MG TB
Year - 1939
Colour - Black
Interior - Red with black carpet
We are excited to have this iconic MG TB for sale, with only an estimated 80 remaining registered across the world, this presents a very rare opportunity indeed.
Following the sale of MG in 1935 by William Morris to Morris Motors, the TA replaced the PB using the 1292cc Wolseley Ten engine, the TB then replaced the TA in May 1939, while visually they were near-identical, they used a new 1250cc XPAG engine so the power increased to 54bhp and due to having a shorter stroke, it revved higher and was more responsive to tuning or supercharging. Very soon after in October 1939 the factory switched to making aircraft components and modifying tanks, so production of the TB ceased after only a mere 379 examples were made.
This particular MG TB is one of only a handful of MG models eligible for the Mille Miglia, and a pre-condition of entry is that a car must be registered with the Registro 1000 Miglia, Auto Club Italia and FIVA which TB0464 has under numbers 1951-E, 008660 and 101FRN246 respectively.
The car was in single ownership from 1973 to 2008 and the body was restored by the owner around the year 2000. In 2008 the car was acquired from the previous owner’s widow by well-known restorer of pre-war and T-Type MGs, Steve Baker, with the promise that the car’s documents and history would be forwarded once her late husband’s estate was completed. Sadly, she passed away before this happened, and the history was lost with the car placed on its current, age-related, registration plate with a V5 document.
During 2019, Steve subjected the car to a body-off full chassis and mechanical overhaul, restoring and reusing as many of the original components as possible subject to safety considerations. TB0464 therefore retains its original engine and many correct features such as the Jaeger chronometric instruments, auto lube system, fuel reserve switch and TB air-inlet manifold. The current odometer reading is 1,457 which is since the instrument was rebuilt in 2019.
The present owner acquired the car in 2021 and during that time it has been looked after by ourselves and we have prepared the car for historic rallying including the following modifications:
Period-style bucket seats
15.5 in cord-bound steering wheel (original 17 in)
Drivers left foot rest
Passenger foot rest
Wiring for Terratrip rally computer including foot zeroing switch
Twin 12V batteries
12V accessory socket
Amber flashing indicators
Luggage rack with high-level brake and side lights
LED headlight bulbs
Alloy radiator
Electric cooling fan
Mesh radiator grille
Four new Turrino wheels
All the modifications are easily reversible, if desired, and all original parts will be supplied with the car along with the Terratrip computer and with a full tool kit and fitted tray.
TB0464 was driven by Guy Martin in the Channel 4 programme, ‘Guy Martin’s Battle of Britain’, (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecLFnfZUao ). It was also driven by Henry Catchpole as part of the 2022 ‘Hagerty Bull Market List’ (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFzWypF_RgA&list=PLfZz_-T-lTwoqOcD6SdRHCxA-EuD1QROV&index=1&t=11s and https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/market-analysis/2022-bull-market-list-britains-hottest-collectable-cars/).
A high-resolution set of the photographs taken by Hagerty will also be supplied with the car.
If you have any further questions or wish to view the car, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.