Sitting for thirty years is a harsh sentence for most cars, unless the storage time features regular starting, ambient temperature control, maybe even resting on jack stands periodically. Otherwise, cars end up like this MGA: brakes and wheels frozen and a motor that won’t run. But all is not lost – this 1956 MGA is a roadster, and it has had an engine transplant from an MGB, potentially giving it a reasonable power profile. The seller is advertising it here on craigslist for $7000, and its new owner will need to winch it onto a trailer, though the wheel dollies will help. It’s located in Malta, New York. Thanks to Zappenduster for the tip!
This car was a father/son project, purchased in the 1980s with a rebuilt 1800cc four-cylinder MGB engine already in place. Built to factory specs, that engine was good for around 95 hp until the mid-70s when it was detuned. The twin SU carburetors are stock, but show heavy corrosion around the float bowls. The air cleaners might be in the parts pile that transfers with the sale; the missing fresh air hose is easily replaced. The seller moved the car out of his garage in 2022, and it’s been stored it under a tarp since; rust is beginning to envelop the valve cover, vacuum unit, intake manifold fittings, and prop rod. That shelf where the heater and master cylinder sit is vulnerable in the best of circumstances – hard to clean and often damaged by brake fluid – but this one is particularly rusty.
The interior is this car’s strong suit, with usable seats and matching fabric on the dash – even if it’s not perfectly installed. The center badge for the steering wheel, the trim around the radio speaker and the lower edge of the dash – all are missing; the heater control is unattached, and we can see several bullet connectors hanging about with nowhere to go. The weather equipment is present, but the car will need a new top.
The body has a number of dents, and the passenger door is mighty tight in its opening. In fact, panel fit will need improvement all the way around. The bumpers are straight; a reproduction grille can be located without too much trouble if this one’s slats aren’t perfect. I love the lines of the MGA – consequently, I find the luggage rack a visual annoyance. No underside photos are provided, and the seller indicates he is not able to evaluate the extent of the rust below deck. Let’s grant the benefit of the doubt and assume the car’s frame isn’t rusted badly: is $7000 a reasonable price? British roadster values have declined – everything from Austin-Healeys to MGBs are struggling to find their footing. MGAs are running around mid-teens for a driver-quality car. The work-and-money gulf between today’s example and a driver is substantial; the price would have to start with a “2” before I’d be interested.
Looks like a flood victum.
Anytime a car is stored minus the air cleaners is a bad sign that most people don’t know or think about. That leads to rust in the cylinders where a valve may be open. It doesn’t take much. This person thinks they have gold but this project is more like tin. Nothing had been done to care for it in its storage. I agree with author on price. Not worth 7K! or 6 or 5 or 4 or 3!!
Like the lines and the colors. Classic British roadster. But I don’t know why you would buy a car with side curtains. Back in the day it may have made sense but it seems kind of janky as the kids might say.
The price to buy an average MGA is a lot lower than the money it’s going to take to put this one on the road. Joey Mec is dead right about the engine. It was probably rusted before they put it outside.
The owner thought so little of this car they put the poor thing outside after years of garaged hibernation. Now he wants to sell it for 7 large and won’t bother to show the underpinnings? He knows what the car is and hopes that we don’t. Sorry fella, this is just a little collections of parts worth (maybe)2k at the most.
The car is also missing the factory VIN plate(car number)
It should be on the shelf in front of the heater.
The plate you see in the picture is the patent number plate.
interesting project. Unfortunately it needs paint, and MGA’s essentially require body disassembly to paint. My MGA has this issue too. Paint will cost about the car’s value. So this may be a good project for someone that wants an MGA and doesn’t care about the money (within some limits, of course) – but as a car to flip it’s a losing proposition. I have an MGA with an MGB motor (a 3 main bearing rarity even). It’s a great car, and I got it cheap. I won’t come out ahead financially if I get it repainted – which it needs, but I can enjoy it now anyhow.
I did that MGB engine and transmission swap on a 58 MGA. Quite a performance improvement, and the synchromesh 4 was great. Only problem is the transmission tunnel is a bit narrow for the synchromesh. Had to cut out and make new with fiberglass.
Don’t ever assume that an MGA frame is not rusted somewhere. Im doing a 1958 MGA Coupe now and Ive already invested 3k mostly in engine parts and essentials to make it start, run and stop. Not doing a frame off. My car was stored for 40 years inside with a consequential locked engine and tranny. Its original with clean body and surprisingly few rusted areas. But stuff deteriorates and freezes up without use. All the tires are dry rotted. Gas tank and radiator trash. I paid $9800 for the car and will probably have $14000 in it before start and initial run. Staying with the original paint and not worrying about chips and dents. This is my 3rd MGA restoration. The last was was a frame off-never again. TOOOO much money for a decent return
The heart says “Where’s the checkbook? There’s enough in the account!!” But the head says “You have enough projects already that will never be done; you’re a blamed idjit if you think you should tie into THIS, you dope!” Cubic money and a viable source of replacements is gonna be the order of the day, with this one. $7K is too dear, even to get an A.
As a former MGA owner (and many MGs after) I agree with the guys here. $7K for what became an unloved car that was put outside is no bargain. Anyone wishing to restore this is making an emotional decision, not a rational one. Sorry to say.
Yeah been there… and presently… enough projects to last multiple lifetimes… better safe than sorry 😞