Highlights

Extremely rare RHD Twin Cam with matching-numbers engine
Comprehensive body-off rebuild and mechanical overhaul since 2017
Rebuilt engine, refreshed mechanicals, retrimmed and repainted
Less than 1,000 miles covered since restoration completed
Racing history at Grand Central Circuit in South Africa
Extensive history with records dating back to 1960
Current keeper since 2017

The Appeal

The high performance Twin Cam is one of the rarest MGs built. The 110bhp set up proved tricky to tune, which is why production ended after just 2,210 were built. Of these, only 210 are believed to have been produced in RHD. This 1959 car is one of them.

Alongside the extra power, the Twin Cam got all-round disc brakes and is identifiable by its attractive Dunlop peg drive knock off wheels.

Whether you approach this car from a history or condition perspective, it is appealing. The car raced at South Africa’s Grand Central Circuit in the '60s and carries a history file dating back to this period. It was acquired by the current keeper in 2017. He set about a genuinely comprehensive restoration that included a body-off structural refresh, chassis renovation, interior retrim, engine rebuild and full mechanical refresh. There is also a long list of detail improvements and sympathetic modifications, which is described below. The car remains matching-numbers but is otherwise virtually ‘as new’. It is said to have covered only 1,600 km (988 miles) since completion.

Finished in appropriate British Racing Green, it is a highly presented car in great condition. This list of renovation work incudes useful upgrades like a high-torque starter and electronic ignition. This is a show-standard example of an ultra-rare car.

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1959
1959 model year car
South African 'CKD' car
Records dating back to 1960 we are told
Documented racing history at Grand Central Circuit up to 1964
Photographs of car racing as shown
Current keeper since 2017
Body-off restoration completed since 2017
No evidence of previous accident damage found during restoration
988 miles (1,600km) covered since restoration
Licensed and registered in South Africa
Located in Edenvale, South Africa
Restoration photographs

Summary of restoration work since 2017:

Chassis sandblasted and refinished
Body corrected and repainted
“Every mechanical system rebuilt or replaced” vendor states
Engine overhauled with high-compression pistons
New cam drive chain and “all-new supporting components” fitted to engine
Braking system redone front to back with new lines, cylinders, and pads
Interior renewed including new soft top, tonneau cover, and refurbished side screens
New high-torque starter
Electronic ignition
Chrome work redone throughout
New imported front bumper fitted
Spin-on oil filter conversion
Dual fuel pumps with a changeover switch
Stainless-steel performance exhaust system
Radiator and fuel tank chemically cleaned
Clutch master cylinder replaced
Rebuilt temperature gauge
Upgraded distributor
Smaller period-correct steering wheel

Identifying features provided by seller:

British Heritage Certificate number2025/4218
Vin YDH5 1830
Engine number 16GBU1512
Abingdon number 76478
MAL car number 415
Gearbox 1710
Rear axle 1800 Ratio 4.3 : 1
Radiator plate no 039ARH012100249

Upgrades by the seller:

Electronic ignition system using adapted Mini Cooper S distributor (recognised replacement for the original)
Original HT coil and distributor go with the car
Directly wired hi torque starer motor for easier starting
Original starter is included in a sale.
Single 12 v battery replaces the original twin 6 v batteries
Stand by SU fuel pump installed with a changeover switch under the dash
Special arm rest with hinged lid made and installed for extra storage of small items
Special padded bag made for storing little-used side screens above spare wheel in boot
Original radiator pressure valve mounted in position but not used
Filler spout of header tank modified to accept standard MGA pressure cap
Moss supplied spin on oil filter unit installed for easier filter element changes
Original filter cannister is included in a sale
Rmovable cutout made in the inner mudguard for easy access to the distributor
New imported louvre engine bay panels fitted to replace missing ones
Mini breather filter in place of filler cap on exhaust cam cover fitted to improve venting
Original cap is included in sale
Lap seat belts fitted
14 Inch Monza steering wheel with polished aluminium hub fitted in place of 17inch wheel
Stainless steel cover strip fitted under the sills to replace the missing painted ones
Battery isolating switch fitted
Period jack, starting handle and spare wheel all included
The car is still wired positive earth as it was when built

The vendor says:

"YDH5 1830 was dispatched from Abingdon on 24 April 1959 the destination was to Motor Assemblies Limited (MAL) in Durban South Africa. 1830 was sent in CKD form with a primer finish as were all the other BMC cars of the period. The local assembly was completed in September 1959 and was sold in March 1960, bear in mind that by late 1959 the demand for the twin cam had all but vanished and MAL were left with several unfinished twin cams hence the long delays from assembly to sale.

"Early on whist researching the history I had no information of who the first owner was however after posting a photo of the car that I got from the previous owner on FB a woman recognised the car and registration number as she had the original photo in their family album of her father’s car. So, we know that Len Cruickshank was the first owner, further information from the family believed that the car was purchased from Connooks Garage in Johannesburg.

"1830 then found itself on the racetrack at Grand Central race circuit in March 1960 in Johannesburg and I have documentation and some pictures of its racing career.

"One of the more noteworthy events was the November 1960 9 hour endurance race where it finished first its class this too is documented on page 105 in the Twin Cam 60th Anniversary Year book. Len Cruickshank’s son Warren has that trophy but won’t sell it.

"The second registered owner was Arthur Kingsley a partner on Kingsley and Marias BMC Distributors in Pretoria who registered the car in July 1965. The seller therefore is only the third registered owner.

"Kinsley cancelled the registered on 20 November 1987 when he gave the car to his nephew Donald who proceeded to strip and rebuild the car, he was an aircraft technician and a sensible fellow but ran out of money and time so the car stood half completed for the next 20 years until I acquired it in 2017. Kingsley’s registration and cancellation documents are in the sellers possession.

"1830 Is described on the new South African registration document as “built up” the SA system regrettably has no category for restored vehicles.

"Donald did a complete body off rebuild including chassis sandblasting and repainting Donald painted the Chassis a light green colour instead of the correct black. The wiring Loom was intact, but the cotton braiding was in poor condition so it was rewrapped in pvc insulation tape not original. The tachometer is a standard 7000rpm instrument instead of the twin cam 7500rpm."

The Condition

Extensively restored across body and chassis as detailed above
Repainted in British Racing Green since 2017 which remains in good order
Bodywork in very good condition with flush fit to doors and panels
Chromework refurbished during restoration and now includes rear luggage rack
Correct Dunlop knock-off wheels with vintage tyres fitted
New soft top and tonneau cover, refurbished side screens
Interior renewed in black vinyl and presents well with wood-rimmed wheel
Trip odometer does not reset — the only noted issue according to seller
No windscreen washer nozzle holes in the top scuttle
Holes on the driver side for fitting the Brooklands type racing screen
South African assembled cars had no heaters
Soft top and interior trim colours are black and vary from Heritage Certificate
Car is fitted with standard seats

The Mechanics

110bhp 1,588cc twin-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine
Vendor states that engine is the original unit
Four-speed manual transmission
Long list of mechanical renovation work detailed above
Upgraded with stainless exhaust, high-torque starter and electronic ignition
The vendor reports the car runs and drives well, and starts easily
Seller not aware of any defects other than typical period oil leaks

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