So what is the real deal? The fact is that MG had a number of tool suppliers, and when they ran out of one batch, they started on another. They even changed brands then went back to the original when they eventually got stock.

An almost complete TC or Y type tool kit

The result is that these days we get all sorts of opinions, many of them right, many of them totally off the planet. We have heard many heated arguments where people take a strong standpoint because they have "hard evidence" in the form of "the original kit as supplied" when cursory inspection reveals some of the contents may in fact also consist of the odd Ford tool slipped into Dad's MG toolkit in 1972.

Well, we are not here to judge, nor put our heads on the block, but just to help you make the right decision about purchasing either our repro's or correct originals (if you are lucky enough to come across them at an Autojumble or car show).

The original Y type kit above

Our kit (numbers don't correspond)

So in this new update to our specialist MG site, we have tried our best to get our hands on some 'undisputed' originals. One of our customers in Sydney Australia came to us to sort out the few missing items from his early YA tool kit. His father in law had kept this car in absolutely complete condition including the kit. He even had the original invoice with each tiny item thankfully inventoried by some long dead dealers clerk.

So we shot the kit from every angle. It turned out that this mini time-capsule was to dish up some big surprises for us too!

So here are the contents of this kit presented alongside a couple of pictures of other tools we know are the real McCoy. This is intended to end some arguments, but no doubt it will start some too, but after all, heated debate is part of what it's all about, so no fighting in the club house please!

These tube spanners and Tommy bar are the real TC/YA/YT tube spanners.

The real tappet and cylinder head spanner from the kit.

Note that the cylinder head spanner, as with our repro, DOES NOT have the coveted "MG Badge" much blathered about by armchair pundits. The tappet spanner is marked "SK 11182" as far as we could make out.

....some more comments

This is a very very early YA, so we can't say that all had exactly the same kit contents. For example, the early toolbag changed to the one we supply for both Y and TC (the majority being the black canvas bag we supply).

A quick note about the black canvas toolbag. The majority of TD, TF and YA/B toolbags were of this type. A strange fact is that, even though they were made in the same workshop, by, we assume. working British people who probably pub-lunched in Abingdon together, the leather strap on the TC kit was mounted on the left hand side whilst the YA/YT/YB strap (and these different model cars were made directly alongside each other) were mounted on the right hand side. Left-handed sewing person on the Y type sewing shift maybe? Too many pints at lunch time? Who knows?

Incidently, the much later 1950's early 60's MG Magnette tool roll was identical in pattern, but it was made out of a different material (black latex with a hessian inner).

It is relatively safe to say that this kit would have been identical to a 1947 TC. This is evidenced by this early YA toolbag also being made from off-cuts from the TC hood material from the rear window cut out and this really backs up the legend.

Made from the off-cuts and what appears to be the same green webbing that lines the radiator shell inner surround. The brown stuff it loops through is brown leather.

Here is another Y/T bag, this time the green beading is clearly seen:

There are so many different types of Tecalemit grease guns that it is worth showing a couple of different views of the one supplied for both TC and YA (YB grease gun was different. Just proving the point)

Here's a close up of the nozzle too:

For the record, this is what a YB grease gun looks like: For the sceptics: this is confirmed by a picture of it in the operators manual for YB.

 

There are many arguments about what various items should be. Well here are a couple more originals, including the pliers, the original King Dick shifting spanner and the Dunlop tyre irons too, complete with markings outlined with white chalk.

Here are close up's of the Shelley plier markings, the distributor key and the side of the shifting spanner "Abingdon".

Close up of the spanner markings and top of the Shelley plier.

And what of the smaller items? This includes the bits that are sometimes stolen from you by people you probably know and trust at MG meets and concours judging ceremonies.

Here we show the original distributor feeler gauge and adjustment tool plus the brake bleeder spanner and 0.19" tappet feeler gauge, all identical to what we supply.

Tappet and brake adjusters. This is the first time I have seen the top spanner but it is original as can be seen by the part numbers on both below

and the hammer? Just when you thought you were the only person who was right, this is what a genuine one looks like:

Here is another below from a different kit. They seem identical

And onto the debate about the legs on the tyre pump and the colour of the rubber tube? Here's some very good, very professional photo's taken to confirm just what they looked like: This one is the base showing the legs (complete with kink).

....and this of the top of the tube, taken after our photographer had been drinking.

Anyhow, we hope the above information will give you a clearer view on what is what. As time goes by, we will continue to grace this page with more of the latest technology shown above.