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T-Series First TD Drive

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Tullamore

Tullamore

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Sunday I put together my TD and got it running (and then running again several times as things broke). Anyways I was able to drive it for the first time and I am impressed!

I know it is considered the first modern sports car but I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. There is plenty of power, much more acceleration than expected I was able to cruise up the steep hill by my house in third gear.

Since the clutch is mechanical I have to push it all the way down to disengage which I feel I should be a little taller to do and because you are sitting just in front of the rear wheels the bonnet looks like it is a mile long. I love that you can look over the door and see the fender and wheels ahead of you.

Once it warms up a little more I think the TD is going to become my new daily driver.

IMG_0586.JPG
 
Tullamore said:
Sunday I put together my TD and got it running
Click to expand...
Not bad for a day's work! Enjoy that TD, they're to be driven, after all.
 
By the way could someone please tell me or show me in a picture how to properly hold the hood open! I haven't found a way that seems like it is correct. Is there a trick?
 
Congrats! I know well the joy of driving a T-Type for the first time. It can be an amazing experience! Here is a little story I wrote about mine: https://www.mgnuts.com/tales/mgtc/afirstdrive/

The way the bonnet was opened back in the day was to simply lay one side on top of the other. While this is the easiest to do, it is not the safest for the sheet metal or woodwork. Eventually it will stress and crack the metal, and can pull out the screws which hold the hinges into the wood.

There are several types of gadgets people have come up with to hold the bonnet open, from broom handles to vinyl straps to padded wood blocks. I use a small strap with a hook on one end, which hooks onto the battery box clip (this is a TC, not TD) and onto the bonnet latch hook.
 
Gotta say that your TD looks the way I would have one. Simple, not gussied up, and able to deliver lots of grins any Saturday afternoon it is called upon.

Bravo!

Jack
 
Jealous indeed. I'm still waiting for my day to come. Nice work.
 
I'll never forget my first chance to drive a TD. One of my friends here in Champaign owned a '53 TD and stopped by the pharmacy with it one sunny spring afternoon.

I got to take a break and took about a 15 minute spin around town.

I found the footwell a little tighter than I was used to in the MGB, and the pedals seemed a little closer to each other (could have just been my unfamiliarity with the car).

Eventually, I ***will*** have a '53 TD (my birth year) sitting in the barn next to the MGB, the MGCs, and the B/GT.
 
Don't wait too long Rick. The certain age syndrome will be creeping up before you know it and with that will come an increase in girth. If you think hard about that fun spin you might recall that the seats don't go back very far and the steering column ain't "way out there" either. LOL

Jack
 
I've owned my TC since 2000 and I am yet to drive it...The original plan was to just get it running and drivable. But I am now 8 years into a full frame off concours quality resto. I did however get the chance to drive another TC and it was a great experience.
Enjoy your TD like it was ment to be enjoyed, it's the most fun that way.
 
Rick - "I found the footwell a little tighter than I was used to in the MGB, and the pedals seemed a little closer to each other (could have just been my unfamiliarity with the car)."

The pedals are much closer together than on the MGB or other cars, but unless you ave exceedingly wide feet, you soon get used to using just your toes to operate the pedals with. Having driven a TD for over 30 years, I can even hop in with boots on and not have a problem.
Cheers,
 
I love looking out over the long bonnet, and the pedals on the car I drove were closer together then I am used to.

WAY TO GO STEVE!!!! :thumbsup:

Pat
 
77blueblunder said:
Sweeeeeeeeeeet! Love the TDs! Someday!!!
Click to expand...
YUP YUP YUP. I really like the fender lines of the TF, but the TD is far more likely. I too need to get to it before I get too round. How do you get around the inevitable temptation to get rid of the windshield and just go for it?
 
19_again said:
77blueblunder said:
Sweeeeeeeeeeet! Love the TDs! Someday!!!
Click to expand...
YUP YUP YUP. I really like the fender lines of the TF, but the TD is far more likely. I too need to get to it before I get too round. How do you get around the inevitable temptation to get rid of the windshield and just go for it?
Click to expand...

I've got another friend with a '52 TD MKII...he has Brooklands screens.

A friend and I took a Morgan Plus 8 up to Chicago a couple of years ago. He had his Brooklands on that day...what a trip!
 
How do you get around the inevitable temptation to get rid of the windshield and just go for it?
[/QUOTE]

You don't need to get rid of the windscreen, just fold it flat, put on the goggles and go for it.
Cheers, [/quote]

Oooooooo...I miss my TD! Fold that screen down and eat some bugs! :thumbsup:
 
Hi tullamore
Great picture , good luck with the rest of the work ahead of you. I Hope you keep us informed as to how it goes.
For a little practice with the foot pedals you could try a drive in a midget. I have a friend with one and its hard to fit the feet in the footwells in those too. Way less room down there than my B. Not to mention the beached seal maneuver to get back out once your in...lol cheers .. M
 
Mine in my youth had a fully chromed mtr, used to drive it with the bonnet off a la hot rod without the go!
 
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