- Seller: David B
- Location: Newington, Connecticut
- Mileage: 47,000 Shown
- Chassis #: HNL/86924
- Title Status: Clean
Classic British sports cars make excellent project candidates because manufacturers typically adhered to two fundamental principles when designing a new model. The first was to raid the parts bin for as many drivetrain components as possible. This meant they dealt with a proven product, eliminating significant development costs. The second was to utilize elegantly simple construction techniques, allowing companies to build and sell affordable vehicles. The 1961 MG MGA is a classic example of those practices, and our feature car is a restoration that stalled before it started three decades ago due to changed circumstances. The owner wants it to head to a new home with an enthusiast willing and able to recapture its lost youth. Therefore, he has listed the MGA with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
This MGA came into the hands of the current owner as a “sight unseen” proposition. He believed he was purchasing an MGB but discovered the truth when it landed in his driveway. He accepted his lot, deciding it deserved restoration. Sadly, fate intervened before he could start, and it has occupied the same spot in this workshop for over thirty years. The first thing worth noting is that it is complete and unmolested. The second is that the new owner must be prepared to undertake a “nut-and-bolt” build to return the car to its former glory. This includes rust repairs, but most of these could be completed by someone with reasonable welding skills. The rockers and lower front fenders require attention, and there are small spots of steel penetration in other areas requiring massaging. One positive aspect of this undertaking is that replacement steel is readily available and affordable, removing the time-consuming task of fabricating parts that may not fit properly. More pressing is the frame rust. It isn’t extensive, and it hasn’t reached the point where the frame is a throw-away. The structural nature of this component makes professional attention the wise choice, but it still shouldn’t prove prohibitively expensive. Checking with your local British Car Club could possibly lead you to a replacement frame as another option as well. The soft top isn’t ripped, and it might respond positively to a deep clean. Its windows are cloudy, leaving the winning bidder to choose between addressing the shortcoming or replacing the top entirely. Most of the trim pieces are present, and they generally look restorable. The list to this point seems extensive, but there are strategies the new owner could employ that would minimize project costs. Labor costs can prove crippling, but if the winning bidder can be hands-on with the vehicle’s disassembly and reassembly, that could strip thousands from the total. It is also an excellent strategy for building an understanding of the vehicle. That helps make future maintenance work seem less daunting.
MG initially released the MGA with a 1,489cc four-cylinder powerplant producing 68hp. The company upped the ante in 1959, replacing the original four with a larger 1,588cc unit, producing 80hp and 87 ft/lbs of torque. The power fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and while the power and torque increases from the new motor were relatively modest, they had a measurable impact on performance. The ¼-mile ET of 19.4 seconds shaved half a second off the previous benchmark. Where the smaller motor ran out of breath at 93mph, this car would have topped the magic 100mph mark in its prime. This MG doesn’t run, and it is unclear when it last did. The engine is stuck, and the owner hasn’t attempted to get it turning. Many potential buyers will appreciate that because they may have their preferred method of tackling that obstacle. These engines are a basic pushrod design, and if it can be turned, rebuilding that little four-pot shouldn’t break the bank.
This MG’s interior is complete, and whipping it into shape might be the most affordable aspect of the build. It requires a total retrim, but with complete kits readily available, it shouldn’t present many obstacles. Companies like Moss Motors are a reliable go-to that stock everything required, although a careful online search may uncover cheaper alternatives. There is no rush on this aspect of the build because nothing can happen inside this classic until the panels and paint are returned to a pristine state. There are a few positive attributes that are worth considering. It appears the original “banjo” wheel is crack-free, making it a prime candidate for restoration. The gauges are intact, and I think the lenses will be crystal clear once thoroughly cleaned. Some people find the idea of performing a retrim daunting, and I used to feel that way until I performed one. If the new owner takes their time, they can complete the work without special tools. Few feelings are more rewarding than stepping back and admiring an interior that you brought back from the brink with your own two hands.
This 1961 MG MGA represents a significant restoration project, but it shouldn’t be considered daunting. It is the simple engineering and construction techniques that make these cars so attractive. The finished product will never offer muscle car performance, but that wasn’t the aim of the exercise when MG designed it. The intent was to create a car that provided an engaging driving experience. If you have never punted one of these classics along a ribbon of twisting tarmac, you have missed one of life’s greatest motoring pleasures. The seller states that it is being sold with a Connecticut Q1 form (official transfer of ownership agreement) and a Connecticut ownership affidavit that will accompany the car, as Connecticut doesn’t issue titles for cars over 20 years old. That shouldn’t be an issue, but make sure you check with your local DMV to see if you will need any additional paperwork to get it titled. If an affordable project has been on your Wish List, this 1961 MGA could mean it is only a click away.
Bid On This Auction
oliverjones bid $1,700.00 2023-11-13 06:38:32
Argosy bid $1,600.00 2023-11-12 14:18:21
JimmyP58 bid $1,100.00 2023-11-12 09:43:20
Tbadz bid $1,000.00 2023-11-10 20:48:28- oliverjones bid $850.00 2023-11-10 17:43:21
Mike K4269 bid $750.00 2023-11-10 10:35:58
Have we seen this before?
