This 1952 MG TD (chassis 17852) is described by its seller as a “restomod,” and though the big chrome Torq Thrusts suggest a Detroit V8 under the hood, peeking through the open sides we actually see a 9000 RPM Honda F20C twin cam four pulled from an early S2000. Other specs include a 6-speed, custom double A-arm front suspension, a four-link rear with 10-bolt GM axle, Saab electric steering and four-wheel discs. For the most part, cosmetic changes are pretty mild, and with a nice dark BRG and some OEM steel wheels–maybe Brooklands screens too–this one could be a really cool and unusual sleeper. Find it here on Craigslist in Auburn, Washington for $25k. Special thanks to BaT reader Kyle K. for this submission.

Reads pretty much the whole ad: “1952 MG TD (not a kit–VIN#17852) 2003 Honda S2000 DOHC VTEC power. Honda 6-speed with 10-bolt GM rear. Saab electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes. IFS w/coils and four-bar rear suspension. Polished 16″Americans. Honda tech manual, painted engine side shields and a new car cover. All side curtains, $25,000.”

Body mods are fairly sedate, despite what the bright (obviously non-standard) red paint and relatively huge American Racing wheels initially suggest. The rear-mounted spare has been removed from the fuel tank, chrome strips on the running boards are different from stock, and front fender-mounted turn signals have been swapped–headlights, their brackets, taillights and even mirrors all appear to be standard, as do the bumpers.

The dash has been changed around, losing the ornate plate-mounted center stack of gauges and switchgear, and remaining instruments appear to be aftermarket (and mounted too far apart). The wrapped wheel is the correct banjo item however, and the single-back, dual-bottom cushion seat is factory looking as well. Note the shifter and apparent lack of tachometer–with 9000 RPM to play with, we hope there’s at least a shift light hiding somewhere.

Being a 2003 (presumably US market) model S2000 engine, this one should be a 2.0 liter F20C and not 2004’s 2.2 F22C seen from that point on in North American cars. Output for each was identical at 240 HP, however the larger unit saw torque bumped to 161 lb. ft. (up from 153)–these earlier ones rev all the way to 9000, where the revamped (but still wonderful) 2.2 stopped at “just” 8200.

Front suspension looks custom, with much beefier arms and spindles than stock. Photos aren’t great, but what can be seen suggests pretty good build quality.

Here’s the 10-bolt (presumably open) rear end. Fully dialing this thing in could be a big task, but the results might be spectacular. Cosmetically, we think this one would be much better suited to this kind of look, though we could go one step further and remove the bumpers. The purists (both MG and Honda) won’t like it, but we really dig the idea of this sound coming from grandpa’s victorian sports buggy.