MG T-ABC

Hello All,

MY name is Lynn Dykgraaf. I live north of Seattle, Washington, USA, in the small town of Lake Stevens and have just realized a life long dream of owning a TC.

I recently bought TC 1943 from one family ownership since the late 40's. It came with all the original manuals plus original shop and parts manuals as well. Also included is an unbroken paper trail of all work and purchases since 1951. My favorite part is a complete tool set including the original tool roll with hand tools intact. It has had one respray, seat cover replacement and one top replacement since new. Color combo is a vivid green with tan interior and green grill slats. Engine number is XPAG 2632. This number combo matches on the data tag on the cowl and a check with the TR Register confirms a numbers matching car. The original side curtains went missing when the car was shipped to the nephew who inherited it from his uncle upon his passing. I'll look for originals for a while but will likely have to order a complete new kit and start from scratch.

I am in the process of a series of small jobs to bring it back to driver status. Nothing major. I'll include a few pictures soon. It is not a show car. Just an honest driver in very presentable condition. My intention is to keep it just like it is and drive the heck out of it.

A little about me. I'm a retired, after 34 years, high school math, social studies, social sciences teacher. Endured the loss of five students in a mass shooting. I am a founding member of the Everett Rowing Association. I rowed crew in college and still scull a vintage cedar Pocock Teardrop single when conditions allow. Past President of Tyee Triumph. Still have my high school TR3A, TS 22436LO. Have owned 36 cars and 19 motorcycles to this point and have been married to Brenda for 39 years.

Looking forward to this new adventure and am glad to have found this resource.

B. Lynn Dykgraaf

Oct 57 TR3A, TS 22436LO
Oct 46 MG TC, TC 1943
1975 Kawasaki KT 250A

Welcome, Lynn! Your car sounds like quite the treasure. Known history and maintenance records on a car this old isn't common. I also applaud your plans to keep it original and drive it. That's the best way, in my opinion. I hope you post some photos.

I still have my high school car also, a 1965 MGB. My grandfather bought it new so it's always been in the family.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the comments. After finding out about the extras I did not think I would be able to buy it and told the owner so. I made my best offer but let him know I thought he was leaving money on the table if he accepted. He is such a nice guy and we got on just great but I was still quite surprised when he accepted.

Once new gas tank sending unit installed. Front shock plates installed after removal of period after market front and rear bumpers plus a couple of other small items we should be back on the road. Pictures at that time. I'll be posting one picture in particular that I will need help in identifying just what I am looking at. I have my suspicions based on receipts and inquiries documented but have never seen anything like it. Stay tuned!

Lynn

Welcome Lynn. You seem to have found a good original car. I think your plan to just get it roadworthy is the way to go. It is too easy to listen to all those voices that say "restore it". The big risk is you end up working on the car rather than enjoying it.

In case it sounds like do as I say not as I do; in my case I had no option but to start again, as the car I bought was not what it was purported to be.

Welcome Lynn.
enjoy the car
it is so fine to drive such an old car
total different to the modern computer cars.
i have seen the eyes of my TA 3 years ago
and i love it
and you will love it too

Hi Ray,

Love the restored as well as the drivers. If I had my choice it would be a completely original driver. No restoration other than mechanical to keep it functional. I did the restored route on my TR3 after a dash fire one night when my dash lights went out and I reached under to restore the contact and let all the smoke out. The restoration was quite the experience but since then have become a fan of the completely original. Getting older has changed my perspective I guess.

Franz your English is just fine and I could not agree more on driving original cars. I was trying to explain to a rowing friend about the difference between rowing an original steam bent cedar racing single vs the modern carbon resin versions. Getting in my TR3 or my cedar Pocock single is like getting together with your best old friend. You two are part of a team that requires something of both of you. My cedar single feels alive. It feels like it missed me. The carbon single I had for a while has no life. It gives nothing back. My TR3 feels the same way. I suspect as the TC and I get to know each other the feeling will be the same. I had a Mazda MX5-RF for a while and while a fantastic car with few vices it did so much for me that I ended up selling it after two years. I'm really looking forward to the 1946 experience.

Good hearing from both of you.

Lynn

Welcome Lynn! Like yourself I too find old things like old friends. They speak to me, are special, and need to be preserved for the next generation of nuts like us.
Looking forward to your posting images.
Cheers,
Rob Zucca
TC5464