1989 TD 2000 'MG Replica' Roadster

Description

Evoking the memory of MG’s classic T-series, the TD 2000 dates back to 1984 when Australian Jaguar dealer Ross Marshall had the opportunity to acquire the original TD tooling from the United States.  Marshall spent several years developing a replica based around the running gear from Nissan's Pulsar but got no further than a single prototype before the recession intervened and ultimately sold the business to Australian Classic Cars in 1987.  A second-generation TD 2000 appeared at the 1988 Sydney International Motor Show, with production commencing in the Victorian country town of Ararat shortly afterwards.  Financial troubles saw yet another change of owner, with A F Gason taking over the mantle and an estimated 90 or so TD 2000s were eventually completed in Australia.  Plans to export the TD to Japan, where the market for retro cars was booming, came unstuck as financial difficulties once again got in the way and production shifted to Malaysia in 1998 when a group of local entrepreneurs took over the rights to the name and tooling.  Contemporary reports of the Australian-made TD 2000 sang its praises for the high build quality and properly developed chassis (with former HDT engineers making the most of the proprietary Nissan suspension componentry) but it's the combination of modern safety features and ease of driving with a traditional 'wind in the hair' driving experience that gives the TD 2000 its unique appeal.