1954 MG TF

Registration: ESV 981
Chassis: HDC164584
Odometer: 6,747
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt

• Buff logbook on file
• Light use in recent decades and previous Spanish custodianship
• Much mechanical work completed over the years, with invoices on file

First registered on 8th April 1954, carrying the registration number ‘NUF 867’, this TF was supplied new to Mr B. J. Crawford of Harrow. Ownership passed to Mr L. C. McLacklun in 1957 before being acquired by Mr B. A. Butler in 1967. At an unknown date, the car was purchased by Mr D. F. Kunkzel and taken to Spain, where it is recorded as being present by 1976. The following year, work was carried out that included the fitting of new engine valves. Further improvements followed, with a new black hood and luggage rack fitted in 1980, whilst 1984 saw various seals replaced and the speedometer and rev counter reconditioned.

In August 1985, the TF was re-registered in the UK, perhaps ‘ESV 981’ at this time, and recorded as having had two previous owners. The following year, it was purchased by Mr L. T. Deeprose from Parade Motors of Mitcham. During his ownership, significant work was undertaken in 1987, including the fitment of a new body tub, suspension components and chassis metal treatment.

The car was later acquired by a gentleman residing in Guildford in September 1998 and is understood to have remained in his custodianship until ownership transferred to the Lymington area, where it resided between 2000 and 2009. By August 2010, the TF saw ownership on the Isle of Wight, before being purchased from Beaulieu Motors in March 2011. The fifth keeper held the car from 2011 to 2021, with the most recent keeper registered from 2021 to 2026. We are pleased to report there is an accompanying buff logbook is on file, which records the four earlier keepers.

Finished in Red with a Beige trim, the seats and door cards are described as ‘very good’ whilst the exterior presents ‘very well’ overall. The chromed wire wheels are in ‘very good’ condition and complement the car's appearance nicely against the paintwork, although there are some minor imperfections, including areas of cracked paint and small chips etc, as shown in the photographs. The soft-top hood is in ‘very good condition’, and the chrome trim remains bright and presents well, according to the vendor. Overall, the car has an attractive appearance, with some cosmetic imperfections evident in certain areas of the paintwork.

Mechanically, we are advised that the TF starts up, idles well and drives well. The maintenance history includes a number of invoices documenting work carried out over the years. We are grateful to the vendor for the information supplied.

In September 2011, MG Barn Ltd carried out extensive mechanical and remedial work at a cost of £7,801.93. This included removing and dismantling the engine, renewing the piston rings, de-glazing the bores and replacing all shell bearings. The core plugs were removed, the inside of the block was steam cleaned, and new core plugs and a block drain tap were fitted. The cylinder head was stripped and cleaned, the valves were reground, new stem seals were fitted, and the head was then reassembled and fitted to the block before painting. A new clutch was also fitted before the engine was refitted to the gearbox and the components were reassembled. After removal, the rear axle was stripped as necessary, reassembled and refitted to the car. Weeping rear wheel cylinders and fouled shoes were renewed, before the braking system was bled.

Further work included fitting new hubs to the front and rear, installing new wheels and centre locks, supplying and fitting two new fog lamps, fitting a new indicator switch and making and fitting an oil drip tray. Following testing, the fuel level indicator was removed and refitted the correct way round, while the gearbox was drained and refilled. To complete this part of the work, the spare wheel carrier was removed so the studs could be ground off, the centre boss welded into the middle, painted and refitted. To improve ground clearance, the centre silencer was removed and turned through 180 degrees, followed by a pre-MOT inspection and submission for test. Following recalibration, the speedometer was removed and refitted. Work recorded in May 2007 is said to have included removing and cleaning the front wheels and hubs with brake cleaner, fitting new front brake shoes and wheel cylinders, and bleeding the brake system as required. A further service invoice is also on file for work carried out in August 2013 by Classic MG Services, when the odometer reading was recorded at 5,508 miles.

MOT history seemingly demonstrates light-use in more recent years displaying recorded mileage were 1,246 miles in 1996, rising to 1,285 and 1,289 miles in 1998, 1,542 miles in 1999, 1,819 miles in 2000, 1,947 miles in 2001, 2,179 miles in 2002, 2,287 miles in 2003, 2,529 miles in 2004, 2,733 miles in 2005, 3,164 miles in 2006, 3,526 miles in 2007, 3,807 miles in 2008 and 4,087 miles in 2009. Further MOT records show 4,228 miles on 8th March 2010, increasing to 4,392 miles by 19th August 2010, followed by 4,626 miles in 2011 and 5,102 miles in 2012. Over a 16-year period, the car covered fewer than 4,000 miles. While these records indicate very limited recorded use during this period, they should not be taken as confirmation of the car’s total or genuine mileage.

The vendor has provided a history file, said to have been compiled by a previous owner, which helps to trace the car's custodianship over much of its life. Paperwork on file includes the current V5C, the old buff logbook, tax discs from 1997 to 2015, old MOT certificates, invoices for various work and parts, with some invoices dating back to 1977.