1959 MG MGA 1600 Roadster |

Sold

1959 MG MGA 1600 Roadster

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£14,734

Mileage~9,000
TransmissionManual
Engine1.6L
LocationDartmouth

SOLD

1959 MG MGA 1600 Roadster

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Jacob Boodrie

Professional Consigner

Streamlined bodywork for the 24hrs Le Mans, the MGA is a 50s classic with racing at its core.

The MGA is a fabulous British sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 to 1962. It was considered a design breakthrough from the earlier MGs, a streamlined body to aid aerodynamics when racing. Arguably the best-looking MG of all time, it might not be the fastest sports car around today, but it's still considered a great drive thanks to its agility, lively performance, and light steering.

Coming out of a whopping 39 years of ownership, the seller has carried out a complete restoration and dry stored the car through that period to today. An early 1600 from 1959, the seller brought the car complete but as a project, restoring the car and putting it back on the road in 1983.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Jacob after meeting Colin the owner, and having visited and photographed the 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.

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.

Meet the owner

I've really enjoyed restoring and preserving this MGA over the previous 39 years, it's been cracking to drive as well.

Colin purchased the car from a previous owner who has rescued it from a pub car park of all places. The previous owner had the car re-registered in 1982 after it was heavily vandalised, and intended to restore it, Colin purchased the chassis, engine, and all the body parts and rebuilt this car in 1983 with a modern conversion to 12v battery system to make it a more usable road car.

More recently, the car has been in storage for the previous 16 years, left to rest with with the weight off the wheels on transporter trolleys. Since coming out of storage in the spring of this year, Colin has fitted various new parts, such as a new master cylinder, front/rear brakes, new battery, carried out a full service, and lubricated all the required parts of the car. On top of that, he's put the car through an MOT to ensure it is ready for the new owner to enjoy. He'll be happy to answer any of your questions about the car in the comments section below.

Colin

Vehicle Owner

Colin saved £2,520* when they
sold their MG with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Both aerodynamic and beautiful, the MGA styling was a big step forward from the MG TF it succeeded.

Wheels and Tyres

Multispoke wire wheels are fitted on the roadster, they are presented in good condition with patches of minor corrosion in areas, they would benefit from a little refurbishment. Chrome spinners are also present, which look in great condition and really complete the sporty look.

The tyres are Tigar TG605 All Season tubeless, they appear to have a good amount of tread remaining, and Colin reports inflating each one to the correct psi since removing the car from storage.

Bodywork

A sleek and slender design that was worlds away from the MG TF. The bodywork on the car is in good condition, both doors close evenly and all the panel gaps appear straight and true, in line with the age and mileage of the car.

When getting low around the front of the car, we did notice some signs of surface corrosion, in the main along the bottom edges of the panels, this is an older restoration after all. Take a look at the exterior and mechanical photos for a closer look at the condition of the bodywork.

Paint

Old English White was Colin's colour of choice with this sporty example. The cellulose paint appears even in colour across the car, on the front wings. Some very minor bubbles within the cellulose paint are beginning to appear, there is also a small mark in the nearside rear wing.

With an older restoration and dry storage over the past ~39 year ownership, the car has stood the test of time, we'd describe it as a good driver's car rather than a show car. Please take a look at the photographs to see the paint is for yourself.

Glass and Trim

All chrome looks in very good condition. All glass and trim were either replaced or reconditioned with the rebuild.

The front windscreen has some wavy distortion beginning to show in the bottom right-hand corner. The side window inserts for the MGA are also present as well as the roof which appears in excellent condition on this sports car.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Black vinyl dashboard and reupholstered leather seats, a simple and performanced-focused cabin.

Seats and Carpets

Black 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 good condition considering the age, there is some very slight sagging in areas. Colin has also noticed that the driver's seat squab frame will need repair as pictured.

The door cards and carpets also match the rest of the interior, in good condition throughout.

Dashboard

The dashboard is draped in black vinyl that appears in very good condition on this MGA.

Colin reports all the dials and switches are working within the cabin, but notes that the traditional windscreen washer pump has perished by the feel of it. In addition to this he reports changing the speedometer at 7,118 miles, now it is reading 2,194 miles, this is well documented in the servicing and MOT records over his ownership.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

An elegant and classic MG steering wheel, and a simple gearstick to work the controls on this car.

Both appear in great condition, the gearstick exhibits some very minor wear.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

A complete overhaul and rebuild of the raspy 1.6L drivetrain and limited miles since means many more enjoyable miles are to be had in the car.

Engine and Gearbox

The 1,588CC inline-4 engine (producing 79.5bhp) was rebuilt by Colin during the restoration, it looks great with a painted cover. It sounds good too as Colin has just tuned the carbs, once the car was up to temperature the car ticked over very nicely.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension utilises coil springs, wishbones, and lever arm dampers on the front with an alive rear axle, half elliptic leaf springs, and lever arm dampers on the rear.

Colin reports suspension and brakes working faultlessly, mentioning a firm yet comforting ride with stopping on-demand performance.

The Drive

The 50s race car was made for the roads and robust enough for daily driving. This 1959 MGA 1600 roadster is a usable classic ready to be enjoyed this summer.

Electrics and Other

Colin reports all the switches, lights, and buttons work as they should, and as mentioned, the car was modernised to run on 12v electrics and an alternator when restored in 1983.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

A UK RHD example, rescued and put back on the road by the current owner, it's received the proper attention and storage it deserves over ~39 year ownership.

Purchased by Colin as a complete car but definitely a project, the chassis, engine, and all the body parts this car were restored and the car put back on the road in 1983. The car was bought after it had been vandalised and the VIN plate removed when it was left in a pub car park. The previous owner then had the car re-registered, and Colin later purchased it from them. Colin has covered some ~9,000 miles in his ownership, and through most of the 2000s the car has been dry stored. A light recommission has now been completed in the spring, ready for the new owner to enjoy this summer.

The car features a double-duck hood and Tonneau cover set, along with deluxe aluminium side screens. Some more notable extras on this car are wire-wheels, full-size spare, starting handle, tripod headlights. Colin has also fitted Carburettor Grosse Jets to replace the problematic float chamber needle valves. He will be more than happy to answer any of your questions in the comments below.

Checks carried out by us:
- Photo ID of seller.
- V5 checked against seller's photo ID.
- HPi checked and clear.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
09.07.2021	MOT	2,190 (9,308)
08.09.2003	MOT	2,114 (9,232)
23.04.1999	MOT	1,610 (8,728)
01.11.1998	Speedometer replaced	7,001
23.05.1998	MOT	4,918
26.10.1997	Winter Storage	4,913
01.04.1997	MOT	1,379
04.1997	Service	1,347
26.05.1992	MOT	1,372