1948 MG TC EX-PHIL HILL - Estimate $250,000 - $300,000
Chassis TC5194
Car Highlights
Phil Hill’s First Race-Winning Car
Driven by Hill to Victory in His First Closed-Course Race
Restored in the UK by Marque Experts
Handsome Livery as Delivered to Phil Hill, and Shorrock-Supercharged Engine
Accompanied by a Wealth of Images, Correspondence, Tools, and More
Technical Specs
1,250 CC OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single SU Carburetor and Shorrock Supercharger
Estimated 70 BHP at 5,200 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Front Beam-Axle Suspension with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Live Axle Suspension with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Phil Hill was a true pioneer. He reached the pinnacle of international motor sports when he became America’s first 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning driver by 1958 and the first American Formula One world champion in 1961. Phil was regarded as one of the top drivers of his time.
This 1948 MG TC was Phil Hill’s first race-winning car. He purchased the two-tone red and black sports car new in November 1947 from International Motors in Hollywood, California, where he worked as a mechanic. Hill added a Shorrock supercharger and when asked about this, he explained, “I went to work for them mainly so I could buy the supercharger at their cost!” He methodically tuned this TC, adding an H6 SU carburetor with a custom-cast intake manifold.
Bearing race no. 2, Hill piloted the TC to victory in his first closed-course race at Carrell Speedway in Gardena, California, in both the Class B race (entirely comprised of MGs) and the three-lap Trophy Dash, besting John von Neumann in his Jaguar SS100, on July 24, 1949. That summer, two podiums and another overall win at Carrell Speedway followed.
As Hill’s career went international, the MG was sold. The car’s second owner is not known, but the car appeared in 1958 in New Jersey, alongside Bob Oberst’s “Little Chief” race car, according to records on file. In 1992, the supercharged MG TC passed to George Cooke of Inglewood, California, who in turn sold the car to Noel Cobb.
In 2009, the TC was sold to George Edney in the UK, and given a marque-expert restoration by Vince Skinner of XPAG Engineering. At that time, it was returned to its handsome as delivered livery and period specification. While the original engine has long been separated from the MG, a correct, Shorrock-supercharged engine provides power, stamped with the car’s factory-original serial number. A fabulous cache of memorabilia accompanies the TC, including restoration photos and correspondence, an image of the chassis-number stamping, a published interview on Hill’s racing roots, full-weather gear, tools, an owner’s manual, and a copy of Inside Track by Phil Hill.
When Phil Hill was asked what the TC had taught him, he simply said, “I learned everything from it, really. I mean, all my early days of really driving a car that I knew was capable of being driven.” Not only did this car start Hill’s career, but it was the very basis by which he learned to compete, and win. Due to Hill’s connection to this MG, it is a historic artifact by any measure. For the discerning collector, this rare opportunity to acquire such a significant piece of racing history should not be overlooked.
THE AUCTION:
Gooding & Company
Friday, August 18 at 5:00pm
Saturday, August 19 at 11:00am
Pebble Beach Parc du Concours
Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road
Pebble Beach CA US
