MGC Roadster

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First seen in 1967, the MGC was BMC's attempt to plug the gap left in its range by the demise of the Healey 3000, without having to build a completely new car.

It used a modified version of the MGB body shell and was powered by a tuned twin-carb version of the C-Series straight-six 3-litre engine which produced 145bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph. It also had better brakes than the MGB, larger 15-inch wheels, lower geared rack-and-pinion steering and special torsion bar suspension with telescopic dampers. These tweaks, combined with a pronounced bonnet bulge to clear the larger engine, gave the MGC an altogether more purposeful look than the humble MGB.

However, it was no Big Healey and the heavy engine blunted the car's handling somewhat, leading to a mixed reception by the motoring press. Never properly marketed by BMC, the MGC was quietly shelved in 1969 after only 8,999 cars had been built, 4,542 of them Roadsters of which only 1,403 were RHD. Nowadays though, because of these low production numbers, the MGC is keenly sought after. With modern tyres and a few subtle suspension tweaks the handling can be transformed and, with a strong torquey engine which responds well to tuning, they make excellent high speed cruisers.

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this original RHD Roadster was built in June 1968 and was destined for sunny South Africa where it was to remain for the next 49 years. Our vendor acquired the car while living in South Africa a few years ago, his intention being to transform it into the kind of car it should have been from the outset. A huge amount of time, money and expertise has been poured into the car to bring it up to the standard you see today. The quality of the workmanship is superb and although there are no bills to document the build, the results are plain to see.

The original bodyshell was in excellent rust-free condition and needed little more than a full repaint which has been carried out to an extraordinarily high standard in one of the most vivid shades of red we have ever seen – it looks absolutely stunning. The full mechanical spec is too detailed to list in full here but highlights include: rebuilt, lightened and balanced engine with triple-carb conversion and fast road cam; 5-speed Toyota gearbox; big bore stainless steel exhaust with six-branch manifold; electronic ignition; high torque starter motor; alternator conversion; battery cut-off switch; oil cooler; limited slip diff; halogen headlights; servo assisted brakes with four-pot front calipers and Aeroquip stainless steel hoses; uprated suspension with negative camber handling kit, telescopic rear shocks and polybushes throughout.

The interior has been expertly retrimmed with new seat foams, diaphragms and black leather seat covers, new carpets, new walnut dash and door cappings and Mota-Lita sports steering wheel. A new windscreen has been fitted along with a new Stayfast hood and hood cover in maroon and a new black vinyl tonneau cover. The car rides on new 76-spoke 15” painted wire wheels shod with Bridgestone Turanza tyres. A white GRP works-style hardtop is also included by separate negotiation if desired.

Only lightly used since the restoration was completed, the car remains in beautiful condition throughout and was brought back to the UK when the vendor returned here in 2017. One of the most eye-catching MGs we have ever offered, this ‘matching numbers’ machine is every bit as impressive as it looks in the photos and needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.