1955 MG TF 1500 Sports

From a bygone era of British design, the MG TF 1500 Sports is the last in a noble-line of traditionally styled sports cars and was produced for less than a year.

Just 3,400 were ever made, with significantly fewer original cars remaining today and they’re famed for almost single handedly spurring on the post-war sports car craze on both sides of the Atlantic. This ‘Morris Garages’ sporting special gave rise to a breed of cars that would create generations of sports car enthusiasts.

At the height of power and comfort for its series, cars the likes of the MG TF weren't built for Concorde style continent-crossing. They’re designed specifically for rushing through tree-lined country lanes at a pace that feels criminal but won't raise concern with the local constabulary.

An oldie but a goodie, the MG TF 1500 Sports enjoys evergreen popularity- it's the wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth, the smell of un-burnt fuel sheer exhilaration of classic motoring that has kept these vehicles high in demand through to today.

A well-heeled MG TF 1500 Sports with its faired head lamps, sloping grill, low ride-height and throwback octagonal gauges feels more alive at 60 km/h than a Porsche 911 does at 100.

This superb 1955 MG TF 1500 Sports offered here was sold new in Australia and records show it was built in March of 1955, first registered here in 1956, by which time TF production had finished. It would also be one of the last TF’s to have been registered new for the road anywhere. 

The previous owner purchased the car from a gentleman who had owned and dutifully maintained it for over 40 years. He was a partner in several BMC/Leyland dealerships and always had an affinity for MG, having owned a small number personally, including taking delivery of one of the first MGA’s and first MGB’s delivered to Australia. Having previously owned MG TF's, when the opportunity to buy a very good example arose, he bought this car.

In 1986 the last owner commissioned professional restorer extraordinaire John Hunting to undertake a comprehensive restoration. With instructions to restore every element of the car, this exemplary TF 1500 Sports was restored alongside a D-Type Jaguar at that time. The exacting works took 2 years to complete and having already been a very good example, the instructions were to restore the car to perfection.

The car was completely stripped down to the chassis. Bodywork and paint, all mechanical components, interior trim, electrical, chrome work – every aspect of the car was re-built to exacting standards. The high quality of the workmanship is still evident today, this special car still presents beautifully and whilst being well maintained, has seen limited use since completion of the work covering just around 2,700 Miles in that time.

A testament to the quality of the restoration, in 1995, the car entered the MG International Rally, Fremantle Concours D’Elegance and placed 3rd. More recently, it was invited for exhibition at the Motor Museum of Western Australia where it displayed for 3 months.

Latest works have seen correct hood cloth imported from England with Crawfords of Perth, renowned upholsterers fabricating a new soft top, tonneau and side curtains. The new roof has only been used a few times and presents with a factory fresh fit.

In 2020, the brakes were overhauled, and for our photo session, the car started instantly from cold and ran smoothly, pulling well on the road, with the typical raspy MG exhaust note. The car has a notably tight feel all round and all the controls are so beautifully weighted. 

The paintwork is excellent, and benefits from a professional detail by Brodie Kellett of STASH with the exception of the top of the fuel tank which has some blistering that occurred shortly after restoration. There are no stone chips or scratches. The chrome gleams and the optional wire wheels are very neat and tidy. 

Accompanying the car is a file of documentation covering the entire restoration, original operation and workshop manuals and two keys though no original documentation from the 1950s has survived.

An original car with world class provenance and the subject of a high-quality, award-winning restoration that remains in outstanding condition throughout. It stands out as a prime example of the model and a very worthy addition for any collector but more importantly, is absolutely sensational to drive.