MGA 1600 MkII Roadster

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AMENDMENT: A large file of bills charting the restoration of this car have now turned up and are available for inspection at Brightwells

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 unusually 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. 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.

The final and the best version of the car was the MGA 1600 MkII, which arrived in 1961. This had a slightly bigger B-Series engine of 1,622cc with a top speed of 103mph allied to higher gearing which improved the car's high speed cruising ability. Styling tweaks included a revised grille with recessed slats and new horizontal tail-lamps. The MGA 1600 MkII lasted in production for just one year, only 8,719 examples being made before it was replaced by the softer and rather less inspiring MGB in 1962.

As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this 1600 MkII was manufactured to US specification in September 1961 and was originally in Old English White with black trim. Nothing is known of its history in America but the V5C shows that it came back to the UK in September 1988.

The car was acquired by an experienced restorer in 2012 having already been converted to right-hand drive. It was then treated to an extensive two-year restoration which included the following items: rebuilt engine with new pistons, oil pump, clutch, timing chain, oil cooler (standard on US cars) etc.; reconditioned carburettors and distributor; new braking system; stainless steel exhaust and a 5-speed gearbox conversion by Hi-Gear (an excellent modification which transforms the driving experience).

The bodywork was also fully restored with new B-posts, sills and box sections, new wings and a bare metal respray in attractive dark red. The grill and bumpers were rechromed and a new boot rack fitted. The interior was also fully refurbished with new seat covers, carpets, hood, side screens and tonneau cover. Although there are no bills for all this work, the results speak for themselves and the vendor was told by the restorer that over £13,000 was spent on parts alone.

In beautiful condition throughout and said to drive superbly with an MOT until June 2016, the car is only reluctantly for sale due to re-location and consequent loss of storage. With top examples now knocking on the door of £40,000, it looks a steal at the modest guide price suggested.