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Curated Auction

1959 MG MGA 1600 (Mk1)

At a Glance

1 Previous Keeper | ~35 Year Ownership | Restored Example | Engine Rebuild

  • Mileage~1,417 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.6L
  • LocationChelmsford

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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CURRENT BID£12,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£12,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Dom Ginn
Professional Consigner

With links to the 24hr of Le Mans, the MGA is a classic car with racing pedigree at its heart.

The MGA design dates back to the 1950’s when car designer Syd Enever created a streamlined body for the MG Le Mans car. Trading traditional looks for more straight-through "Pontoon" styling, the MGA was bought in to boost falling sales of the more mainstream MG models. Taking a step away from the older style, the MGA was first in a new line for MG. The MGA 1600 featured an updated BMC B-Series engine for the times and included front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, the model was a hit in the USA with most models being exported.

After ~35 years of ownership, this is a lovely fully restored, garage covered MGA. Finished in "British Racing Green", resprayed in 2013, it also had a complete engine rebuild by Moto-Build and close ratio gearbox fitted in its current ownership. In addition to this, the car features updated leather seats, full new carpet set, new brakes and callipers, new radiator, wiring loom, petrol tank, pump and fuel lines. With classic good looks and less than ~2,000 miles travelled in the last ~14 years since the rebuild, this smart roadster is well worth a look and ready for the warmer months ahead.

This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Garry the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

I've always admired the car's shape and lines, my passion for the marque runs deep.

Garry purchased the MGA as a restoration project some ~35 years ago. Hecould see a great deal of potential ahead of it and was keen to bring back the MGA to its former glory. Garry tells us "Restoration projects are something that I have always enjoyed. With plenty of parts readily available, it was an ideal project".

It's safe to say that Garry is a true fan of all things MG "This is the third MGA Roadster I have owned and restored. I find them to be incredibly rewarding cars to work on, with their straightforward engineering and timeless design".

Since its last MOT at the end of June 2024 Garry has only driven it ~35 miles, he tells us "It's a great shame that I've only managed to put a few miles on it. It's only the lack of use that has persuaded me that it is to pass it on". He will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Garry
Vehicle Owner

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CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Sleek with a beautifully streamlined appearance, the MGA was a real turning point in MG's production and design history.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with 15" steel wheels and chrome hub-caps, it's a classic, racy look. The wheels are in good shape, we noted no sign of any concerning damage to any of the edges or centres.

The wheels are fitted with Continental Contact tyres, and these also appear to be in great condition, with a good amount of tread remaining and no obvious cracking or signs of age on the sidewalls.

Bodywork

In 2012, the body was sent to an expert where it was stripped back to bare metal. The panels were sand blasted with repairs and replacements carried out as required. The MGA overall presents in a lovely condition, all steel bodied, thanks to the restoration of the car in the current keepers ownership and having been driven under ~2,000 miles since.

We've provided more detailed observations through our high-resolution images and videos. Please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

Finished in "British Racing Green", the car was resprayed in 2012. We had no major cause for concern in regard to the paint coat when we visited the MG, just showing age as pictured. The coverage showed consistently across the body with no major issues noted having not seen much use outside of a dry garage over the past ~25 years.

Once again, we've captured high-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the paint for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass on this MGA Roadster looks great and is in line with the mileage. During our visit, we didn't notice any chips, cracks, or discolouration. The window seals also look good and align with the overall condition of the car.

The chrome work is in excellent shape throughout, with no significant signs of age noted. Lights and lenses are in good condition and the body trim is all intact.

The hood shows in a great condition and we didn't observe any obvious rips or tears during our visit. The tonneau cover was also in good condition as pictured.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Colour-matching dashboard and reupholstered green leather seats, a simple smart cabin.

Seats and Carpets

Green leather seats create a luxurious feel within the cabin and give the driver plenty of comfort no matter the length of the journey. The seats look in great condition thanks to the restoration, just a few notes of creasing although nothing overly concerning.

The door cards and carpets also match the rest of the interior, in great condition throughout. The car comes with harnesses that can be easily attached to mounting points behind the seats for safety if required.

Dashboard

The dashboard is finished in a smart green colour and shows four dials in front of the driver. The drivers section shows no signs of any major damage or scuffs, and with no warning lights displayed. The odometer showed a reading of ~1,417 miles during our visit. As mentioned in line with being garaged, the dash remains in a great condition and reflected the quality of the rest of the car.

We've covered some more detailed shots of the interior in our hi-resolution gallery, take a look over the images where our aim is to take you through the MG's interior as if you were actually in the car.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

A wood rimmed MG steering wheel is fitted. The steering wheel is in good condition, only a few marks noted to the finish.

