Glamorous, dangerous, elusive, pioneering… Sportscar Racing in the 1950s was certainly all of these things, epitomised perhaps by the 24 hours race of Le Mans.

The first Le Mans race was run in 1923; an endurance through public roads dominated by French, British and Italian teams driving Bugatti, Bentley and Alfa Romeo. By the mid 50s, and following the formation of the World Sportscar Championship, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar began sending multiple car teams backed by their respective factories to compete for championship wins and also for share in a global sportscar market.

1955 saw the appearance of 3 properly modern BMC prototype race cars. With a new chassis and special aluminium body, prototype EX182 from MG was quite a departure from the TD that it followed, and 2 of the cars finished an impressive 5th and 6th in class within an established field from the likes of Mercedes Benz and Triumph and despite chaos within an already dramatic race where Pierre Levegh's Mercedes Benz was catapulted into a crowd and killing over 80 spectators. Following tragic and fatal accidents later that year at the Ulster TT, BMC was to withdraw MG as a works team from Sportscar Racing. Prototype EX182 continued to be campaigned by privateers, and BMC developed into the successful MGA Roadster, selling over 100, 000 cars between 1956 and 1962

A tribute to the late great Ken Miles, and the 4th Le Mans Roadster by W. D. WINS, this is a collaboration between W. D. WINS and Fresh Graphics. Ken Miles was one of the racing drivers who piloted the EX182 prototypes at Le Mans in 1955. A talented British driver and engineer, he was also instrumental in the development of Ford’s GT40 alongside Carroll Shelby, played by Christian Bale in the 2019 film Ford V Ferrari.

It’s so unusual to find such a solid and rust free example, this 1958 MGA Roadster was perfect as a base for a patinated old racer. It’s mechanically factory standard, with original suspension, brakes and 1500cc engine mated to 4 speed gearbox. Around 70hp as standard and just over 900kg dry kerbweight, meant that the standard road car was pretty sprightly, and good for 100mph.

Special equipment includes period correct Lucas spotlight, Avon racing rubber and new wide steel wheels, bespoke aluminium racing seat and passenger ejector seat.

Just perfect as is for period summer thrills. However, W. D. WINS performance upgrades can be specified for this car, including fast road/ race engines, modern twin cam power, trick independent rear suspension with coil overs and limited slip differential. Just ask for details.