1960 MGA Roadster

Highlights

  • An older restoration remaining in excellent condition
  • Recent major recommissioning service
  • Very low mileage covered in the past 15 years

The Appeal

A firm favourite among sporting motorists, the MGA has remained a steady presence in our classic automotive landscape. The combination of simple yet effective engineering, lightweight bodywork and gentle styling make it hard to resist. 
This particular example is beautifully finished, having been previously restored. It has evidently been well kept since, as there are very few marks or blemishes to be found throughout, with any minor defects noted in the accompanying photographs. It is finished in its original colour of Iris Blue and sports a smart leather interior, and chrome wire wheels. 
And when you lift the bonnet, a gleaming engine bay can be found beneath. This MG would make a superb addition to any garage. 




The History and Paperwork

  • Built on 21st December 1959
  • First registered 18th February 1960
  • Road Tax and MOT exempt 
  • Purchased by the current owner in 2008
  • Only 2,500 miles covered since 2008
  • Previously restored in the early 2000s
  • The mileage was reset in 2005, after restoration
  • UK V5C
  • Heritage certificate
  • Copy of the MGA Driver’s Handbook on file
  • Invoices for parts and servicing 
  • Comes with an extensive collection of prestigious awards and trophies


The Interior

  • Interior in ‘immaculate’ condition
  • Black leather upholstery with Light blue piping
  • Smiths gauges and Lucas pull switches 
  • All controls working
The interior of this MG is supremely well presented, with hardly a blemish to be seen throughout. Black leather upholstery covers the seats, and is finished with contrasting light blue piping. There is a little creasing to the driver’s seat from use, and the vendor notes small scratches in the outer bolster, but otherwise the upholstery is in superb condition. 
Matching black carpets cover the floors in excellent condition. Fitted rubber overmats provide extra protection and are proudly emblazoned with the MG logo. To the rear, the boot floor is in excellent condition and there is a fitted cover for the unused spare wheel. 
The driver is presented with a wooden-rimmed steering wheel, and in front of this is the painted dashboard and a full complement of gauges and pull switches. Everything is very neatly presented and there seem to be no signs of wear or damage throughout. 
Bolt-on sidescreens provide the passengers with extra weather protection and feature sliding windows for ventilation. A tonneau cover can also be fitted to protect the interior when the car is not in use.  There is a heater mounted in the centre of the dashboard, and the car even retains its charming original hand-operated screenwash pump. 



The Exterior 

  • Superb Iris Blue paint, the car’s original colour
  • Chrome plated wire wheels 
  • Very clean underneath
  • Slight cut in tonneau cover 
  • Excellent panel gaps and shut lines
  • WaxOyled in 2008
With its gracefully curved body panels and carefully thought out proportions, the MGA is a very attractive sportscar indeed. And this one is a particularly fine example, with its Iris Blue paint remaining in excellent condition upon very well presented body panels. 
The vendor notes a few minor defects for bidders to be aware of. These include some minor paint blisters on the lower edges of the front wings and a small dent in the driver’s door. There is also a small area of bubbling to the paint on the passenger door. 
Chrome trim adorns the car throughout, and this remains in great shape, with no obvious pitting that we could see. The lamp lenses are clear and bright and the rubber seals appear fresh. The fabric hood is very clean and free from damage or stains, and its plastic rear windows remain clear. 
The car proudly sits upon a set of wire wheels, which are beautifully chrome plated and feature ‘knock-off’ centre spinners. The front disc brakes can be seen through the spokes, and the wheels are shod in a matching set of Michelin tyres, which are said to have seen very little use. 




The Mechanics 

  • 1,588cc four-cylinder engine
  • Four-speed transmission 
  • Recent recommissioning service at cost of £950

With its sweet four-cylinder engine mounted in a lightweight body, the MGA is a fantastic example of the archetypal classic British sportscar. It provides ample performance and is plenty of fun at any speed. 
Lifting the bonnet reveals an immaculately presented engine bay, which probably looks even better than the day it rolled off the production line. The only obvious nod to modernity is the fitment of braided fuel hoses, uprated air filters, and the occasional non-standard hose clip. Otherwise, this is a wonderfully original example, which glistens in the light. 
A recent invoice details a major service carried out in May 2022, which included replacing the engine oil and filter, changing rear axle oil and the air filters, greasing the suspension and propshaft, stripping and cleaning the brakes, fitting a new dynamo and adjusting the choke. This work totalled nearly £950 including parts and labour. 



Summary

Clearly, this MGA has been very well cared for, with a comprehensive restoration having been undertaken around twenty years ago, and very few miles covered since. It remains in stunning condition inside and out, and benefits from a recently completed major service, so it should be a pleasure to drive. 

Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1959
  • Make MG
  • Model MK1
  • Colour Blue
  • Odometer 8,317 Miles
  • Engine size 1588
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Harrogate
  • Location Yorkshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
19 bids
  • CL•••• £23,750 11/04/23
  • mi•••• £23,500 11/04/23
  • ri•••• £23,250 11/04/23
  • CL•••• £23,000 11/04/23
  • ri•••• £22,750 11/04/23
  • CL•••• £22,500 11/04/23
  • ri•••• £22,000 10/04/23
  • CL•••• £21,000 10/04/23
  • ri•••• £20,000 09/04/23
  • mi•••• £19,000 09/04/23
Message C&C Auction Team

The gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

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
Safe, secure payment process

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.