1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe |

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1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe

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

Sold Price

£19,995

Mileage~12,595
TransmissionManual
Engine1.6L
LocationFarnham

SOLD

1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

With the MGA's racing pedigree adding to the appeal of this stylish car, it was a hit for the marque.

A true measure of British post-war success, the MGA was often known as the right car for the right time. With much of the production being exported, particularly to American markets, its agility, performance and perfectly weighted driving manners won it many friends. The MGA was an astonishingly modern piece of design for the era, building its reputation on its well-proven mechanical simplicity. Just 6,000 of the 100,000 or so cars built were retained for the UK market, making genuine home market RHD cars fairly hard to come by.

Originally released in 1955, this 1960 example is a MK1 model, fitted with factory front disc brakes and available with external door handles and provisions for seat belts. It comes with 40 years of invoices, MOTs and even its original log book. With visual evidence of restoration and regular upkeep, this example has also seen a few sensible upgrades, including a 5-speed gearbox and upgraded ignition system to complement the rebuilt single-cam 1.6-litre engine. Importantly, this is a UK "Home Market" RHD as confirmed by the heritage certificate, finished in "Chariot Red", original UK cars are very hard to find.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Bob the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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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

You should see people's reactions when I turn up in the MGA!

Bob initially bought the MGA for his son Sam to use, who was inspired to own one following his Grandfathers experiences of racing them in the 60s. Used for gentle drives and the occasional social meet, Sam has enjoyed the MGA's "vintage" driving style and regularly surprises people by rocking up at events and gatherings in a car three times his age!

His Grandfather, well versed in classic cars, is on hand to guide and help maintain the car, but Sam has chosen to sell the vehicle because it hasn't been used much lately and he wants to replace it with something a little more cutting-edge. Bob will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Bob

Vehicle Owner

Bob saved £3,420* when they
sold their MG with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Both aerodynamic and beautiful, this example has been very well looked after over the years.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with steel wheels, are all are in excellent shape with recently sourced hubcaps looking very fine.

They are complemented by a full set of Michelin tyres, which although are likely to be over 10 years old, are in good shape with no issues in regards to tread. View the picture gallery to see the detail.

Bodywork

The car appears to have been very well restored in the past with no outstanding issues noted. The structure of the car is positive, with the inner wings, sills and boot floor looking solid. The chassis is in a good state, with the front and rear legs appearing to be nice and straight.

The body is free from ripples, with no issues noted on the external presentation of the car, but there are signs of age noted underneath both passenger doors. The panel fit is good, with the aluminium door gaps showing minor signs of uneven fit, but not excessively so. The doors open and close without issues, although the nearside door needs a minor adjustment. The panels are free of any dents or blemishes from our observation, with the wings looking particularly good.

We have taken hi-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves.

Paint

Finished in "Chariot Red", the original colour, the paint has been very well applied. It is even in coverage and finish, and no issues in terms of colour match.

It has an excellent lustre with no significant blemishes or chips, a car that has been in careful hands since restoration. Again, please take time to review all the images and videos showing the paint from different angles and reflections, to assess the condition for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass is free from chips, with minor signs of age noted on the rear corner items - these are nothing more than the lightest of scratches. The front screen shows some age related lamination wear on their corners, but all have good rubber seals.

The chrome detailing is complete and more than presentable with no major signs of age. The door rubbers are in good shape, all appearing to offer a good seal with no water ingress observed.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The cosseted cabin of this coupe has seen plenty of renewal and attention over the years.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have seen refurbishment in the past, and are in decent condition with no outstanding rips or damage, just a little light wear in places. The are finished in black vinyl, originally recorded as beige in the heritage certifiec. The seat's firmness is in line with the age of the car.

The carpets appear to be recently fitted items and are in good condition with no evidence of wear or dampness. The section behind the front seats is tidy, with the boot also suggesting that it has seen recent furnishing. The door cards are well mounted with minor marks and the headlining is in excellent condition.

Dashboard

The dashboard is well presented with no impediments of note. The facia is in good condition, with the dials, controls and instrumentation in very good order, with very little to suggest its age.

All are functional. It is also fitted with a factory option heater, which is very effective. The car is also fitted with seatbelts.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

In keeping with the rest of the cabin, the steering wheel and gear stick are in very good shape, with very few suggestions of wear. The steering wheel is the classic style, the gearstick looks to be a more recent design, likely changed when the 5 speed conversion was completed.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

This example comes with a rebuilt engine and an upgraded 5-speed gearbox to make it all the more usable.

