Here at Barn Finds, we always appreciate it when our readers manage to unearth interesting classic cars for us to feature. Nothing gives us more pleasure than to be handed a dusty vehicle that is crying out for someone to grab it and return it to its former glory. That is why I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this fantastic 1961 MGA Roadster for us. It has occupied this spot since 1993, and it is begging for someone to provide the TLC that it richly deserves. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, you will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. The big question is with an asking price of $7,000 OBO, will the right person come along to rescue this classic?

When I look at the photos supplied by the owner, I admit that my fingers start to itch. I would love nothing more than to get into this shed and give the MGA a good clean. That way I could gain a clearer understanding of what is on offer. The first point that is worth noting is that the Roadster has undergone a color change at some point. It currently wears a shade that looks close to British Racing Green, but this wasn’t offered on the 1961 model. In fact, the company only offered Ash Green or Island Green during the MGA’s entire production run, so that makes this one a bit of a ring-in. When you look beyond that fact, the MG shows some promise. The panels have accumulated a few minor dings and marks, but these appear to be repairable without the buyer needing to resort to replacement. There is no visible rust, but in an MGA, that is hardly conclusive. Potential buyers would be advised to perform an in-person inspection, although areas like the rust-prone rear doglegs look okay. However, floors and other items below decks could hide some nasty surprises. On the positive side of the ledger, replacement steel is readily available and affordable, so anyone with reasonable welding skills should be able to address most of the potential problems. If there is anything structural, this should be tackled by a qualified professional. The last thing that an owner needs is to discover that their welding skills aren’t as good as they first thought in the middle of an accident! I can’t see a frame for the soft-top, and some trim and chrome pieces appear to be missing. Once again, replacements for these pieces are available, so they shouldn’t prevent the completion of this project.

The owner supplies no engine photos, but we know that the MGA features a 1,622cc 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. This would have produced 93hp in its prime, which was enough to send the Roadster through the ¼ mile in 18.6 seconds. The news here is pretty mixed. This is one of those classic “ran when parked” scenarios that we are all so fond of. Unfortunately, the MG was parked in 1993, and it hasn’t moved an inch since. It doesn’t currently run, and the owner doesn’t indicate whether he has checked to see if the motor turns freely. That is another item that would need to be checked during an in-person inspection. The MG’s interior is also going to require attention and plenty of it! It appears that most of the trim is missing, including the original seats. Reproduction seat frames are available, as are complete trim kits in both vinyl and leather. The cost will depend on the buyer’s preference, but around $1,800 should secure a kit that includes leather on the seats. That is surprisingly affordable and is an option that is well worth considering.

This 1961 MGA Roadster shows some promise, and if the vehicle is as rust-free as the photos tend to indicate, it is the sort of project that someone could potentially tackle in a home workshop. That could be an important point to consider if we’re going to look at this car purely from a financial perspective. If you went out into today’s market with $30,000 lining your pocket, you could be driving home in a very tidy 1961 MGA, and you might even have a bit of change left over to fill the tank. The sale price on this one has been set at $7,000, although a canny buyer might be able to knock a few dollars off that figure. The interior is going to consume a couple of thousand by the time the trim and dash are restored, and the buyer will need to dig into their bank account for chrome, other exterior trim, and glass. That has already taken the tally beyond $10,000 before we even consider potential rust repairs, a repaint, and any mechanical work. If the buyer is going to have to pay someone to undertake this work, that places a huge question mark over its viability. However, if that person can perform most of the tasks themselves, this could be a project car that is worthy of a closer look.