TC EXU Hood query

[Jelly]

Hi

My question is whether all TCs (and in particular all TC EXUs) were sold with a hood, or whether this was an extra.

I have a 1949 TC EXU. It did not have a hood or side screens when i bought it 6 years ago, only a tonneau cover. I have recently bought a hood and side screen kit, and am about to fit it. However, whilst there are slots in the rear frame and holes in the door for the side screen to fit into, and also the fixing bracket behind the rear seat, there is no sign of any bracket for the side screen frame ever having been fitted inside the door (which I clearly need to hold the side screen in place).

Also, there is no sign of a hood hinge ever having been screwed into the apex of the frame by the rear seats.

Before I start making new holes, I'm curious whether the absence of these brackets suggests the car may have been re-upholstered before I got it, with the brackets having been lost, or whether some EXUs were just not fitted with hoods at all.

Thanks

[Ray White]

I would think that unless you have indisputable provenance that clearly shows a hood was never fitted, it would be impossible to say for sure that your car was suppled new sans hood. Far more likely, if I may suggest, is that your car has been altered from the original spec ... which would have included one.

That's my opinion anyway... but if someone else knows differently I am happy to defer.

[Steve Simmons]

As far as I know, all TC's for all markets came with hoods installed. I would expect to find holes for the frame in the wood, but if not then it's possible the tub has been rebuilt. My original EXU tub has them, and it's original frame. One TCMG members is an original owner and his car is unrestored and totally original. It also has it's hood. Tom has probably seen more original tubs than anyone here so maybe he will chime in.

Also keep in mind there are two different frames, in case you need to buy one. EXU uses the late variety.

[Tom Wilson]

I think it's very unlikely your TC left the factory without a hood. It would need to be a special order, something MG really wasn't set up to do at that time.
Additionally being an EXU makes it more unlikely.
For the USA market, Nuffield Exports ordered the cars for export from MG.
They then sold them to the importing distributor, financed through Humbro Bank.
The importing distributor sold them to dealerships.
That's a long string in a brand new distribution network to get one car without a top and hood.

Another consideration is weather protection during the shipment process - factory to dock, loading the ship, then the same on the other end. The interior would need to be protected from rain and such.

Tom Wilson

[Jelly]

Thanks all, very helpful!