Description
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this multi award winning 1962 MGA 1600 MkII Roadster.
The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certified Copy of a Factory Record on file confirms this MGA was originally delivered to the USA. The car was originally Old English White with a black interior and a grey hood. The build date is noted as 30th November 1961 – 4th January 1962. It was despatched from the Abingdon factory on the 4th January 1962.
The car was ordered with the following equipment: disc wheels, heater, windscreen washers, grey tonneau cover, Roadspeed tyres and a miles per hour speedometer.
The subsequent early history of this car is not known. At some stage it founds it way to Australia.
The car was restored in the mid-1990’s and at that time it was owned by Rodney Abbot from Ascot, an inner city Brisbane suburb in Brisbane, Queensland.
The car was completely taken apart, the body was removed from the chassis and every mechanical component was stripped and fully rebuilt.
Interestingly the body and chassis were taken to the Brisbane TAFE Training College for panel beating and spray painting.
The body was completely rebuilt by Ken Gray, the head teacher. During that process any imperfections were lead filled and new panel sections were fabricated when needed. The whole process took 12 months to complete.
The car was painted by another teacher from the college. Each piece was individually painted, which took another 6 months to complete.
The chassis was stripped and powder coated.
The engine was rebuilt with . 040 oversize pistons, new camshaft and oil pump, new valves and cam followers, the cylinder head was reconditioned, new bearings were installed, new timing gears, chain and tensioner. The carbies were completely overhauled.
The gearbox was rebuilt with a modified layshaft and new synchros. A new clutch was installed with a new pressure plate, new slave cylinders. All gears were replaced with new ones. The tail shaft was balanced and new universal joints were installed.
The differential was reconditioned with new bearings and the gears were lapped.
The car was subsequently reassembled. During that process a new wiring harness was installed, some gauges were replaced (with new old stock items) and the speedo and the tacho were overhauled. The bumpers, overriders, and the windscreen frame were rechromed and a new grill was installed. The car received new floorboards, new trim, new carpets as well as a new hood and tonneau cover.
The final touch was to install a new exhaust system and new wire wheels.
The entire project took over three years from start to finish.
Sometime after the restoration the car was sold to Leslie Hall from Noosa Waters in Queensland.
Hall was a short term owner and the current owner acquired the car from him on the 15th of November 2006. At that time the odometer read 3, 374 miles, which was understood to be the mileage travelled since the restoration was completed.
Over the following 20 years, this wonderful MGA has been regularly seen at various events in South East Queensland, where it was a regular trophy winner.
Some of the awards this car has won include:
- 2008 MGCC Qld Concours d’Elegance: Class Winner, Winner of the Post MG TF to 1980 Category and Outright Winner.
- 2010 Noosa Beach Classic Car Show: Best British Sports and Best in Show.
- 2011 McLeans Bridge Lakeside Concours d’Elegance: Finalist.
- 2012 McLeans Bridge Lakeside Concours d’Elegance: Finalist.
- 2012 Noosa Beach Classic Car Show: Champion of Champions.
- 2013 MG Australian National Meeting Concours d’Elegance: Best MGA Roadster (Single Cam).
- 2013 Noosa Beach Classic Car Show: Champion of Champions.
- 2016 MGCCQ Concours d’Elegance Ormiston House: Class Winner Best MGA and Post War MGTF to 1980.
- 2019 All British Day: Best Sports Car and Best of British.
- 2024 MG Australian National Meeting: 2nd place MGA Roadster (Single Cam).
Today this MGA 1600 MkII Roadster still presents magnificently, which is a testimony to the quality of the restoration as well as the current and previous owners who have obviously cherished this wonderful little car.
At time of photographing, the odometer read 5, 110 miles.
This car makes a superb first impression, presenting to an exceptional high standard. Its condition and finish are so impressive that it has the look and feel of a recently completed restoration and not one that is now incredibly 30 years old!
Walking around the car there are a few things you will immediately notice. The paint work is stunning and the chrome wire wheels sparkle, however, it is the detail the trained eye will see that are truly impressive. You often see beautifully restored MGA’s with poor panel gaps, however, on this car the panel gaps are excellent. The body work is arrow straight and the lines on the car are very smooth, which is a further reflection on the quality of the restoration and particularly the preparation of the body prior to painting.
The delicate bright work and most notably the grill, are one of the defining features of an MGA. On this example, the chrome remains in exceptional condition, complemented by equally well presented lights and lenses.
The chrome wire wheels are in excellent condition with no sign of any kerb rash or damage. They are shod with Nankang CX-668 tyres, size 165/ 80R15, all around. The tyres are date stamped 4010 (week 40, 2010). They are still in a good condition. The wheel spinners are also in an excellent condition.
Inside the cabin, the interior is beautifully presented with just the slightest amount of wear evident, most noticeably to the red leather door rail and the driver’s seat.
Overall, the seats are in a very good condition. They are relatively comfortable and the foam still provides ample support. The leather covered dashboard presents well and all the instruments are crisp and clean. On our test drive they all appeared to be in good working order, though we did notice that the indicators are not staying on, which is a known issue on MGA’s. The steering wheel is another MGA feature, combining elegance with a distinctly sporting feel. It is in very good condition.
The car has a soft top and a tonneau cover which are both in excellent condition. The side curtains which are stored in the correct bag behind the seats are also in excellent condition. They soft top and side curtains have probably never been used since the car was restored.
