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MG TD TF 1500 - Goodbye

After many years of T Series ownership my TF has now gone to a new owner. I read an article earlier this year which said a prospective owner of a classic car should ask the question "What will I use the car for?" My wife and myself are advancing in years and whilst we still can want to do some longer distance touring. The TF was OK but a little scarry on motorways and my wife never felt safe without seat belts. We now have a 2005 MG TF 135. British racing green, heated rear window, electric windows, power steering and best of all a lovely green and black leather interior. It has only done 7000 miles and after a thorough service and cam belt change runs superbly. Best wishes to all who have read and responded to my posts over the last few years.

Jan Targosz
J Targosz

Same good wishes to you. You have stood by the marque and seem to have picked a good one , congrats
Rgds Mike
Mike Fritsch

Sad to see you go Jan. Best for the future. You're name will live on forever in the archives. Cheers mate.
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

No reason to leave us Jan. I have always appreciated your posts. I for one would be interested in photos and continuing thoughts about the new TF. Something we can't have here in the states for at least another half dozen years. Safe travels my friend. Oh by the way. even though I have no plans at the present to sell either of my MG's, I am building a comfort cruiser for me and my other half...for the same reasons you have mentioned.
L E D LaVerne

Here's an image of what I have been working on.

L E D LaVerne

Should be much more comfy that either MG

L E D LaVerne

Sorry to see you go. Hopefully the new owner will join the BBS.
Steve Simmons

Jan, I certainly hope that you'll peek in us once in a while and share your wisdom with us. Bud (another advanced owner in the same boat)
Bud Krueger

Jan
No need to leave Jan, I'm sure you have plenty of knowledge up your sleeve to continue on here
I'm sure you'll enjoy the drive in the MGF ,magic little car

LED
Triumph's looking good 4cyl or V8---?
That blue would have to be the best colour I've seen on one, looks great
Is that a factory Triumph colour or something you've found
William Revit

It's a real TR8 so it came with a 3.5 litre V-8 but I have a 4.0 Rover I intend to build for it. Original color was Russet Brown..... no thanks. This is a rarely seen factory color. Astral Blue. Has lot of pearl in it so it changes shade a good deal depending on the light.

L E D LaVerne

I have to dispute L E D's comments. Check out the interior in my MG. Isn't it a little more upmarket than the Triumphs.

Jan T

J Targosz

A pic of the "modern" TF as
L E D requested. I don't know if any are in the States or even Australia. In the UK Mazda MX5s (Mita/Eunos)are far more popular and the prices of TFs are rock bottom. We have a system for annual car inspections in the UK. The historical results for every car can be viewed on line and these show mileage, reasons for a failure and any advisories - issues that need to be attended to as soon as possible. I checked dozens of MGs and Mazdas and virtually every MX5 had very serious rust problems. They invariably needed new chassis legs, sills (rockers) and rear quarter panels. The worst problems with MGs were faulty bulbs. There is an issue with the head gaskets on earlier MGs but this is easily fixed with an up date kit and most have now been up graded anyway. It is simple spanner work unlike the Mazda where an angle grinder, mig welder and spraying equipment is needed.

Jan T


J Targosz

Astral Blue - thanks--looks great

Plenty of F's and TF's down here Jan
As you say the early models had cooling issues and suspension sphere issues, but all up good value
MX5s don't have a rust problem here really except for that gunk trap between the body and the bottom of the front guards if you let the rubbish build up in there--My son runs one and it's great apart from most parts of the engines are only just , and as soon as you crank some power in they just go bang
William Revit

Thanks for the pics Jan. Looks very nice and yes...a big upgrade from the originals as far as comfort and safety. The MGF and modern TF's never made it to the states. They can be legally imported 25 years after manufacture. We are just now to the point of being able to import MGRV8's. There are some in Canada as their period was 10 years I believe. The later TFLE's can be imported under the Bill Gates rule (google it) but there are some very restrictive rules.
L E D LaVerne

Okay, LaVerne, I tried. Which of the 11 would that be? Bud
Bud Krueger

The Bill Gates Rule ?
L E D LaVerne

https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/bill-gates-americas-richest-porsche-959/
L E D LaVerne

I recognize the TR7/TR8 body but not the bumpers. Where did these come from? Handsome modification over the originals.
John Quilter (TD8986)

http://morspeedperformance.tgnagy.com/parts.cfm#anchor15

L E D LaVerne

Thanks for that link, LED. Guess that gives Bill 12 rules. Bud
Bud Krueger

There is one that was in our club, I think it is still in MN. Maybe Lew Palmer can comment on the ownership of that car.
TRM Maine

Good wishes to you Jan,, I know the feeling, we have moved on to a more comfy touring vehicle also, a 2013 JAGUAR XK,,but we still have our TD for local short drives.

Steve



SPW Wincze

a pic of our comfy ride

SPW Wincze

Sweet
L E D LaVerne

Golly, Jan, we're sure going to miss you. You were one of the 'regulars'.

Growing old isn't always fun. I'm 87 now, and have to have help maintaining the TF, especially if bending over is involved. Progress on restoring my PA is equally tough.

But I still enjoy driving the TF, and I still do it with vigour and most often with the windscreen down! My youngest daughter lives less than a KM up the road from me. She has 3 running English cars including 2 MGs. So we often tour together.

I must admit however, that an MGF-135 or a LHD RV8 would interest me. However did you find such a low-mileage car?

Unfortunately the LHD cars are priced way over what the RHD cars are selling for.

The very best to you Jan. And thanks for your contributions over the years.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

RE the modern TF. They are allowed in Canada, when they became 15 years old. In fact there are two in our small village. A husband and wife have one each, hers in red, and his in a purplish colour.
Corunna Ontario, on the St Clair river.
Cheers, Byron.
JB Warwick

Best wishes Jan, I hope you will look in from time to time and continue to offer your thoughts. Thanks for all you have contributed. Charlie
Charlie Adams

This thread was discussed between 25/12/2019 and 14/01/2020

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