Well documented ownership history and just 4 previous keepers in nearly 70 years
Wonderfully original experience and appearance throughout
Four spare replacement fibreglass quarter panels and original spare gearbox supplied
Excellent convertible top and mohair tonneau cover
The Appeal
Lightweight, nimble and a great power-to-weight ratio was the recipe for this nearly 70 year old sports car that is still used in competitive single marque racing today.
Simply built but still with the ability of sporty, fun touring in mind, the MG A was produced in large numbers but with now less than 2,000 surviving today makes this quite a rare car. Despite what today would be considered ‘low power’ this 72HP 1.5 Litre, nimble sports car is capable of well over 90mph and will comfortably sit at modern traffic speeds. This gorgeous example has had long term ownership and is backed up with an original registration booklet, a truly wonderful piece of history.
Wonderfully original and aged registration document showing the previous keepers with the ownership changes being:
1956
1958
1973
1974
1992
2002
Current V5 document showing 4 previous keepers
Mot and tax exempt
An invoice for a 5 speed conversion and quick shift lever in the form of a Ford type 9 gearbox
Full engine overhaul in the vendors ownership
Quirky registration number is now likely quite desirable and has been with the car since new
Having had long term owners, this car's paperwork trail is very solid with a plethora of receipts, historic MOT documents registration booklet as previously mentioned and matching engine and chassis numbers as per the registration book.
The car has been in current ownership for the past 21 years and the vendor has endeavoured to ensure a reliable and usable driving experience to keep up with more modern roads whilst avoiding where possible, affecting the heritage and originality of the car. A truly cherished member of the family.
The Interior
Fully retrimmed in black leather in the vendors ownership
Period correct aluminium and wood steering wheel that compliments the interior has been fitted. The original wheel has also been retained
Excellent tonneau cover and convertible top
From the body coloured dashboard that is adorned with simplistic yet functional dials and knobs to the Willans 3-point harnesses and short shift gear stick, this car was made for driving. This MG A has seen excellent care throughout with beautifully clean gauges that look factory fresh and lovely light patina on the minimal chromed surfaces.
Although the steering wheel is not the original one, we think it looks fabulous and replaces the much larger original number, improving drivability.
In the boot area everything is nice, solid and clean with the pressed steel spare wheel and tools readily to hand, very simple but functional, in keeping with the lightweight approach. The mohair tonneau cover is of an excellent fit, nice and taught between each point and the black vinyl roof too is an excellent fit, both a good dark black with no evident damage or repairs we noticed.
All the carpets, retrimmed seats and the simplistic door cards are in truly excellent order, clean and damage free.
Fully repainted from its original pale blue colour prior to the vendors ownership
Aftermarket rear indicators have been fitted to increase safety over the original triple light numbers
Spare fibreglass wings, period boot rack, side screens and back draught screen Presented in Tartan Red, this remarkable little car wears its years well with light patina on the chrome and other polished surfaces and some blemishes in the 21+ year old paintwork. The coachwork is nice and straight with even panel gaps and retains a nice even shine all over and we saw no evidence of damage or dents anywhere.
There is plenty of very highly polished metal on the car, the front grille which has a tiny dent is beautifully shiny and ties in with the very fresh front and rear bumpers.
The headlamps surrounds have some light pitting as do the rear lamp surrounds and mirrors, this being very minor and befitting of the overall age of the bodywork.
The spare front and rear wings are in need of restoration but overall look in good order with the usual crazing of the paint from the fibreglass underneath.
It's pretty evident as soon as you look at this MG A that it has been properly and carefully maintained with money spent in all the right areas. A look under the bonnet shows a wonderful, clean and tidy engine bay adorned with just the right amount of burgundy paint and chrome to look factory fresh.
The engine was subjected to a full overhaul with a rebore, new pistons, flowed head ports, crank refurb and new bearings, essentially a new engine allowing the original engine number to be retained to preserve provenance whilst improving reliability and performance. The standard gearbox which would be a limiting factor on today's high speed roads has been swapped out for a Ford 5 speed and this combined with a short shift lever allows for a sportier feel and brisker acceleration.
The car is supplied with an electronic ignition kit which would replace the traditional ‘points’ system but this has remained untouched due to the reported reliability of the current setup. To keep things cool there has been fitted a Kenlowe radiator along with a thermostatic fan which will improve reliability and also a full stainless steel exhaust system that no doubt will be a song to the ears.
A modernised 12V battery and coil now supply the car with power, replacing the now defunct 6V, dual battery setup that is becoming less common today.
The vendor, evidently extremely passionate about the car, preserving this piece of British history so well has ensured the car has seen thorough attention inside and out.
Much of the work backed up with a good history file with handbooks dating back to day one, this fine sports car is in need of little and would compliment any collection and be a fabulous sunny day driving machine.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1956 MGA
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
