1937 MG TA

This car is a complete one-off. An MG TA in stunningly original condition, DEL 973 was built on 26th October 1936 and registered in Bournemouth on 12th July 1937.

The body tub, chassis and engine are totally original, as shown by matching numbers on the engine, chassis, body frame and bulkhead ID plates. The wings, body, doors, instruments, seats, Luvax front shock absorbers and Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel are all original. The current owner discovered this example as a true barn find, having been off the road since the 1980s. He went about having the car mechanically recommissioned, which included a complete rebuild of the original and undamaged MPJG engine with its MG logo, rebuild of the 3 brush dynamo, carburettor rebuild (original brass-bodied), recorked clutch, new kingpins, restored original Luvax shocks, new indicators and completely restored braking system. Both headlights retain the original "U" pattern lenses. The nearside headlight retains its original solenoid dipping mechanism and the offside headlight has been converted to the same mechanism. Even the hood and sidescreens are the originals. The car is reported to now start, stop and drive nicely. The original and never repainted wings, doors and bonnet are remarkably sound and the ash fame, including the door pillars, appears solid except for the lower door frames. The new owner will need to attend to the wheels, tyres and sills.

The owner purchased DEL 973 as a pattern of originality in order to guide him in the current restoration of another TA. He has rightfully left the body in the condition you see it in today as a true testament to the people that built this car in 1937. We can think of no finer basis for a restoration. The level of detail on DEL will amaze even the most hardened MG enthusiast. The seats are even stuffed with period horse hair, which is starting to make a bid for freedom after 77 years.