Highlights
- Fully prepared Historic Rally car
- Full competition history
- Numerous competition upgrades
- FIA papers, ready to compete again
The Appeal
The MGA represents a truly interesting chapter in MG’s history; indeed, the marque’s production models can be subdivided into two eras – everything that came before the MGA, and everything that happened from 1955 onwards. This was the model that saw the brand forging ahead in the
post-war sports car era with a fresh approach and ground-breaking new car. The MGA boasted strong engineering and versatility, and proved itself in the motorsport competition world.
In its early life this example was a standard MGA road car before being transformed by its second owner at great expense into a properly prepared and seriously driven rally machine in the late 1990s. The current owner bought the car in April 2021, Used this year mainly for local shows and the odd trip into the countryside, the seller feels that it is perhaps a little too competition orientated, and it should be in the hands of a new owner who wants to compete.
History and Paperwork
- First registered as a road car in 1959
- Reported to have had one owner until early 1990s
- Imported and converted into a Historic Rally car in 1998
- Invoices on file for more than £20,000 for rally preparation
- Competed on many high profile rallies across Europe from 2000-2009
- Competed in Rally of the Tests, Classic Marathons, Isle of Mann, Monte Carlo Millennium
- Heritage Certificate
- Chassis with original engine (gearbox was replaced)
- FBHVC Certificate
- FIVA Logbook
- Full Rally navigation equipment package, including Halda Tripmaster
- Invoices for servicing, maintenance, and all upgrades
- Full competition history including results
- Invoices for rectification work after each event
- Large folder of history, invoices, descriptions of work all completed
- Old MoT certificates
- Gearbox replaced in 2022
- New rear poly bushes and rear axle U Bolts fitted August 2022
- Rear lights recently changed to later versions incorporating indicators
- Woolly Rally hats and event badges
- Haynes manual
The Interior
- Full rally interior including roll cage
- Fully prepared for rallying with navigation equipment, extra storage and interior lighting
- Sparco Race buckets with Willans harnesses
The first impression you get upon opening the door is that the MGA has been properly prepared and the interior is tidy, well planned and in very impressive condition. Looking underneath the smart black carpets reveals that there are no wooden floors; they have all been replaced with custom lightweight aluminium panels, as has the rear bulkhead. This has been well executed and incorporates pair of neat aluminium latched storage cubbyholes fitted inside the A panels in the footwells on both sides. The driver and navigator are protected by a full Safety Devices roll cage.
The bucket seats are Sparco Evo FIA items date coded January 1998, with 2003 Willans harnesses. The seats are in useable condition, but there are a few nicks in the fabric here and there. The original Banjo style steering wheel is present and the dash ahead of the driver is mostly stock MG. The dash itself is in good condition, with all of the gauges appearing to work correctly.
The odometer reads just less than 28,000 miles as this was, as it appears from old MoT certificates, replaced during the rally build, so the actual mileage is unknown. The passenger side of the dash is equipped with Halda Tripmaster, rally trip meters and map lights, along with Don barrow Route Check device mounted above the windscreen. There are storage nets in the roof and the correct mountings and connections for a roof-mounted spotlight. The door cards are excellent, the windows wind up and down smoothly, and the quarter-lights open and close (although we did notice that the rubber seals had perished in places).
The bucket seats are Sparco Evo FIA items date coded January 1998, with 2003 Willans harnesses. The seats are in useable condition, but there are a few nicks in the fabric here and there. The original Banjo style steering wheel is present and the dash ahead of the driver is mostly stock MG. The dash itself is in good condition, with all of the gauges appearing to work correctly.
The odometer reads just less than 28,000 miles as this was, as it appears from old MoT certificates, replaced during the rally build, so the actual mileage is unknown. The passenger side of the dash is equipped with Halda Tripmaster, rally trip meters and map lights, along with Don barrow Route Check device mounted above the windscreen. There are storage nets in the roof and the correct mountings and connections for a roof-mounted spotlight. The door cards are excellent, the windows wind up and down smoothly, and the quarter-lights open and close (although we did notice that the rubber seals had perished in places).
In the boot there are two fuel tanks for extra range, each with their own filler and fuel pump. Mounted towards the front of the boot beneath a panel there are a pair of 12v batteries in parallel.
The Exterior
- Chariot Red paintwork in excellent condition
- Brake and oil cooler airducts
- Later MGA rear lights incorporating indicators
Resplendent in gleaming Chariot Red paint, the MGA is beautifully finished and impeccably prepared. The chrome and brightwork is all present (except the bumpers) and has a good shine.
The car has a unique front valance, developed during its rallying escapades incorporating two air intakes. The one on the driver’s side funnels air to the oil cooler, while the one on the passenger side ducts cooling air to the front disc brakes. At the rear of the car the boot has a useful luggage rack, and two filler caps, one for each fuel tank.
The Minilite wheels are virtually new and are in excellent condition wearing a matching set of Michelin XAS rubber that are only lightly worn. The car also comes with aspare set of wire wheels with two-ear spinners.
The straightness and pristine appearance of this MGA bears testament to how well it’s been looked after. Although this car has been driven as a rally car should be whenever competed it appears to have been correctly maintained and repaired. The paint is remarkably good; the panel gaps are impressive for a car that has had a competition life.
The Mechanics
- 1668cc with Weber 45 carburettor and Derrington Inlet
- New gearbox fitted less than 300 miles ago
- Twin coils, twin batteries, two fuel tanks, electric fans
- Front disc and rear drum brakes
- Additional set of wire wheels with tyres
As you’d no doubt expect of a competition car, the mechanical details of the MGA have been properly considered and the modifications well executed. The engine’s capacity has been enlarged to 1668cc thanks to bigger pistons, and it runs a Weber 45 carburettor on a rare and desirable Derrington inlet.
A finned Landar valve cover sits on top, and the engine is running twin coils, as well as twin 12v batteries, twin fuel tanks and, interestingly, twin fans operated by a switch. There is a large air intake pipe running from behind the grille, as well as a chunky alloy radiator. The engine starts easily and settles into a motorsport-staccato idle with a fabulous rasp from the tailpipe.
A finned Landar valve cover sits on top, and the engine is running twin coils, as well as twin 12v batteries, twin fuel tanks and, interestingly, twin fans operated by a switch. There is a large air intake pipe running from behind the grille, as well as a chunky alloy radiator. The engine starts easily and settles into a motorsport-staccato idle with a fabulous rasp from the tailpipe.
Underneath the chassis appears to be solid, straight and corrosion free. The MGA was built to the correct specification that would enable it to compete in the period-correct classes. It has disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear. The rear leaf springs are fitted with extra leaves.
Summary
With superb and detailed history and incredible spec, this is the ideal car for somebody looking to enter the competitive world of Historic rallying. To be eligible once again it is likely to need updated seats and harnesses, but apart from that we think it’s ready to go.
Whatever the intent, we think it would be tough to find a better prepared historic rally car than this. The presentation excellent, the specification is correct and conforms to the rulebook, and it already has a proven and well documented competition history.
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