£14,000 full bare metal professional restoration in 2015 with careful, limited use since
One of only 1,402 UK RHD MGC Roadsters built
One of the last MGCs registered in the UK – production ended in 1969
Excellent condition car in particular shut lines and paint finish
Dry stored by Seller when not in use
Desirable manual overdrive gearbox
Underside in excellent condition
Owned by MGC enthusiast
MOT to June 2023 with no advisories
MOT and tax exempt
The Appeal
From its launch in 1962, the MGB always seemed like a great car capable of more power. In 1967 it got it. Dropping in a straight six engine created the MGC. The new car offered a healthy 50% hike in power and straight-line speed to worry E Types.
The on-paper gains didn’t quite translate into showroom sales, with just 9,000 built over its short two-year lifespan of which fewer than 1,500 were RHD Roadsters like this car. That was due to a mistake with the initial press cars – they were sent out with barely inflated tyres, resulting in reviewers berating the handling – and then internal politics with the Triumph division and its popular TR6.
Those problems tarnished the MGC’s reputation for many years. Latterly enthusiasts have begun to discover a car that plays to the B’s strengths of comfortable, long distance touring but adds some useful extra power and six cylinder refinement.
The C, with its purposeful bonnet bulge, is the rare version of a very popular car and benefits from all the advantages of the B’s superb parts and support network.
This car is owned by a MGC enthusiast and has clearly been cared for. It was restored in 2015 at a cost of over £14,000, has covered 4,000 miles since yet looks like it just left the workshop. That regular use suggests that this is a reliable, rare MG that is ready to show or go.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 26th March 1970
Built 14th to 22nd May 1969, three months before production ended
11 owners from new, Seller since 2017
Originally Mineral Blue paintwork
Extensive history file with photographic record of restoration
All owners and service manuals included
Supplied by factory with optional wire wheels, overdrive and tonneau cover
Heritage certificate included in sale
The Interior
MGB leather seats with red piping and headrests
Original MGC seat frames supplied with the car
New carpets including boot area
Moto Lita leather steering wheel
Cigarette lighter retrofitted
Electronic DB100 speedometer and trip meter
Battery isolator
Dashboard renovated during 2015 restoration
Modern period style radio with Bluetooth and hands free
The MGB interior is one of the most recognisable in the classic world, it’s arc of simple, crackle-black metal a faraway world from today’s technology-heavy fascias. Although the MGC was intended to be a step up from the B, pushing the model into a more expensive market segment, the interiors of the two cars are virtually identical. And that’s a great thing, because a well maintained MG dashboard – like the refurbished one in this car – is a key part of the appeal of this iconic design.
The interior of this car received a makeover when the car was restored by AMK Engineering in 2015. The dashboard was refurbished and new carpets fitted, including a boot carpet and spare wheel cover. These have held up extremely well, likely testament to the fastidious owner. The dials are in very good condition as are the switchgear. This car is fitted with a period correct radio and a lovely leather-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel.
To make the car more comfortable for long distance cruising – and get seats with headrests – the Seller has installed a pair of MGB black leather seats with red piping, which match the door cards. All are in very good condition. The original MGC seat frames, which are lower, are supplied with the car if the buyer wishes to return the car to factory specification.
A modern cigarette lighter and electronic DS100 speedometer and trip computer are fitted to the car.
The Exterior
Bare metal professional respray in 2015 in red
New wings, valance and door skins fitted during restoration
Floor and sills repaired and various panels reshaped to correct factory specification
Careful attention to door shuts and panel gaps during renovation
Original chrome in very good condition
Classic Vredestein 15inch tyres
Chrome wire wheels in very good condition
The familiarity of the MGB profile can sometimes disguise just what a pretty, effortlessly stylish shape it is. It looks exactly how a classic 1960s sports car should.
The quality of the older restoration on this car is obvious from the photographs. The panel gaps and door fit are excellent and the car sits level from front to back. The car has been resprayed from its original Mineral Blue but it has been done to a high standard, the work in the door and panel shuts in the photographs showing particular skill. The chrome is original but in excellent, unmarked condition.
The signs of use are very minor and would likely be improved by a professional valeter. The driver’s door appears to have a small touched-in chip on it and there is a white scuff mark on the edge. There is also a small stone chip on the offside rear wing behind the driver’s door.
Elsewhere there are very minor stone chips on the bonnet and a scuff on the rear edge of the bonnet. There is a slight scratch on the chrome rear bumper beneath the number plate.
The underside of the car reflects the extensive restoration, limited use since and dry garage storage when this car is not on the road. There are a few places where the underseal is flaking that the buyer may wish to attend to.
The pretty chrome wire wheels are in very good condition, showing only some minor pitting to the chrome, and are fitted with quality Vredestein classic tyres.
The Mechanics
3-litre straight six C-Series engine
Desirable four speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive
Carburettors professionally rebuilt in 2018 by MGC specialist
Fully polybushed in March 2021
Fitted with useful electronic ignition upgrade
MOT to June 2023 with no advisories
4,000 miles since restoration
The C-Series engine fitted to the MGC is a heavy unit but a very reliable one. It is unstressed and, provided it is maintained with care, long lasting. That point is proven by the fact that the car’s restoration only needed to focus on the structure of the car.
The Seller states that it starts very easily, runs smoothly and shows good oil pressure. The 1.5" original carburettors have been replaced by MGC specialist John Chatham with 2" items. These, together with the fitment of a 2" inlet manifold resulted in a rolling road session which reportedly showed 150bhp and better top end power than standard. The useful addition of electronic ignition improves the reliability.
This car has the useful factory-fitted overdrive option for the four-speed manual gearbox. The C is particularly well suited to touring so this significantly improves the long-legged, high speed cruising ability of the car.
To address the extra weight of the 3 litre engine MG’s engineers replaced the B’s coil springs with a torsion bar set up, which gives a firmer ride. The switch never quite resolved the problem so owners often improve their cars. The Seller has done the same by getting this car polybushed, together with fitting parabolic rear springs, in 2021.
The car has a MOT to June 2023, with no advisories. Invoices suggest that it was last serviced in June 2022 but the buyer may want to check this.
Summary
The MGC has always been the rare version of the B, sandwiched between the popular four cylinder and the later V8 models. That is changing as enthusiasts come afresh to a car that offers the kind of relaxed, comfortable touring experience that the B Roadster seemed tailor-made for.
Less than 1,500 RHD MGC Roadsters left the factory and this car was one of the last. It has been carefully restored by a marque specialist and looked after since by an enthusiast owner. A very pretty, well presented car it looks ready to drive as Spring begins to arrive.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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