The bonnet on both the TD and TF is a centre-hinged two-piece design, the two top halves hinge from the central spine of the bonnet. The fundamental difference between the two models lies in the side panels: the TD bonnet sides are themselves hinged to the top halves so that the entire bonnet structure opens outward, exposing the engine bay from above and both sides; the TF bonnet sides are fixed to the body, with only the bonnet tops opening upward. This single design change drives a substantial difference in the bonnet hardware between the two models.
Common Bonnet Hardware (TD and TF)
Both models share the fundamental bonnet support: outer and inner hinge supports (two each), a hinge plate welded to each bonnet top, and screws and nuts securing supports to the radiator. A chrome centre strip runs along the join between bonnet tops on the TD; the TF uses similar trim in different specification. Hinge rods (two per car) allow the TD side to open with the top but secure the TF's fixed sides. A buffer and plate set (four pairs) cushions against the body; rest rubbers cushion at rear and front, the front rubber differs between TD and TF.
Corner protectors with rivets come as a four-pair set.
TD Bonnet Hardware
The TD bonnet uses a traditional lift-and-twist fastening at the corners. Each side has two bonnet handles (RH and LH specific, four per car) operating chrome bonnet fasteners (also handed), with brackets fixing the engagement points to the front wings (four per car). The TD additionally has chrome bonnet side mouldings, two trim strips along the bonnet sides, each secured by stud plates with plain washers, spring washers, and nuts (ten of each per car). The side mouldings are TD-specific and not present on the TF.
TF Bonnet Hardware, Push-Button Locks
The TF replaced the TD's lift-and-twist handles with chrome push-button bonnet locks. Each TF has four push-button locks, two per fixed bonnet side, mounted between the louvre groups. Each lock comprises a chrome press button, spring, and chrome housing (four each per car), with a separate bonnet fastener (RH and LH handed, two each) and keep plate (RH and LH handed, two each). Each fixed TF bonnet side carries twelve short louvres in two groups, three at the rear and nine further forward.
Bonnet Side Access Panels (TF)
The TF's fixed bonnet sides limited engine access compared with the TD's hinged sides. To compensate, MG fitted removable louvred aluminium panels inside each front wing, intended to ease access to the starter motor on one side and the oil filter on the other, though as one period commentator observed, with appropriate malediction aimed at the body designer.
Bonnet Badges and Medallions
The TF 1500 was the only TD/TF variant to carry bonnet-mounted badges: small enamel "TF 1500" medallions on each side of the bonnet (two per car), reading "TF 1500" in black letters on a white background, secured by spire nuts. The TF 1500 medallions, together with the rear reflectors, are the only external markers distinguishing the TF 1500 from the TF 1250. The TD Mark II is identified by "Mark II" medallions fitted in three positions per car, on each bonnet side and on the rear bumper. These are TD-Mark-II-specific items and are not fitted to standard TDs or to any TF.
The principal MG marque identification on both models, the "MG" medallion on the radiator case, is covered separately under Radiator Grilles & Fixings, where the differences between the TD's black-and-white medallion and the TF's brown-and-cream medallion are addressed.
Beading and Trim
The TF radiator-to-wing beading is noticeably fatter than the standard wing beading used elsewhere on the car, a small but distinctive period detail that affects appearance when re-trimming. Black rubber piping seals the joint between the rear edge of the bonnet and the scuttle, and between the bonnet side panels and the wings on the TD. Wing piping in matching cross-section is covered under Body and Door Fittings.
Ordering Considerations
Hinge supports, rods, plates, buffers, and the rear rest rubber are common to TD and TF. The fastening arrangement differs fundamentally: TD owners need handles, lift-and-twist fasteners, and on-wing brackets; TF owners need push-button locks (button, spring, housing), separate fasteners, and keep plates. The TD additionally needs chrome side mouldings; the TF does not. The front rest rubber differs between TD and TF, confirm the model when ordering.
TF 1500 and TD Mark II medallions are model-specific. All bonnet fasteners are catalogued individually.