Review

  • Blog
  • 1955 — 1962
  • MG MGA 1600 Roadster, 1959


RM Sothebys

Driving 31 years

MG MGA 1600 Roadster, 1959

MG MGA

MG MGA
57 views

Chassis No.: HDT43/46435

Engine No.: 16G-BU-H/19580

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

$27,500 USD | Sold

  • Fresh and complete frame-off restoration; complete mechanical rebuild
  • Stunning original factory color combination of Ash Green over a grey interior
  • Accompanied by receipts and a CD of photos documenting the restoration

Addendum

Please note that the estimate for this vehicle is $35,000 - $50,000.

Est. 130 bhp, 1,588 cc OHV inline four-cylinder engine with dual SU carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes. Wheelbase: 94 in.

It is fair to say that the MGA was MG’s first post-war car, even if it did not arrive until 10 years after the war. It filled a market niche, competing with the Triumph TR2 and then the TR3, and it was a less costly alternative to the big Healey. This meant that it became very popular very quickly, and most sports car clubs soon had many of them racing, rallying, and touring. It was an obtainable ticket to the sports car culture that reached its peak during the same years that the MGA was produced.

The spectacular example offered here has benefited from an exceptionally thorough restoration, one that had just recently been completed and had taken over one year to complete. The work performed during this restoration included a frame-off restoration of the body panels, with strict attention paid to achieving outstanding fit on the doors, boot lid, bonnet, and fenders. The outstanding body has been painted its beautiful original color of Ash Green, and this, combined with the correct grey interior, creates an image of understated elegance. Note also that the undercarriage is as nice as the exterior, and the bumpers, both in the front and rear, benefit from fresh chrome. Additionally, the tinted glass windscreen is also new and surrounded by a newly chromed frame.

The exterior has new 72-spoke painted wheels that have new chrome spinners and are mounted with new 165R15 tires. The interior is also thoroughly restored, featuring new seats in grey with dark grey piping and new door cards with a matching wool carpet, which is also in grey. The floorboards are also new, while the gauges, heater box, fan, and wiper motor have all been rebuilt. The new convertible top is a “Stay Fast” type by Robbins, which is in grey and has a matching tonneau cover. Additionally, brand-new side curtains are included with the car.

The 1,600-cubic centimeter engine has been completely rebuilt with a new performance camshaft, a complete valve job, a new oil pump and screen, new Venolia flattop pistons, a lightened flywheel, new iridium spark plugs, all-new gaskets, a polished finned aluminum valve cover, a new water pump, a new belt, and a new header, and the motor is painted its correct, original maroon color. It is fitted with a Mallory dual-point distributor with a new cap, sports coil, and high-tension leads, and the result is a compression of 180–190 psi and an estimated 120–140 brake horsepower, which is a usable improvement from the original 80 brake horsepower.

Additional restoration work performed on the car includes a reconditioned fuel tank and a new electronic fuel pump; a rebuilt radiator with new hoses and clamps; a new fabric wiring harness; new lights in the front and rear; new switches; and new brakes, master cylinder, and brake piping. The clutch and master cylinder are also new, as are the clutch hydraulic lines. The shocks and suspension have been remanufactured, and a new polished stainless steel exhaust system is fitted. The oil cooler has been refurbished, and new oil lines have been installed, along with a spin-on oil filter adaptor.

The name MG is synonymous with the best of British sports cars, and the MGA represents the bridge between the classic and the modern era of sports car development. There is hardly a more defining car of that golden era. This truly outstanding example, in wonderful colors, with an exceptionally thorough and recent restoration, will assume a place of honor in any collection, and it will be welcomed at innumerable events around the world.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/az15/lots/r106-1959-mg-mga-1600-roadster/


MG MGA

1955 — 1962

0

0 reviews

Similar posts

  • Purchase

    MG A Roadster Project, 1958

    Chassis No.: HOT 13/48278 £6,187 GBP | Sold • Odometer reading: N/A • MOT: Exempt • MGA project vehicle • Previously restored shell • Features a later 1,800cc engine • Great potential To view a video


