Introduction
Glyn Parry
This is a big deal MGC - it's one of three Sebring convertibles produced by John Chatham with provenance to prove - opportunities like this don't come up everyday.
First launched at the Earls Court Motor Show on October 18, 1967, the MGC was British Motor Corporation's replacement for the Austin-Healey 3000. BMC changed up the the Austin-Healey focusing on improving its emission tests and safety regulations, and the company quickly searched for a six-cylinder replacement engine for upgraded power.
MG at their Abingdon factory laid down to build 6 MGC lightweight GTs for long distance races, but only two were finished - these are extremely collectible and of most value. John Chatham, bought the unfinished four cars from the factory, with associated spares, and built those cars. These are also highly collectible and valuable with the most recent one selling for €140,000 back in 2016.
But the story doesn't stop there - John saw the opportunity to build a roadster version of the car, and he did, creating an example for himself and two other cars on customer order - this car being one of those two orders.
This car was built with the same flared wheel arches molded from the original factory car, with wider wheels and larger tyres, modified suspension, works torsion bars, unrated shock absorbers, a Qualife style LSD fitted, engine modified with triple weber carburettors, six branch exhaust and 300 degree camshaft.
John always believed the factory should have developed this specification and thought it would have then stayed in production much longer.
So this example is very special - it's certified as being one of three convertible cars produced by John Chatham with a letter from John confirming the provenance.
In more recent times, the car has benefitted from a huge amount of refurbishment work and comes with a great amount of invoicing and service history.
As we're sure you'll agree, it's a true classic with investment potential written all over it.
This listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Peter the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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REGISTER SIMILARAsk Questions
Hello Peter
We have the same interest in 60’s/70’s British ‘muscle’ sports cars. I have had a number, 3 x Healey 3000’s and have just sold a 3.9 HMC – fab. Your John Chatham ‘C’ is right up my street and if I am successful in a bid – or afterwards if reserve not met – am genuinely happy to commit to sell to your grandson at a sensible price at a point in the future, I understand your sensibilities here I think.
JP678
If you haven’t already seen my history of the car including the famous Classic and Sports Car article then copy and paste the link below
https://online.fliphtml5.com/xygt/fgeh/#p=1
Peter
Excuse my ignorance but the standard bonnet is aluminium so quite light so has this been retained or a fibreglass replacement been fitted.
It mentions in one paragraph the strengthening of the sills or are you actually referring to the engine.
Does the car have updated torsion bars and are the shock absorbers adjustable with telescopic at the rear.
Thanks
The bonnet is the original fibre-glass bonnet moulded from the works cars by John Chatham. The sills are the body sills. The torsion bars are original but again John Chatham’s design but I have fitted a new anti-roll bar and the new shock absorbers are indeed adjustable and the rears are telescopic. Hope that helps?
Hi Peter, I’m very much a B owner and have a concours ’69 roadster, owned for 38 years.
I see both of the sill sections at the front appear sealed and the rear covered over/hidden. Did the car have completely new sill sections including the castle rail?? Were these joints welded? Originally they are left unsealed at both ends to allow any condensation/wet to escape. This is an excellent website, I sold mt F430 last year and was well pleased.
KRDS
Chris
Hi Chris,
Both sills were replaced and strengthened plus castle rails in 2021. Russ Hennessy did all the work and I have the photographic evidence. As to your other query about unsealed at both ends, I will have to ask him and come back to you.
Kind regards,
Peter
In the ” on the road ” video; after you have started her up from cold and kept the revs up at about 2000 for a while you let it drop to tick-over, then it sounds as if you mutter ” can you hear the pump?” and the camera then goes forward to the engine where there seems to be a whistley/squeally kind of noise going on .
Have I picked this up wrong, and can you explain what you are actually referring to ? ( is it a water pump issue?)
Hi Cerberos,
Listening carefully and bearing in mind that I am deaf, I think I was referring to the number of times I had to pump the accelerator to prime the Webers. Starting from cold it takes about 7 pumps, once it is warm it will start up like any normal car. Hope that helps?
Peter
Ah ,that makes sense….OK…sorry if I scared anyone else…I do remember you saying you had to pump the triple webbers full of fuel with the throttle pedal first before firing up…you were probably referring back to that.
Understood your concern. Happy to reassure you.
Thanks ; but having said that, if its going to go for half the price of that MGC Sebring at the foot of this page as an example, beautiful as it is, its too rich for me!!
If you like it why not try your hand!?
Vehicle Location
Droitwich
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