Wilsons Sandbox

Check out this TC on eBay!!! Title of item: MG : MGTC Seller: boxweed@thebest.net Starts: 07-May-01 00:21:55 BST Ends: 14-May-01 00:21:55 BST Price: Currently US $12,200.00 To bid on the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=586987967 Item Description: Well, it's time to set your sights a little higher for this baby! HISTORY OF CAR: This car, made in early 1948, was originally purchased in Dayton, Ohio by a lawyer, who kept it about two weeks. It only had 700 miles on it when the lawyer traded it in on a new, more "civilized" XK 120. It was then purchased from the same dealer in 4/48 by the man from whom I bought it. He was in his late 30s when he bought it, and maintained it meticulously for the next 53 years. He left a detailed diary with the car showing records of mileage at each oil change, repair, and any other expenditure that had to do with this car. The last entry in this diary is from 10/84, at which point, it had a grand total of 32,653 original miles! Since that time, he has only driven it sporadically to keep it from deteriorating. He estimated that it has no more than 35,000 miles on it, presently. At 92 years old, he felt that it was time to pass the car on to someone else for safekeeping. I have only driven it a few miles since buying it. THE CAR ITSELF: The car, with serial # TC 5112, and engine # XPAG 5733 (all matching #s everywhere), is one of the "transition" models, during which the factory was making many changes to the TCs. For instance, it was during this period that the factory changed from gray to red engines; from wood dash with black instrument panel and maplight bases to Rexine-covered dash with gold instrument panel and maplight bases; from gray, deep-fluted scuttle to body-colored shallow-fluted scuttle, etc. This car is truly a "time capsule" as it has NEVER been altered, molested, repainted, or changed in any way from how it was delivered from the factory! (except for the removal of the outside mirror, and addition of an inside mirror, for unknown reasons, as well as the addition of the 50s era bumpers) As you can see from the pictures, it has the gray engine and gray scuttle, but Rexine-covered dash with black instrument panel and black maplight bases, all of which are finished exactly a! s they were when the car left the factory. All of the holddown clips, screws, washers, and bolts are also just where they were when the car left the factory. Every grease fitting on this car has been diligently serviced by the previous owner for the last 53 years, and because of that, everything works like it's supposed to. I have never driven an MGTC that steers as easily and true as this one. (He even kept the two rear emergency brake cables greased!) The black original paint on the car is excellent, as he waxed it regularly. It is very obvious when looking at the paint on this car what was intended by the factory. It has a much "deeper" patina than the new paint used on restored cars. All the sheet metal is as good as the day it left the factory, with no dings, dents, warping, or rust anywhere. The top, side curtains, tonneau, upholstery, and paneling are all ORIGINAL! And they are all in good condition, too! (see pictures) It still has its complete set of tool! s, and from what I can tell, nothing is missing....it even has the original tire pump with its perfect, braided, green hose that looks as if it's never been screwed onto the pump! It also has the original literature that came with it from the dealer, including (see pictures) the Instruction Manual, a 15 page pamphlet on preliminary instructions for maintenance, a 13 page pamphlet on the tires, and the original lubrication and maintenance schedule that tells when to bring the car into the dealer for scheduled maintenance. These are all in "like new" condition. There is also a full tonneau and spare tire cover made of tan canvas that match the top and side curtains. The previous owner bought these from the dealer when he purchased the car in 1948, and they are in good condition, also, but have a little mildew staining in some areas. This is not a car that should ever be taken apart and restored. It should be admired, revered, and put someplace where MGTC restorers could ! go with their cameras and take millions of pictures of it to see the correct way to restore their MGTCs! I would venture to say that this is the most well-preserved, original, unmolested, lowest mileaged TC in the world. My reserve is very reasonable for this car, so bid high and bid often. I have the original Title issued to the previous owner in 8/50. (They apparently changed methods of recording in Ohio in 1950, and subsequently issued the Title that he had at that time, rather than when he bought the car in 4/48.) Transporting the car is the responsibility of the buyer. Car will be released to buyer once the check has cleared. Any questions should be e-mailed to me at: boxweed@thebest.net Visit eBay, the world's largest Personal Trading Community at http://www.ebay.co.uk