1960 MG A Roadster

This delightful 1960 MGA was imported from the United States in 2014. Still in the care of its only UK owner, it had been refinished in Primrose at some point, a previous owner clearly having preferred something a little more cheerful than the Dove Grey it left the factory with.

The seller bought it in an unrestored condition from Beverly Hills Cars in California, the state it ended up in after starting life in Wisconsin. Completely restored in 2016 by the seller and his son – and converted to right-hand drive this past autumn - it looks absolutely stunning.

Mechanically refreshed, it benefits from excellent oil pressure and is said to drive beautifully. The restoration was, he says, “a labour of love” but then he shared the work with his son and you can’t put a price on family memories like that, can you?

The body restoration comprised a complete respray after having the corrosion dealt with – and when we say ‘dealt with’ we mean things like new sills, closing panels, inner rear wings, and B-pillars. Most of the other panels were in good shape, with only a few, minor localized repairs needed.

In other words, it was done correctly with the emphasis on conservation wherever possible. As you can see, the overall fit ‘n’ finish and panel alignment is good, something his conservative approach would have helped.

Finished in Primrose rather than the Dove Grey it left the factory in, the MGA looks very smart in its fresh paint. The seller told us it attracts nothing but positive attention, something that can make a huge difference to your life with a classic; a Ferrari might have this beaten off the lights but we bet you get more smiles and thumbs-up when you’re in the British car…

The MGA was also fitted with new bumpers and over-riders in 2016, and they are, of course, still in great shape. As is the huge chrome radiator grille; it, like the light lenses and badging, has weathered very well.

The steel disc wheels are in a decent condition and they’re fitted with matching Pirelli Cinturato P1 tyres, which are a fine choice for an older sportscar like this. They are getting on a bit now; the seller estimates they’re more than a decade old, so are due to be changed.

The folding hood might be somewhat rudimentary compared to today’s over-engineered offerings but it gets the job done and its condition is good with no rips, tears, or other damage. It folds and opens as it should, tucking away neatly out of sight beneath a black tonneau cover when it’s not needed.

A pair of matching door tops complete the MGA’s weatherproofing. They’re lightly patinated but fitted with sliding windows, all the better to facilitate payment of the Autoroute tolls on your way down to Le Mans Classic…

The interior is trimmed in black leather, a material and colour we think that suits the pale, lighter shade of the coachwork. It’s all in a very good condition, with comfortable and attractive seats.

The simplicity of the door cards is matched only by their condition, which is excellent and the huge steering wheel, which is wood-rimmed and all but vertical, is a classic piece of British semi-vintage design. It’s lovely in the hand and is paired with a matching wooden gearknob.

The right-hand drive conversion obviously called for the dashboard to be changed. You can buy them off the shelf but they’re a cut ‘n’ shut anyway, which led the seller to perform the surgery himself, giving him complete control over the quality of the finished result while also retaining the original panel. Clever, huh?

New carpets and underfelt in the cabin are supplemented by matching carpets and a vinyl spare wheel cover in the boot. The boot also contains a spare steel wheel fitted with a Toyo tyre that has plenty of tread left on it.

Lifting the carpet reveals a neatly painted surface but there are a few spots of very light surface rust that could do with being dealt with before they turn into a problem.

The underside looks to be good and solid. Coming from California, the chassis was in a good condition when the seller bought it, and it still appears to be free of any significant corrosion; what little surface rust there looks like it could be caught very easily.

You can also see the recent copper brake pipes, plus the exhaust, which was changed during the car’s restoration.

The engine bay is very good too, with fresh and clean paintwork to the bulkhead and inner wings complemented by nicely detailed but not overly fussy mechanical components. It is, in other words, as good as you would want to see on a classic car you intend to actually drive.

The seller tells us that the restoration included a new steering rack and a Hardi fuel pump among many other items.

A pre-ignition problem led to a decoke of the engine, a simple procedure that cured the problem while allowing the seller to check the engine’s condition.

Speaking of which, while we haven’t driven the car ourselves because it’s with the seller in Blackwood, Caerphilly we are told it “starts readily and drives beautifully”. We can’t confirm the latter but the video does attest to the former, and we’re told it always runs nice and cool, too.

We also note that the seller’s claim of good oil pressure – 45lb/ft at tickover and 65lb/ft at 3,000 rpm – appears to be accurate according to the oil pressure gauge.

The idle does seem a little lumpy, so perhaps the tickover speed could be tweaked a little or the car given a simple tune-up.

The history file includes a certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirming its build date and specification plus the importation documents showing that all fees, VAT, and duties have been paid.

It also has some paperwork from its time in Wisconsin plus invoices and bills from its restoration.

The MGA’s MoT certificate is valid until April 2024 and, despite not needing one on the grounds of its age, it’s never been given an advisory. Not one. That’s impressive, isn’t it?

Many cars of this period are, frankly, a little disappointing to drive. In human terms this one is only a couple of years off retirement age and yet the MGA drives so much better than most of its contemporaries, giving the semi-vintage looks we all love with decently modern dynamic performance.

This is only true, of course, if you buy the right one and we think this one, nicely restored and carefully conserved, is one such car.

Said to drive well with a strong engine, we think it’s going to fetch somewhere between £17,000 and £22,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Blackwood, Caerphilly, United Kingdom. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.