A Look Back At The Amazing Ron Pratte Car Collection

March 16, 2016

1949 MG TC Roadster Race Car

178451_Front_3-4_Web
Photo: Barrett-Jackson

The first car that Carroll Shelby drove in a road race — the car that started his racing career. In May 1952, his good friend Ed Wilkins let Carroll Shelby drive this MG TC in a road race at Norman, OK. It was Shelby’s first sport car race. He won it and the second race too, easily outrunning the Jaguar XK120s. That race and this car changed the course of his life as he went on to achieve immortality as creator of the Shelby Cobra and Mustang, as well as other significant cars. This vintage race car was part of the famous Syd Silverman Collection for 20 years before being purchased by Ron Pratte. It’s well known throughout the MG vintage race car circuit. This historical MG was awarded the prestigious Collier Cup in 2005 at the all-MG vintage race in Watkins Glen, NY. It also sports the original 1250cc 4 cylinder engine that has been built up to 100+hp and is race ready. This was the car nostalgically referred to and extensively talked about in numerous stories and articles, including an interview with Carroll Shelby in the June 2008 issue of Octane magazine. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own an important piece of automotive history.

178451_Interior_Web
Photo: Barrett-Jackson

178451_Engine_Web
Photo: Barrett-Jackson

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