Additional Information

MG produced this as a Left-Hand drive TD with Export to North America specifications (EXLNA), on 9 March, 1953. The Vessel ledgers show that Arnolt coupe 252 was shipped on the SS Joliette with Arnolt coupes 254, 255 and 257 and convertibles 250 and 253, arriving in Chicago via the Great Lakes on 26 August, 1953. The original purchaser was British Motor Sales, San Diego, Cal. in the Vessel ledger and ASD 1 & 3 (but Midwest Car & Boat in ASD ledger 2) on 2 August 1955, invoice 173. Registrations from 1963 show the owner as Charles Irvin Kline of Sherman Oaks and then Granada Hills, CA, who is most likely responsible for the car's present Ford 289 V-8 engine, Ford 4-speed transmission and Ford differential. A receipt with the car shows headers ($22.40) were purchased from Shelby American in 1963, so the engine swap was probably done early on. The firewall, pedals and sheet-metal were all extensively modified to fit, a sway-bar and MGA disc brakes were added with after-market 4-lug wheels. The front seats were replaced with lightweight fiberglass shells (Shelby?). Kline's obituary (1926-2024) notes that "Chuck loved building hot rods with friends and even raced at Bonneville in his youth. He had been a member of the LA Roadsters..." Registrations show that in 1970 or 1971 Kline sold Arnolt 252 to Kim William Gregory, then also of Granada Hills. The car was regularly driven by Gregory in Las Vegas, where it was registered in 1975. Other than the modifications, it is otherwise quite complete, and the body is relatively unmolested.