By conservative estimate, several hundred T-series MGs have been upgraded to American V8 power. The actual number may well be into four digits. These conversions were frequently featured on the covers of American hot-rod magazines in the late fifties and early sixties. Famous celebrities like Carroll Shelby got into the act.
Now, about fifty years later, we hardly ever come across MG T-series cars outside of car shows. T-series V8 conversions seem so very rare... but gentlemen, old T-series hot-rods are waiting in barns for folks like us to find them! Those needle-in-a-haystack cars will be more likely to come out and get rebuilt if we build general public knowledge about this once-popular part of hot-rodding heritage.
Dave Plumley's TD first got its Chevy V8 engine in 1968. At the same time, it got a Corvair front suspension and a Corvette rear. Check out the new "How-It-Was-Done" article (http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DavePlumley-MG-TD.htm). If this car excites you, please note that it's listed for sale in our classified section. Dave is planning his next MG-V8 project!
(http://www.britishv8.org/MG/DavePlumley/DavePlumley-AA.jpg)
I'm sure a lot of purists are eating their hearts out seeing this, but this car is VERY well done, no gigantic wheels and tires,
no outrageous body mods, very tastefully done.
Dave Craddock
Cool car having great condition .. ! Body shining,wheels also.!
Now that's what I call nice work and a lot of time. Great job!
Thanks for all the positive comments, but the car was a real labor of love to build. It has around seven hundred miles on it and every mile was a blast. Every time a walk in the garage and look at it, I smile. I'm absolutely in love with looks of the car. MG should have stopped at the TD and never made another model. Sorry! I know, you guys with As and Bs don't share my view. I feel the same way about the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, the design can't be improved.
From the beginning of the build I decided performance could not over shadow the beauty of the cars design. The wheels and tires are the one area that hints something is not kosher. Of course when the engine is fired up everything changes.
Today an online magazine "Crusin the Streets" did a photo shoot of my other build, a 1956 Ford F100.The truck has a four inch chop and much too many custom touches to list. They will be doing a shoot of the MG sometime in the future. Attached is a pic of my truck(sorry it's not British, but but does reflect my passion for classic design).
Take care, Dave
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Nice truck Dave! I too love my MG but can't turn my back on the classics.
Paul
Dave, I still have my 56' F100, I bought in 69'. I never drove it ! Looks like it will be a retirement project. Thanks for sharing, roverman.
Hi,
really nice car having great look and awesome design
thanks