1948 MG TC

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys Sealed June event, Bidding Closes 24/25 June 2026.
Offered Without Reserve $30,000 - $40,000 USD

• Offered from over twenty years of single ownership
• Full restoration completed in 2006 at a cost of over $30,000
• Right-hand-drive example; the quintessential British motoring experience

Straddling the pre- and post-World War II eras, it can be argued that the MG T-Type put the company on the map and on the path to becoming one of the most popular British manufacturers of all time. The T-Type saw continuous evolution from the introduction of the TA which replaced the PB in 1936 onwards through the production of the TF 1500, which stopped production in April of 1955 to make way for the brand new MGA.

It was the TC that would be the first post-war MG, seeing production run from 1945 to 1949. As with almost all immediate post-war automobiles, the TC remained highly similar to the pre-war TB, sporting the 1,250 cc four-cylinder XPAG engine producing 54.5 bhp at 5,200 rpm. The bodywork grew by 100 mm in width over the TB in an effort to give more cockpit space, whilst overall width remained the same due to narrower running boards. The TC proved hugely popular for MG, with 10,001 TCs produced, more than any previous MG model.

According to the MG Car Club T Register, this car was completed in July of 1948. Interestingly, despite TCs sold new to the United States, the TC was only ever built in right hand drive configuration. Upon being acquired by the current owner in 2005, this TC was immediately sent to OConnor Classic, an MG specialist based in Santa Clara, California. With them, the car was fully striped and repainted in its current dark grey, retrimmed in black leather interior, the engine was rebuilt, and a new top and side curtains were fitted. Invoices for the work on file total to over $30,000. This work was completed in the spring of 2006 and the car has remained with the current owner ever since. Further invoices remain on file for the remanufacture and refinishing of the fuel tank and spare tire bracket in 2010, as well as an oil change in 2018.

The MG TC offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to dip their toes into the world of pre-war motoring. Reliable, fun to drive, and easy to work on, it is no wonder why these cars were so popular when new and remain just as popular today. Now offered from over twenty years of single ownership, this particular example presents well throughout as a stately example of classic British motoring. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/s0626/.