Appearances can be deceptive, and that is the case with this 1960 MG MGA. Below that tired paint is a car that is not only rust-free but is in great mechanical health. As far as restoration projects are concerned, this one appears to be about as straightforward as they come. If that all sounds like an attractive proposition, then you will find the MGA located in Paradise, Texas, and listed for sale here on eBay. The auction has been set to open at $12,000 with No Reserve, and while there are currently 71 people watching the listing, no-one has submitted a bid at this stage.

The MGA has been in the possession of the current family since 1964, and in 1981 it underwent a full restoration. Having spent its life in Texas, rust was not an issue, so the body received a repaint in its original Old English White. The body remains solid and rust-free, and the only appreciable dent is one in the front apron below the bumper on the passenger side. This looks like it would be pretty easy to repair, with the rest of the panels appearing to be free of any problems. The paint has deteriorated quite badly, and a full repaint will be on the cards at some point. There are a number of areas on the car that will almost certainly need to be stripped back to bare metal if a high-quality finish is to be achieved. Given how solid and clean the rest of the vehicle appears to be, I think that it would be well worth the effort. I get the impression that a significant amount of the exterior trim and chrome was also restored back in 1981, and this remains in excellent condition. The MG’s top looks a bit stretched in spots, while the rear window is starting to look cloudy. Addressing these issues wouldn’t be that difficult, although with replacement tops being available for between $350 and $600, depending on the choice of material, that might be a better option to consider.

Generally speaking, the interior of the MG looks quite nice. During the 1981 restoration, the seats received new leather covers, while the vehicle also received a new steering wheel. Both of these items remain in good condition, as does the dash and the door trims. There are a few rough edges visible inside the car, but addressing these should be pretty straightforward. These mainly revolve around the state of the carpet, which the owner does identify as needing replacement. This is another one of those items that isn’t particularly expensive but replacing it will have a profound positive impact on the interior appearance. Full carpet sets are available for around the $200 mark, and with a classic like this, why would you hesitate?

The owner says that the MGA is in extremely good mechanical order. The 1,588cc 4-cylinder engine produces 80hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. These were by no means a fast car, with a 0-60 time of 13.3 seconds. However, on a twisting piece of road, they feel quite spritely, and that little engine produces a glorious sound. The owner says that the MG starts and runs perfectly, while the clutch and transmission both work smoothly. It has received a fair amount of TLC over the past year or so, including new plugs and plug wires, along with a new fuel pump and fuel lines. The brakes have been treated to a comprehensive rebuild, including a new master cylinder, new brake lines, and all new brake hardware, both front and rear. Add in a new clutch slave cylinder and lines, new air filters, and a new battery, and it would seem that this little MG is just waiting to be driven and enjoyed.

The MGA 1600 was introduced in 1959 and remained in production for less than 3-years. During that time, 35,501 examples rolled off the production line. While it is definitely possible to locate roadworthy examples today for well under $20,000, a really nice example will generally lighten your wallet to the tune of $25,000. From there, prices can skyrocket, and $50,000 or more for an original and pristine example is not beyond the realm of possibility. This one really looks like it needs very little work to take it to the next level, and one of the things that makes it so attractive is the fact that the majority of the required work could be completed in a home workshop. One other thing to consider is the fact that it is both mechanically sound and rust-free. With the required work being essentially cosmetic, this is a car that could be driven and enjoyed immediately, with the cosmetic restoration work being undertaken when the weather turns cold once again. That alone has to make it a tempting proposition.