This section covers the dashboard structure, trim, the central panel carrying auxiliary gauges and switches, gloveboxes, mountings, and associated hardware. The TD and TF dashboards are completely different, the TD uses a Rexine-covered plywood panel with central cluster between speedometer and rev counter; the TF a pressed steel panel with redesigned arrangement and padded crash rail. Instruments themselves are under Electrics, Instruments and Cables.
TD Dashboard Construction
The TD dashboard was plywood covered in Rexine to match the upholstery, continuing TC construction. Both main instruments faced the driver directly, with the central panel carrying auxiliary gauges and switches and a passenger glovebox. On LHD cars the dashboard was mirrored, speedometer outside, rev counter centre, and central panel switches and gauges reversed. The TD dashboard panel is available bare in plywood for recovering in Rexine or vinyl, or finished walnut veneer, a popular period-appropriate upgrade.
RHD and LHD panels differ owing to the mirror layout, with a handed backing board behind. A dashboard fitting kit (eight pairs of screws and cup washers) covers mounting hardware. The dashboard moulding set finishes the edges and glovebox aperture.
TD Instrument Panel and Glovebox
The TD instrument panel, the central section carrying auxiliary gauges, warning lamps, and switches, is a separate bronze metal plate, supplied bare with a fitting kit of six sets of screw, washer, and nut. The passenger glovebox has a ball-type lid catch, lid stop, two hinges, and lid knob, all individually available. The under-dash shield kit covers behind the dashboard. A handed grab handle (RHD/LHD) is fitted under the centre.
On TDs from chassis 22315, NA-export cars have an extra indicator warning lamp aperture, blanked off on home market.
TF Dashboard Construction
The TF dashboard is pressed steel, a departure from the plywood TD and earlier T-types, reflecting the TF's role as a brief stop-gap before the all-metal MGA. The panel is available in bare unpainted steel for finishing or as finished walnut-veneer-on-steel, the latter a popular restoration choice. A padded crash rail runs along the top; uncovered foam is available for trimmers. The rail attaches to the scuttle via nine stud plates with plain washers, spring washers, and nuts.
TF Instrument Panel and Gloveboxes
The TF instrument panel, between the two gloveboxes, carries ammeter, oil pressure, and water temperature gauges behind a single octagonal-glassed mask with chrome rims. It is supplied bare, with a chrome beading strip for the panel joint. The two gloveboxes have separate LH/RH bodies and tops; the driver's-side houses the wiper master switch, the passenger's-side the engagement knob (Wiper Motors). The under-dash shield is a board and support frame with eight each of chrome screws and cup washers.
A handed grab handle and MG medallion complete it.
Dashboard Beading and Edge Finishing
A beading set is available for both TD and TF dashboards, covering the dashboard edge and the glovebox edge in matching specification. The beading provides the finishing trim around panel edges and is one of the items most often missing or damaged on a car that has been re-trimmed in the past.
Dashboard Illumination
TD dashboard illumination uses bulb holders with green lenses for the traditional T-series rim lighting. Brackets for early flat-faced instruments (to chassis TD/10778 RHD / TD/10750 LHD) differ from the later dish-faced. The TF uses its own bulb holders, with a map light, holder, and bulb for additional interior lighting. Bulbs and holders themselves are covered under Lighting and Electrics, Instruments and Cables.
Dashboard Controls
Choke and starter cables from dashboard to engine and starter switch are model-specific (different layouts and routing), covered under Engine Controls (TD) and Switches and Horns (TF). The TD's inspection lamp socket on the central instrument panel is a useful period feature for roadside work. Brake light, ignition, indicator, panel light, and headlamp switches are under Switches and Horns.
Ordering Considerations
For the TD dashboard, drive side (RHD/LHD) is the critical ordering point, panels are mirror images and so does the backing board. The instrument panel is symmetric, but switch and warning lamp holes are positioned to suit, so chassis number is needed for the late-TD specification. On the TF, drive side affects only the grab handle and cable routing; the panel is symmetric but gloveboxes are handed. Bare or walnut-veneered is customer choice.