Until recently, this 1959 MG MGA Roadster had been sitting in this garage. This was a spot that it had occupied since 1985. It has been brought out into the light of day and has undergone a meticulous revival process. It now runs and drives perfectly and is ready for someone to hit the road and to enjoy some top-down motoring. This car would suit the sort of person who would love nothing more than to own a classic British sports car, but doesn’t possess the time to complete a restoration. The MGA is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $23,500, but there is the option available to make an offer.

It appears that the photos that the owner supplies of this Old English White MGA might be a bit deceptive. These photos show the vehicle wearing its original paint. Since they were taken, the MG has been treated to a repaint. Frustratingly, the owner doesn’t supply any photos once the work was completed. Both front fenders had some small spots of rust in evidence, but these spots have now been addressed. The rest of the panels look clean, and the door alignment seems to be very good. The owner supplies several photos of the MG’s underside, and there are no signs of any problems down below. The wire wheels that the car now rolls on are new, as are the tires. The Roadster has also been treated to a new grille, new bumpers, a new convertible top, and new side curtains.

Under the hood of the MG, we find a 1,489cc 4-cylinder engine, which is capable of producing 72hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. When a person locates a barn find that has been sitting for more than 30-years, there are two common ways that people will choose to attack the revival process. One involves flushing the fluids, checking everything thoroughly, cleaning the fuel system, and then kicking the car back to life. The other way is how this one was tackled. Nothing was left to chance. The engine was pulled and given a full rebuild. This included replacing all of the hoses, pipes, the water pump, and the ignition system. A completely new fuel system was installed, while everything in the braking system was replaced. There were sundry other items that were rebuilt or replaced. The invoice for all of this work totaled an eye-watering $28,000. Was it worth the effort? It would seem so because the MG now runs and drives perfectly. It has only clocked around 350 miles since the work was completed, but there have been no problems up to this point.

The interior of the MG is said to be original, and it presents well for a survivor. The leather upholstery on the seats is stretched, but there are no signs of any splits or apparent edge wear. The dash is in good order, while there are no problems with the carpet. The factory radio has undergone an internal upgrade, and now supports AM, FM, and an auxiliary input. There is nothing that the interior desperately needs, although a meticulous owner might choose to employ an uphosterer to re-stretch the seat covers so that they present better. Otherwise, there isn’t much that needs to be touched.

This 1959 MGA Roadster is a beautiful classic British sports car, and I believe that it would be a pleasure to own. However, it can also serve as a valuable learning tool for those who are contemplating undertaking a restoration project. When you consider the amount that the owner must have paid for the car initially, and then factor in the significant mechanical bills and the cost of the repaint, the BIN price doesn’t allow the owner to come close to recouping his outlay. The owner has massively over-capitalized on this car, and the fact that he is in a situation where he is being forced to sell it so soon only heightens his pain. The lesson here is to be reasonably sure that if you are undertaking a restoration that isn’t financially viable, that you maximize your chances of being able to retain the vehicle on a long-term basis. Otherwise, you risk experiencing the same sort of pain that this owner must be feeling right now. In the meantime, I can’t help but think that someone is about to become the owner of a charming little classic at a very respectable price.