1960 MG A 1600 MK1

Built 1960 and issued with chassis no. GHNL/80617, this MGA is now painted Indigo Blue and fitted with a green leather interior. Imported from Texas in 1991, it was restored shortly thereafter, work that included this change of colour as well as a right-hand drive conversion.

The restoration was meticulously documented including many photos in addition to invoices for most of the new parts. Said to be “very much an every nut-and-bolt job” the quality can be gauged by snippets such as the Gold Seal engine and Tickford hood and tonneau.

Registered in the UK in 1993, ‘VYJ 203‘ was sold to a new owner in around 2013. A Ford Sierra five-speed gearbox was then fitted by Hi-Gear Engineering Ltd in 2015 - the original gearbox and propshaft are available - and it benefits from having MGC wheels on all four corners.

In the hands of the seller since 2019, it’s covered just over 8,000 miles since the restoration was finished. A very useable and usefully updated example, it would be perfect for someone for whom drivability is more important than originality.

The Indigo Blue, which is a Jaguar shade, colour code HY61, looks magnificent, doesn’t it? With a fantastic shine to the deep blue paintwork, the hue allows nowhere for dents, dinks and scrapes to hide, which is okay because there aren’t any.

What there is are good shutlines, ripple-free flanks and great panel alignment. It’s an absolute treat for the eyes and we commend not only the man who did the work but those careful owners who’ve maintained it since.

Of course, the chromework is equally good and we can’t find anything to fault with the glazing or lamp lenses, either. It’s utterly lovely and needs nothing other than continued love and care.

The 15-inch wire wheels are painted rather than chromed, which is great to see. They’re not only in great shape but are also fitted with matching 165SR15 Dunlop SP4 tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The Tickford hood is free of rips, tears and other damage but then you’d probably guessed that by now, hadn’t you? It also seals well when it’s up and the lift-off side windows further bolster the MGA’s weather protection.

The Plexiglass windows are bright and clear, and a matching tonneau cover is provided.

There are a couple of jobs you might like to carry out. The first is the windscreen, which is delaminating. The second is the scratch on the offside rear wing, which rather lets the side down a little.

You might like to have the MG machine polished too as there are some faint scratches and swirl marks from being waxed over the years but these are only apparent when you peer closely.

We think this MGA gives lie to the saying about blue and green never being seen together because it actually works very well, doesn’t it?

The green leather seats are in fine fettle still being plump and firm and comfortable. There is some very gentle creasing to the driver’s seat but nothing more.

The matching door cards are similarly good, as are the wool carpets.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel is beautifully tactile - the original is available and comes with the car - and the tiny gear lever falls nicely to hand.

The instruments, which cover speed, engine revs, oil pressure, fuel, and water temperature, are set in a body-coloured dashboard that’s both clean and elegant.

There’s a fire extinguisher underneath the driver’s legs and an electrical cut-off switch behind the passenger’s seat, the latter doing double duty as a safety item and an anti-theft device.

The boot is as well-trimmed as the rest of the interior and plays home to a spare wire wheel and a battery charger/conditioner.

As for flaws, there is a small chip missing from the leather on the top of the dashboard, some rust on the steering column clamp and both window frames, and the fuel gauge is wonky.

As you can see, it starts very well and shows good oil pressure both at idle and when being revved.

The engine and engine bay are both beautifully presented. Clean and neatly organised, it’s clear as much effort went into its presentation as everywhere else.

The underside looks solid with only a smattering of surface rust to take care of.

The MGA doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

Having said all that, it expired in 2020 and had had a clean run from 2006 until then, so getting another should not be too onerous.

The MGA comes with tax discs from 1998, a spare parts list and catalogue, a workshop manual, the driver’s handbook, and paperwork relating to its importation from the USA.

There is also information on the five-speed gearbox conversion and plenty of photos of the car being restored and invoices and notes for the work that was carried out.

The MGA 1600 is a beguiling blend of classic looks and almost modern handling and performance, making it a perennially popular choice for the discerning gad-about-town.

This means that prices remain strong, something that might be a little disconcerting when you’re buying into one but is something you’ll appreciate when the time comes to let it go…

We think this one will sell for between £25,000 and £35,000, which isn’t cheap but when you consider the time and money that has gone into it over the years, it’s a sum that’s almost certainly far cheaper than doing it all yourself.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.