Lot Ended
Description
1985 Naylor TF 1700
Only 11,700 miles from
new; three owners; steel body; new clutch and timing belt; one of only 100 made;
fool 99% of the people 99% of the time!
If you are into your T-Series MGs, you will certainly be
familiar with the firm Naylor Brothers. The Yorkshire-based concern is one of
the principal restorers and suppliers of spare parts for the full range of these
models.
In the early 1980s, Alastair Naylor decided to launch an
updated version of the MG TF under his own name. Using an in-house chassis
design fitted with Austin Rover Group running gear, the car had an all-steel
body on an ash frame in the traditional manner. Styled almost exactly like the
original MG TF, the car was powered by a 77bhp 1.7-litre O-Series Austin engine
which pushed it along to a more than adequate top speed of 94mph.
The complications of producing hand-built cars should
never be underestimated, and the costs associated with out-sourcing components
on limited production runs makes it extremely hard for the sums to add up.
Selling at just £40 less than the much more powerful Morgan +8, it was all a bit
of an uphill struggle and Naylor stopped production after just 100 had left the
factory. The rights were sold to a company who marketed their own version called
the 'Hutson', adding a further 61 to the total produced.
Not to be confused with a home-built kit car, these
Naylors carried full type-approval and were registered in their own right as a
Naylor – an important distinction which was probably not fully appreciated at
the time. They were covered under a warranty provided by Austin Rover and their
development saw a close relationship emerge between Naylor Brothers, Austin
Rover Group and the British Motor Industry Heritage Centre which was later to
lead to the MG RV8 programme.
At a glance, it would be hard to tell that
this Naylor TF wasn't an MG manufactured three decades earlier. First registered
in October 1985, it has had just three owners to date, the current owner
acquiring it via Brightwells in 2015 to join a collection of classic cars. He
fitted a new clutch and a new timing belt but apart from the odd short run to
keep everything free, it has been kept in storage ever since, the odometer
showing only 11,680 miles which is the total distance covered from new, as
warranted by 21 old MOTs on file. The service book shows three stamps from 1991,
2005 and 2006, the cam belt being renewed at 8,000 miles in 2005.
As you
can see in the photos, it remains in very good order throughout with gleaming
red paintwork, a polished walnut dash and nicely mellowed stone leather
upholstery. The only real cosmetic defects that we noted being some slight
peeling of the chrome on the corner of the front bumper and some cracking to the
surface coating on the seats. It has a stainless steel exhaust and a full set of
weather gear (hood; hood cover; sidescreens; tonneau cover) all in good
condition. The original owner's manual and service book are also
present.
Flying through its MOT in March this year with no advisories
recorded, it has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved
it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure, as you would expect from such a
low-mileage example.
Built in a proper factory, by the recognised
experts and barely even run-in yet, it is ready for a proud fourth owner to
enjoy over the long hot summer that doubtless lies ahead of us!
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT