Moss Motors, Ltd

Hello,

In an effort to return to the "original paint color"  I preserved a section where the body running board and fenders met the body protected by the fender welting.

I know that the car was originally a deep red or almost maroon red with a red interior. Old upholstery bears this out and original paint still preserved in fender welting areas 

The question I have is that of the two reddish color codes that are listed in the Moss parts catalogue are either " too tomato red"  ( MG Red - Ditzler 71993) or "too maroon" ( Autumn Red  - Ditzler  50930) .

After rubbing out the original color with compound it sure looks like original color is somewhere in between. THE TD shown on the Moss Catalogue may even be closer  The paint store can possibly color match but it sure would be nice to locate a reference to the original paint color codes or color chips for these cars.

The Spec plate for the car is as follows:

Car No.  - TD 14133

               EXL/NA

Engine No. XPAG/TD2/14247

 Body Type 22381

Body No. 13494/83577

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO REFERENCE THE ORIGINAL CAR COLOR AND TRIM COLORS FROM THESE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ON THE TD CAR PLATES ?

HELP MUCH APPRECIATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, Abingdon did not begin adding the car color codes until the introduction of the TF.  A bit of automotive archeology like you've done is necessary to build an educated guess as to the original colors for your car.  The next problem you're going to run into is that the original paint was a "nitrocellulose lacquer", which is (or was - no longer made) very different from today's acrylic lacquer in color saturation and clarity.  Remember, it was the cheapest stuff the Brits could get away with (several historical accounts state that US dealers would occasionally repaint new cars due to the poor condition/hue of the factory stuff), and unless you're going for a 100-point concourse museum quality restoration, or really enjoy repainting your MG every 2 years, you may wish to "improve" your car in this respect, and no one will knock you for it.

A Brit has put together a web site for all things "TD".  Here's the link for his colors section - very extensive, well researched

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_finishes.htm

Another excellent source and authoritative reference for TD colors is the latest edition of the New England MG "T" Register's "The "T" Series MG Handbook".  Page 47-48 and a new appendix "Paint For The "T" Series MG" by Hal Kramer are a wealth of information on factory colors.

There's lots of really red TDs, green TDs, black TDs, yellow and white.  Some are now painting the car in two-tone, with the fenders darker than the body, with wonderful visual effect.  The MG SA, VA saloon crowd has been doing that for years, and the cars are gorgeous.  I painted mine with a Chrysler dark red clear coat, which matched the original "Autumn Red" pretty well.  Of course, the clear coat is totally "wrong" but the color and depth really highlights the curves of the sheetmetal.  The car is a real crowd pleaser, with "Best of Show" awards, but I'll never claim it's concourse original.  No one cares.

Bottom line - it's YOUR car.  Paint it any color YOU like.  It'll look great!

Thanks again Dick for the great leads on original paints. This helps a bunch on teh color chart selction

Would you still have or recall the paint code for the "Autumn Red " that you painted your car. From what I can tell from the color chips on the site that you sent me that my car was Autumn Red originally with red interior

Promise you won't report me to the originality police, but we used the standard Chrysler metallic dark red clear coat (RM brand) that was on my 1998 Dodge Durango - "Chili Pepper Red" (can't remember the exact paint code - PEA, I think).  I'm sure any paint shop can look up the code.  I think just about any Chrysler product out there in the dark red paint is the same code, regardless of the marketing name.  I tell purists who sniff about the paint, that I painted MY car the way the factory should have painted it.  They grumble a bit, then acknowledge "Sure looks good!".

Fortunately, the resale price for non-historical TDs hasn't gone the way of the XKE and Big Healey.  As a result, purity of originality, particularily paint, just isn't a big deal - yet.  Once someone starts paying 6 figures for those "Cheap and Cheerful" TDs, we'll have to start paying attention to such details.  The TC crowd is big into originality, but the TD group still enjoys just having fun with the car, and modifications like improved ignition systems, modern 5-speed transmissions and SBR tires, wood dashes, etc are all quite acceptable.

The New England MGT Register's handbook is the best source on T-series cars that I know of.  Well worth the investment!

I can vouch for the "sure looks good" part of Dick's post.

People love the color, me included.

Hi Dick, How's the weather in your new home?

Bill

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Hey Motorbill - good to hear from you!

It snowed today!  Here, on the Oregon Coast.  In April!  But it didn't stick ...  Signing the final check to the builder Friday, moving in Saturday - finally!

So .... Which is better, MG or Triumph? 

Larry, I would be interested in your findings as I am finishing a 39 TB and have the same situation. Org. overspray looks as you describe and interior was very dark red available from Collingburn in UK. Org. stock option was Coral Red which is said to be same as Reno Red, Carmine Red, Regency Red, MG or Emgee Red and it looks in between MG and Autum Red and more like a maroon.

Cheers,

John

TB0398