The curvaceous MGA followed the MG’s aging T series cars, with their running boards and prominent upright grilles, in 1955. Only financial despair wrought by the TF’s sinking sales sank prompted British Motor Corporation to move the MGA to production. Just a few years earlier Leonard Lord felt he had found his company’s salvation in a joint venture with Donald Healey to produce the Austin-Healey. But a joint venture requires splitting profits, and in the case of the Austin-Healey, matters were made worse by Jensen’s involvement as the builder of the cars – another mouth to feed. So cash-hungry BMC gave the MGA a green light and its coffers a boost in the process. Here on eBay in a no-reserve auction is a 1961 MGA 1600, bid to $2600. The car is represented by Cosmopolitan Motors in Bremerton, Washington.
The four-cylinder 1588 cc motor is paired with two SU carburetors and generates about 80 hp, a zero to sixty time of 13.3 seconds, and a top speed of just under 100 mph. Power is transmitted to the wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Notably, this car has aftermarket air filter assemblies, the crankcase breather is mighty elaborate and heads off in the wrong direction, and the accordion tubing from the heater opening to the radiator duct is missing. But the car is said to run and drive as it should.
New seat covers boost the cosmetic appeal here, the carpet is new, and the top is in good condition, but after that, the new buyer has a few things to sort. The choke knob is not correct and the floor-mounted dimmer switch is currently hanging from a dash strut. While we’re down there, the aluminum frame covers are absent, and the under-dash area itself should be body color. A peek of green does show through the black paint. The dual gauge’s water temperature needle is reading a positive number – fine if it’s just been out, not fine if it hasn’t. Hilariously, the verbiage in the listing indicates “as of right now it is missing external door handles but are being installed soon” – I guess the seller is not aware that MGA roadsters never had outside handles, only a pull cord inside the door panel.
The driver’s side sill is waving like a flag and over on the passenger’s side, I think I see rust. Perhaps accounting for the desultory bidding so far, the seller does not provide undercarriage photos. The bonnet and trunk panel fit is sloppy. I prefer steel wheels to wires because they are simpler to restore and better at speed (let me know what you think, below). I like the Mk I for its delicate tail lights neatly set onto its fenders; when the MK II arrived, the tail lights were awkwardly arranged horizontally on the body. Price-wise, if there’s rust repair in the offing, you’ll be upside down on this one in no time unless you’re handy with a welding torch and can jig the body adequately. But not every car needs to be restored: could you live with this one the way it sits?
Never had any problems with spoke wheels on our cars but I do have a problem with the Conoco fuel truck green paint, especially where it’s wearing off on the left front fender. If it’s got rust underneath it needs to be bought cheap to make anything out of restoration worthwhile. These cars are fun to drive with decent power and good handling. Hope this one stays on the road.
Bob, are you giving up vintage racing, or just moving on to a different race car? (Got your ad for the Bugeye pictured next to your name.)
“The driver’s side sill is waving like a flag..” as in the start to the Indianapolis 500! Wowser!
Wire wheels are fine if you’ve a good wheel tuner..
I think what you’re saying here Michelle in a very subtle and considerate way is that the ad writer had no idea of their subject car-& IMHO you’re 100%.
From family experience with cars in western Washington, they ask silly money for seriously flawed cars, and it’s so wet there that moss motors has an entirely different connotation!
Grille is from a Mark II. “Pre-bashed” as we used to call it since the slats (which deflected airflow from the radiator in either version of the grille and didn’t exactly help with cooling) are recessed compared to the original.
Hope they don’t install those exterior door handles that shouldn’t be there.
Owned two of these many years ago, though not at the same time, both with wire wheels and wouldn’t want wire wheels again. Or even the cars, for that matter. They are pretty, though.
I have an MGA in somewhat similar condition. I’d be surprised if this goes for less than $10k. Overall, it looks good, but a little tired.
Friend in high school was fool enough to let me drive his. Put it in a four wheel drift on a sweeping left curve! Man that car could handle.
I like this.
Front valance?…who needs a front valance……
missing the lower front valence….
Sold 12k
Timeless beautiful body, very reminiscent to Jag XK 120. My understanding is there’s plywood behind the seat as part of the chassis structure. If so, even if ok, it’s got to be addressed. Reinforced aluminum diamond plate would be my take. And I might try to smuggle an Alfa DOHC in there. Reduce weight, add 50 horsepower. But then brakes have to be upgraded. Wires are pretty but if rusty or not true, centerlines that match the updated brake rotors. Doing the bulk of the work over 3-4 years, it’s going to cost $40k. But probably outrun and out handle that Jag XK it looks like. Which might feel worth it. Unfortunately I’m sitting on 3 cars and 6 small motorcycle projects. Yes, I have the disease. Addicted to machines. No sterile Teslas. No tank V8’s. Don’t need 4000+ pounds vehicles to haul around my 200 pound carcass.