MG MG T-type Midget (post-war) (1945 – 1955) Review

MG MG T-type Midget (post-war) (1945 – 1955) At A Glance

Truly charming roadster that drives better than you'd imagine

Cramped and basic - but that's the appeal!

Of course, the MG T-type, or Midget, story began in 1936, when the company launched its popular and affordable roadster. The tiny two-seater caught the imagination of the British buying public, and as the country headed into war, the Midget was the must-have roadster for young men.

The car continued in production effectively unchanged in 1945. As the first post-war MG, it was a vitally important product that was to help enormously with the UK's export drive. The newly-named TC was almost identical to the pre-war TB, but with a 4in wider body and much-needed additional interior space - even it it was still tight on elbow-room. The TC was easy to distinguish from the TB by its new instrumentation.

There were some changes underneath, too - the TC featured shackles instead of sliding trunnions for the front and rear springs, which had a positive effect on ride quality.

The TC was powered by MG's mainstay XPAG 1250cc OHV four-cylinder engine. It was uprated (from before) with twin SU carburettors to improve breathing (and upping the power to 54.4bhp at 5200rpm), and its maximum speed approached 80mph.

In 1949, the TC received a far-reaching facelift to become the TD. As with the previous car, most were exported to the USA, making this a very rare car in its home market The big news was the new rack-and-pinion steering and Y-Type chassis, both of which drastically improved the Midget’s dynamics. The 1250cc XPAG engine initially remained unchanged, but was upgraded to 57bhp for the 1950 blink-or-you'll-miss-it Mk2 facelift.

The T-type emerged in 1953, not at the TE, but as the TF. Like its predecessors, it was a straightforward development of what came before, the TD Mk2, with the most obvious changes being the sleeker raked radiator grille, lowered bonnet line and faired-in headlamps.

But the TF was old-hat by 1953, and sales were not as brisk as they once were. The Despite this, MG continued to develop the car, dropping in a 1466cc XPAG engine in 1954 to give the T-type one final boost. The following year, it was pensioned off in favour of the beautiful MGA.

Join the club

Honest John Classics has teamed up with MG Car Club (the world's oldest MG club) to offer readers £5 off single and joint memberships. Joining the club means joining the largest group of MG fans in the world and getting access to first-rate technical knowledge as well as the chance to save money on your insurance premiums. Simply visit www.mgcc.co.uk/join and use the code HONEST5. (Disclaimer: if you join Honest John receives a small fee).

Ask Honest John

Should I restore my 1936 MG sports car or sell it as a 'barn find'?

"A modest insurance policy has just matured and sitting in my garage for the last 20 years, or more, has been a 1936 MG sports car. Do these cars represent a good investment? Or would I get more mileage putting the money in a building society rather than spending it on the MG? It cost me £68 in the 1960s. The car is a 1936 MG TA narrow wing with MG registration. It is complete, needing light bodywork but it started and ran yesterday on a jar of petrol. I think about £5000 would put it back on road as a tidy car, so will probably go down that avenue. "

Depends on what sort of state it's in. One option might be to sell it as it is as a 'barn find' using an auction house such as www.historics.co.uk. The other is to get quotes for a full professional restoration. But with the MG’s wood-framed body I think that will cost at least £10,000 and could be £50,000 plus. MG registrations were by MG dealer University Motors, then situated in Park Royal London for which the registration letters were MG.

Answered by Honest John

Is it worth buying a classic car, such as the MG TA/TB/TC, as an appreciating investment?

"My wife and I, both in our 70s, are considering buying a second vehicle in order to revitalise our motoring pleasure and provide an investment over the next five to ten years that should match or better the present pathetic bank interest rates. We have always admired the MG TA/TB/TC Series from 1930s and 1940s. Having been introduced to motorcycling/motoring in an era when DIY servicing was all that one could afford, the year-round maintenance of such a vehicle would provide myself with an interest, whilst the rallies, club meetings, shows etc would add to both our social lives. I accept that such vehicles are demanding high prices at the present time but feel that they can only improve. We would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this subject."

I think you are thinking quite smartly. There is no doubt that the prices of rare collectible cars are following the prices of works of art. But you have to get the right car. No use buying something that requires a £75,000 restoration to be worth only £40,000. You have to buy an original car and keep it original. Or buy a perfect restoration and keep it perfect. I’d visit the MG Car Club website at www.mgcc.co.uk and see what’s on offer.

Answered by Honest John