MG T-Type Midget History
Catalog record
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History
The T-type Midgets were MG's classic small open two-seaters: the TA (1936–1939) and TB (1939–1940), then the post-war TC (1945–1950), TD (1950–1953), and TF (1953–1955). Upright, separate-fendered, and charismatic, they carried MG's pre-war character into the 1950s.
Their lasting importance is American: returning servicemen brought TCs home, and the TC and especially the independently-sprung TD — of which nearly 30,000 were built, 23,488 going to the US — effectively created the post-war US sports-car market that MG, Triumph, and others would feed for decades.
Generations
Pre-war · TA / TB
The first T-types — TA (1936–1939) and the short-lived TB (1939–1940), cut off by the war.
1936 Photo: “MG TA, 1292 cm³, Bj. 1936 (2007-06-16 Sp).jpg” by Lothar Spurzem / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 de
1937 Photo: “MG TA 1937 - Flickr - mick - Lumix.jpg” by Mick from Northamptonshire, England / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1938 Photo: “1938 MG TA - Flickr - dave 7.jpg” by dave_7 from Canada / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1939 Photo: “MG TA Midget (1939) - 15108857176.jpg” by SG2012 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1940 Photo: “1940 MG TB Midget (15018475944) (cropped).jpg” by Five Starr Photos ( Aussiefordadverts) from Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
TC
The first post-war MG; ~10,001 built. Brought home by US servicemen, it lit the American sports-car spark.
1945 Photo: “1945 MG TC (9032677070).jpg” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1946 Photo: “1946 MG TC AL-18-07.jpg” by Alfvanbeem / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
1947 Photo: “1947 MG TC Midget (13650064784).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1948 Photo: “1948 MG TC - fvr (12823609613).jpg” by Rex Gray / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1949 Photo: “1949 MG TC roadster (6102661523).jpg” by sv1ambo / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
TD
Independent front suspension and left-hand drive for export; ~23,488 of ~29,000 went to the US.
1950 Photo: “1950 MG TD.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0
1951 Photo: “1951 MG TD Roadster.jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1952 Photo: “1952 MG TD Midget (13651437154).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1953 Photo: “1953 MG TD (3736346645).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
TF
The final, sleeker T-type, offered in 1¼- and 1½-litre form before the modern MGA replaced it.
1953 Photo: “1953 MG TF Roadster.jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1954 Photo: “1954 MG TF 1500 Roadster.jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1955 Photo: “MG TF 1500 (1955), Dutch licence registration AE-69-31 pic1.JPG” by AlfvanBeem / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0
Body styles
- Roadster
Related models
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