TC Bumpers

[jddevel]

My imported from the US `48 TC that I`m about to start restoring has bumpers. I assume this was a USA requirement or was it after market. Second question would you leave off or refit (They do need rechroming so that may well be the deciding factor anyway due to cost.

[Tom Lange, MGT Repair]

First, do you have an EXU? That was the variant for import to the US, with special features like bumpers and turn signals. (The Guarantee Plate will be stamped "EXU" if it is.) I don't believe the EXU features were required by US law, but were thought of as features closer to the current US car.

If not, they are aftermarket and it is completely up to you whether to use them or not - I find them a bit ungainly. Perhaps it depends on how much you will driving the car, and in what sort of environment. If in town frequently, then they might be useful. They do offer some degree of protection, but anyone knowledgeable looking at the car will first-of-all say, "Well, the bumpers aren't original..." In American a popular aftermarket item was what we called "nerf-bars," vertical rods that stuck out fore and aft to help protect from a touch from another car.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

[Steve Simmons]

Inskip and a couple others sold add-on bumpers which were very popular for a time in the 50s. You still see them now and then. My personal preference is to go without them. If yours are actual EXU bumpers then they will bring a handsome price should you decide to sell.

[jddevel]

Thanks Tom and Steve. I`ll have to check tomorrow. I don`t think I`ll be bothering fitting them as the chrome has all but disappeared and other than painting them the cost of replating for a car being used in the UK/Europe is pointless in my opinion. Regarding their value.That I would have thought would really only apply to the US market and there, shipping would be prohibitive surely.

[jddevel]

Tom, I note that a car listed by Harwoods https://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-MG-T-Seri ... tion=2%7C0 although displaying bumpers makes no reference to EXU on its guarantee plate. Is this likely then to be an aftermarket imported from the UK or would the ECU be indicated elsewhere?

[bloodysalmon]

I repatriated 2 TC's, both had these 'cow-horn' upright chromed 'things' on ... went to the metal scrap dealers.

Saying that they did have a purpose I suppose to stop your car being nudged in the supermarket carpark.

[Steve Simmons]

The eBay TC is a home market car with aftermarket bumpers. EXU models were only produced in 1948-49. While I dislike the look of bumpers on TCs, The EXU bumpers were much nicer looking than any of the aftermarket parts I've seen.

[Franz]

For me the TC is more beautiful without bumpers, also think they won’t help by a accident.

I have also a Mercedes SL model R107, they must have for America special pumpers, you cannot imagine how ugly the car looks with them.

Hello from the sunny Vienna

Franz

[Tom Lange, MGT Repair]

The original EXU bumpers were curved in profile from top to bottom, really smaller versions of the TD bumpers. Whenever you see the flat-bar bumpers, they are aftermarket.

I knew one TC owner who added aftermarket bumpers because he claimed his wife, who drove the car, "can't drive worth a damn, and can't stop worth a damn." The car looked and ran fine, so I suspect he was just being cautious.
Tom Lange
MGT Repair

[Franz]

Found this pictures from a TC with bumpers in the book factory original T Series.
Looks nice, but similar to a TD

Franz

[Duncan M]

Interesting picture to pick for a book on originality. Showing chromed wire wheels, Alfins (or something shiney) chromed tail light bodies, that thing on the end of the tailpipe, and driving lights and a quick release radiator cap, and (unlit) license plate in back below the bumper. All incorrect on the exu. Does show the correct style exu 3 spoke steering wheel.

[jddevel]

Tom from your description mine are after market. The brackets to which the bumpers are fixed have been welded to the chassis frame. Will therefore have to cut them off to return to original.

[Duncan M]

Front EXU bumpers are entirely bolted on with no welding. Same with the rear. Fronts attach to chassis by way of a special damper mounting plate. see picture.

Rears mounts are a bit more involved, and 2nd pic shows proper license plate bracket above bumper, with light above plate.

rear.JPG (55.66 KiB) Viewed 3490 times

[stephen stierman]

TC2911 was a home market car, but when I purchased it was equipped with some sort of after market or perhaps even home made bumpers that were removed and disposed of in short order. I understand the appeal and rarity of the EXU and if I had one, the nice original chrome bumpers would remain. But I just have always felt that the TC was much more elegant looking with nothing to take away from the graceful sweep of the front and rear wings. Just thinking out loud!

[jddevel]

Duncan, Whilst I appreciate that the pictures you`ve added show a bolt on fitting in my case they certainly are welded. I assume that was the joice made by the person having the bumpers fitted. It`s been neatedly done.

[bcaviljr]

Having just competed the restoration of TC7838, I thought I would add these photos of the ' rare' and often maligned "nerf bars". Notes in the original resto book as was done by Mike Goodman and the prior owner stated that they were often put on cars brought in through Canada by servicemen as were the adaptors to semi sealed headlights. How true, cannot say. Just passing the info on.