MG T-Type TA/TB/TC/TD/TF, Full Specifications

Key Specifications, Model Comparison

Spec	MG TA	MG TB	MG TC	MG TD	MG TF 1250	MG TF 1500
Production Years	1936—1939	1939	1945—1949	1949—1953	1953—1954	1954—1955
Units Built	3,003	379	~10,000	~29,664	~6,200	~3,400
Engine	MPJG	XPAG	XPAG	XPAG	XPAG	XPEG
Displacement	1,292 cc	1,250 cc	1,250 cc	1,250 cc	1,250 cc	1,466 cc
Power	~50 bhp @ 4,500 rpm	54.4 bhp @ 5,200 rpm	54.4 bhp @ 5,200 rpm	54.4 bhp @ 5,200 rpm	57 bhp @ 5,500 rpm	63 bhp @ 5,000 rpm
Kerb Weight	~880 kg	~884 kg	~884 kg	~930 kg	~940 kg	~940 kg
Top Speed	~129 km/h (79 mph)	~140 km/h (87 mph)	~120 km/h	~125 km/h	~128 km/h	~137 km/h
0-60 mph	—	—	~22 s	~21 s	~19 s	~16 s
Wheelbase	2,388 mm	2,388 mm	2,388 mm	2,388 mm	2,388 mm	2,388 mm
Price New	£222	£225	£527	£530	£550	£575

Engine, MPJG (TA)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,292 cc
Bore x Stroke	63.5 mm x 102 mm
Compression Ratio	7.5:1
Power	~50 bhp @ 4,500 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU semi-downdraught
Clutch	Wet cork
Gearbox	4-speed non-synchro (early), 4-speed part synchro (late)
Rear Axle	Spiral bevel gears
Brakes	Lockheed hydraulic, 9” drums front and rear
Wheels	Centre-lock wire spoke, 4.50 x 19” on 2.5” rims
Steering	Bishop cam

Engine, XPAG (TB)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,250 cc
Bore x Stroke	66.5 mm x 90.0 mm
Power	54.4 bhp @ 5,200 rpm
Clutch	Borg and Beck dry plate
Gearbox	4-speed, part synchromesh
Brakes	Lockheed hydraulic, 9” drums
Suspension	Half-elliptic front and rear, sliding trunnion, Luvax hydraulic lever arm dampers
Steering	Bishop cam
Wheels	Centre-lock wire spoke

Engine, XPAG (TC, TD, TF 1250)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,250 cc
Bore x Stroke	66.5 mm x 90.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.25:1 (standard)
Power	54.4 bhp (40.6 kW) @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	87 Nm (64 lb-ft) @ 2,600 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU H2 (1.25”)
Ignition	Coil and points, Lucas distributor
Valvetrain	Pushrod OHV, adjustable tappets
Crankshaft	3-bearing, counterbalanced
Oil System	Wet sump, gear-type pump
Oil Capacity	4.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	20W-50 mineral
Cooling	Water-cooled, pump-assisted (TC/TD/TF)
Redline	~5,500 rpm

Engine, XPEG (TF 1500)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,466 cc
Bore x Stroke	72.0 mm x 90.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Power	63 bhp (47 kW) @ 5,000 rpm
Torque	101 Nm (74 lb-ft) @ 3,000 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU H4 (1.5”)
Ignition	Coil and points, Lucas distributor
Valvetrain	Pushrod OHV, adjustable tappets
Crankshaft	3-bearing, counterbalanced
Oil Capacity	4.5 L (with filter)

Transmission

Spec	Value
Type	Manual, non-synchromesh 1st (TC) / synchromesh on 2nd-4th (TD/TF)
Gears	4-speed
Clutch	Single dry plate, 7.25”
Propshaft	Open, single-piece

Gear Ratios

Gear	TC	TD/TF
1st	3.64	3.64
2nd	2.37	2.21
3rd	1.43	1.37
4th	1.00	1.00
Reverse	4.76	4.76

Final Drive

Spec	Value
Type	Spiral bevel
Ratio	5.125:1 (TC) / 5.125:1 (TD) / 4.875:1 (TF)