  • Purchase

    MG MGA Twin Cam Roadster Special, 1960

    Chassis No.: YD31785 $5,000 | Sold • Custom bodywork is a blend of classic 1960s sports car styling • Features a 1,600 cc twin-cam engine paired with Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes and disc-type knock-


  • Purchase

    MG A 1600 Roadster, 1959

    Chassis No.: GHN72250 Estimate: £20,000 - £24,000 GBP • Restored 15 years ago • Driving very well • Recent service Odometer Reading:81600 MOT Expiry: Restored in 2005 and sold four years lat


  • Purchase

    MG MGA Convertible, 1961

    Chassis No.: GHNL99613 • Body: Convertible • Mileage: 62,419 mi • Black convertible top with side curtains • Chrome wire wheels • Refurbished several years ago • Runs and drives excellent • TITLE IN T


  • Purchase

    MG A 1500 Roadster, 1957

    Chassis No.: TBA £11,416 GBP | Sold • UK-Registered Vendor Score Total: 64/100 EXTERIOR TOTAL: 22/25 Body Work: 5 Chrome/Plastics/Trim: 4 Glass: 4 Paint: 5 Wheels/Tyres: 4 INTERIOR TOTAL: 12/20 Dashbo


  • Purchase

    MG MGA CUSTOM ROADSTER, 1956

    $22,000 USD | Sold Route 66 Museum-owned. This highly-modified MGA has a Mazda rotary engine and 5-speed transmission. It is featured in beautiful silver paint with a removable, metal, passenger tonne


  • Purchase

    MG MGA, 1960

    $14,300 USD | Sold This 1960 MG MGA is powered by an 1800cc engine and is equipped with rack & pinion steering, independent suspension and an attractive interior. Mechanically, it has had a major tune


  • Purchase

    MG MGA, 1959

    Location: Auburn, Indiana $15,675 USD | Sold With the arrival of the MGA Roadster in 1955, several MG aficionados were taken aback by the fact that the prewar look of the company's sports cars had bee


  • Purchase

    MG A 1600 Roadster, 1959

    Chassis No.: GHNL 95440 £6,412 GBP | Sold • The Bramah Collection • Solid shell • Doors opening/closing well Vendor Score Total: 34/100 Bidders should note that the automated 100-point Seller's Assess


  • Purchase

    MG MGA Twin Cam Roadster, 1960

    Chassis No.: YD3/2304 Registration: US Title Location: Monterey, California $44,800 USD | Sold • The rarest and most desirable of the MGAs • High-performance 1,588-cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine


  • Purchase

    MG A 1600 TOURER ROADSTER, 1960

    $33,000 USD | Sold Introduced in 1956, the beautiful, streamlined MGA roadster brought MG sports cars into a modern design era, advancing it from the antiquated T-series models. With its all envelopin


  • Purchase

    MG MGA 1600 Roadster, 1960

    Chassis No.: GHNL80376 $2,500 | Sold • Finished in eye-catching Chariot Red over tan leather • A well-presented example, extensively restored under prior ownership • Powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four


  • Purchase

    MG MGA, 1961

    Location: Auburn, Indiana $23,100 USD | Sold • Proper four-cylinder engine • Four-speed transmission • Black soft-top with side curtains • Nice original little Roadster https://rmsothebys.com/auctions


  • Purchase

    MG A 1500 Roadster, 1959

    Chassis No.: HDL1313/66384 £25,593 GBP | Sold • Original UK Supplied example • Five speed gearbox upgrade • Front disc brake conversion • Restored between 2000 and 2007 Offered in glacier blue with a


  • Purchase

    MG Mga, 1960

    Chassis No.: GHNL88178 €30,000 EUR | Sold • Engine: 1600cc I4 • Transmission: Manual • Drive: Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) • Body: Convertible • Doors: 2 Doors • Mileage: TMU • Exterior: Red • Interior: Bei


  • Purchase

    MG Mga Mk Ii, 1962

    Chassis No.: GHNL2104947 €29,000 EUR | Sold • Engine: 1622cc I4 • Transmission: Manual • Drive: Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) • Body: Convertible • Doors: 2 Doors • Mileage: TMU • Exterior: Red • Interior: B