1958 MG MGA Roadster
The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until 1962. The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a complete styling break from MG's earlier sports cars. Announced on 26 September 1955 the car was officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A total of 101,081 units were marketed through the end of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were exported. 5869 cars were sold on the home market, and the MGA was replaced by the MGB. A new chassis was designed with the side members further apart and the floor attached to the bottom rather than the top of the frame sections. A prototype was built and shown to the BMC chairman Leonard Lord. He turned down the idea of producing the new car as he had just signed a deal with Donald Healey to produce Austin-Healey cars two weeks before. Falling sales of the traditional MG models caused a change of heart, and the car, initially to be called the UA-series, was brought back. As it was so different from the older MG models it was called the MGA, the "first of a new line" to quote the contemporary advertising. There was also a new engine available, therefore the car did not have the originally intended XPAG unit but was fitted with the BMC B-series engine allowing a lower bonnet line. The MGA convertible had no exterior door handles, however the coupe had door handles.
For consignment, a restored in the 1990's small cruiser with its British Motor Industry Trust certificate, workshop manual, and a phonebook's worth of restoration receipts and photos, all in 1958 MGA roadster form. All correct on the chrome and body front, coming with its side curtains, a nice convertible top, a wonderfully tasteful interior black coloring accenting the classic British Racing Green color change exterior, and 1958 never looked so good!
Exterior
The MGA was a big step forward for the British automaker and somewhat shocking to MG fans around the globe. Our example, the second to last year for the MGA 1500, continued to stun crowds with its persuasive yet delicate flowing lines all bathed in a nicely applied color change application of British Racing Green that is showing well to this day with a few stone chips, scuffs, and scrapes. Starting up front with the raked back waterfall style grille which melts its way into the rounded peak fenders with their chrome bezel headlights we are in late 50's English bliss. Just below this steel and chrome artwork is a clean bumper with added bumperettes. Moving down the sides, a swooping body line melts into the highly arched rear fenders creating a soft Vee shape that keeps eyes drawn and hearts pounding. These sides, devoid of all chrome and trimmings save for the front quarter top venting, achieve artistic perfection with the sculpted lines as they frame the restored gray drilled wheels and blackwall rubber in 15-inch format. A black vinyl top with clear plastic windows and additional side curtains are present and accounted for in case you hit a spot of inclement weather. We do note areas of tearing in the top, but they are slight and do not require a full top replacement at this point. On the back is the rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender with its near perfect bumperettes, oval tail lights, and chrome MG badge gracing the trunk lid.
Interior
Reaching in and pulling the door release strap we are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in the form of black leather tuck and roll low back bomber style bucket seats with a hint of wrinkling to the upholstery and the handbrake tucked neatly between the passenger's seat and thickly padded center hump. An oak eyebrow curved dash, also draped in black sports a litany of gauges which pepper a black leather curved panel along with the heater controls, and MG badge over wood in front of the passenger. Our consignor notes that the original metal dash face plate is included with your purchase. This is fronted by a black rimmed banjo style 4 spoke steering wheel. Black leather covers the simple small doors, and each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed retainers for the side curtains. Deep black carpeting with very little wear floods the floors and a rear storage area all looking so inviting and beckoning me to feel its softness.
Drivetrain
A flip of the long swooping hood reveals a nicely restored 4-cylinder red painted engine block in rebuilt 1489cc configuration. This mill is fed by 2 SU's which are semi downdraft carburetors. There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a 4.30 rear axle way in back. The engine bay is very well done with just a light dust coating of patina.
Undercarriage
All straight structural steel is underneath and makes up a clean undercarriage displaying just minor road dirt, patina and some surface rust. The wood floor pans are strong and solid with black paint applied, meanwhile the side rockers and unibody are nearly like new, but we note a few amateur welded in repairs on the rear of the rockers. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and leaf springs for the back and drum brakes front and rear are on for the whoa factor.
Drive-Ability
I never miss a chance to pilot a British sports car and this one spoke to me dearly as it's the fourth of its kind to ever grace our Hallowed Halls. A quick starter from the starter pull, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly and had great snappy pickup. It handled well and just the open road feel of this car is worth the price of admission. All was working swimmingly and my suspicions were correct, the deep plush black carpeting felt wonderful.
An older restoration job holding up just well today, this car presents in nice shape as a driver, but with some very minor work can be taken to the next level and be a top flite show winner. It has a beautiful look with the classic racing green paint, and black vinyl top with the luxurious black hued leather interior. Mechanically it is sound, and we are talking about a Brit from 1958, priced very fair for today's market. So leave the cell phone at home, send the kids to the neighbors and spend some much needed time in your own get-away car.
HDR3353825
H-MGA
D-Roadster
R-Old English White
3-Left Hand Drive
3-Cellulose Paint
53825-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
