The MGA, which replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget, was one of MG’s most successful cars with sales of more than 100,000 units between 1955 and 1962. As was often the case, the export market was a huge one for MG and many of these sports cars ended up in the U.S. The seller’s 1959 edition is said to be both complete and restorable, having been inside a storage container for some time.
MGA’s had different styling from their predecessors and were a quick hit for the company. Depending on the timing, they came with either a 1489 or a 1558cc inline-4 engine and either of those could have been in the seller’s car. We’re told it’s been removed and rebuilt and is ready to be reinstalled. Everything is also there to rebuild its 4-speed manual transmission.
The seller’s MGA is a one-owner car. We don’t know how long it’s been off the ride, but likely for a while and the seller doesn’t have the time to pursue it further. He/she thinks the paint and interior can be cleaned up enough to use once you get it running, but a full refresh should probably be the end game. Said to be unusual, we’re told this MGA comes with both a soft and hard top.
This sports car has been on the market for several months (or it sold, and the seller didn’t take the ad down). The asking price is $15,000 here on Facebook Marketplace and in Harrison City, Pennsylvania, though the seller would consider reasonable offers. The car had 62,000 miles on it when it was taken off the road.
Whitworth 1959?
The 1959 MGA would have had mostly BSF (British Standard Fine) fasteners, which would use standard SAE wrenches. The only Whitworth fasteners awould have been on the SU carbs (the mixture adjustment nuts) the SU fuel pump (the fuel line banjo fittings) and the Armstrong lever shocks (the filler plugs and the valve assembly).
BF: “Depending on the timing, they came with either a 1489 or a 1558cc inline-4 engine and either of those could have been in the seller’s car.”
Nope. Turn indicators and taillights show this is a 1500 so it could not have had either engine. It left the factory with the 1489 so the only way it has the 1588 (not 58) of the 1600 is if it has been swapped in.
As for the price, the seller is dreaming. At least he is open to offers. He should check the results at a well known online auction site for a dose of pricing reality. Spoiler alert: In today’s market MGAs do not bring the money they used to.
Spot on
The last of the standard MGA series was the 1962 1600 MK II with a 1622 cc engine. There were also the MGA Deluxe and Twin Cam,……….but those are rare specials.
Correct, also the 1588 had disc brakes and an extension to the master cylinder fluid reservoir, not shown here, it is an easy overbore to fit 1588 pistons into a 1498 block!
If it was a Twin Cam, I would pay that kind of money, but not for a standard A. I paid $200 for my ’59 1600, and drove it home (1973). My motto then was: if you paid more than $200 for a car, you paid too much! Since then I have unfortunately had to adjust for inflation….
There were several removeable hardtops available during the MGA era. The “Factory” removeable hardtop is a rare and desireable ammenity–worth more than the asking price for this entire car to the right individual. However, having recently restored the correct rear window and rubber trim for a true removeable factory hardtop, In am afraid that this one is NOT the desired rare unit. Still, a removeable hard top IS a desirable addition to this vehicle- and cannot be disparaged , and is in combination– worth a bit more. A perfect restoration project, and in a price range that is affordable. Good luck.