1960 MG A

This 1960 MGA 1600 has been the subject of a body-off-frame, ground up restoration, completed 10 years ago. All components, including all the body panels, were removed from the frame and after repairs to the battery boxes and floorboard supports, the chassis was sandblasted and powder coated. The front suspension and all five road wheels were treated in the same way.

The owner did all the restoration work with the full intention of keeping the car, so no constraints were placed on time or effort. Every single component was cleaned, inspected and repaired if possible or replaced with new if not, before being refitted to the car.

Since the rebuild the owner has only covered a few hundred miles in the car, and is now selling it due to ill health.

All the body panels that couldn’t be repaired were replaced during the restoration work – both front wings and both doors were donated by a rust-free Arizona-based car.

The body was then resprayed using the original spec cellulose paint, the paint having been mixed to match samples found on the car. There are however, some areas of micro-blistering in the paint, not untypical of an older restoration in cellulose! The owner took great care to keep everything as close to original spec as he possibly could – he wanted to end up with a car that looked factory fresh. There are, however, a few minor departures borne out of necessity:

The hardura material used for the spare wheel cover is close but not an exact match for the original as it simply isn’t available any more.

There are two Lucas Windtone horns (high and low pitch) which were an option when the car was new, but the owner has fitted a control relay to take the strain off the horn switch itself.

He’s also added an ammeter near the steering column. It’s attached using original dashboard fixing holes so could be removed with leaving any trace.

The only small improvements we think might be possible would be to refit the slightly wavy piping between the front wings and the body. The owner himself says if he were keeping the car he’d consider doing this. However, this is a very minor point. The owner also says the paint could do with a buff and polish, although it looks beautiful to us.

The seats were recovered in leather to factory spec by PJM Motors in Market Drayton, who also made the navy blue hood. The side screens are aluminium Weathershield painted blue and there is a navy tonneau cover plus a Syd Enever (MGA designer) bag for storage in the same pale blue material as used in the cockpit piping.

There is also a security isolation switch inside the cockpit which cuts the feed to the fuel pump. There’s also an audio amplifier connected to the dashboard speaker which can accept a phone or iPod input.

The steering wheel is a lovely aluminium spoked, beach-rimmed replica of the original Bluemels wheel offered as an option by MG. This was made by Mike Lempert in the USA.

In the boot there are two tool bags made to the original pattern. There is an original foot pump along with Dunlop tyre levers, a small grease gun, adjustable spanner and UNF spanners. There is also a useful starting handle, should one so need!

The owner assures us all the gauges are working and that he replaced the wiring loom with an original spec cloth covered item.

Original style seat belts with chrome plated brass fittings have been added, with the anchor points welded to the body frame as original.

The owner says that if he were keeping the car he’d consider recovering the door cards to improve their look. This is an easy job.

The engine is a 1588cc unit which has been rebore 60thou oversize. A new unleaded spec cylinder head was fitted during the restoration. The four speed gearbox was also stripped and all bearings and seals replaced.

The Lucas DM2 40510 distributor was reconditioned by Martin Jay at Distributor Doctor. He supplied a new vacuum unit together with high-quality points, condenser and rotor arm. A timing curve comes with the car.

The owner has added a pair of heat shields near the fuel supply to the twin SU carburettors to prevent vapour lock in hot weather.

Two 12v batteries and fitted to give a large 80Ah capacity, and there’s a socket fitted behind the driver’s seat which can be used for battery charging. A charging cable is included in the car, which retains its original positive earth wiring system.

Both brake and clutch hydraulic lines have been replaced with cupro-nickel tubing and filled with long life silicone DOT 5 fluid. The powder coated fuel tank is new and the exhaust system is stainless steel.

Original wire style hose clamps were originally employed, but the owner found them troublesome during servicing work, so replaced them with superior stainless steel Jubilee clips.

He’s also added a stainless steel heat shield to the passenger side floorboard to prevent heat from the exhaust making the cabin uncomfortable in warm weather.

There is a record of all the parts and services bought during the restoration with the car. The owner says:

‘I bought it from a local dealer in the early 1980s mainly because I have always admired the lines of the car and fancied a roadster – mid-life crisis if you will.

‘It was red at that time and had been done up superficially and poorly. Traces of the original iris blue paint were evident on many areas. I didn't cover very many miles in it but I always had a desire to take it back as close as possible to the new condition as it left the Abingdon factory.

‘As far as possible I wanted an original car. When I was at university in the late 1950s and early 1960s I was seeing these cars in their new state. I remember one of our lecturers bought one and we were all very envious!

However, because of other commitments the car was very much under used and I started to collect new parts for the day when I started a restoration.

‘These parts were all carefully recorded and the extensive list is included in the documents. I commenced the restoration in earnest around 2003 and stripped all the parts and components from the car down to the bare frame which I had media blasted and powder coated along with front suspension components and road wheels.

‘There is nothing, to my knowledge, very special about the car. I didn't have any 'history' other than a continuation log book giving some of the previous owners. If I remember correctly the mileometer was reading around 7000 when I bought the car which presumably indicates 107,000 miles and I recall the mileometer wasn't working on purchase. I repaired it myself during the restoration and reset it to zero; I think the mileage is virtually irrelevant when so much restoration has been done.

‘The original engine was replaced sometime before I bought the car. I obtained a new unleaded cylinder head complete with new valves, springs and rocker shaft during the restoration period from Cameron Gilmour – a well known engine specialist in Scotland'

‘Since completion of the restoration in 2013 I have only covered a few hundred miles, partly because my wife has been afraid of being a passenger with it being so close to the road! I have recently developed an eyesight problem and I am selling it now for this reason.’

This car has been restored to the highest standard by a committed enthusiast who fully intended to keep it. The lucky new owner will get the benefit of all the love that has gone into this work. An absolute gem.

We estimate this MGA 1600 between £20,000 - £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.