MGAs offer the rare combination of classic British roadster looks (some think they are the prettiest one of all) and relatively reliable mechanical components. They are also as simple as a hammer. This one is listed for sale here on eBay and I’m guessing it will rise far above the $6,000 bid amount it has currently achieved prior to the end of the auction. The car is in Nokesville, Virginia, which is only 233 miles from my house–not that I’d be considering bidding or anything!
The seller obviously doesn’t know much about the car apart from the fact that it was last licensed in 2000. An MGA, like any British car, deteriorates quickly when exposed to the elements, so it must have been inside for a good portion of the time. The odometer is showing 76,000 miles although at this point I’m not sure that’s important.
I’m sure there’s a story behind the Maryland plate in the trunk, but I’m most please with how solid things look back here. I wonder why the new plugs weren’t installed?
The dash looks intact, and the dash plaque that is installed over the radio is from a show that I actually attended every year during the late 1980s and 1990s. So I can tell you I’ve at least seen this car once before, even if I don’t remember it. The dash plaques also indicate that it was owned by an enthusiast during that period, anyway.
The “B” series engine looks completely stock and in this Mark II car’s case displaces 1622 cc. Period magazine articles stated that resulted in 90 horsepower at 5,500rpm and 97 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The top speed of an MGA Mark II was 102 miles per hour. But that’s not the real point of an MGA, is it? What I’m seeing here is a British classic that could be returned to the road reliably for less than a total of $10,000 if bidding continues to stay low. That’s a great investment in fun in my opinion! What do you think? Have any of you owned or driven MGAs?
Great lines.
They and fun to drive and would agree one of the best looking of the family of MGs. Seller could have at least cleaned it up to show what it really is. The layers of dust and junk in the trunks is getting old.
Do these have plastic snap in side curtains or actual glass windows? Love the look of these
PLASTIC also notice that there are no exterior door handles. To open a door you need to reach in and pull a wire that is hidden in the door pocket opening. Surprisingly it all works very well and is so very very simple. No way in HELL it would pass safety standards of today especially as both doors are aluminum and extremely light. If you note the tops of the doors that are covered in leather, those are a combination of wood and cast aluminum for the upward cured parts bonded together. The padding on the dash is again real leather and is a soft material but the back and doors are not.
I have owned a number of these and often the engines are replaced with MGB 1800 CC engines and at times an overdrive I am told but while I have seen many 1800 CC Engine conversions I have yet to see an overdrive installation.
One of the big keys is the oil cooler for the engine. It really helps in hot weather. And the heaters are really very good. With the top up it might be drafty but it is warm.
Had a 58 and d8d the 1800 swap with the newer synchromesh 4 spd. Had to cut out the transmission tunnel make a new one for the larger tranny.
I had one of these for a short period of time. My advise to the new owner would be to check the grease zerk on the bottom of the steering box. I learned the hard way.
Had a 59 myself. I’d be looking for rust. The amount of rust around the bonnet latch suggests there might be more….rockers, quarter panels, fender tails. I’d be surprised if this was the original paint. The rusty front bumper is suggestive. The wires are a plus (mine had them). I installed a complete new harness as well as a top. Both were easy to do. Replacing the plywood floors should also be easy. It was a fun car, but very primitive. Great for a (slow) drive in the country with your significant other in the spring or fall.
Love the pictures. Don’t want to get too close to see the bad paint job
I really like the small sports cars. So much. I ordered a inside mirror to put in my 78 bronco. Now I won,t have a suv anymore,but a Spuv. The P will be silent Suv. I,d like to have this. Will have to wait till spring.
If you buy this the first thing you need to know is Moss Motors…..