TB prices

[Jean Vignau]

A TB was auctionned, on the25th of september 2019, 108,724 by Padova Finarte, so there were at least 2 would be bidders. It was within its estimated value of, if I remember well, 85/115,000. You can see it on their website, finarte.it and then automobili da collezionz-Finarte. It was very clean looking, said to be prepared for events such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio (or Pebble Beach)! The only pre-war 4-cylinders MGs eligible for such events are the PB and TB. The radiator grille should not be black, the seats are non original, nor are the headlights, fog light or air filters.

The engine looks standard. A new trend ? Any other example ? The end of TBs being paid less than the TA specials called Q-types?

[Clive Sherriff]

TA specials called Q-types are in my opinion, worthless !

Clive

[jeffrey townsend]

Hi Clive,

Worthless may be a bit harsh but I am pretty sure that there will be a thriving industry in a few years time converting TQK s etc back to standard, whatever that is and probably by the same firms who did the Q-ing in the first place. 

However it is a free world so you pays your money and makes your choice . To be fair I think some conversions look good and are well engineered. It s odd that we are enthusiastic about a period special but not so keen on the current batch. 

Thanks to Jean for raising the issue. 

Regards 
Jeff TB0489
Currently in very smoky Australia

[Mike Inglehearn]

I don't think the price was a reflection of TB prices more to do with the history. The car had been owned by a renowned racing driver who competed in it in the Mille Miglia three times, the Targa Florio and the Gran Premio Nuvolari!

[Victor Savelli]

I may be offering my TB for sale in the coming months and am keenly interested in what they might bring. My car is restored as a race car, but I have the original swept wings and running boards if anyone would want to convert it back stock. It has larger 1500 valves in it and larger 1 1/2 SU s. Any ideas what it may bring?  A few years ago the appraiser from Hagerty thought the $80,000 range - but I don t know if that is accurate or not. I also have chrome wheels and chrome grill, however I have original painted wheels in good shape and also a new I painted grill. 

[img]cid:23E4979F-31C8-4BB9-A14C-4F8D64A74CC9[/img]
[img]cid:5BE2BAC9-F5A7-4FF1-848E-9C3E3E92E8E8[/img]

[jeffrey townsend]

Attachments :

Hi Vic,

Your car looks great. The colour is similar to my TB. Photo below:
[img]cid:8FEF4808-D06D-443E-9992-83409E276D44[/img]

I'm not sure on prices but in the UK I think 50000 to 60000 is maybe about right but a lot depends on quality, originality and history. 

Do you know where the rear wings on your car were made? I m building a TA and have front cycle wings but not rears. 

Regards 
Jeff 

[Victor Savelli]

My cycle wings came from Barry Walker a number of years ago. They were from the original Abington jigs. 

[MGJack@aol.com]

Jeff,
Steve Gilbert fabricates fabulous cycle wings! Just received front and rears for my MG J2  I am restoring.
Steve Gilbert - 01784466488 - sgilbert@emumail.net
Unit 2 Devils  Lane
Egham Engjand TW20 8HD United Kingdom
Cheers,
Jack Kahler
Chairman MG North American MMM Register
5260 South Zinnia Court
Littleton, Colorado 80127
nammmr.org

[Mike Inglehearn]

Further to my last, the engine is tuned and has larger carbs though the original carbs were included in the sale and the car currently has the FIA passport for international competitions, all in all NOT a normal TB.

As Jeff has said for an immaculate and original car with matching numbers, 50-60,000 is probably about the right price, however competition history and / or a distinguished past owner can make a big difference!

[Bill Hyatt]

https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/490/1933-mg-j2

Bill
TC 4926
Odessa, Fl

[arm@telus.net]

Thanks for that link. Made my face hurt from grinning
Ross

[Jean Vignau]

If the TB had competed in the Mille Miglia in period, 1939, 40, ... I'd agree it is an historic car with a greater value than a standard one but it did not.

It competed only in what I'd call Revivals, I don t know how what great name  they call them with but, in my humble opinion, it only means the owner is rich. This said, it is probably better to buy a car from a rich owner than from an impecunious one!

[Mike Inglehearn]

The TB never competed in the Mille Miglia, but qualifies because though it did not race one was entered on at least one occasion.Whilst the car may not be a specific "historic car", it does have a history of racing in "historic races", and no matter how you feel about it, it does make a difference to the value as does a distinguished owner.I think many would not consider the Mille Miglia to be merely a "revival"!

[Ian]

As far as I m concerned these prices reflect the present economic situation and the ability of those with too much money to hide it from the worst damage it is creating more than anything intrinsic in the cars themselves.

https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/490/1933-mg-j2

Is this the car which was at the NEC last week?

Ian Thomson

[Duncan]

Sometime between 1947 - 1949 an "unidentified" MG over 1100cc competed in the Mille Miglia.  
https://1000miglia.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Tabella_Coefficienti_Coefficients_List_22102018-1.pdf

[Clive Sherriff]

Mike,
You say that . . " I think many would not consider the Mille Miglia to be merely a "revival"!"
True I suppose, depending on who you think "the many " are. , But it has only got it's "status" by the "Celebrities" it can afford to attract, and the monied owners more keen to be seen there than to be there. They tend to disappear very quickly after the photoshoots when it rains !
It's little more than a picnic outing compared with what the original Mille Miglia was once Sadly
Clive

[alpine842 botha]

The price debate about MG TBs has me reflecting about the once unloved MGTA I purchased in the late 1960s for 68 sterling. I still own it today in comparison to the MG TA special currently on ebay for 69,995. MG TAs, after all, have a proper racing pedigree. Has the world of pre war MG prices gone Cream Crackers!
robin, Cheshire

[Clive Sherriff]

The pre war TA's and TB's are of course the only T Series cars eligible for use in social and the wonderful competition and racing events in the Vintage Sports Car Club (the VSCC) , which must be worth a couple tens of thousands in itself.
CliveOxford UK
M mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Tweed]

Being a poor man, I'll just enjoy my TC while I have the chance. 
Tweed

[Mike Inglehearn]

It's little more than a picnic outing compared with what the original Mille Miglia was once Sadly

That could be said about many great races and rallies of the past due to modern safety regulations!