One of the most iconic British Roadsters of all time, the MG"A" debuted in the fall of 1955. Based on EX182, the famous Le Mans racing prototype, its steel-and-aluminum body--along with the Austin-Healey 100, Aston Martin DB2, and Jaguar C-Type--is one of a handful of really superb sports car designs to emerge from Her Majesty's England during the Fifties.
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The MGA Mark One of 1960 carried the beautiful envelope body of its predecessor, the 1500, with vastly improved mechanicals. Front disc brakes were made standard, and the enlarged 1600cc engine boosted power output by 10% (to 80hp). Displacement and horsepower put this little beauty squarely in Porsche 356 1600 Super territory!
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When contemplating the purchase of an MGA, or any classic car, it's good advice to acquire--usually at a big discount--a fabulous specimen that was carefully restored by someone else, instead of spending lots of your valuable time and hard-earned cash only to become deeply buried in a money pit by tackling a daunting, full restoration job yourself.
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The 1960 MGA presented here, VIN *GHNL/83765*, represents a unique opportunity to own such a lovingly refurbished example. An estate find, the car was the pride and joy of its elderly owner and kept in top running condition by a local specialist garage, Santa Barbara's "Winning Makes," until his passing a year ago.
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The car is accompanied by a carefully assembled folder titled "MGA Information for new Owner" containing a description of the work that was performed as well as a dozen or so invoices for parts purchased from MOSS MOTORS and services by Winning Makes. Owner's and shop manuals are present, too.
Let's inspect this little roadster in more detail now, starting up front.
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Under the long bonnet lives the original-to-the-car 1600 powerplant No *16-GA-U-17221*, which has been fully rebuilt and balanced. The motor starts "on the button" and runs like a sewing machine. Suddenly, it's 1960 again!
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It may be a revelation to many, but all you ever need to keep this strong 4-banger going is a screw-driver, a hammer, a set of pliers, and perhaps some baling wire. For folks who are paying their own bills, it surely provides peace of mind to know there are no black boxes, injectors, electronics, and other fancy stuff like that. Similar to Porsche Speedster and Lotus Super Seven, the MGA is a minimalist car, designed to deliver maximum fun!
Engine compartment is in breathtaking condition. All hardware was correctly plated, a correct, cloth-covered wiring loom was installed, no detail was overlooked.
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Befitting a restored example, MG's coachwork looks spectacular, with arrow-straight sheet metal and perfect alignment of doors and bonnet. The fragile section around the front grille, radiator duct panel, and splash apron is amazingly clean, straight, and free of filler. The lower edges of the original front fenders--they feature the correct "1600" parking light orifices--and the notoriously rust-sensitive "doglegs" and door sills are cancer-free. If you know just how rust-prone these completely unprotected MGs were, you will highly appreciate this marvelous specimen!
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Beige, folding convertible top is in excellent condition, free of rips or tears. The glassine windows show a few small scratches but are still crystal clear. Top frame has been restored as well. A set of aluminum-framed side curtains is included; hopefully, you'll never need them, enjoying your Roadster the way its designers intended--topless!
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Still wearing its original shade of Chariot Red, a most attractive and appropriate color, the car was repainted during restoration, a few years ago. There are no dings, dents, or scratches, however, perhaps due to some paint reaction with the primer, there are small blisters, mainly on the car's fenders, that are noticeable upon closer inspection.
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A very desirable factory option is the set of (powder-coated) wire wheels with chrome knock-offs. New-looking, expensive MICHELIN XZX radial tires of the correct size 165-15 offer vastly improved traction and handling over the original bias-ply units.
Let's look inside now.
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Alloy door features simple, but very effective details: a cable pull eliminates the need for an outside handle, hollow door allows for large storage behind door panel.
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Compared to the austere seating provisions commonly found in British Roadsters, the MGA is quite luxuriously appointed. Leather-covered cockpit rails, a new deluxe panel kit, a new side curtain stowage bag, all new windlacing, a full, black carpet kit, and contoured rubber floor mats complete this breathtaking interior; it's truly as new as it can be.
Then, there are the vintage MOTO LITA wood-and-alloy volant and wooden shift knob, harmoniously complementing the painted dash, black bakelite knobs, and chrome-rimmed SMITHS gauges.
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Amazingly, the vintage 1960 AM radio still sends sweet sounds through the factory speaker grille!
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Once you're inside there's plenty of room, even for taller pilots and long-legged companions.
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Indulge yourself and your passenger with the finest CONNOLLY hides, made from deliriously happy Scottish Highland bovines. The vat-dyed, correct beige leather shows an enviable state of preservation. Its priceless aroma aids in fooling the senses to believe you're piloting a Jaguar XK-E, Aston, or Big Healey. Even the seat rails and hardware were re-conditioned.
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we leave, let's check out trunk and undercarriage.
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Rust free trunk floor has been fitted with deluxe carpeting set. Stored inside trunk is the black full tonneau cover used to protect car's interior from sun rays and prying eyes, included along with a soft cotton car cover.
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Matching spare with N.O.S. MICHELIN tire, tools in original HARDURA bag include THOR hammer and KING DICK jack. It's a concours-ready environment!
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The good news continue underneath the car. From the 100% straight and rust free frame, to the fully rebuilt brake system and suspension, to the painstakingly varnished wooden floor boards, everything is in fabulous condition, evidencing the car's rotisserie restoration. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Even the smallest details were addressed during restoration.
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Wednesday, October 5, turned out to be a fine fall day in Ventura and we took the MG on an extended drive around town.
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Needless to say, the car performed flawlessly. Driving this amazing car is like going back in time. Fifty-one years, half a Century!
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Fully sorted and freshly tuned, this MG"A" is a joy to drive. The transmission gears engage smoothly, without any noise. Brakes are excellent. On less-than-ideal road surfaces, there are no rattles or shimmies. Gauges and lights all work--thank you, LUCAS, o Prince of darkness! Oil pressure is brilliant, and this is one "A" that never runs hot!
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Yes, you could use this car as a daily driver, it performs as good as any late model; there are no quirks or hiccups.
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Returning home, we are enthralled with this exciting roadster's fine performance. The MGA 1600 MK I is a wonderful touring car. It is a charming, beautiful, and very capable performer. Beyond that, it's a highly collectible automobile with built-in appreciation potential as well as excellent club support.
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A milestone car and true British classic, the MG"A" Roadster, especially the disc-brake MKI model shown here, conveys the boundless joy of a bygone era. Amazingly, this joie de vivre is still present, somehow magically bottled up, deeply permeating this handsome Roadster's every ounce of being.
Are you ready for the experience?
Addendum:
We sold this amazing MGA in Fall of 2011 to an enthusiast in California.
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