TC 6172 was built in mid 1948, just two years after I was born. I've admired MGs generally and T Types in particular since I was a teenager, but acquiring 6172 in February 2009 is my first venture into TC ownership. I've had a couple of MGBs and Mazda MX5s, but have been yearning for the undiluted experience for some time. As the editor of our local Hunter Region MG Car Club magazine I get to say a lot about MGs, but now I feel I am truly bonded to the marque ... after all, our magazine is title 'On the Marque'! I'd love to emulate many TC owners in the members' listing by telling stories of the triumphs and travails of restoring the car, but I must give all that credit to Robert Gibson, a local enthusiast here in Newcastle who has a string of TC restorations to his credit and is a walking encyclopedia on the subject. Robert restored 6172 in just one year - as a retired gent he has made a full-time occupation of MG work. He had bought 6172 in 1967 and immediately put it into his inventory of 'cars for the future'. It waited more than 40 years to re-surface and is the last of his 'stock' to receive the treatment for which he is renowned in our part of the world. TC 6172 has been restored as close to original as is humanly possible - no deviations of the smallest kind have intruded. Well, there are a couple of tiny changes which might lose a point or two, but everything is as it should be. This means such things as silver plated rather than chrome headlight reflectors, one single D-Lamp at the back [original, not repro], the annoying triangular cable bracket on the rear carburettor and, of course, the original steering box with all its idiosynchrasies. Uber-anoraks will pick the smooth enamel rather than crackle finish on the wiper motor and the fact that the rear of the hood is held on with hidden fasteners rather than being permanently nailed on. But despite the wonderful originality of the car, I did not acquire it as a concours show pony, but rather as a car to drive and enjoy to the best of its - and my - ability. As I say to those who query my blind enthusiasm  ... ask me again in a year or two and we'll see how we fare. So far it has only been six months, but I'm still smitten with it. I work as a museum director and find the TC satisfies my love of things historical and also serves as a window into the recent past, the expectations and technologies of the time in which I was born. I look forward to following the marque through MG-TABC.

Gavin Fry