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MG TD TF 1500 - California Cruisers - 'The Vamp'

Identification Requested

I recently purchased a 55 TF1500 that was in storage since 1974. The car spent its driving life in California (Malibu/LA area) and still retains its Black & Yellow plates. It also has a couple of UCLA parking stickers from the same era. It has a Hollywood connection (names are withheld to protect the innocent) belonging to at least two celebrities. Although I only have documentation for one.

My question for you California guys is:

There is hand painted on the side just under the windscreen mounting bracket the words "The Vamp". Seems an odd thing to paint on the side of your car, but it is Hollywood after all.

Any ideas as to what this may represent?

Sorry for the poor quality picture. The script has partially worn off.


Thanks, Dan

DHN Nordstrom

Maybe it was owned by Theda Barra?
Charles Duffy

That would probably be a good guess... were it not for the fact that Theda was dead, or just about to die, by the time this left the factory. :)
Kevin McLemore

A lot of people in the 50's around here would name their car. That may simply be what the owner called it. Remember this is where the whole hot rod scene got started.
Steve S

That is very likely the case.

I just can't see a TF as any part of the Hot Rod scene. When I was a Rodder in the 60's, one the last cars to be included would have been an MG. Unless maybe it had a V8 stuffed in there.

Thanks for the idea.
DHN Nordstrom

Well if they raced it at all, even just on an informal basis they might have given it a name.

I agree the hotrodders would not want a standard powered MG but the racing scene loved TC/TD/TF's
Christopher Couper

>>>It has a Hollywood connection (names are withheld to protect the innocent) belonging to at least two celebrities.<<<<

What years of ownership are you referring to ???

STEVE
Steve Wincze

Steve,


The car spent the first nineteen years of its running and driving life on the streets of Malibu/LA. From 1955 thru 1974. It was retired to a garage and never ran again.

Some ideas?

Dan
DHN Nordstrom

Well my car spent its first 18 years in roughly the same area (20 miles inland) and wracked up 230k miles. It did not look to good at the end of the 18 years :-)



Christopher Couper

Christopher,

I think it looks fantastic as is. No more trailer queens for this old duffer. I will trade you a new set of wings for those old ones.
DHN Nordstrom

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2014 and 22/12/2014

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