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MG TD TF 1500 - Bumper Bars differerence rear TD v TF

Hi All,

What's the difference between TD and TF rear bumpers? Can a TD one be modified for a TF?


Jan T
J Targosz

TD's have one hole in the back center, TF's have two. I think its for the license plate frame?

But I think that repos have all the holes. So if you don't mind an extra hole or two (which I guess you can fill) then it does not matter.
Chris Couper

I got replacement bumper bars for my TD from Abingdon.
The rear has only one hole.

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

Jim,

Are the front bumper blades from Abingdon supplied as per the originals with the upper aspect lip edge return wider when compared to the narrower lower edge?

I am keen to get hold of an original TD/TF front bumper to restore or purchase a new one WITH the correct profile.I know,I know.............. I'm dreaming !?

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

I'd be interested to know if the profiles are original too. I waited for years to find an old hacked up pair and paid dearly to have them restored and rechromed.

Its hard to tell from the picture above but it does not look like it.

Attached is a great example of what Rob is talking about.

Chris Couper

I have ordered TD and TF bumpers from both Abingdon and Moss, and they are both identical repros, most likely from the same supplier. The metal is thin and the profile is too flat.
It is unfortunate, as most cars now have the repros on them and this point of originality is also being lost (along with the rubber strips under the overriders, "The MG Car Company" threshold strips, posidrive screws, nicely engraved brass tags, etc...)
When I show the TF I lay the original, beaten, twisted and mangled bumpers under the ones on the car so people can see how it used to, and should look.
They will be re chromed and returned to the car. Someday..
David
D. Sander

I've dug out my original bumpers and they are as in Chris's pic but the un-shown bottom section is much shorter. You will note the top has a curved section and then a horizontal "flat", the bottom has the curve but no flat. I tried to take a photo but you cannot see the profile without cutting the bumper in two! After reading this thread I am going to get my original ones reconditioned.


Jan T
J Targosz

I am wondering how much it would be to produce a decent,correct die to enable pressing out of the original profiled type Front Bumper Blade!?

It seems to me that every repro. has the incorrect
profile in more ways than one.

Cheers.

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

For the record I have just made a template of the cross section of an original bumper to send off to a potential supplier. I attach a pic.

Jan T

J Targosz

No The Abingdon Bumpers do not have the correct profile.

I ordered and had to wait about a month to get them. I have the impression they did not come from thier "Normal" supplier and they were made in the USA.

Jim B.

I do have my old bumpers but they were in such a deplorable stage I did not try to get them resorted.

However, the original plater that I used, would have take them on. He used a conductive epoxy to replace missing sections.


However he seems to have gone out of business.
Jim B
JA Benjamin

Sherm's Plating in Sacramento did mine but be prepared to pay dearly. Mine were rough and I think I paid about $1000 to have them restored and replated to their 'just under show' quality (which is really show quality).

They do mail order too. In fact most of the business is via shipping. Turn around time is like 15 weeks now :-(
Chris Couper

Pauls Chrome in PA will restore your old T series bumpers and will make it look like new. Mine were in bad shape that had dents and a slight twist and now they look like amazing.

Expensive but you get what you paid for especially if you want the original factory profile.



Frank Cronin

Jan,

I am interested to know how you get on with the potential supplier(s).Excellent work on the profile sample.I applaud your action.

If you would like support for the possibilty of this
project,please let know.I understand the production
process will not be cheap,however anything worthwhile
usually has a price! My guess is that the repros.are even in their top and bottom returns because it was a cost cutting move.

The majority of the TD and TF front bumper blades
over the years have been 'whacked' as the 50s light sports car drivers moved their cars along with zest!

The TD and TF front bumper blade I am fairly sure are exactly the same in all respects.However,the rear bumper blade as has already been indicated,has one(1)centre hole whilst the TF rear blade has two(2).

The rear blades don't get damaged anywhere near as much
and restoration of same is relatively easy.

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

Hi Rod, email me as I have an original set that need chroming but I think they are not damaged.
Don TF 4887
D J Walker

Rob: My fathers solution to the bumper 'whacking' of the 50's and 60's.

I think they were off of a 50's Buick and the overriders were used upside down :-)

They were actually cut into two pieces and were joined behind the overriders.

Chris Couper

I just did not get what you guys were referring to until I saw Jan T's photo of his cross section.
NOW I get it.
My TF has an orignal rear bump and a repro front. Sounds as if that is a common scenario (per Rob). I was planning to throw my original front bump in the trash a few years ago. I put a notice here for "free bumper" and someone took it. It was very rough, but someone knew what they wanted.

Tom
'54 TF

T Norby

And the overriders are different too. Here is an original overrider on a repo bumper so you can see the gap.

Chris Couper

Hi Don Walker(South Australia),

Thankyou for your offer Don.

You have email!

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

Chris C,

Congrats for your Father's ingenuity on the TDs front bumper blade! In some ways it is a pity the Factory did not have a slightly deeper blade to enable the original
over riders to fit more neatly.

Really enjoy the fact that you still have your Father's TD-incredible. I am wondering how many other owners around the world have had their TD or TF handed down from immediate Family members?

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

Hi Rob,

The supplier who was advertising "New Old Stock" bumpers appears to have become fed up with me asking about the shape and has told me to get my old ones replated! (along with another comment) Another retailer was much more helpful but said all the bumpers on sale at the moment will be from the same supplier so probably are of the wrong cross section.

Cheers

Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2014 and 29/04/2014

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