Under the bonnet sits the correct 1, 622cc four-cylinder engine. Just like the exterior of the car, the engine bay presents exceptionally well. Everything is fresh and extremely clean.
Underneath the car it is a similar story.
Whilst this MGA is show car, we are pleased to report that it drives every bit as good as it looks.
A fully sorted MGA 1600 Mk II Roadster delivers one of the purest and most rewarding classic British sports car driving experiences. It isn’t about outright speed, it is about balance, involvement and the simple pleasure of driving.
To start the car from cold you will need to use the choke. Unlike many MGA’s this car still draws its power from dual 6 volt batteries. Once the engine fires up you can back the choke off almost immediately and feather the throttle to warm up the engine. It very quickly settles into a smooth idle and first impressions are good. There is no excessive noise from the tappets which is always a good sign.
Out on the open road this car drives superbly. Dare we say it drives like a recently restored car and not one that is now incredibly 30 years old!
The car is tight on the road and the suspension feels ‘just right’. It absorbs imperfections while retaining the nimble character that made the MGA such a success. The engine feels strong and revs freely. The raspy exhaust note is typically MG and just encourages you to seek out the next winding road.
MG introduced front disc brakes, while retaining drum brakes at the rear, with the arrival of the MGA 1600. On this example the brake pedal is reassuringly firm and the braking performance is strong and progressive, bringing the car to a stop efficiently and in a straight line when required.
An MGA is the quintessential British sports car and a well sorted MGA 1600 MkII is about as good as it gets. Finding good examples is getting harder and finding one in this condition is rare.
With a few minor items attended to, this car would still be a serious contender at any MG concours d’elegance.
Accompanying the car is a history file, an owner’s manual, a beautifully photo book, a correct tool kit, a jack, all the wet weather gear including a tonneau cover and side curtains in a storage bag.
Highlights:
- Beautifully presented example of a quintessential British sports car.
- An older restoration that still presents superbly.
- Fabulous colour scheme.
- Ready to be shown, used and enjoyed.
Price: AUD $79, 950
Background
MG is one of the world’s most iconic motoring brands.
In 1912, with the support of the Earl of Macclesfield, William Morris founded W. R. M. Motors Ltd and started the manufacturing of Morris designed cars. In 1919 W. R. M. Motors was liquidated and essentially replaced by Morris Motors.
In 1921 Morris hired Cecil Kimber as a Sales Manager for Morris Garages and in 1923 he became the General Manager. Kimber had a vision and started building sportier versions of Morris cars and labelled them MG. On the 1st May 1924 Morris Garages registered the MG Octagon as a trademark.
Demand grew, which necessitated a move to a larger premises in September 1925. This was quickly followed by another move in 1927. By 1928 the business had grown so much a decision was made to separate it from Morris and the M. G. Car Company was established in March 1928. In 1929 the company moved to Abingdon and on the 21st July 1930 the M. G. Car Company Limited was incorporated.
The first cars to be produced under the name MG in 1924 were special bodied Morris Cowleys. The first MG to specifically compete in sporting events is a car now known as ‘Old Number One’. It was produced in 1925 and was first seen at the 1925 Lands End Trial. Other MG models followed quickly but in 1928 at the Motor Show at Olympia MG introduced the MG M-Type Midget, which became the first of many sports cars produced by MG and was a big success for the company.
In that same year MG also introduced the MG 18/ 80. This was the first MG with a chassis designed and built by MG. The 18/ 80 was equipped with a six cylinder engine with a capacity of 2, 468cc.
A milestone for the company occurred in 1933 when an MG Magnette K3 became the first non-Italian car to win its class at the Mile Miglia.
William Morris owned MG personally and in 1935 he sold it to Morris Motors.
In the late 1930’s MG produced a series of sports saloons, the VA, the SA and the WA.
The MG TA (built from 1936 – 1939) and MG TB (built from 1939 – 1940) were well regarded sports cars, but sold only in relatively small numbers. Introduced in 1945 the MG TC was in fact a very similar car to the MG TB, both visually and also mechanically sharing the same 1250 cc engine but with a slightly higher compression ratio. Although only built as right hand drive, America fell in love with the MG TC and many cars were sold to American serviceman serving in the UK and Europe at the end of the war. In fact everyone loved the TC and cars were sold to all points of the globe! Over six years of production MG sold 10, 000 MG TC’s.
The MG TC was succeeded by the MG TD in 1950 and circa 30, 000 cars were built before being replaced by the MG TF in 1953. Just under 10, 000 TF’s were built of which one third had the 1500 cc engine. The T Series MG’s were replaced by the MGA in 1955.
The MGA was introduced to compete with the new and very fresh Austin Healey. This model was a completely new design which proved to be another great success story for BMC. In total just over 100, 000 MGA’s were built from 1955 through until 1962. When introduced the MGA was powered by a 1489cc four cylinder engine and the first MGA’s were often referred to as MGA 1500. The MGA power plant went through a number of improvements through the model’s life, including an increase to 1, 588cc in 1959 (MGA 1600) and then to 1, 622cc in 1961 (MGA Mark II). MG also introduced a high-performance version of the MGA, the MGA Twin Cam in 1958.
The MGA was a big success for MG and in total 101, 081 were built. Only 8, 719 of those where MKII versions and only 708 of them were RHD roadsters.
