This late TC was restored by T-series specialist Naylor Brothers in the
mid-’70s, driven for 2500 miles from 1978, then after the owner’s deathput
away in heated storage from 1990-2016. Since then, it’s been used sparingly
in the hands of two further owners. The odometer was zeroed when theengine
was rebuilt at 62,000 miles, so the real total is around 65,000.
The body is straight and sharp, aside from slightly wavy lower edgesto
the front mudguards; the paint is still shiny and the doors fit and close well.The
chrome is okay (good in appearance, but there are small dings in each headlight,
and the radiator-shell plating is beginning to polish through), plus thereare
aftermarket foglights and twin horns. The wheels have been refinished,shod
with period-looking Dunlops of indeterminate age but with plenty of tread.
Underneath, the chassis is sound and clean, the kingpin bushes are fairly
fresh and there’s plenty of grease around them and all of the balljoints,plus
the greasing pipes to the rear springs remain. The exhaust is of fabricated
stainless steel, and looks recent.
Inside, the dash has been refinished and the instruments are very good;the
seat vinyl is older and creasing nicely. The hood looks fairly new, with aclear
rear window, and there’s a tonneau cover plus car cover. A nice, smaller-than-
standard Bleumel’s sprung wheel is fitted, but the original comes with thecar.
The XPAG motor is tidy, with a few oil drips under the sump. The coolantis
full and green, the oil clean and near the ‘full’ mark. There’s a tow rope andjack
in the scuttle box, and a battery conditioner fitted.
It starts instantly, idles quietly and drives very sweetly in an entirely
untemperamental fashion, feeling fully sorted and pulling cleanly uphill,even
at low revs. It goes well, feeling commendably tight with minimal scuttleshake,
plus the gearbox synchros are good and the brakes are smooth and pullup
straight. The handbrake holds well. Oil pressure is 60psi on the move,
though the clock doesn’t appear to work.
SUMMARY
EXTERIOR
Largely tidy
INTERIOR
Looks new, apart from the
patinated seats
MECHANICALS
Restored; recent kingpin bushes
VALUE +++++++,,,
For The nicest T-series we’ve driven
Against Slightly non-original lights
and horns
SHOULD I BUY IT?
There was another for sale in the
same county at £2000 more, but this
is a very sweet-driving car with only a
few thousand miles since restorationCase histories
244 Classic & Sports Car September 2019
MGTC
Year of manufacture 1949 Recorded mileage 3163
Asking price £32,995 Vendor The Car Agents, Hitchin, Herts;
01462 441460; http://www.thecaragents.com
WHEN IT WAS NEW
Price £537 (1947) Max power 55bhp Max torque 87lb ft
0-60mph 23 secs Top speed 78mph Mpg 28We test the classics that you can b y
ViewingbyAppointment
15 minutesfromManchesterAirport.1hr41minfromEustonbytrain
tel: 07980241177 or 01625260913 email:[email protected]
Seewww.ccbenz.co.ukforfulldescriptionsandmorephotosCheshire Classic Benz
300SL Roadster 1986C Signal Red,
hardtop, brown hood, Saffron sport check,
auto, elec windows, rear seats, original
alloy wheels, FSH, 51,000m.... £34,950The Finest Mercedes Cars from the 1960s to 1990s300SL Roadster 1988F Astral Silver met,
hardtop, blue soft top, blue sport interior, 4
Sp auto, ABS, elec windows, rear seats,
orig alloy wheels, FSH, 103,000m £28,950320CE Cabriolet 1993L Pearl Blue
metallic, blue soft top, grey leather, 4
speed auto, air bags, original alloy wheels,
FSH, 51,000m............... £19,450E320 Sportline Cabrio 1994L Blue/Black
met, grey leather, 4 Sp auto, cruise, air
bag, elec seats, elec steering column, orig
Sportline alloys, FSH, 96,000m.. £15,950SL320 Roadster 1996P Green/Black met,
Mushroom leather, black soft top,
panoramic hardtop, 5 speed auto, climate,
cruise, orig alloys, FSH, 86,000m £12,950450SLC Coupe 1979T Thistle Green met,
green velour, auto, elec windows, aircon,
elec sunroof, orig Becker Mexico rad/cass,
orig alloy wheels, FSH, 52,000m. £29,950Tel: 01676 541137
Mobile: 07831 715400
Email: [email protected]
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