TC7162
TC 7162
Glen and Jill Moore, Florida, USA
We found our MGTC in California and had it shipped across-county to our home in Florida. As a purchase sight-unseen, the TC had some surprises needing time and attention, but we remain quite happy to have this car. Rather than a car lost, this is a story of a car found, but with a lost history.
One of the sales of TC 7162 was made by the recent widow of the owner. She did not know where any of the paperwork relating to the car was
document ownership. A few oral stories were shared, but there was no documentation to back up any of the stories. Our hope in writing this note is to find someone who knew this car in its past.
One of the stories is that TC 7162 returned to England for part of its life. There is some evidence built into the car that gives some credence to that story. The engine is from a 1500 cc Wolseley, fitted with dual 1 ½” SU carburettors. Yes, you noticed that the carbs were on the wrong side. There are no Wolseleys in the US and no available engines for an engine swap in junk (wrecking?) yards. To get a longer-legged rear end ratio, a Morris rear end has been installed. In the back, Lucas taillights have been nicely mounted in the rear wings. This was a somewhat common modification in England when the laws regulating taillights were changed. I have never seen another TC in the US with this modification. While not firm evidence, a 2007 Silverstone dash plaque is affixed to the dash.
There are other modifications on this TC, ones which may not tie it to England, but might lead to someone recognizing the car. It is painted duo-red, in a maroon and red. The bonnet is a one-piece, hand-formed aluminum sheet, secured by two leather straps. The front mudguard brackets appear to be from a J2, supporting aluminum cycle fenders (US term) with the proper crease in the center. The seats are bucket-type, formed in aluminum, using a J2 seat as a pattern. The ash framing in the front portion of the tub has been replaced with C-section steel welded to the body panels. It is fitted with Brooklands windscreens and a stainless-steel gas tank with a gas gauge on top.
There are also stories of a racing history. No evidence of racing during its period has been found, but some vintage races in the US, post-2000, are documented through dash plaques given to race entrants and from the oral history of the owner during that time.
Anyone out there with a memory of TC 7162?
1947 TC DJY 597
The following from Rodney Coffin who lives in Exeter rod(at)weirhouse.org.uk [please substitute @ for (at)]
“I owned this lovely car whilst living in Bristol in the early sixties. It was very reliable and ran beautifully and was great fun to own and to drive. When eventually sold it was to be completely restored by the new owner, but I am unaware as to whether this was actually carried out. If the car is still in existence it would be great to hear from the present owner”.
1947 TC GZ 9379
Nick Morris, pictured with his brother, circa 1970, learnt to drive in this TC. It comes up from a DVLA search enquiry as ‘Untaxed – Tax due 1 October 1992’. Date of last V5C (log book) issued is January 2019, so it exists in the recent past. Nick’s contact details: nickvmorris(at)gmail.com [please substitute @ for (at)]
1938 TA MG 59??
The following from Frank Moore:
“I started an engineering apprenticeship with A.E.I. in Trafford Park Manchester in the early ‘60s.
I made friends with another apprentice in the same year intake named Osbourne Vaughan-Williams. (He took a lot of stick from some of the other lads because of his name and his posh accent). He came from Urmston, Manchester. I was from Salford.
Ossie had completely rebuilt a model TA MG and had made a very good job of doing so. He fitted a TC engine, resprayed the car in British Racing Green (using his mums vacuum cleaner, superb finish no orange peel effect) and re-stitched each panel etc. and tonneau cover. A most professional job and I think car restoration ran in his family with father and brother.
I accompanied him on many runs out, sharing the petrol costs (Did not do many Miles/Gallon).
Our longest run was to Stratford – upon – Avon and I remember being photographed outside the theatre (by Japanese Tourist) with the windscreen in the down position flat on the long bonnet.
When we finished our apprenticeship, I unfortunately lost contact with Ossie, a lovely bloke. I seem to remember he exported the car to America.
The picture I attach is me in the car. Unfortunately, the whole number plate is not in view. The picture from my computer was scanned in many years ago and this was lost in cropping.
How times have changed! A.E.I then employed 27,000 people and we made power station generators for the world. The site is now a car park for containers!”
Ed’s note: We do not know either the chassis number or the registration mark. Since Frank initially got in touch, he managed to find another photo of the car which (we think) shows the first four digits of the number plate as MG 59**.
Having done some research:
MG 5915 (blue 1938 MG TA) is listed on DVLA website as having the original TA engine.
MG 5974 (green 1938 MG TA) is listed on the DVLA website as having the original TA engine.
This may rule out Ossie’s TA, but then, on the other hand, he may not have advised the change of engine.
Neither TA is on the road.
Frank’s details are: frank.moore(at)ntlworld.com
[Please substitute @ for (at)]1949 TC7891 (HAA 308)
Liz Moore (no relation to Frank in the previous posting) has been in touch about her father’s TC.
Details as follows:
“MG TC 1949, BRG, reg no HAA 308. Was owned by my father during 1950s or 60s, his pride and joy. DVLA shows it is taxed in UK. Would love to connect with current owner and share photos/memories. We heard so much about ‘the MG’ when we were kids, it was definitely my dad’s favourite car!”
As Liz says, the car comes up from a DVLA search enquiry. Date of last V5C (log book) issued is 17th June 2014, so it looks as though it might have changed hands back then.
Liz doesn’t currently have a photo to hand as she has sent what she has of the car, along with about 500 others to be digitized, but one will be published when it is to hand.
I have a 1938 TA with telescopic shock absorbers and the registration MG5974. I have a log book for the 60’s. I am sure that it spent most of its life in Dundee. I bought it from Leven, so perhaps a car that shared the showroom at University Motors. It was green but kept the original engine.
Episode 2. John, I have had MG5974 registered on the road since January 2015 as it made no difference whether it was on a SORN or not as it was insured.