piper Pacer.
The MG TC Midget was introduced within a few weeks of the end of World War II. Very similar in appearance to the Pre-War MG TB, the TC is almost 4 inches wider at the seats, and features improvements to the suspension and electrics. The suspension improvements in particular made the car smoother and quieter, as did the rubber engine mountings. Although only 81 cars were produced by the end of 1945, production was soon ramped up and ultimately around 10,000 examples of this iconic English Sportscar were built, many for export to the U.S.A.
This stunning early example was built on the 20th of August 1946 with chassis number TC1234. It was first registered as HBP 472 in the Portsmouth area on the 27th of September 1946. We have a buff logbook dated January 1959 which shows it was then based in Warrington, Cheshire by which time the original XPAG engine number 2007 had been replaced by XPAG engine number 10744. This engine is as per the 1959 buff log book and is also recorded on the MG Car Club's 'T Register'. The history file contains an original garage bill dated March 1967 showing an engine rebuild costing the princely sum of £32 pounds nine shillings and four pence! An early MOT indicates a mileage of 66,423 in April 1969. We know little of the car's history from that date until the complete frame-up restoration which was completed in 2020, although we do have documentation to show the restorer successfully applied to the DVLA for the car to be re-registered on its existing original number. Most likely, that process was required because the TC had been off the road since before DVLC computer record keeping began.

The TC was subjected to a total rebuild which included the restoraton of the bodywork with many new panels on a new frame and the rebuilding or replacement of almost every mechanical and electrical component. The history file lists hundreds of new components, many of them supplied by the Octagon Car Club and marque specialists NTG Services. There have been some subtle upgrades including a dynamotor which is essentially a higher output alternator that looks like a dynamo, and also a modified steering box to make the steering more precise.

Although the work was carried out two years ago, the TC has done hardly any mileagesince then and still needs to be run in. The rebuild was completed with lots of new chrome, a new wiring harness, stainless steel exhaust, axle overhaul, engine rebuild, re-trim in black leather, new hood, carpets, chrome luggae rack, and a set of period-correct cross ply tires supplied by Longstone Tyres. Since its arrival we have carried out some further detailing so that this impressive car is ready for a new owner to enjoy. Given the enormous amount of work and expense put into this project we think this beautiful TC represents outstanding value.