Engine and Gearbox

The single-cam engine starts up with no issues, the owner has suggested that the car will see a mild tune-up and service before it is dispatched to the new owner, but overall the car idles well with no outstanding issues noted in terms of the engine.

It is very well presented, with evidence of good maintenance and attention. There was no evidence of fluid leaks, with the exhaust in good shape too. The gearbox has been replaced with a 5-speed item and it engages gears with no issues, with the clutch also said to perform without drama. The engine temperature remained constant, with the oil pressure remaining at a level of 50-60 psi. Watch the video to see this MGA in action.

Suspension and Brakes

Along with the suspension system and components, the brakes have seen an overhaul in recent years. All were demonstrated to work without any negative feedback, as can be seen in the "Mechanical Review" video.

The Drive

Fundamentally based on the post-war MG EX competition specials, the MGA is noted for its well-balanced weight distribution which lent it a good hand during its racing and rallying days. The torquey engine, with the 5-speed gearbox, and lightweight aluminium panels, combined with its low driving position gives it a very sporting character.

The owner drove the car at dual carriageway speeds, along inclines and some gentle bends, all of which seemed to suit the car's ability well. It demonstrated no obvious road holding flaws, in terms of knocking, wobbles or thuds from the suspension and steering.

Electrics and Other

The car has seen a series of useful and practical upgrades, which include the addition of the 5-Speed Ford Sierra sourced gearbox, an additional cooling fan switch, a negative earth conversion, an oil cooler, as well as the addition of an electric ignition kit. The car also has the optional cabin heater as previously mentioned.

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History and Paperwork

A UK RHD coming to market with ~40 years of history, with an engine rebuild and other restoration work actioned, this beautifully presented coupe looks to be a real catch.

Likely to have seen a ground-up restoration in the early 80s, the car has a detailed and well-documented body of history stretching back 4 decades, with MOTs suggesting that the car has not covered much more than 12,000 miles since 1982. The car comes its an original period log book, which documents the car's first owners, including a spell with the established MG magazine 'Safety Fast' in 1972. Having appeared to have spent its life in the South-east, the MGA comes with over 100 invoices, with documentation to suggest an engine rebuild, 5-speed gearbox upgrade, upgraded ignition system, recored radiator, negative earth conversion and dozens of new mechanical parts over the last 7 years. There is also a document that outlines all of the key elements and repairs carried out on the car since 2015.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

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
15-06-2020	MOT	12,331
16-04-2019	MOT	12,040
27-04-2018	MOT	11,610
12-05-2017	MOT	10,890
16-05-2016	MOT	10,047
21-05-2015	MOT	9,364
02-07-2013	MOT	9,214
12-10-2011	MOT	9,036
04-09-2010	MOT	8,897
25-07-2009	MOT	8,824
17-05-2008	MOT	8,812
08-07-2006	MOT	8,682
27-05-2005	MOT	8,259
15-03-2003	MOT	7,687
09-03-2002	MOT	7,442
17-03-2001	MOT	7,009
10-03-2000	MOT	6,476
26-02-1999	MOT	5,608
21-03-1998	MOT	5,101
16-11-1996	MOT	2,900
17-09-1994	MOT	2,583
06-02-1990	MOT	1,899
13-12-1983	MOT	929
26-11-1982	MOT	2

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Key Details

ModelMGA 1600 Coupe (Mk1)
Transmission5-Speed manual
Reg. Date01-07-1960
CC1,589
Mileage12,595
HistoryYes
ColourChariot Red
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #GHD88744
Engine #16GAU20543
RestoredYes
Engine RebuildYes
MOT15-06-2020
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
Former Keepers8
Tyre BrandMichelin
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~5 Months
Key FeatureRebuilt engine and 5-speed gearbox
Auction ID451093

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Bob Sale Date 12.07.2022

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2 Comments

Cavo

2 years ago

Love the look of your car! The MOT has just expired – any reason why you have not renewed it?

Bob

Seller

Cavo

2 years ago

Hi. No reason, I haven’t got round to it and it wasn’t a priority in Covid times. My son is clinically extremely vulnerable so we are keeping contacts to a minimum so I could still enjoy the car without MOT

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Vehicle Location

Farnham, Surrey

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