MGA Roadster

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The first truly modern MG, the MGA of 1955 was leagues ahead of anything the company had yet produced, their other cars being nothing more than restyled pre-war designs.

Derived from MG designer Syd Enever’s streamlined 1952 Le Mans car, the beautifully sleek and understated body was the equal of anything the Italians had to offer and even made Jaguar’s XK120 roadster (to which it bore a passing resemblance) look lardy by comparison.

Of traditional body-on-frame design, the MGA also had a notably rigid structure devoid of the scuttle-shake that plagues so many other soft-tops. This is thanks to a triangulated bulkhead design that is not found on any other production sportscar, allied to a massively stiff chassis.

The 1,498cc engine initially produced 68bhp but was quickly upgraded to 72bhp and, according to a 1955 road test in The Motor, gave the car a top speed of 97.8mph with a 0-60 time of 16 seconds and a fuel consumption of 26.7mpg.

Throw in its direct, vice-free rack and pinion steering, plus a great racing pedigree, and it's no wonder that the MGA has acquired such a devoted fan club over the years. The MGA remained in production until 1962 when it was replaced by the softer and rather less inspiring MGB, by which time 101,000 had been sold, the vast majority to the US market.

Dating from 1960, this pretty Roadster is one of those US cars which has spent virtually its whole life in sunny California, hence the excellent state of preservation today.

Returning to these shores in 2014, it has since undergone a body-off restoration which included: conversion to RHD; powder coated chassis; re-bushed suspension with new springs; full brake overhaul (with discs at the front); new wiring loom, starter motor and dynamo; uprated alloy radiator with new hoses; retrimmed interior with new seat covers, carpets, walnut dash and sports steering wheel.

The 1500 engine has also been rebuilt and converted for unleaded fuel including new valve guides and seat inserts. The bodyshell was virtually rust-free and required little more than a fresh coat of period correct Glacier Blue which sets the car off to a tee. Weather equipment consists only of a tonneau cover but hoods are for wimps anyway...

Widely considered to be the best and most handsome MG ever made, it looks mighty tempting at the sensible guide price suggested.