1953–1955
MG TF
The last of the traditional MGs.
The MG TF, launched on 15 October 1953, was a facelifted TD with headlamps faired into the wings, a sloping radiator grille concealing a separate radiator, and pressurised cooling with a simulated external filler cap. It used the TD Mark II engine — XPAG at 8:1 compression, twin carburettors, 57.5 bhp at 5,500 rpm.
- Years
- 1953–1955
- Engine
- XPAG (later XPEG)
- Capacity
- 1,250 cc (later 1,466 cc)
- Power
- 57.5 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
- Approximate built
- ≈9,600 (all TF variants)
A facelifted TD
Launched on 15 October 1953, the TF kept the TD chassis but restyled the front: headlamps faired into the wings, a sloping radiator grille concealing a separate radiator, and pressurised cooling with a decorative external filler cap for looks rather than function.
The TD Mark II engine
The TF's XPAG was in TD Mark II tune: compression raised to 8:1, larger inlet and exhaust valves, stronger valve springs and twin carburettors, producing 57.5 bhp at 5,500 rpm.
TF 1500
From 1954, the TF gained a larger 1,466 cc XPEG engine and became the TF 1500, giving the final T-Type the performance its more modern silhouette had always suggested. See the dedicated TF 1500 page.
The last of the traditional MGs
TF production ended in 1955 when the MGA replaced it with an entirely new car. The TF is widely regarded as the last of the traditional MGs — the closing chapter of a shape that had begun with the TA nearly two decades earlier.