MGA 1600 Roadster

The first truly modern MG, the MGA of 1955 was leagues ahead of anything the company had yet produced as all their other post-war cars had been nothing more than restyled pre-war designs. Blessed with one of the most shapely silhouettes of any car ever produced, the Roadster also had an notably rigid structure, utterly 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. Throw in its beautifully direct, vice-free rack and pinion steering, and it's no wonder that the MGA has acquired such a devoted fan club over the years.

Initially fitted with a 1500cc engine, the MGA was upgraded to 1600cc spec in 1959 bringing an extra 7bhp and increasing top speed to 101mph. The brakes were also improved and new exterior lights fitted at the front which incorporated amber turn flashers. The detachable side screens also gained sliding Perspex windows. The MGA remained in production until 1962 when it was replaced by the softer and somewhat less sporting MGB.

Dating from November 1959, this particular 1600 Roadster is an original English right-hand drive car that was first registered in Huddersfield. A matching numbers car which still retains its original engine and gearbox, it has been in the current ownership for the last 16 years and was treated to a total body-off rebuild between 1994 and 95. This included a full chassis restoration and a bare metal repaint of the body, which was free of any serious corrosion.

All mechanical parts were renewed or repaired as necessary, including a full engine and gearbox rebuild with the fitment of an unleaded head and a balanced flywheel. The interior was also retrimmed in red leather and painted 60-spoke wire wheels fitted, along with a nice period woodrim steering wheel. Since the restoration was completed the car has always been kept garaged and has only covered around 3,500 dry miles. Said to drive very well indeed, it is taxed until March 2011 and is MOTd until October.

It comes with photographs of the restoration in progress, various bills, 14 old MOTs showing regular light use, the original buff log book plus modern V5C. A full set of weather gear is also included, comprising a double-duck hood and sidescreens plus a double-duck tonneau cover and a fibreglass hardtop with sidescreens. The car is now in very good condition throughout, marred only by the fact that the paintwork is perhaps not as glossy as it could be.