Tag Archives: Y-type

Steel Wheels, 12 Volt Electrics and LHD – MG TD Midget

For 1950 MG introduced it’s TD Mideget which inherited the drive train and body style from the MG TC Midget along with the chassis and independent coil spring suspension from the MG Y Type saloon along with 12 volt electrics and steel wheels.

MG TD, Goodwood Revival

Also introduced with the MG TD were bumpers, note the TD above is not fitted with the standard over riders. As a concession to the Midget’s largest market the USA the cars were also available with Left Hand Drive as was a MK II version of the TD with a higher compression engine and two fuel pumps which would have been wasted in the UK thanks to ongoing rationing of low 72 octane fuel. Of the 30,000 MG TD’s built up until 1953 over 23,000 went to the United States.

MG TD, Goodwood Revival

A small cross section of race winners driving MG TD’s in 1950 includes, John von Neumann (USA), Ken Shipside (GB) and Larry Whiting (USA). TD’s like that driven by Bill Watkins were raced until 1960’s, Buddy Orr was winning races in his TD as late as 1961.

Thanks for joining me on this “Steel Wheels, 12 Volt Electrics and LHD” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Some Synchromesh – MG VA

In 1937 the MG VA succeeded the MG N-type I looked at in last weeks MG Blog.

MG VA, Goodwood Revival

VA’s were fitted with a twin carburetor 54 hp 1548cc / 94 cui straight 4 motor that sans twin carburetors was shared with MG’s parent companies Morris 12 and Wolseley 12/48 models.

MG VA, Goodwood Revival

The motor was attached to a four speed gearbox some of which had synchromesh on the top two gears but most of which had synchromesh on the top three gears.

MG VA, Goodwood Revival

The VA was available with either four door saloon, 4 seat tourer, like the 1938 model seen here or drophead coupé bodies, further Tickford drophead Coupés and 4 seat tourers, distinguished by spare wheels mounted ahead of the passenger door were also offered.

MG VA, Goodwood Revival

With the windscreen folded down a tourer could accelerate to 50 mph in under 16 seconds and reach a top speed of over 80 mph.

MG VA, Goodwood Revival

MG ceased production of the VA in 1939 and it was replaced after the 1939/45 war by the Y-type in 1947.

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