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MGC Roadster

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MGC RoadsterMGC Roadster
Lot number 23
Hammer value £19,000
Description MGC Roadster
Registration GXS 158G
Year 1969
Colour British Racing Green
Engine size 2,912 cc
Chassis No. GCN1/5766G
Engine No. RUH3776

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, but without having to build a completely new car. It used a modified version of the MGB bodyshell and was powered by a tuned version of the C-Series straight-six engine used in the Austin 3-Litre saloon. In the twin SU carburettor form used in the MGC, the engine 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 in the motoring press. Never properly marketed by BMC, the MGC was quietly shelved in 1969 after just 8,999 examples had been built, half of them roadsters and half GTs.

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, they make excellent high speed cruisers.

First registered in February 1969, this particular car is a truly outstanding example that has to be seen to be fully appreciated. As photographs in the history file show, it was already a very good Primrose Yellow car when a previous owner acquired it some years ago. He then decided to treat it to a total nut-and-bolt rebuild in the late 1990s that reputedly cost over £25,000. Although many of the bills for this work no longer survive, the results speak for themselves, as do the photographs showing every stage of the restoration. Now looking resplendent in British Racing Green, the car won a concours competition in 2001 shortly after the rebuild was completed.

The odometer was reset to zero when the restoration was completed and it is now showing just 3,100 miles. Features include an overdrive gearbox, chrome wire wheels, stainless steel MG-embossed kick plates, uprated suspension and a stainless steel exhaust. It comes with a fair amount of history back to 1985, a full tonneau cover, hood and hood bag. The car is said to drive superbly and certainly performed well when we were treated to a short test drive on the occasion of our visit to take these photographs, pulling strongly with a nice smooth overdrive, no clonks or rattles and most effective brakes. With an MOT until October 2012 and taxed until next April, it is ready for immediate use.

Highly correct in all important respects, this is surely as good an example as you could ever wish to find and would make a worthy contender in MG concours events.
 

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