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MG TD TF 1500 - Abingdon License Plate

Was there a license plate with Abingdon designation letters on it? We don't have front plates and I thought a period one would look nice on the front my TF. PJ
PJ Jennings

No such thing.
Dave H
Dave Hill

It would have an Oxfordshire reg number not specific to Abingdon probably WL series.
Try google for "Oxfordshire (UK) car registration letters.
It could have 4 number 2 letter or 3 number 3 letter like mine Pressed ally with a bright surround or cast ally numb/letters on a back plate.
If a car was sold by University motors they quite often had MG (MGxxxx or xxxxMG)
The TD has an MG reg but is not for the correct year.
The black TF really was a Police car in the 50's and is featured in a book "MG's on Patrol"
Ray TF 2884





Ray Lee

Abingdon used to be in Berkshire (until 1974) and certainly was when these cars were made, in fact it had been the County town aeons ago before the growth of Reading.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Hi Dave,
I had forgotten that that the boundary revamp had moved Abingdon. It effectively moved my town across the River Mersey into Merseyside, since change back and then moved back again to Liverpool City Area ????
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Thanks guys, appreciate the information, gives me something to work on! PJ
PJ Jennings

Just remember that in 1974, Abingdon was in Berkshire, then became part of Oxfordshire, along with about 80 other towns. So depending on the age of your car, you may want to look for a Berkshire registration plate.
Lew Palmer

The TF illustrated in "MGs on Patrol" is not the one shown in the photograph. The one in the book is registered SKR 647 and does not have a police notice on the front but it did have loud speaker and a klaxon as wellas a radio telephone The passenger glove box was removed to fit the phone.

It sits in our barn as it has done since for over 50 years.

In 1954 the Kent police had 2 TFS, one based near Ashford and the other at Rochester. The latter was used to trap speeding trucks and buses as they drove towards the Isle of Grain oil refinery which was being built at that time. This is described more fully in the book.

Kent Police eventually had 4 TFs, SKR 647, SKR 646 bought in February 1954 for £739. The police traded in a Singer car and a Humber Hawk for these 2 cars.

In 1955 they bought 2 more TFs TKL 706 and TKL 707. I have no details of the purchase price etc.

On the 11 July 1958 SKR 647 was traded for a Singer Gazelle; purchase price £901. We bought it in September 1962 for £350.
R J Marshall

I'm told that a Berkshire number plate would be proper for my 55 TF, but I don't know the letter code. Illustrations are confusing because there are so many plates for different areas and dates. Any clues? PJ
PJ Jennings

Hi,

My TD was first registered to the MG car company, Abingdon, Berkshire in July/Aug 1950 and has the letters FRX at the start of the plate. The RX bit denotes Berkshire for that era prior to the above mentioned boundary changes.

A guy I used to work with had restored a big Healey
and was trying to buy a period Abingdon plate for it and also mentioned RX without any prompting from me.

This may also help

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/rx.htm

Mike
M Spencer

Thanks Mike, perfect! Just what I'm looking for! PJ
PJ Jennings

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2021 and 17/02/2021

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