The black gearstick looks good too, aligning with the restoration of this car. For a closer look, check out the image gallery to see the detail.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The smell and sound of a classic British sports car is truly unique, this restored example is ready to be driven.

Engine and Gearbox

Garry reports that the car drives well with its smooth manual gearbox powering the car without issue. The engine has received regular maintenance, turns over and idles nicely and was rebuilt as a restoration project by Moto-Build in 2011, it also has a lightened balanced flywheel. He tells us that the car does have a leak between the engine and gearbox. The close ratio gearbox from Vic Ellis, shows slick gear changes, with no issues reported with the clutch.

Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the MGA and the engine bay.

Suspension and Brakes

Taking a look underneath the car, all looked to be in a great condition showing us that the dry garage storage has benefitted the car, we didn't hear any untoward noises coming from the suspension whilst on the road.

New brakes including callipers, copper brake pipes, both slave and master cylinders were replaced as part of the restoration project. The brakes looked to be in a great condition and showed no concerns in their operation, bringing the car comfortably to a halt.

We've showcased images of the underside of the MG in our Mechanical review section, take a look through to assess the condition for yourself and for a closer look at what's on offer.

The Drive

This 50's race-bred car was made for the open roads. Overall, it's a really usable classic ready to be enjoyed in the warmer months ahead.

Garry loves how this car looks and mentions how much of a head turner the car is whenever he takes it out.

Electrics and Other

The MGA has been converted to run with a single 12-volt along with a new wiring loom. We didn’t test all the electrics during our visit, but Garry reports that, to his knowledge, all of the electrics are functional and operational, with the exception of the rev counter which is not correctly calibrated for the car.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Coming to market from ~35 year ownership, just 1 former keeper, this lovely MGA has been dry stored and travelled less than ~2,000 miles since being full restored.

Classic motoring never goes out of fashion and this MGA is testament to that. Since its last MOT at the end of June 2024, the current owner has driven under ~50 miles in it. This, as well as being kept in a garage, shows the car in a great light.

Having also been extensively restored after sourcing the MGA as a barn find in 1988, Garry, the current owner, lets us know more about its history, "The body was sent off to an expert for restoration and respray in 2012, while I carried out the work on the rolling chassis. The engine was rebuilt by Moto-Build in 2011 and the car has a close ratio gearbox which was supplied by Vic Ellis. The car has recently had new front and rear bumpers and overriders and the colour is now British Racing Green following the respray in August 2012 where it was originally blue".

The MGA's restoration was completed with a new interior including leather seats, leather door and cockpit rails and a full new carpet set. New discs, callipers, copper brake pipes, slave and master cylinders were also fitted. A new stainless steel exhaust was installed along with aero screens, new radiator, wiring loom, petrol tank, petrol pump and fuel lines. It has been converted to run on a single 12-volt battery and all brightwork was re-chromed or replaced.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
06.06.2024 MOT 1,375
15.06.2023 MOT 1,350
01.06.2022 MOT 1,285
10.06.2021 MOT 1,224
23.06.2020 MOT 1,177
01.07.2019 MOT 740
08.06.2018 MOT 605
09.06.2017 MOT 581
16.07.2016 MOT 428
06.06.2015 MOT 233
14.06.2014 MOT 30
01.08.2011 Engine Rebuild
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • ModelMGA 1600 Mk1
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date23.11.1959
  • CC1,588
  • Mileage~1,417
  • HistoryGood
  • ColourGreen
  • Interior ColourGreen
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #GHN77730
  • Engine #489157RS16673
  • RestoredYes
  • Engine RebuildYes
  • MOTYes. Exp 22.06.25
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes
  • Former Keepers1
  • Tyre BrandContinental
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~35 years
  • Key FeatureRestored Example, Rebuilt Engine.
  • Auction ID2383
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Chelmsford

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    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £12,000
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    Auction Ends Thu 13th Feb at 7.00pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  1
    £12,000 bid by wayland30.01.25 @ 09:44:06
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    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    4 Comments
    GarryA
    GarryA
    Seller
    18 hours ago

    The heater works

    GarryA
    GarryA
    Seller
    18 hours ago

    There is no boot rack but there are loads of spares available, subject to agreement. I think the rev counter is from a 1500 car and shows the engine revs higher than actual. The heater works

    David1946
    David1946
    20 hours ago

    Garry

    I can see that the boot lid has been drilled for a boot rack.
    Do you have the rack and any other parts to go with the car?
    What is the problem with the rev counter?

    JONNO
    JONNO
    20 hours ago

    Hi Garry. Beautiful MGA! Does the heater function ok please? Obviously going out on crisp winter days it would be useful!? Thanks, Jon.

    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a MG A like this is £TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2025.

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    Vehicle Location

    Chelmsford

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