1959 MG A Mark 1 Coupé

Built in September 1959, rebuilt at the turn of the century, and refreshed in 2018, this MKI MGA Coupé is a genuine UK-spec example that left the factory on the 25th of September 1959 finished in Chariot Red with Beige trim.

With a history file that extends to 126 pages, ‘181 UXR’ has just three previous keepers, and we believe the first kept it until sometime in the 1980s when it had just 24,000 miles on the clock.

Contemporary notes describe it as “completely original” at the time it passed to its second owner, although it did need work as it had been in storage for a while.

The engine was professionally stripped down, and because the wear was judged to be consistent with the car’s recorded mileage it was merely rebuilt with new seals and piston rings plus a new oil pump.

The chassis was removed and cleaned before being powder coated, the shell was stripped to bare metal before being repainted, and the mechanical components were removed and restored.

Notes in the photo album state the paintwork and mechanical components were finished in 1996, but as there are many invoices on file from the early noughties too, we suspect this was a multiyear project. This guestimate is supported by a comment that the MGA covered only 94 miles in the next twelve years.

Our seller’s father-in-law bought it in 2014. A Bugatti owner and enthusiast, he and his wife were looking for something a bit more modern and comfortable than the vintage convertibles they drove for fun.

They passed the MGA to their son-in-law 2016, after which it spent time in London, leading him to pre-emptively fit an electric fan to better cope with the traffic.

He used it to attend a couple of Goodwood Revivals too but has found himself using it less and less over the years: “I don’t want a museum piece. It needs to be driven!”

The red paintwork – invoices on file suggest it could be either Rover Signal Red (56/126) or the original Chariot Red (24/126) – is still bright and vibrant, even now, after 30 years. There are no cracks in the finish either, nor microblisters or runs or orange peel; whoever applied the paint clearly knew their stuff.

Mind you, if the odometer is to be believed then it’s only covered around 4,000 miles in that time – and careful miles at that, from the look of it. There’s also a receipt on file for an indoor car cover, and we suspect it’s spent a great deal of those three decades snug underneath.

But the shine and the quality of the paintwork would mean nothing if the underlying panels were poor. Luckily, the metalwork is accurately aligned, with tight and consistent shutlines that could have been drawn on with a Sharpie; we aren’t saying the MGA is better put together than it would have been in-period – but then nor could we say it isn’t.

There are no significant dents, dinks, or other damage either, and squatting down to peer along the flanks shows only straight and ripple-free panels.

It’s so good, in fact, that we found just four things worth mentioning: A few small bubbles under the paint on the boot lid; a scratch and a small dent under the nearside door handle; two small chips on the offside rear wing immediately behind the door; and a rusty bezel on the nearside front indicator unit.

The chromework includes straight bumpers fore and aft, bullet-shaped door mirrors, and attractive chromed mesh guards for the auxiliary Lucas driving lamps. It is all in an excellent condition with no significant pitting, tarnishing, or rest spots.

The brightwork also extends to a useful boot-mounted luggage rack, which is as attractive as it will be useful given the boot contains a full-size spare wire wheel.

Painted rather than chromed, the four wire wheels are in a good condition with only very minor rust to the outer edge of some of the rims. They’re also fitted with a matching set of 165/80R15 Continental Contact tyres. Made in 2022, all have very good tread left on them.

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.

Other thoughtful touches include a pair of pressed aluminium numberplates.

The cabin, which features black trim piped in red, a wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel, and tasteful grey carpets, is every bit as well-restored as the coachwork.

The seats are in exactly the sort of condition you’d expect after having been used for an average of only 133 miles a year. Firm and plump, the face material is still pretty much unmarked; there certainly isn’t any noticeable wear bar a few light creases and minor colour loss to the outer edge of the driver’s seat.

The carpets are just as impressive. An unusual grey colour with matching bound edges, they fit very well and are still like new. A pair of black, MG-branded overmats are in the boot.

The pale-coloured headlining, which was new when the car was restored, is still clean and undamaged and the door cards are trimmed to match the seats.

The black vinyl dashboard is simple, clean and in a very good condition. It also plays host to a full suite of white-on-black instruments and everything we pressed, prodded, and pulled did what it was supposed to do.

The cockpit is largely standard but for the static seatbelts that Quickfit Safety Belt Service fitted in 2015, a feature that adds both safety and a return to sanity with the way it spells its name.

Further safety comes with the presence of a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell, while crooks will be somewhat delayed if you take the time to use the supplied Krooklok*.

The boot is largely taken up with a full-size spare wire wheel, which is fitted with an unused and matching Continental Contact tyre. The combination is covered with a well-fitting and nicely-bound carpet, and other occupants include a hazard warning triangle, a jack and a mallet, a tool roll of spanners, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, and a small socket set – throw in a folding toothbrush, a clean pair of pants, a passport, and a credit card and you’d be all set for long-distance touring.

As for stuff to do, the trim at the base of the rear screen has come adrift, as has the vinyl around the offside dashboard-top vent.

The boot carpet has stains and marks on it, and the carpet behind the seats isn’t as well finished as that in the footwells. There is also a blot on the nearside door card, and the back of the seats is marked where they’ve been pressed up against this panel. The latter is just an indentation though, and no damage has been caused.

* You can learn more about the Krooklok by clicking here - Krooklok’s History & Designs – One Man And His Mustang

Moto-Build Ltd refreshed many bushes, seals, and gaskets in 2018; please see the invoice for the full details.

The engine bay is very nicely presented without being prissy; clean and well ordered, you’d be happy to lift the bonnet in any company. It’s pretty accessible under there too, something that’ll make home maintenance a joy rather than a chore.

Not that you should have much to do because the four-cylinder engine fires into life with enthusiasm, something the new battery helps. It goes on to idle solidly, rev cleanly, and make all the right noises.

The test drive went well too, although the brakes aren’t as sharp as they could be.

(The seller was advised a few years ago that the engine is a ‘Goldseal’ reconditioned unit, but we have no other details and the BMIHT certificate hasn’t recorded the engine number, so we can’t crosscheck that.)

The majority of the underside has been left painted in the same colour as the bodywork, with just a few judiciously chosen areas benefitting from the addition protection of underseal.

It too is in a remarkably good condition, with clean fasteners and components and only a few surface rust streaks on the underside of the petrol tank and exhaust silencer.

The MGA doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two sets of keys.

We needed 126 photos to reproduce the MGA’s paperwork, which gives you an idea of how comprehensive it is. Most, of course, relate to the restoration in the 1990s through to the mid-noughties, but there are a few more on file for more recent work.

There is an annotated photo album of the car too, plus a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust production record trace certificate, some expired MoT certificates, and a couple of books including a Haynes Workshop Manual.

The classic world comprises two main factions: Those who enjoy the doing as much as the driving; and those for whom driving is an end in itself.

This car will appeal to the latter, folk who want to enjoy a classic without having to get grease under their fingernails first.

It looks spectacular and is running well, so is ready for the coming summer season. Sure, you could invest a few hours in the few small jobs that remain – or you could just have a wild summer fling with your new love before consigning it to a specialist to get the minor cosmetic jobs done over the winter.

As for what it’ll fetch, we suspect the winning bidder won’t have to pay more than £20,000 for the privilege – but we wouldn’t be surprised if it sold for as little as £15,000.

But as it is being offered with no reserve it’ll be going to a new home no matter what.

Surely worth a cheeky flutter, eh?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.