- Seller: Dean L (Contact)
- Location: San Diego, California
- Mileage: 0 Shown
- Chassis #: GHNL89934
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.6-Liter Inline-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
This 1960 MGA, now heading to auction on Barn Finds, offers something that’s becoming increasingly hard to find: long-term family ownership paired with decades of careful storage. Located in San Diego, California, this MGA has a clean title and comes with a story that will resonate with anyone who values provenance as much as the car itself.
According to the seller, the original owner was their grandfather, who purchased the car in 1961. Since that time, the MGA has remained in the family and has been garaged throughout its life. That kind of continuous indoor storage is a major plus for any British sports car of this era, especially one known for lightweight construction and susceptibility to rust when neglected.
The car is described as a project that’s already in the process of being rebuilt. It has reportedly been sitting on blocks for more than 30 years, which suggests it has not been exposed to road conditions or long-term outdoor storage during that time. Notably, the seller states there is no visible rust, a claim that immediately makes this MGA stand out among typical restoration candidates. While any serious buyer will want to inspect thoroughly, the absence of obvious rust is a strong starting point for a car of this age.
The combination of a clean title, a known ownership history, and long-term garage storage creates a solid foundation for restoration. For enthusiasts familiar with MGAs, finding one that hasn’t been repeatedly passed around, modified, or exposed to the elements can be a challenge.
This MGA is being offered as a Barn Finds auction listing with a reserve set at $1,000, which opens the door for a wide range of bidders. Whether the next owner plans to complete a faithful restoration or simply appreciates the value of a well-preserved, largely untouched example, this car offers a genuine opportunity.
Cars like this often appeal to buyers who want a project with a personal story behind it rather than something flipped repeatedly over the years. With family ownership dating back to the early 1960s and decades of careful storage, this 1960 MGA feels like a car that’s been patiently waiting for the right person to finish what was started. Will that next chapter be written by you?
Does the engine turn by hand?
I was going to mention – not good that the engine has been left open. I’d be surprised if it turns, but this situation doesn’t bespeak careful storage to me. I’d have oiled the holy heck out of that engine and kept it as closed as possible; I might have even put it on my calendar to turn it every week while stored.
Thanks Michelle,
Someone will have a rewarding project. Not a money maker but a fairly simple one to tinker on with very good parts availability.
“some assembly required”
And battery not included. Done properly these are a beautiful car. And the values have probably topped out a out 5 years ago. This could be an easy but time consuming project. I would attempt if not already buried in projects.
It’s going to take a year’s work just to clean it up. It might take that long to clean up it’s surroundings so you could work on it.
I can’t imagine paying a minimum $500 buyer’s premium to purchase that.
Well… the clean title is worth something… …but seriously, if it has been stored indoors and is truly rot free, this would be a great project… but definitely a project.
I would like to see the engine tag. It looks like an 1800 to me.
In the course over the last year or so, I’ve been seeing more and more MGA’s on TV commercials and shows. If I’m not mistaken, even the GEICO “Gecko” drives one on occasion. My point is, I wonder if these cool cars are starting to increase in enough popularity that translates in becoming a sound investment?……well sorted examples, of course.
Maybe not a sound investment but could be a sound body and frame if all or most of the pieces are there. Clear title is a nice bonus these days. Might be a candidate for a B engine and a Sierra 5-speed while it’s torn down.
MG A’s were to put it mildly rather “agricultural” to say the least. Spent a good bit of time in HS behind the wheel of a 1600 Mk II. An outdated 3 main bearing engine, a full frame and flimsy body (with aluminum doors) and suspension that although it was fun to drive on smooth surfaces but was decidedly skiddish whenever the pavement got rough. To my memory there never was an MG that wasn’t obsolete the day it rolled of the assembly line. MG never had the funds to develop a proper contemporary all new car so for each model a big part of the car was old stuff and components that were recycled from the Austin parts bins. These are fine to restore and drive out for ice cream or to a “cars and coffee”, but later cars offer so much more performance and drive so much better it’s hard to justify doing one unless it’s something that you want to recapture from your youth.
Ha, ha… Well ya… The MGA first saw the light of day in 1955… 71 years ago. And although I’ve never driven a ’55 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta, I’m sure that $2mil ride would feel “agricultural’ by any remotely contemporary comparison. The MGA was designed and built with affordable technology of the day… and they feel that way. I have several 50+ year old cars in my fleet (mg included) and guess what, on the road they feel vintage compared to anything remotely modern. I also have fairly new cars in my fleet… and guess what, they are much more refined with much “greater” performance. Are they better?… more fun?… That’s a judgement call of the moment. Heck, my wife’s grocery getter SUV will out accelerate, out brake and out handle any of my toy cars.. with much less drama. But I know which one I’d rather take on the winding drive to the lake house. I’ve got vintage vacuum tube audio amps that weight more than a ‘tween child and are more efficient at heating the room than amplifying sound, but that’s not the point.. Grass is green, the sky is blue.
Almost identical one listed on FB Marketplace in Athens Alabama for $2k last month. For those of you here on the “Third Coast.”
These were designed to attract the US sporty weekend racer, thus the aluminum body panels. Drive it to work during the week and to the road course track on the weekend. The model is said to have saved the MG brand. A well restored example can be in the 30k range. A driver 15 to 20k. Alot of smiles to the gallon to be had from these 97hp beauties!