Finding the Right Car
This beautiful 1948 MG TC was found locally in Abingdon, having been cared for by an enthusiast for several years.
Finished in its original Sequoia Cream with a contrasting green interior, the car presented extremely well. The bodywork was attractive, the woodwork remained in excellent condition and, importantly, it appeared to be a fundamentally sound example – making it an ideal candidate for conversion into a capable vintage rally car.
The previous owner, an engineer, had clearly enjoyed maintaining and modifying the MG himself over the years. Following its purchase, the TC was brought to OCR Rally for a comprehensive inspection before preparation began.
Looking Beneath the Surface
As is often the case with classic cars, appearances only tell part of the story.
Although the MG looked fantastic, our initial inspection highlighted a number of areas requiring attention before we would be happy sending it into competition.
The lighting wasn't functioning correctly, the battery wasn't charging and there were several unwanted rattles. Mechanically, all four leaf springs had flattened over time, there was play within the kingpins and drag links, and several oil leaks required attention.
In its existing form, it was very much an enthusiast's car – great fun for a Sunday afternoon drive through the lanes, but not yet ready for the demands of competitive historic rallying.
Fortunately, this is exactly the type of challenge our team at OCR Rally enjoys.
Preparing for Competition
Once our inspection report had been presented to the new owner, we discussed how the car could be improved specifically for rallying.
The objective throughout was clear: make the MG more capable, reliable and enjoyable in competition without compromising the character or appearance that made the car so special in the first place.
Rather than replacing the tired leaf springs with standard road equivalents, we opted for slightly stiffer springs better suited to competition use.
The brakes were relined throughout, again choosing a friction material better able to withstand the demands of rallying while retaining the original braking system.
Every upgrade was deliberately subtle. This was never about turning the MG TC into something it wasn't.
Suspension and Running Gear
While rebuilding the suspension, we investigated the excessive play found within the kingpins.
Interestingly, the pins and bushes themselves were correctly sized. The problem was actually within the shimming, which was allowing approximately 3–4mm of vertical movement on each side.
To rectify this properly, we machined new components to achieve the required tolerances and remove the unwanted movement.
Each drag link was also stripped and rebuilt, sourcing components from several specialists to eliminate years of accumulated wear.
A fresh set of tyres and tubes completed the overhaul of the running gear and gave us a solid foundation for the miles ahead.
Improving Reliability
Vintage rallying places very different demands on a car compared with an occasional Sunday drive, so reliability was a major focus throughout the preparation.
An electric, thermostatically controlled cooling fan was installed to help manage engine temperatures during slower sections and demanding conditions.
Electronic ignition was added to improve reliability, together with two ignition coils. These were mounted and wired so that the driver could quickly switch between them should a coil fail during an event – a relatively simple modification that could make a considerable difference when competing far from home.
The previous owner had taken an interesting approach to the MG's charging problem by installing the largest battery that would physically fit.
We took a slightly different approach.
A Dynator conversion was carried out to provide reliable modern charging while retaining a period-correct appearance, allowing us to return the car to the correct size battery.
The remainder of the electrical system was thoroughly checked and repaired where necessary. Modern electrical connections were discreetly incorporated in selected areas where doing so would improve long-term reliability.
Rally Equipment
Inside the car, we wanted to introduce the equipment needed for competition without overwhelming the wonderfully simple MG interior.
A Monit trip computer was installed along with discreet USB connections for modern devices.
We also sourced a pair of three-point harnesses specifically chosen to complement the existing green interior, allowing the additional safety equipment to blend naturally with the car rather than looking like an afterthought.
These details might be relatively small individually, but together they create a car that is considerably easier to live with over several days of competitive rallying.
Protection Where It Matters
Underneath the MG, attention turned to protecting vulnerable components from the conditions it could encounter during competition.
The brake and fuel lines were rerouted to move them away from potential damage.
A bespoke sump guard was fabricated to protect the underside of the engine, while an additional shield was manufactured to protect the fuel pipe where it exits the tank.
None of these modifications dramatically alter the appearance of the car, but when tackling demanding roads over hundreds of miles, they could make the difference between continuing an event and retiring at the roadside.
Keeping the Classic Character
Externally, the MG's unmistakable vintage appearance was deliberately left largely untouched.
A traditional MG TC luggage rack was fitted to provide some much-needed additional storage for longer events.
The doors were adjusted to improve their fit and the original catches and latches were carefully reset. MG TCs are known to experience a degree of body flex when cornering hard, which can occasionally cause a door to pop open.
As an additional precaution, we fitted discreet secondary catches to both doors – another small modification designed specifically with competition use in mind.
Ready for its First Adventure
The finished result is exactly what we wanted to achieve.
A beautiful 1948 MG TC, presented in its original Sequoia Cream with green interior, retaining all the charm and simplicity of the original car while being comprehensively prepared for the challenges of vintage rallying.
Rather than changing the character of the MG, our job was to work with it.
The suspension, brakes, electrics, cooling and running gear have been carefully improved; vulnerable components protected; and essential rally equipment incorporated as sympathetically as possible.
The result is a vintage rally car built not only to be admired, but to be driven, enjoyed and, most importantly, to survive the challenges of competition.
Owner's Feedback – The First 130 Miles
Following completion, the owner collected his MG TC from OCR ahead of his first event, the 2026 Vintage Shamrock with Rally the Globe.
Having never previously driven a vintage car, he spent more than an hour with Adam from the OCR team going through the car, its controls and the various techniques involved in driving a 1948 MG.
Adam had also prepared a detailed handover document containing useful information, tips and recommendations before accompanying the owner on his first drive around Witney.
The real test came immediately afterwards – a 130-mile journey from OCR Rally to the owner's home in East Devon.
The MG completed the journey completely trouble-free.
The owner subsequently sent us the following feedback:
