The MGA was a British sports car produced by the MG Car Co. LTD from 1955 to 1962. It replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and was itself succeeded by the MGB. 95% of the 101,000 MGAs to see the light of day were exported to markets like the United States. Having been restored in the 1970s, the seller’s MGA spent the next 50 years in a barn, so it needs work. Currently calling Spruce Pine, Alabama, home, this project will need a second extreme makeover and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.
Early MGAs were powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 that produced 60 to 72 hp with twin carburetors. Both convertibles and coupes were built, with the seller’s example being the latter. They were plenty peppy, capable of reaching nearly 100 mph on the top end. 0 to 60 mph acceleration was more leisurely at 16 seconds. The seller’s car has an upgraded engine from 1959, probably the 1.6-liter DOHC 4-banger.
As the story goes, this red MGA got all fixed up in the 1970s but languished in a barn for five decades after that. The body is in decent shape for the experience, though there is some rust. The black interior looks good, though it may have some dirt leftover from the early 21st Century. We assume the engine and transmission will need attention and neither is functional at the moment. So, here’s another vintage English car waiting to be saved.
The seller is willing to consider a trade instead of cash. But no mention is made regarding what might float the seller’s boat and whether they want a finished product or another needy project. A fee-based delivery is also possible, but we assume there will be a mileage limitation.
How long has it been sitting outside the barn?? Also what condition was the barn in..
I don’t know much about MGAs but boy, this sure looks ruff. 4000.00 tops.
I’d say more like 1k tops. Parts car.
Well being a coupe raises it’s value. And MGAs are worth more than Bs.
The body looks pretty good, I’d be worried about the frame however. I’d go with Bob $4000.
Also, I don’t know why Russ thinks its probably a Twin-Cam. The Twin-Cam was a failure because of vibrations caused failure. Which showed MG just never had adequate R&D budget, it wasn’t just the British Leyland era.
Only 2111 cars came out with the Twin-Cam. This engine could have changed the whole history of MG.
The real sad part about the twin cam is that its problems were easily and cheaply fixed… isolation mounts between the intake manifold and carbs solved much of the lean running / burned piston issue… Too bad the understanding of the problem came after the decision to kill it.
@Bob-I asked my dog what he thought about this car-he said the same thing! (ruff)
It’s got lots of potential and it’s a rare coupe. 8K maybe for a running condition car without rust… Too high here at 8K. I agree with Bob above. 4K tops and probably less in this market! It’s an even smaller market as a coupe. Not everyone wants a fixed head in a sports car! Once again, with better presentation, the owner might appeal to the knowledgeable suitors. Flat tires and sitting in leaves doesn’t help the presentation.
Car sits on a frame that will rust before your very eyes. Wouldn’t touch it without seeing or plenty of pictures of it.
A friend of mine who runs an auto repair shop had a customer GIVE him one of these cars in much better shape. After about $2500 in parts he can now drive it and enjoys it.
It probably does not have a DOHC replacement engine. The twin cam MGA engine is very rare. It probably has just the larger bore 1600 MGA engine from 1959.
I agree with everyone else here – $8K is wildly optimistic in this day and age. There are more MGAs than there are people who dream of owning one.
Hey Dean,
Your last sentence in your comment hits the nail on the head! And sadly, that is happening to most other British classics as we of that generation are slowly passing on with not much interest from these younger generations….
No pictures of the engine here or on Marketplace, does it even have one? Maybe he couldn’t get the hood open? It would be a good source of parts.
Hard pass at $8k… and I highly doubt that car has the rare twin cam engine (it alone would be worth $8k and I’m sure the seller would have made the point). Maybe that car spent some of those 50 years in a barn, but obviously not all of them. GLWS, but expect lower than the ask…
For 8k you would think they would have moved it and cleaned it up.
I don’ recall MG building a twin cam MGA coupe. If they did, it was a one off I think.
Nothing wrong with the twin cams. My girl friend’s dad had one in the ’70s who drove it to work every day – he never had an issue. Frankly the twin cam A is the car to have.
besides MG did not build the TC in 1956, so it is not so equipped.
$2500. maybe.Car has rust issues and looks like mold inside. Would not be surprised engine and transmission locked up. I gave $9800 for a very solid coupe and already have $23000. in it to get road worthy and look decent