Bizarre BZ376; MG TD Roadster; 1951 24h Le Mans DNF; Philips & Rippon; RN43

In 1950 the TD MkII Competition Model was introduced, produced alongside the standard car, with a more highly tuned engine using an 8.1:1 compression ratio giving 57 bhp (43 kW) at 5,500 rpm. The higher compression ratio engine was offered with export markets in mind, and would not have been suitable for the UK, where thanks to the continued operation of wartime fuel restrictions, buyers were still limited to 72 octane "pool petrol". The TD MkII also featured twin fuel pumps, additional Andrex dampers, and a higher ratio rear-axle.

In 1951 MG Chief Designer Syd Enever built a streamlined body as a “one off” for an MG model TD to be driven by George Phillips in the Le Mans 24 hour race. Although it was designated by the the factory reference “EX176“, this car is more commonly known by its registration number UMG 400. During 1952, internal politics at the British Motor Corporation led to the initial rejection of the “EX175” project in favour of the Austin-Healey 100/4. However by 1953 the falling sales of the TF model were the trigger that gave the go ahead to build the car which was to be called the “MGA”.

This resin model is by Bizarre, sourced from a private collection in July 2018.