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MG TD TF 1500 - A Big Thank You

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have finally completed the restoration of my MG TF 1250. It has taken me over 6 years and bags full of money but it has definitely been worth it.

My MG TF, TKL 707, came off the production line on 20th June 1954.

She was originally a police car with the Kent Constabulary’ The car was known under the call sign KA54 and this was hand painted in white on the dashboard (see image).

I purchased the car in September 1964 and she was my everyday means of transport until 1975 when I decided to take her off the road for restoration.

Unfortunately during the process of moving house in 1977 a long list of parts including front wings, bonnet, petrol tank, cylinder head, gearbox etc etc. were stolen from my garage and have never been recovered.

The remaining parts mainly the chassis, one rear wing, bottom half of engine were stored in my garage gathering dust for over 30 years. In late 2007 I had to make the decision whether to sell the remaining parts or to start the rebuild. The decision was easy and I started the restoration. I managed to obtain most of the missing parts from a variety of sources. The most difficult part to replace was the bulkhead which I had specially made from the original engineering drawings.

It has taken me over 6 years to carry out the restoration which was completed this year. She is truly a hand built car.

I would like to thank the members of the MG Octagon Car Club, North Wales Branch and especially Ray Lee who has given me technical advice, practical support and encouragement . In addition the live threads and the archives on this website have provided a most valuable source of technical help/advice.

Examples of how Ray has helped me over the last few years are far too numerous to list here, all I can say is without Ray’s help I am sure I would have given up many moon’s ago.

I was lucky in having Ray close at hand as it has made restoration that much less stressful.

I believe that the restoration is now complete and I have moved from restoration to maintenance.
Once again “A Big Thank You” to Ray and other members of the Club.

With Kindest Regards

Dave


D Williams

Hi Everyone,

Please find attached a photo of my TF on its first outing after restoration.

Best wishes

Dave

D Williams

See Dave, I told you it would all fit back together.
Just don't park it too close to mine and show me up!
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Congratulations on a job well done. Truly and surely it has been a labor of love. My you have many more years of blissful driving ahead

Cheers

Bill Chasser Jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

Congratulations! What a great story.
Jack Long

One of my favorite posts so far this year. Great job!!

Car looks great and I can tell in the picture with everyone's smiles you will be having a lot of fun with your TF.

Frank Cronin

WOW, That must be very satisfying!

Great Job!
Dave
Dave Clark Arizona

Dave,

Congrats! You both did a great job. Enjoy!

Jasper

JL Nederhoed TD3966

Superb job, Dave! I wonder, were you able to preserve the KA54 and the decal on the dash? And what was the decal for? Also, do you have any period photos of your car when it was in police livery?
Kevin McLemore

Hi Kevin,

I wasn't able to preserve the KA54 or the decal, they disappeared when I re-sprayed the dash. This was done before I realised the significance of KA54. The decal was put on by a garage (Friday's Ltd of Maidstone Gravesend) at some time before I acquired the car.

There is currently an active thread under T Series TD-TF titled "Under Scuttle Bracket" where there is a discussion on MGs as Police Cars.

Best wishes

Dave

D Williams

Great you decided to restore and not scrap it.
Looks wonderful!

Rgds
Mike

Mike Fritsch

Very nice work! Congratulations.
Dave Braun

Congratulations Dave. She looks great and look at those smiles. Can't imagine her in a hot pursuit though. Enjoy the motoring she will bring.

Kev S
TF6288
K Simonsen

Hi Dave,

A fantastic effort with your skill and persistence on show. TFs are a beautiful little car being easy on the eye. Also great fun to drive.

Enjoy the car with your family.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
R GRANTHAM

This thread was discussed between 04/12/2014 and 05/12/2014

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