There never was an official model of an MG named the MGTE. After the MGTD
came the MGTF. The MGTF was basically a slightly modified MGTD with a few
stylized refinements to the body in the form of swept fenders with integral
headlamps, sloping hood, and bucket seats. There were original plans for a
follow on to the MGTD that was code named the EX175. This car was never built
because of internal politics within the BMC organization and their investment
in the Austin-Healey 100. Perhaps this was to be the MGTE.
Were MGTD's offered with wire wheels as an option in 1953?
The answer was no. Wire wheels were not offered by the factory until the
production of the MGTD ceased. It was in 1954 when the MGTF offered wire wheels
as an option that the factory offered an 'upgrade' kit for the MGTD. It is
possible that some of the very late 1953 MGTD's could have been retrofitted by
dealers with these wire wheels before being sold for the first time.
What sort of wood dashboards were offered for the MGTD originally?
The answer is none. The MGTD has a plywood dashboard that was always
covered in vinal cloth (rexine) to match the interior fabric. In the period, as
is today, wooden dashboards were very popular accessories.
