1961 MG A Coupe

This delightful black MGA Coupé is being sold on behalf of the owner by his brother as he’s now living in Cyprus, which explains the shelf of water-damaged Greek invoices.

For those of us not fluent in Greek, there’s an English-language article from an MG magazine that details the MGA’s restoration. It’s worth reading but the highlights are a) he bought the car as a project in 2000, b) the restoration was, er, ‘extensive’, and c) it took two years to complete. It then spent some time out in Cyprus with him after his retirement before returning here to be sold.

As a MKII car, it features the changes MG wrought in 1961, changes that modernized it a little without losing any of its considerable charm – and speaking of not losing any of its considerable charm, Dan at Kennington Motors tidied the MGA after it arrived on these shores but both he and the owner were keen not to lose any of the car’s patina and history, preferring to conserve it to allow the new owner to decide which direction they take it.

Not that there’s much to do because the MGA’s restoration included a replacement bodyshell. Imported from the United States, it was a far more cost-effective solution than trying to patch and repair the rusty original.

This, along with the original doors, boot lid and bonnet, were professionally stripped before being repainted; the seller knows his limitations and producing a high-quality finish like this is not one of his strengths!

This was probably a wise move when you appreciate that black is the most unforgiving colour of them all. Ruthless in its ability to highlight even the most minor flaw, it needs a deft hand as poor workmanship is left with nowhere to hide.

The chromework was re-chromed too, and the seller has fitted a badge bar and a pair of Lucas spotlights. The result is a gloriously understated example of one of the prettiest sportscars of the 20th century.

The 15-inch steel wheels, which are painted black to match the coachwork, are enhanced by a set of chrome hubcaps. The 165/80R15 tyres, Hankook Optimo on the front and Maxxis Mecotra 3 on the rear, all have plenty of tread.

As for flaws, both bumpers are a little rusty and dented, and some of the other chrome is also pitted. There is also some rust around the perimeter of the bonnet and the boot lid, and some chips to the edge of the driver’s door. Take a good look at the photographs and decide for yourself.

If the exterior is somewhat sombre and understated the interior is bright and vibrant; there’s a good reason pairing black coachwork with a red leather interior is something of a well-trodden path - and this one looks especially lovely, doesn’t it?

The low-backed red leather seats are a period delight. Refurbished by a local furniture restorer a couple of decades ago, they’re still in a fantastic condition and are complemented by matching door cards.

There’s a suitably vast wood-rimmed Mota-Lita steering wheel in there plus a well-padded armrest ‘twixt the seats that adds a dash of luxury.

The carpets are pretty good too, and the floor is protected by some beautifully tailored rubber mats.

The overall effect is of a car that’s slowly developing a patina, wearing in as the years pass and the memories accrue. It’s charming and comfortable without ever crossing the line that separates older restorations from cars now in need of another.

Real flaws are few. The headlining is starting to come away around the edges but then it’s a delightful little black number with red edges, so it would be well worth sorting out to maximise its impact.

The ashtray is rusty, as are the door hinges and the rear-view mirror. You could chalk it up to that developing patina and leave them as they are or you could sort them out at your leisure.

The chassis was professionally repaired by a friend of the owner, which gave him time to fully strip the seized engine before rebuilding it. The full details are recounted in the three-page article you can see online but it involved commissioning a re-bore and regrinding the crankshaft ahead of reassembling it with lots of new parts.

The gearbox was found to be in good order, which left him sufficient money to strip down the suspension and rear axle, all of which needed work.

The whole thing was reassembled with care and the whole project took two years and cost £6,884 or about twice that in today’s money.

It, like everything else, has stood up to the intervening two decades well. The underside, which has been professionally undersealed by Kennington Motors only recently, looks terrific and their reputation, along with the recent MoT, should reassure potential bidders that it isn’t hiding anything awful.

The engine bay shows clear signs of rust but, as you can see, the four-cylinder fires into life with alacrity and shows good oil pressure. It also revs nicely and has an attractive exhaust note. The idle is a little lumpy in the video but it was a cold start and it did improve as the engine warmed up.

The MGA’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2024 and it was gained with no advisories, which is lovely to see, isn’t it?

The MGA comes with a workshop manual and a restoration guide in addition to its Cypriot paperwork.

If you fancy owning a nice MGA Coupé then you know what to do!

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at BonhamsICars Online HQ, United Kingdom. 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’.