Details
1956 MG TD ARNOLT DROPHEAD COUPE
COACHWORK BY BERTONE
Registration No. RSU 741
Chassis No. 26718
Engine No. 27266
Red with beige leather upholstery
Engine: four cylinder, single overhead camshaft, 1,250cc giving 57bhp at 5,200rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: front, independent with wishbones and coil springs, rear, live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
The famous Midgets began in 1929 and from the T series of 1936 onwards they were fitted with pushrod overhead valve engines. The post-war types, which did so much for MG's export achievement, began with the TC and this did more than any other model to spread and foster the cult of the European sports car in America. The first real modernisation of the design of the Midget came in 1949 with the introduction of the TD. This was an 85mph sports car that followed the design of the Y saloon, sharing its box-section chassis, (although it had a sweep over the back axle), its rack and pinion steering and its coil sprung independent front suspension. In all some 30,000 examples of the TD were built, with the majority being sold abroad. One of the most important factors for the huge American market was that the TD was available in left hand drive form. In The Autocar road test of 15 May 1953 they summed up the TDs as follows: "many thousands of these little cars are succeeding admirably in providing their owners with something that will, at one moment, journey forth and do the shopping and, at the next, take part in serious competitive events or tackle a 400-mile journey with zest; and this at a price which, in modern times, amounts to a very modest outlay".
With such a huge sales success of the TD in the USA and the popularity of the model it was no surprise that one or two of the North American dealers looked to improve sales (and profits) by marketing special bodied versions. The most famous of these were named Arnolt MGs after S.H. Arnolt, the Chicago Midwest dealer who commissioned the Italian firm of Bertone to build the elegant four seat coupe and drophead versions as on offer today. With traditional Bertone styling the new shapes were a huge departure from the rather stark and traditional Midget shape. Coachwork was built from aluminium, rather than the factory steel version, and the all-enveloping body had enclosed headlamps and a redesigned radiator grill. It is thought that in the region of 60 Arnolt MGs were produced and consequently they are very rare today. This desirable drophead coupe version is described as being in superb restored condition apart from some paint reaction to the bonnet and boot lid. It has undergone a major restoration whilst in the ownership of John Shute in the late eighties and is well detailed beneath the bonnet. The new beige leather upholstery and matching mohair hood are in excellent condition and complement the red coachwork beautifully. It comes with a large file of history and correspondence with the Arnolt MG register, together with photographs of the car when it was first purchased, prior to restoration.
This coachbuilt TD is one of the most desirable MG's from the post-war period.
COACHWORK BY BERTONE
Registration No. RSU 741
Chassis No. 26718
Engine No. 27266
Red with beige leather upholstery
Engine: four cylinder, single overhead camshaft, 1,250cc giving 57bhp at 5,200rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: front, independent with wishbones and coil springs, rear, live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
The famous Midgets began in 1929 and from the T series of 1936 onwards they were fitted with pushrod overhead valve engines. The post-war types, which did so much for MG's export achievement, began with the TC and this did more than any other model to spread and foster the cult of the European sports car in America. The first real modernisation of the design of the Midget came in 1949 with the introduction of the TD. This was an 85mph sports car that followed the design of the Y saloon, sharing its box-section chassis, (although it had a sweep over the back axle), its rack and pinion steering and its coil sprung independent front suspension. In all some 30,000 examples of the TD were built, with the majority being sold abroad. One of the most important factors for the huge American market was that the TD was available in left hand drive form. In The Autocar road test of 15 May 1953 they summed up the TDs as follows: "many thousands of these little cars are succeeding admirably in providing their owners with something that will, at one moment, journey forth and do the shopping and, at the next, take part in serious competitive events or tackle a 400-mile journey with zest; and this at a price which, in modern times, amounts to a very modest outlay".
With such a huge sales success of the TD in the USA and the popularity of the model it was no surprise that one or two of the North American dealers looked to improve sales (and profits) by marketing special bodied versions. The most famous of these were named Arnolt MGs after S.H. Arnolt, the Chicago Midwest dealer who commissioned the Italian firm of Bertone to build the elegant four seat coupe and drophead versions as on offer today. With traditional Bertone styling the new shapes were a huge departure from the rather stark and traditional Midget shape. Coachwork was built from aluminium, rather than the factory steel version, and the all-enveloping body had enclosed headlamps and a redesigned radiator grill. It is thought that in the region of 60 Arnolt MGs were produced and consequently they are very rare today. This desirable drophead coupe version is described as being in superb restored condition apart from some paint reaction to the bonnet and boot lid. It has undergone a major restoration whilst in the ownership of John Shute in the late eighties and is well detailed beneath the bonnet. The new beige leather upholstery and matching mohair hood are in excellent condition and complement the red coachwork beautifully. It comes with a large file of history and correspondence with the Arnolt MG register, together with photographs of the car when it was first purchased, prior to restoration.
This coachbuilt TD is one of the most desirable MG's from the post-war period.