1959 MGA 1600 TWIN CAM ROADSTER

This 1959 MGA Roadster is a comprehensively restored example of a quintessential British sports car. It is powered by a 1.6-litre inline-four Twin Cam engine mated to a manual transmission. This example shows 6,665 miles on the odometer, though this is not accurate.

An original North American export vehicle, this MGA was imported from California during 2012 and re-registered in the UK in 2013. Between 2013 and 2014, the vehicle was subject to a comprehensive yet sympathetic bare-metal restoration by a previous owner, using original parts wherever possible. During this process, the car was also converted from left-hand drive to right-hand drive.

This restoration included a full engine rebuild, full strip and re-spray for the bodywork and chassis, full interior re-trim and the fitment of a new roof and matching tonneau cover. The car has been in the care of the current owner for the last two-and-a-half years, during which time it has only seen minimal use.

The Old English White paintwork presents well and complements the classical lines of the MGA Roadster. The finish has some minor imperfections, with a few spots of bubbling on the bonnet and the boot lid, though these are difficult to see from afar. The chrome now has a slight patina, in particular around the exhaust where it has been discoloured heat. The factory option Dunlop centre-lock wheels and disc brakes are still present on the vehicle, and present in excellent condition.

Originally supplied from the factory with a black interior, this MGA was re-upholstered in the classy deep red trim you see here during the restoration process. As a result, the interior presents in superb order with no signs of wear to the seats, and only minimal marks to the driver’s footwell and door cards. The luggage area is in very good condition, still with the spare wheel cover present. The optional heater is working as it should, along with all the instruments other than the odometer, which the vendor will rectify before handing over the vehicle.

As part of the restoration process, this MGA received a full engine rebuild. The head was rebuilt by Oselli. The most recent service took place during September 2018 at Chapel Restorations of Faversham, Kent and included alignment of the carburettor jets, oiling of the steering rack, alignment adjustments to the driver’s door, and a standard fluid level check and inspection.

The most recent MOT test took place on 3 July 2018, and resulted in a clean pass with no advisories, though the vehicle is exempt from mandatory MOT testing due to its age. All four tyres are in excellent condition with 7mm of tread, and are date-coded from 2013.

Supplied with the vehicle is a raft of paperwork which includes the import documentation, heritage certificate, workshop manual and numerous invoices from the rebuild process. In addition to this, the vehicle comes complete with a spare starter motor, retro-look stereo, jack, spare wheel, dynamo and starting handle.

Having lived the majority of its life on dry roads in California and subsequently imported to and restored in the UK, this 1959 MGA Twin Cam Roadster is in very good condition. It comes with an excellent history file, and would be a credit to any collection.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.