Recommissioned by classic car specialist after long lay-up
Smart repaint in BMC Factory Black
Never welded and completely original other than paint
THE APPEAL
In many ways the MGC is one of motoring’s great might-have-beens – a wonderful idea with bags of appeal, but not executed as well as it could or should have been when new, leading to it costing MG a fortune to develop.
The thinking was to create a car that could help BMC sustain US sales after crash legislation threatened to outlaw the Austin-Healey 3000. The Healey was a body-on-chassis design, but the MGB had been conceived as a monocoque to meet US safety regulations. It used the established BMC 2,919cc six from the Healey 3000, with a proven track record in both road cars and motorsport.
To install the six-cylinder engine into the compact MGB, some significant feats of engineering were needed. It was not a marriage made in heaven, but by sheer will and problem solving. The lithe coil spring front suspension of the MGB had to be replaced with a torsion bar system, for example, whilst to accommodate the engine and radiator the bonnet had to be given a distinctive bulge.
It never achieved its sales targets, either. Only 8,999 cars were completed in a production run of less than three years, of which 4,457 were in GT form like this example making it a rare car today.
This one is even more remarkable as it has been laid up for many years – it has never had an MOT since records were digitised in 2005 and has had just two previous keepers, the most recent since 1978. You don’t find that kind of provenance everywhere.
Appears structurally excellent – the car has never been welded and while some surface corrosion is visible underneath there are no signs of anything major or concerning
Knock-on wire wheels with new 175/65/R15 tyres all-round
Wheels have gentle surface corrosion
Largely good chrome and trim
Period MG Car Club badge
Correct and original white and yellow reflective number plates
This is a remarkable example of the MGC with a fantastic story behind it – you’ll not find another two-owner example in a hurry and it has been recommissioned in a manner that is sympathetic to its condition and history – the paint has been refreshed and the mechanical components overhauled, but the rest of it has seen as much originality preserved as possible, which gives it a wonderfully charming patina. A rare and lovely find.
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