MGA 1500 Roadster

THIS CAR HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

The first truly modern MG, the MGA of 1955 was leagues ahead of anything the company had yet produced, their other post-war 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. 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.

This lovely Old English White example has the later version of the original 1500cc engine which developed a quoted 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. As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, WSD 407 is a rare UK market car that was built in late January 1958.

The car has had just one registered keeper for the last 17 years and was treated to a total nut-and-bolt rebuild in 1994. Virtually every part of the car has been restored or replaced as necessary with many bills on file to substantiate the work carried out. It was also fitted with the desirable 5-speed Sierra gearbox conversion along with electronic ignition and a stainless steel exhaust.

The car has covered only some 12,000 miles since the rebuild was completed and has been used in fine weather only. Said to be in excellent condition throughout and to drive beautifully, it is MOTd until October 2012 and taxed until next May. It comes with most old MOTs back to 1994, a large file of bills for the restoration and subsequent upkeep and a full set of weather equipment.