Chassis

Spec	TC	TD/TF
Type	Ladder frame, channel-section steel rails
Front Suspension	Beam axle, half-elliptic leaf springs	Independent, coil springs, double wishbones
Rear Suspension	Live axle, half-elliptic leaf springs	Live axle, half-elliptic leaf springs
Front Dampers	Lever-arm (Hartford, TC) / Lever-arm (Armstrong, TD/TF)	Lever-arm (Armstrong)
Rear Dampers	Lever-arm (Hartford, TC) / Lever-arm (Armstrong, TD/TF)	Lever-arm (Armstrong)
Steering	Bishop cam	Rack and pinion
Turns Lock-to-Lock	~2.75 (TC)	~2.75 (TD/TF)

Brakes

Spec	TC	TD/TF
Type	Mechanical (cable-operated) drums	Hydraulic drums
Front Drum Diameter	228 mm (9”)	228 mm (9”)
Rear Drum Diameter	228 mm (9”)	228 mm (9”)
Brake Lining Area	~410 cm²	~410 cm²

Dimensions

Spec	TC	TD	TF
Wheelbase	2,388 mm	2,388 mm	2,388 mm
Overall Length	3,556 mm	3,708 mm	3,708 mm
Overall Width	1,422 mm	1,499 mm	1,499 mm
Overall Height	1,346 mm	1,346 mm	1,308 mm
Track (front)	1,143 mm	1,194 mm	1,194 mm
Track (rear)	1,143 mm	1,194 mm	1,194 mm
Ground Clearance	152 mm	152 mm	152 mm
Kerb Weight	~884 kg	~930 kg	~940 kg

Capacities

Spec	Value
Fuel Tank	54.5 L (12 imp. gallons)
Engine Oil	4.5 L (with filter)
Gearbox Oil	0.85 L (SAE 30)
Rear Axle	0.85 L (SAE 90 hypoid)
Cooling System	9.5 L (approximately)

Wheels and Tyres

Spec	TC	TD	TF
Wheels	Wire spoke, knock-off	Pressed steel (wire optional)	Wire spoke, knock-off
Wheel Size	19” x 2.5”	15” x 4”	15” x 4”
Tyre Size	4.50 x 19	5.50 x 15	5.50 x 15
Bolt Pattern	Centre-lock (wire)	4 x 4” PCD (steel)	Centre-lock (wire)

Electrical

Spec	Value
System Voltage	12V positive earth
Battery	12V, 51 Ah
Charging	Dynamo (Lucas C39PV or similar)
Headlights	7” Lucas P100 (TC) / 7” Lucas (TD/TF)
Starter Motor	Lucas M35G or M418G

Performance (approximate, period test data)

Spec	TC	TD	TF 1250	TF 1500
0-60 mph (0-97 km/h)	~22 s	~21 s	~19 s	~16 s
0-100 km/h	~23 s	~22 s	~21 s	~18 s
Standing Quarter Mile	~22 s	~21 s	~20.5 s	~19.5 s
Top Speed	~120 km/h	~125 km/h	~128 km/h	~137 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate)

Model	L/100 km
TC	10.0
TD	9.5
TF 1250	9.5
TF 1500	10.0

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine Oil and Filter	3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 6 months
Valve Clearance	3,000 miles (mechanical adjustment)
Contact Points	6,000 miles (clean/adjust or replace)
Spark Plugs	6,000 miles
Carburettor Tune	6,000 miles
Greasing (all chassis points)	1,000 miles
Brake Adjustment (TC)	1,000 miles or as needed
Brake Fluid (TD/TF)	24 months (flush and replace)
Coolant	24 months
Gearbox Oil	6,000 miles
Rear Axle Oil	6,000 miles

Production Numbers

Model	Years	Units Built
MG TA	1936—1939	3,003
MG TA Tickford Coupe	1936—1939	(included in TA total)
MG TB	1939	379
MG TC	1945—1949	~10,000
MG TD	1949—1953	~29,664
MG TD Mark II	1951—1953	(included in TD total)
MG TF 1250	1953—1954	~6,200
MG TF 1500	1954—1955	~3,400
Total T-Type (TA—TF)	1936—1955	~52,646

Identification

Feature	TC	TD	TF
Chassis Number Prefix	TC	TD	TF
RHD Available	Yes (all RHD)	Yes	Yes
LHD Available	No	Yes	Yes
Body Style	Roadster only	Roadster only	Roadster only
Distinguishing Features	Upright grille, freestanding headlamps, 19” wheels, fold-flat screen	Wider body, 15” disc wheels, bumper over-riders	Raked grille, faired-in headlamps, lower bonnet