MG Enthusiast Magazine Vol.45 No.3 TF1500 Jigsaw Back Issue

IT IS WELL KNOWN that
when MG introduced the TF
in 1953, it was only a stopgap
model and the thing they
really wanted to do was develop
what became the MGA. They
were forced by the BMC top
brass to hold back the new
model for fear of jeopardising
sales of the Austin-Healey 100,
and so the venerable old TD was
given a modest update. Neither
the public nor the press were
greatly deceived by such a light
make-over, but the TF soldiered
on for two more years before
eventually bowing out in 1955.
However, as has been said
more than once, time has been
very kind to the TF and today it
is quite possibly the most
desirable of the T-Types, and
certainly the most expensive on
a like-for-like basis. I bring all this
up here because I was struck by
the TF1500 we have featured on
p28 and how, well, modern it
looks. I’m not talking modern in
the sense of the 21st century of
course, but I was impressed by
how well the combination of
smaller 16in steel wheels, the
raked back nose and the
metallic paint worked together
to make the TF look relatively
sleek and extremely stylish.
I think a large chunk of the
credit for this lies with the
metallic paint. It is easy to forget
this is not a modern invention,
and that MG experimented with
it long before its use became
commonplace. Where this TF
really scores highly is in the way
it looks special, but still
completely right for its era.
The MGA on p60 is painted
metallic as well, but it also adds a
little more flashiness into the
mix. As the feature explains, this
MGA represents a sort of middle
ground between a more
restrained UK style and the glitz
often found in US restorations. I
think it walks the line very well
indeed. How about you?
However, a colour does not
have to be metallic to be eyecatching,
and the Midget on p54
is a perfect example.