History

The MG TC is widely regarded as one of the most important sports cars produced in the United Kingdom of its time. MG’s origins date back to the early 1920s, when a man named William Morris founded Morris Garages to modify standard-production Morris Oxford cars in partnership with general manager Cecil Kimber. The company was later incorporated in the 1930s as M.G. Car Company Limited. This partnership flourished due to the product demand of the more sporty and modified variants coming from Morris Garage, and through this partnership, Morris Garage eventually became its own marque, MG. 1934 saw the introduction of the MG P-type, which later evolved into the T-Series, the first being the TA Midget. After World War II the TC was introduced in 1945 as MG’s first post-war model, based on the pre-war TB. Equipped with a wider body, a more powerful 1250cc XPAG engine, and upgraded suspension with hydraulic dampers, TCs were produced until 1949, before being replaced by the TD. The TC garnered immense popularity with U.S. servicemen stationed in Great Britain, who fell in love with its performance and tuneability. The MG TC quickly became a popular choice for club racing, hill climbs, and rallies, inspiring future Motorsports champions to get behind the wheel, as the TC was often their first foray.  Only 10,001 examples would be produced, the most of any MG model up until that point.

Enter The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, an annual automotive event held on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. It is the gathering spot for the world’s finest, rarest and most coveted vehicles. Widely considered the world’s most prestigious “car show” this tradition is a mark of excellence for any car that has attended in-period or today. The event was founded in 1950 as a companion to the Pebble Beach Road Races, a series of sports car racing events sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America that took place around Pebble Beach. While the race itself ended after 1956, the Concours continues to this day, and has evolved into the keystone event of Monterey Car Week and a must-attend for automotive enthusiasts worldwide.

This Car

This particular example, Chassis #TC3600, was produced in September 1947 and boasts a rich history of racing and Concours attendance at events throughout the West Coast. We believe this to be a US export model, based on its smaller sealed-beam headlights, turn signals, and dual rear lights. While little in the way of paper records exist from previous owners. The dashboard, filled to the brim with plaques, tells the story of this example’s pedigree, the earliest is a 2nd-place plaque from the Clear Lake Hill Climb with a George Swift at the helm. That placement was followed by a 16th place finish at the 1951 Pebble Beach Road Races. Along with a class victory at the “SCU Xmas Concours” in 1951. Later a 3rd-place victory at the SCU Clear Lake Hill Climb in 1952, and a 1st-place overall victory at the SCU Gymkhana, also in 1952. Sometime after 1952, the TC was purchased by Gene Szemanski, who, alongside the car, made frequent appearances at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and other Concours events along the West Coast. This TC  placed 1st  in the “Sports Cars Under $2,500 Class” and a 1st Honorable Mention in the Best in Show class at the 1953 Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. These were followed by a 1st place Class I victory at the 1953 Golden Gate Concours and a 3rd place victory in the “Sports Cars Under $2,500 Class” at the 1955 Pebble Beach Concours. Additionally we can see from studying the period Pebble Beach programs that this car was either raced or shown in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956. 

While the car’s documented history ends in 1956, we know it was later purchased directly from Gene Szemanski’s heirs around 2007. It was immediately treated to a careful year-long mechanical restoration and aesthetic refurbishment at Mike Wilson’s Restoration in Visalia, CA. But done so in a manner as to not disturb its as raced/shown appearance. This TC was subsequently accepted to be shown at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours in the Postwar Preservation Class. Where it attended, was well received, but at the request of the owner, was not judged. All told, we believe this to be a three owner example, all of which have exhibited the car at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. 

As it sits, this 1947 MG TC is a well preserved example of one of the most influential sports cars its time. It wears its age proudly as a reminder of the many victories and experiences it has lived through. As a Pebble Beach-eligible car, able to return under a veteran status, this MG presents a unique opportunity to attend a world-class event in a vehicle that not only attended the show in its nascency but also won several awards at the same time. While many competitors on the lawn at Pebble Beach carry values that reach well into the 7-figure+ range, this TC offers a budget-friendly way to share the field while carrying a legacy that some of those more valuable cars could only dream of.

The future owner will hold a unique chance to continue this TC’s legacy of racing and showmanship for years to come. Given this car remains a welcome applicant, we hope the next owner will immediately apply for the 2026 Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. Where this car remains eligible for Postwar Preservation and this year’s special class, “Pebble Beach Road Racing Greats”.  Included in the sale are five vintage Pebble Beach show programs, a race program from the Buchanan Field Sports Car Races, the original toolkit and jack, a spare build plaque, and all of the service records on file.

The Market