The Pros And Cons Of The T-Series

One of the most cherished British classics ever made, the T-Series sums up everything that was great about England, from a time when Britannia ruled the waves. Oozing quintessential British charm, the T-Series lasted two decades and encompassed five distinct derivatives. From the narrow-tracked TA to the Morgan-esque TF with its integrated headlamps and wider bodyshell, all these cars have their charms and are well supported by specialists around the country.

However, while the T-Series was everything you needed in period, that period was a long time ago. As a result none of these cars is fast while handling and braking is ‘of its time’ and maintenance demands can be high. But if you’re after a charming classic to enjoy some touring when the sun comes out and you don’t anticipate doing
However, the crankshaft can break across the front web while the valves can drop into the cylinders, when their heads break off. The cam followers also wear quickly; any engine rebuilt recently should have had improvements incorporated, such as improved valve springs.
• TD and TF gearboxes are the weakest; the gears and layshaft create the most problems, so make sure the car doesn’t jump out of gear and that there’s no significant whining.
• The primitive suspension needs regular TLC. The first three generations featured cart springs, while the TD and TF have independent front suspension. The earlier system is strong, but the TA and TB feature sliding trunnion spring mountings at the rear. The steel tube which carries the phosphor bronze bushes wears, but it’s easy to fix.
• The phosphor bronze upper and lower trunnions of the TD and TF are prone to wear, and if they’ve been replaced by steel MGA items they’ll be even more worn. Regular lubrication with a mix of oil and grease will have slowed down the wear rate – but it can’t be eradicated