When the weather is fine, there’s nothing quite like the experience of slipping behind the wheel of a classic British sports car to make the most of what Mother Nature has to offer us. That opportunity awaits someone with this 1960 MGA Roadster. It is a solid vehicle with no immediate needs, and it could be driven and enjoyed as an original survivor. Located in Quincy, Illinois, you will find the little MG listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner has set the sale price at $17,500.

The first thing to note about this Chariot Red classic is that it is rust-free. Repairing rust issues on these MGs is not difficult or expensive, but it is never bad if you don’t have to worry about those problems. The paint appears to be above average for a survivor, with no significant scratches or marks. There are a few chips, but nothing likely to cause any undue stress for the buyer. You would have to think that some careful buffing and polishing would produce some impressive results and would cost the buyer nothing more than some time and effort. The panels are straight, and I get the impression that the chrome and trim would also respond positively to some time and effort with a high-quality polish. It appears that the frame for the soft-top is present, but it will need new material. Replacement tops are available for under $350, so addressing this shouldn’t break the bank. The wind wings look to be in good order, as does the tonneau. The MG rolls on wire wheels that appear to be in above average condition. These are a desirable option on these little classics, and I believe they add to the car’s visual appeal. They also don’t hurt their value because cars with these wheels tend to command a premium of around 10% over those with solid disc wheels.

This little MGA features an engine bay that is occupied by a 1,588cc 4-cylinder engine. A 4-speed manual transmission backs it, and these cars feature an interesting quirk compared to similar vehicles imported into the US during this time. Many British sports cars managed to shed a few horsepower on the trip across the Atlantic compared to the same models sold on home soil. However, the MGA reversed that trend…just. Domestic buyers received 78hp, while Americans found 80hp under their right foot. It isn’t much, but it is just one of those pieces of interesting information. Anyway, this car is in sound mechanical health. The owner says that it runs and drives well so that open-road wind-in-the-hair experience beckons the new owner.

When I look at this classic’s interior, my fingers begin to itch. If someone spent a few days cleaning and detailing there, I believe that the results would be surprising. The upholstered surfaces appear to be free from rips and problems, while there is no appreciable wear on the carpet or wheel. If the buyer wanted to drive the car as an unmolested survivor, this interior would be up to the task. Its only real need is for someone to restore the dash. This is painted, so it would be a matter of dismantling it, applying a fresh coat of paint, and then reassembling it. That would lift the presentation enormously. The radio blanking plate is missing, but once again, this is not a drama. The buyer might choose to install a radio, but $40 will secure them a new reproduction plate that would return the dash to a factory-fresh state.

This 1960 MGA Roadster is a great little survivor that has a lot to offer its next owner. As we’ve seen, its needs are minimal and would be easily addressed in a home workshop with a bit of physical effort and minimal financial outlay. However, none of these needs are urgent. I can’t see any reason why a buyer couldn’t drive this classic and make the most of the remaining Summer weather and then tackle the few cosmetic issues as a way to occupy their time during the colder months. Winter can be an uninspiring time, but if you can pass that time making this MG sparkle, you would be rewarded when you rolled it out into the sun when the weather improves once again. I don’t see that as a bad way to spend some time. Do you?