MGC GT

We are indebted to the vendor for the following description:

“The production history of the MGC is not totally clear, however, the following is my understanding based on the information I have been able to uncover.

The earliest MGCs were the prototype cars based on modified MGB MKI positive earth chassis, these being chassis no 100, registered in December 1965 as FRX 692C, and a GT, chassis number 99, which was registered in July 1968 as RMO 724F. Following these two cars and some 11 months prior to the official launch of the MGC in November 1967, a batch of pre-production cars was built starting at chassis 101, with the earliest cars laid down on the 3rd November 1966.

The original MGC production records (held at the British Motor Heritage Trust, Gaydon) show the build details of these pre-production cars. Chassis numbers 101 to 109 are all listed as roadsters. Chassis number 110 is the lowest chassis number issued to a GT, which is shown listed as a North American specification car that commenced production on 10th November 1966.

This particular car, chassis number 111, is shown as the earliest MGC GT pre-production development car and the first line-built home market MGC GT, the build commencing on 3rd November 1966 (the earliest date any line built development cars were commenced and the only GT commenced on this date together with the roadsters 101, 102,104,108 and 109). There is a note of the registration LBL 412D against chassis number 111 in the production records.

Chassis number 112 is also shown as a home market development GT with a note of the registration LBL 413D. Berkshire registration records show that LBL 412D was part of a batch of registration numbers reserved by the MG car company on 28th November 1966 and that LBL 412D was allocated on 1st December 1966. The final car in this pre-production batch, chassis number 113, is listed as a GT used in crash testing and written off in July 1967 then cut up and scrapped, leaving two home market and one North American GTs produced in this pre-production run. The first true production specification car was chassis number 114 which was commenced almost eight months later on 28th July 1967.

These records also list chassis 111 as being completed to the following specification:
Metal SLV BU/BLK (Riviera silver blue metallic with black trim) – the only development car in this colour; automatic transmission – the first and only automatic GT development car; home market spec; wire wheels; SP radials and MPH speedometer. The destination is “development” with a note “Loan to Holland Park” which we have been unable to elaborate upon.

It is believed that this batch of cars were used for extended development work both around Berkshire and at Silverstone. In an article by Mike Allison (‘Safety Fast’, July 1992) he details that as a result of testing at Silverstone the front brake pad material was upgraded and a transmission oil cooler added for cars with automatic transmission.

The MGC bodies were produced by Pressed Steel at the Swindon plant. As with the MGB shells from this period, bodies were issued with two body numbers, the location of which changed around this time. Chassis number 111 has body number E00003 located vertically on the very front edge of the offside inner wing. This is the number recorded by Abingdon for the pre-production cars. This number had a D prefix for roadsters and an E prefix for GT cars. The production records show body E00002 being allocated to both chassis 110 and 111! An archivist has amended this with a note against chassis 111 showing the body number as E00003? Chassis number 112 is shown as body E00001.

There is also a body number located on the nearside inner wing on a riveted alloy plate (opposite the carbs on early shells and moved next to the chassis plate on later shells) .This is prefixed GCD following the same format as MGC GT chassis numbers. This number was not recorded by Abingdon for the pre-production cars, although the second production car, chassis number 115, has the lowest GT body number recorded, listed as 000109. The body number on this tag for chassis 111 is GCD 000108, one lower than the lowest body number recorded by Abingdon in this sequence.

The history for this car indicates that in the early 1970s it was allocated a cherished registration, JGH 999D. When this was removed KWD 224D was allocated. Interestingly, a copy of the 1970s continuation log book shows that the engine size was amended to 3,528cc which indicates that a Rover V8 engine was fitted, an extremely rare thing for a C in the 1970s. The car was later restored and re-united with a 2,912 cc engine and with a manual / overdrive transmission that remains fitted. It was featured on the cover of a US Healey club magazine from 1990 as having been restored by JD Classics and available for around $65,000! There was some contention that it was also the Healey MGC prototype (codenamed ADO52). However, as chassis 111 was built as an automatic transmission car and contemporary pictures of ADO52 show a manual transmission gearlever and overdrive switch, I think it is unlikely.

From 1997 the car was registered to well known classic Jaguar racing driver Justin Law, winner of a huge number of classic Jaguar events including this year’s Le Mans Legend race in France. In 1999 LBL 412D was entered into a Christies auction where it sold for the sum of £15,291.25 including commission.

Finished in silver blue metallic with black leather piped in blue with matching door cards and trim, it has the correct leather rimmed MGC steering wheel, painted wire wheels, Spax suspension including rear telescopic conversion and a stainless steel exhaust system. Internally it has early MKI MGB spec door pulls and a Jaeger fuel gauge not found on series production MGCs. It is believed to be the only remaining MGC GT originally registered in 1966.

The MOT history indicates that the car has travelled a mere 2,000 miles since 1999. Purchased by the current vendor in 2007 and now only for sale due to emigration, it has been part of a small private collection and displayed in a modern car showroom. Presented in superb cosmetic condition, the car has not been driven since 2007 and may need some light re-commissioning prior to regular use. It will, however, be taken out of storage, MOT tested and taxed prior to the sale. The car is supplied complete with MOT and V5 history together with a British Motor Heritage Certificate, the Christies auction brochure and invoice and various supporting documents and articles.”

Altogether an extremely rare and historic machine, in fine condition, that would be the pride of any MG collection.

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: The vendor wishes to add that the change down from 3rd to 4th gear is notchy unless you double de-clutch, indicating a possible selector or synchromesh problem. Other than that the car drives extremely well and was driven some 80 miles to the sale.