Barn find MG TD Restoration Part 1: Tour and fuel tank removal

Part one of the restoration of the 1953 MG TD belonging to a friend of mine. The car was owned by the previous owner for 40 years, but has been untouched for the past 15. In this video, we have a tour around the car before I begin the restoration by draining and removing the fuel tank - a relatively simple job on such an old car.

[@charlesfoster141]

I love all models of the MGT cars and have owned many of them over the years. My first car was a MGTD given me in a very poor state back in 1969. However I went the last 35 years without a MGTD. So as soon as I could I purchased a very nice MGTF RHD project that is mostly dismantled and is awaiting restoration in my workshop. Soon after that I found and purchased a gorgeous fully restored MGTF about 7 months ago. Most recently I purchased a very nice MGTD that had been cosmetically restored some years ago but still presents very well. So now I own three of these classic MGs and enjoy driving the MGTF and the MGTD as often as I can. I am 70 now so there is no time to lose.

[@curtkuhns]

I once owned a 53 MG-TD. The love of my life. I had to part with it to get myself through engineering school at Villanova. -Curt Kuhns

[@russellnixon9981]

Good choice of car, easy to work on and easy to get parts, your example looks to be in good shape no obvious damage and if its spent most of its life in Australia on rust, so it should come a part easily. This will make a tremendous difference and your life with it, a lot more enjoyable.

[@mariavelazquez6618]

How hard could you say it is to replace a leaky fuel like on a car like this ?

[@parrotraiser6541]

I had exactly that model (1953 in Old English White) in the late 1960s. Nostalgia!
The threads on the dashpot nuts were worn, and would periodically unscrew themselves, leading to a smell of fuel and oily streaks from the louvres. Also the screws holding the dashpot down would undo themselves. I used to keep a stock of replacement screws in the car. It was rather alarming when one pot fell off and jammed the steering, (fortunately at a very low speed.)

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

good luck. looking forward to your next video.

[@chrisbaker121924]

Great stuff :) lovely motor! What a peach

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

usually, cars that look great, but have been left sitting for a decade or two, look to be bargains, but more often than not, turn out to be something else in that age alone has made about every part a candidate for replacement. that one may be an exception. hope so, for your sake. good luck. :)
and i see you've dutifully followed the rule that states, one must always underestimate the amount of fuel that is to be drained into a container.

[@youcellotutorials1142]

Any more MG TD videos in the pipeline?

[@youcellotutorials1142]

I've just purchased a tf!

[@54mgtf22]

Your accent says UK but the number plate says NSW. 🤔
The whole spare tyre assembly is completely different to my 54 TF.

[@Rust_in_Time]

Well, petrol is cheaper in the colonies...