1947 MG TC

For the war effort, MG’s Abingdon factory was quickly converted for war-time production and in 1941, MG’s founder, Cecil Kimber, was dismissed. Tragically, Kimber was killed in a railway accident afterwards, and therefore MG faced the post-war world without its founding leader.

After the war, the men at Abingdon quickly got back into car production with the TC. It was really a slightly developed version of the prewar 1939 TB, which was the smallest MG and one of the few sports cars available right after the war. Due to material rations, most of the TCs were built for export, thus it was the first MG to be shipped in good quantity to the USA where MG would become established as the most popular import name.

While the TC didn’t feature any bumpers, heater or left-hand drive and many other luxuries, what it provided was as a responsive, exciting ride. Coupled with a very affordable price tag, it should be no surprise that the TC outsold all previous models.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
price $	$ $2 395 USD
engine	Inline 4
valvetrain	OHV
displacement	1250 cc / 76.3 in³
bore	66.5 mm / 2.62 in
stroke	90.0 mm / 3.54 in
compression	7.25:1
power	40.6 kw / 54.4 bhp @ 5200 rpm
specific output	43.52 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	bhp per tonne
torque	86.8 nm / 64.0 ft lbs @ 2700 rpm
body / frame	Steel Body Panels over Wood & Metal
driven wheels	Front Engine / RWD
front tires	4.50-19
rear tires	4.50-19
front brakes	Drums
f brake size	x 229 mm / x 9.0 in
r brake size	x 229 mm / x 9.0 in
front wheels	F 48.3 x 12.7 cm / 19.0 x 5.0 in
rear wheels	R 48.3 x 12.7 cm / 19.0 x 5.0 in
steering	Bishop Cam
curb weight	837 kg / 1845 lbs
wheelbase	2388 mm / 94.0 in
front track	1143 mm / 45.0 in
rear track	1143 mm / 45.0 in
length	3670 mm / 144.5 in
width	1422 mm / 56.0 in
height	1351 mm / 53.2 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
gear ratios	3.38:1, 1.97:1, 1.35:1, 1.00:1, :1
final drive	5.12:1
top speed	~117.5 kph / 73.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~22.0 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile	~21.8 seconds

 

Auction Sales History

 

1948 MG TC TC5930 – sold for $30,000 Ivory with Green interior. 1250cc engine. 4-speed transmission. Restored in the late 1990s including mechanicals, new wood, paint, chrome, interior, top and side curtains.
Auction Source: Monterey 2014 by Mecum Auctions

 

1949 MG TC TC9827 – sold for $37,000 Restored right hand drive MG TC. Burgundy Red paint with Beige interior. Documentation includes: work receipts, ownership history, and original MG instruction manual.
Auction Source: Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre by Mecum

 

1947 MG TC TC3625 – sold for $50,600 Matching-Numbers Example. Minimal Ownership, Long-Term Storage. Beautifully Restored by Renowned Expert. Stunning Color Combination A Highly Regarded MG TC.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company

 

1949 MG TC – sold for $27,500 Right Hand Drive. Inline four cylinder engine. 4-speed manual transmission. Auster windshield. Chrome wire wheels. Rear mounted spare. Firestone tires. Windshield wipers. Complete side curtains. Professional restoration by Krekovich Automotive Restoration Service in Kansas City, Missouri. Dark Green exterior. Tan interior. MG TC instruction manual included.
Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum

 

1948 MG TC 6800 – sold for $77,000 Fully Documented Five-Year Restoration. Original Matching-Numbers Engine and Transmission. Iconic Post-war British Sports Car. Very Attractive Color Scheme.
Auction Source: Gooding & Company’s 10th Anniversary 2013 Pebble Beach Auction

 

1948 MG TC Roadster TC 5473 – sold for $66,000 Owned since 1948 by E. Alan Moss, founder of Moss Motors. Original engine with period Shorrock supercharger; rust-free California and Arizona car. Fascinating history; featured in several books and catalogues. Toured extensively with numerous entries in the Monterey Historics
Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions

1949 MG TC 9064EXU – sold for $48,400 One of Only 494 EXU-Series TCs. Features Period Accessory Arnott Supercharger. Restored to Show Standards. Appropriate Period Accessories. Recent Professional Service.
Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2012 by Gooding & Company

 

1949 MG TC Roadster – sold for $21,500
Ground up cosmetic and mechanical restoration completed 2005. New body panels, wheel arches, fenders, gas tank, and running boards. New floorboards and new wood-Ash. New Red leather interior, much new chrome. Stayfast cloth top with correct style window for 1949 TC. Half Tonneau cover. New or rebuilt mechanicals all around. All rubber components replaced. Engine rebuild completed May 2009. Thompkins Steering Kit Five. New 19″ chrome 48 spoke wire wheels with new tires. Fully refurbished and restored original factory gauges. Right hand drive. Believed that this MG-TC arrived in the US in the early 60s. Rare factory replacement engine, replaced at MG factory in England. Warranty ID badge shows stamped replacement engine number.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum

 

1950 MG TC SC “EXU” Midget Roadster – sold for $66,000

This example was restored and driven just 26 miles prior to acquisition by the current owner in 2007. A rare crank-driven Arnott supercharger is fitted, and the car’s MG Red paintwork is complemented by a maroon leather-trimmed cockpit, a tan cloth top and a tonneau cover. Lucas “King of the Road” headlamps, fog lamps, a badge bar, and tall 19-inch chrome wire wheels complete its sporting appearance. With the extra boost from the supercharger, enthusiastic driving on an early Sunday morning or a trip out to the track for a few laps will be all the more enjoyable.
Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

 

1949 MG TC Supercharged Roadster – sold for $30,800

This award-winning 1949 MG TC continues to display a photo-documented, concours-quality restoration which was completed in 1999 with no expense spared. Beginning with a rust-free California car, the MG was fully disassembled before every component was rebuilt as needed. The body was rebuilt from the frame up and refinished in blue and is now beautifully complemented by show-quality triple chrome-plated brightwork and a handsome tan cloth top. The cockpit features tan leather upholstery, Birdseye maple woodwork, crisp gauges and a rare, original three-spoke steering wheel, which was sent to England for restoration. In addition, this car has a Lucas Altette horn that is mounted on the badge bar, while the headlight reflectors have been optically coated and LED-type light bulbs provide brilliant lighting.

Auction Source: 2009 Meadow Brook Concours