History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, : T-Series & Prewar Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #1
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: March 29, 2012 03:50PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Hi all.

Hopefully somebody will recognise this car as one you owned or,,, you know who owned it between 1955 and its repatriation back to the UK in late 1996.

Its a 1954/5 MG TF1500 in red with steel wheels,
chassis no is HDC46/6985,,,
eng no is XPEG849,,
California reg; GDM 311,
Believed to be Autumn red.
California,Escondito with a blue tag on the rear plate dated 1981

Was exported back to the UK in Dec 1996 ,and the name at time of export on the title cert is;
Michael C Railsback of Auburn CA 95603.
The name of the person on the import doc dated,10/2/97 is; Gordon Edwards,Suffolk

It looks like it came over here with a full set of new crossplies that were fitted about 1991,and it also seems to have had some work done to the brakes and suspension!!
Also the seats look like they have been recovered as the original covers are underneath!!

The engine and rad have been removed by a previous british owner,believed for his MG TC.
The person I got it from,bought it in about 2008/9.

If you do have any information about this car,or know a prevoius owner,then please feel free to PM or Email me.
Or pass on this to the person you know who owned it.

Here are 2 pics of the car as I found it in a barn full of other classics awaiting resto,until that is the owner decided to retire and emigrate,and sell most of the collection.

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #2
Scott Macmillan Staunton, Virginia, USA	Posted: April 10, 2012 09:24AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 13

Check out Michael Railsback on IMDB; I seem to recall that one of the electricians at Warner Bros. Studios drove a red TF. Might be the same guy.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #3
Scott Macmillan Staunton, Virginia, USA	Posted: April 10, 2012 09:30AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 13

I just googled "Michael C. Railsback". He is 62 ears old and lives in Lancaster, Ca, having previously lived in Auburn, Ca, and before that Glendale, Ca (about 3-4 miles from Warner Bros.). So...

Go on line, enter "Michael C. Railsback, Auburn, Ca." in the search search window, click, and you should be on your way. Or have you already done that? If so, please share any further history you've uncovered about your TF.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #4
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: April 10, 2012 12:18PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Ive been online and can find 1 Michael C Railsback age 60 in those locations,but it seems I have ro register and pay to get any more info.
Whenever I do find a link it gives a lady called Alice in Auburn.
Had a look at IMDB but of no real use!
I have sent an Email direct to Warner Bros studios and asked!

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2012 12:41PM by Pilkie.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #5
Scott Macmillan Staunton, Virginia, USA	Posted: April 11, 2012 09:43AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 13

In all probability Michael C. Railsback has a telephone and is listed in the Lancaster, Caliifornia telephone directory. Call directory assistance, tell them you need a number in the USA, and ask for the telephone listing for Michael C. Railsback in Lancaster, California. If he has a phone you should be in touch in less than 15 minutes.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #6
stuntmidget Ed E Baltimore, USA 1952 MG TD "Bridget"	Posted: April 11, 2012 07:52PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 175

zabasearch

MICHAEL C RAILSBACK Age 64 More Info on MICHAEL C RAILSBACK Check for Email Address Google
180 SACRAMENTO ST Neighborhood & Property Report
AUBURN, CA 95603 (530) 823-7672

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #7
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: April 12, 2012 12:57AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Cheers I will follow it up tonite!

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #8
Reino Reino Suonsilta Helsinki, Finland	Posted: October 03, 2012 04:40AM Registered: 7 months ago Posts: 1

Hi Pilkie,
did you manage to get hold on Michael. I have also a MG that he used to own. It is a 1965 MGB.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #9
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: October 03, 2012 12:40PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Ive sent a couple of Emails to E address's,,but no reply,havent got round to ringing him yet,as been a bit busy with 1 thing or another.

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #10
bilko9 david railsback chatsworth, ca, USA	Posted: March 17, 2013 11:43PM Registered: 2 months ago Posts: 1

Hello, are you still looking for Michael Railsback regarding that MG td. He was my brother, passed away in '99. Bought that car in Dallas for a hundred dollars in 1965,and drove it home, planned on restoring it with my dad, you know how that goes. It was transported to my dad's property in Penn, where it stayed til it was taken to Auburn and sold for, I believe, 8 or 9 thousand in around 90 or 91 Last I heard it was on its way to Vancouver to be restored.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #11
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: March 18, 2013 02:43AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Hi David

Many thanks for taking the time to register and reply to my request!
I had a feeling your brother had passed away!
Did he have a TD as well as a TF?
The title transfer I have shows he sold the TF to a UK buyer in 1996,so maybe he sold the TD earlier.
It can be difficult to remember all the facts from the past!
At least thats a 30yr gap of its history filled in!!
And unless somewone who owned it from 1955 till 1965 is still active on the forum and recognises it,I think the search will end here.
It spent 15yrs sitting in garages and barns over here till I bought it.

For you and anyone else viewing,the resto is nearing completion,"within 2 wks",and I hope to attend an easter show.
Heres a few pics of it now after the restoration I have done over the last year.!
The only job I havent done personally is paint the body,but I did strip it to bare metal.

PS......
I will send you a private message via the forum.

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #12
Paul J Paul Jennings Locust Grove, Oklahoma, USA 1955 MG TF 1500	Posted: March 18, 2013 06:25AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,851

Dave, What engine is in the car? I doesn't look like an XPEG. PJ

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #13
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: March 18, 2013 07:01AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Hi Paul.

You are correct,its not.
Its donated from its great grandson!
Engine layout is near identical!
Only 5bhp more.
Near perfect fit.

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #14
Paul J Paul Jennings Locust Grove, Oklahoma, USA 1955 MG TF 1500	Posted: March 18, 2013 08:32AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,851

Dave, I know lighting changes how colors are displayed. What is the color of your car? It really looks nice in both photos, even though the shade is slightly different from one photo to the other. PJ

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Re: History and previous owners sought from California for my 1955 MG TF1500, #15
Pilkie Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington Bristol, United Kingdom 1954 MG TF 1500 ~ For Sale ! ~ 1970 Triumph TR6 1971 Rover P6	Posted: March 18, 2013 08:51AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 42

Hi Paul,,, and anyone else who maybe reading...

Its autumn red,,RD6,at least the closest you can get to the original MG autumn red.
Once everything is on,and its had its final polish by the painter,and its in proper daylight,hopefully it will look a lot better!
Shadows,strip lights and camera flashes play havoc with getting consistent pics!!
If you fancy a good read,ive done a post about it on the forum I use most.
You dont need to log in or register,unless you want to reply!
Hope the linky thingy works.
http://www.classicroverforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12680

Put the kettle on or pour yourself a beer/whiskey and Enjoy,,

Dave

My Resto journal link.
http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/Pilkie

Album pic links for you to browse.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF%201500/?start=all

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296/PILKIE/1954%20MG%20TF1500%20The%20rebuild%20starts/?start=all

http://s107.beta.photobucket.com/user/PILKIE/library/1954MGTF1500%20seat%20and%20interior%20retrim?start=all

As found and arriving.

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