MGA 1500 Coupe

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It’s not very often that a closed coupe version of a sportscar actually looks as pleasing as its open counterpart, however with the MGA Coupe this was definitely the case.

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 (to which it bore a passing resemblance) look lardy by comparison. Mechanically identical to the open models, Coupe features included wind-up door windows, external door handles, locks and extra brightwork.

The 1,498cc engine initially produced 68bhp but was quickly upgraded to 72bhp, a road test by ‘The Motor’ recording a top speed of 97.8mph with a 0-60 time of 16 seconds and a fuel consumption of 26.7mpg. In production from 1955 to 1962 in 1500, 1600, MkII and Twin-Cam forms, the MGA proved as successful on the racetrack as it was on the road with 101,081 sold, all but 5,869 for the export market.

This stunning Coupe is one of those export models, the Heritage Certificate confirming that it was built in February 1958 before heading off to sunny South Africa where it was to remain for the next 56 years. Discovered languishing in a barn in the Western Cape Province where it had been gathering dust for nearly 20 years, in 2004 it was treated to a total nut-and-bolt restoration by the previous owner with the spectacular results you see today.

The restoration took 700 hours to complete with around £14k spent on labour and £8,500 on parts, all detailed in copious notes and photos on file. This included a full engine rebuild with new pistons etc, with a balanced crank, clutch and flywheel. The gearbox was found to be in excellent condition, leading the restorer to believe that the 65,600 miles on the clock was almost certainly correct.

The body and chassis were in largely rust-free condition and only needed new inner and outer door sills and localised floor repairs before being expertly repainted in Casablanca White. The interior was fully retrimmed in red leather, including the dash and the door cards, along with new carpets and a new headlining in the correct perforated white vyanide. New chrome wire wheels were fitted, shod with new Vredestein tyres, and the braking system was fully overhauled and renewed as required. Halogen headlights have also been fitted.

Our vendor acquired the MGA while living in South Africa in 2012, bringing it back to the UK in 2014 to join his collection of fine cars. In 2017 he entered it into the MG Two-Day Welsh Rally, a regularity event which it won outright.

As good underneath as it is up top, this gorgeous ‘matching numbers’ Coupe has covered only 5,000 dry miles since the restoration was completed and is surely as good an example as you could ever wish to find.

Please note that the boot lid on this car was being repainted at the time of photography but will be back in place in time for the sale.