The TG is being sold in turnkey-minus form, with the major bodywork assembled onto the frame. The suspension, running gear, windshield, gauges, and wheels must be attached, and the paint squirted on. You can choose black, red, green, blue, or tan for the vinyl door panels and carpets to go with your fave exterior hue. For a little extra Alternative Cars will factory-paint your TG in red, green, or cream (other colors available at extra cost). The doors have side-impact bars, and the steering column collapses to protect the driver in case of an accident. There is even a frontal-impact area built into the front of the frame to satisfy strict New Zealand vehicle regulations. Alternative Cars estimates the average home craftsman can assemble a TG in around two weeks without modification.
There are a number of changes from the original that would drive purists to distraction but should not upset more practical builders. Most obvious are the TG's somewhat clumsy taillight mounts, which are boxy and mount modern rectangular taillights (the TF had small, round taillights and separate reflectors). The old lights do not meet current DOT standards. The TG bumpers look spot-on, but the sporty folding windscreen of the original TF has been replaced with a fixed screen on the TG.
The quality of the plating and metalwork is excellent (vastly better than on those old TD replicas of the '80s). Inside, the standard body-color TG dash is not identical to the original, but the optional English burr walnut dash is a more attractive alternative for non-purists anyway. Of course, the small-diameter Mazda steering wheel gives it away as a replica but could be replaced with a larger wheel that would have more of a classic look. Opt for the optional old-fashioned, low-back bucket seats if originality is your goal, but Miata high-back seats should be more comfortable and safer.
Like with all kit cars, how authentic you make your TG is up to you. For a classic slant, go for painted wire wheels, tall tires, low-back seats, and a big Moto-Lita steering wheel. Or you could affect a "vintage racer" look by adding your own rollbar, twin "Brooklands" windscreens, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and Minilite-style (or stock Mazda) spoked mag wheels. If that doesn't turn your crank, then go as modern as you like...the new Morgan Aero-8 comes immediately to mind.
The TG kits offer the potential for a reasonably priced traditional sports car. Options include leather upholstery, a badge bar for up front (a very popular accessory in the '50s), bumper overriders, wind wings, side curtains, paint, wood-rimmed steering wheel, stainless steel luggage carrier, and chrome wire wheels.
The TG Sports fills a niche in the kit car market that has been largely abandoned...it's a reasonably priced true sports car that utilizes good handling and responsiveness to kindle the fun factor, rather than a tire-smoking, gas-guzzling V-8. Much like the MG that inspired it and the Miata that powers it, the emphasis is on fun, not flash. We wish it well.