Not here.
I’m listing it for the owner of the property.
Any questions please reach out via these comments or direct at Dave@AutoArcheologist.com
She is rough, but I know that the right person can bring her back from the depths and make her shine again.
Talk soon
One possible source for a new frame is tonyratco. They make replacement frames for Triumph products, but might be able to adapt an existing frame to the MGA, or build one as a custom project. Here’s a link:
https://www.rat-co.com/home
The end product is often quite amazing. Google images of them totally restored. With lower stance chrome MGB 14″ wire wheels and lower profile rubber, the vehicle looks less “Delicate”. So many optional hot rod parts are available that it boggles the mind. Cross flow heads- Superchargers, 2.0 MGB engines, 5 speed full syncro Toyota transmission and engines adapted, coil over front suspension conversions, upholstry kits, bumpers, nearly everything immediatly available. Excellent “Learners” restoration project. Will never be worth the resale $ that is put into it–because it will be a keeper!
unless you’re thinking of some upgraded MGB engine, or something else completely, a standard MGB engine is 1800cc
I’m glad it is so far away from me or else I might have to bid on it.
Pretty rough but bought right could be worth the money and the work. Just not that many left running around and they can be made to look good again, and as Jim said, lots of goodies out there to build a neat car.
There is a very cool, but “sad” story behind this and several other cars on the property.
The original property had a 2 car garage in it and was licensed as a commercial garage back in 1922. The property owner renewed that license last year to make it one of the only 100 year old garage licenses in CT.
Over the years the garage grew to include enough space to be working on 12 cars instead of just 3. In the 70’s and 80’s, they turned more towards auto body repair. By the nineties, the grandson was running the place with three employees, but some major family health issues had him in essence closing the doors before the turn of the century. Most everything on site has been there, untouched, for about 30 years. I have been assisting in getting things sold, but he still has lots of familial issues, sinus t available.
Recently, a roof fell in on two of the vehicles, 1 a 57 T-Bird and the other a 67 389 powered convertible Tempest.
Aside from those, there is a very…very rusty 1977 Chevy LUV, a Jeep Commando, in worse shape than the LUV, a 67 C10 wrecker and a 56 GMC 6400 wrecker. All in sorry shape, but in my mind, savable…
There are also TONS of parts..fenders, bumpers, lots of trim… Everything from Mustang, Challenger, VW, Javelin and in between…all of going in a dumpster unless someone is willing to come up and take… Of course, being a bit crotchety, he feels things are worth more than they are and has no attachment, so he’d rather see it tossed for scrap value than go to save other cars, but if someone came with cash, he could possibly be persuaded to take it and sell the stuff.
Email directly if you have questions.
Thanks 👍
It really is a shame to see such a great car in this condition. The bodywork repair will cost more than the car will ever be worth.
Seems like the highest paid prices for totally restored MGA’s never reach the dollars invested. These cars were affordably purchased, owned and loved by the proloteriate whom have adjusted the resale value by keeping them in the residential neighborhoods, not at Pebble Beach or Amelia Island so much. So, like I say– more smiles per mile. A bargain to buy, an education to restore, and , ( I Think) a beautiful pontoon fendered classic ride!
Do you happen to have the original front grill??
Thanks
Hi Glenn,
Unfortunately, the original grill is not with the car, only this 62 grill that is on her.
This is a 20,000-2500 k project should be sold to a local club member & forget the $500 buyer’s premium. Value is not here. Paint is $10,000
the only way to positively say the frame is toast is pull the body off .14 bolts i believe ? this is where KROIL steps in .also dump some down each cylinder and move on to other things (i just freed one of two which sat 52 years in a house basement) i had 10 of these puppies since 2016 simple toys to play with ,finding a solid frame is hard .MR. COE is correct. im not an mga guru .but know enough to slip away on cars like this ,BRAKE THE BANK unless your very lucky, one can purchase two drivers for what it would cost DIY too make this right go look again on craigslist there always popping up.
Almost bought one this color I thought when I turned 15. Close up the red was rust like the rest of the car.
Almost brought a tear to my eye having to walk away that day.
If it were closer I would be interested. The frame is not the end of the world. I’ve seen decent replacements for 800 to 1500. Inspecting and transporting costs just make it not make sense. I’ll keep looking for something closer to Georgia.
These are actually not complicated cars. A good welder can fab as he/she goes. You have the basic shapes to go by.
If the buyer doesn’t have a good welder or one themselves, it should be understood one will need to be hired. That’s what will be expensive. But hopefully a buyer with the skills will get it and get even better skills while restoring this to maybe even better than new. Entirely possible.
I love these cars 15 years ago I would have drove to Connecticut with my pickup and a trailer and met with the owner and purchased the car and anything else I could fit in the trailer. Alas my age and health prevent me from restoring any more cars. Back then making a new frame wouldn’t have been a problem for me. I sure hope that whomever gets it restores it drives and enjoys it. GLWTA