We cover MGBs out the wazoo. As for its more muscular sibling, the MGC, not so much so. Today’s 1969 MGC discovery is a project car that will require assembly, but much good restoration work has already occurred. Hailing from Spring Lake, New Jersey this very blue work in progress is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $6,000 with a reserve in place.
I don’t think that I have ever encountered one of these in the steel. Offered for only three years, ’67-’69, MG managed to assemble about 9K copies with the production split evenly between roadster and coupe (GT) body styles. The obvious telltale is the power-bulged hood. The seller relays, “I purchased the MG from South Carolina a few years ago with the intention of restoring it for my wife to drive. Plans have changed. I disassembled the car, had the body stripped, straightened, primed and many of the panel final painted. I did not final paint the main tub, as it is best to do that after the front fenders are bolted back on so as not to damage the fresh paint.
The car is pretty much complete.” As you can see, the body shows as being in sound nick and has been repainted in its original hue which the seller says is Mineral Blue. Though the bonnet and boot are not attached, they have been resprayed and are good to go. While there are two new bumpers, not reproductions, that are included in the sale, it’s that “pretty much complete” statement that should be considered – what parts make up the potential incomplete part, right?
Well, one missing item, we are told, is the power brake booster but the seller tells us that he’ll keep looking for it. Two, 145 HP, 2.9 liter, in-line six-cylinder engines are included with one that runs great, and the other that is considered to be rebuildable. Unfortunately, there isn’t an included image of either of the BMC powerplants. The twofers continue with transmissions, both a four-speed manual and a seldomly encountered automatic are part of the deal. The seller adds, “I have not done the brakes, hydraulics, or electric work as yet.”
The interior bits, also not photographed, are said to be the original black vinyl components. There’s no description of their condition, or of the instrument panel/gauges, switchgear, or, anything really. The seller laconically mentions that he has the seats but I’d sure like to know about the interior environment’s overall well-being.
So, initial excitement for me has faded as I’ve delved further into this car. Yes, this MGC looks like a great restoration specimen, especially considering the zero rust factor and an MG’s attraction to that wasting-away infirmity. But these assemble-them-yourselves projects make me nervous – you know, what’s missing, etc. And the lack of engine/interior images is cautionary. So, what’s your thought, is this MGC worth a gamble?
” Some ” assembly required : )
Nice project. I wouldn’t paint the doors, hood, and trunk lid on the car. All you are going to have is a mess around the openings. Plastic sheeting taped around the openings and around the bottom of the body results in a no over spray paint job and protects the already painted interior.
I had two MGB-GTs that I stripped down to about this same state, and even though I had taken them apart myself, they turned out to be a bear to reassemble because so many of the seemingly insignificant parts needed replacing. Putting this thing back together will be quit a chore. Finding replacements for any damaged or missing parts won’t be easy. I believe that the seller is being overly optimistic with his pricing, partly due to the unknowns with parts, and partly because these things handle poorly with the added weight of that big Healy six.
Moss Motors has virtually every part and every nut/bolt to assemble this car. You can even buy a complete body along with everything needed to make a car. The handling can be greatly improved with some pretty easy changes to the suspension, not the least of which is lowering down to the original ride height.
The MG C engine is not a Healey, it was a newly developed 6 cylinder with 7 main bearings used in the big Austin sedans.
I’d be concerned about what’s under the blue paint. The floor pans still look rough. Too many unknowns without actually looking at it in person before bidding.
All of the rides that i had in these as a passenger and driver did not get me going , lack of power and handling turned me off decades ago , now with the oversized pick ups driven by brainless phone worshippers its a suicide mission to go out for a drive with these tiny cars …
YOLO
It is the same engine that was in the Austin Healy 3000 and the Austin Westminster.
The story goes (although I can’t find any documentation to prove it) that after the engine was installed an MGB hood (bonnet in British terms) was slammed shut which became the prototype for the MGC hoods.
I’ve driven and ridden in a number of Cs and it’s true that they are no fast cars, but they are great cruising cars.