1961 MG A

This particular MG A is a 1600 MKII Roadster, which has been extensively restored and refurbished over the last few years and finished to a very high standard indeed.

Finished in the fantastic shade of Iris Blue over a black vinyl interior with contrasting blue piping, this MG A Roadster is every inch the iconic mid-century summertime British sports car.

Originally delivered to the US (over 80% of MG A’s were destined for foreign shores) this example was repatriated to the UK in 1990, and fully restored to the specification you see today, including a right-hand-drive conversion that has been carried out to an exacting standard - so much so our photographer didn’t notice that any conversion work had been carried out until it was pointed out by the vendor.

Since the restoration was completed (around 20 years ago, according to the seller) this classic MG A has covered only around 3,000 miles and allegedly has never seen the rain, making it virtually showroom-fresh in its condition, and it is now looking for a new home, having been brought to us by a well-respected classic car dealer that works largely around iconic British marques such as MG and Aston Martin.

Iris Blue is a fantastic shade, and one that we think suits the restrained lines of the MG A very well indeed, especially matched with a contrasting navy blue tonneau and hood.

The bodywork is in outstanding condition throughout, with no dents, dings or impact damage that we could see. The nearside door and offside corner of the boot appear to be very slightly out of alignment, but we’d wager a simple hinge adjustment would remedy this with ease.

Similarly, the Iris Blue paintwork is virtually immaculate throughout, and presents in excellent condition overall, making this one head-turning example of the classic British sports car.

Up close, we did notice a couple of very minor wear marks, such as on the rear offside wing behind the door, a couple of very small stone chips and a more noticeable chip/tiny bubble on the lower front edge of the nearside front wing, though all visible marks have been documented in the extensive photo gallery below.

There is also some minor wear around the cabin edge, simply due to the taut nature of the tonneau cover, so this is to be expected and is, again, very minimal.

Similarly, the chrome bumpers, details and trim is all in very good nick and appears to be complete, retaining an impressive mirror finish. There is, naturally, some light patina and minor marks - including around the hood mounting points on the windscreen frame - but otherwise no unsightly marks or areas of flat chrome.

The navy tonneau is in excellent shape and is a recent addition to the car (more on that later) whilst the matching navy soft-top is also in great condition, with only a couple of deep creases being worthy of note simply due to the folded nature of the material when it’s stored.

Finally, the slot-in side windows are present and correct, with only a couple of light scratches on the plastic panes due to their sliding nature, though this does not impact visibility at all.

As with the exterior, the driver-focused cabin of this MKII Roadster is in fantastic condition, and presents as you’d expect from a car that has covered minimal mileage since its restoration.

The seats are both free of any rips, tears or heavy creases, whilst the carpets are only lightly worn on the driver’s side and show minimal wear on the passenger side.

The centre console is also free from any noticeable wear, though the central armrest has come unstuck from the driver’s side and will need attaching once again.

Ahead of you, the dashboard is painted in body colour and looks excellent, with the light colour opening up the cabin significantly, especially when the soft-top is in place. The dials are all in full working order, and even the chrome badging and rings show very little in the way of wear.

As far as we could tell, all systems are working correctly, and there are no signs of any water ingress issues.

Imagine a car that’s covered less than 4000 miles since restoration. Now imagine how you’d expect the chassis to look, as that’s pretty much what we have here.

Underneath the svelte bodywork, the frame and running gear of this MG A is excellent, showing only some light wear as expected from a car that has been driven sparingly in good conditions.

It would seem most of the components underneath have either been replaced during the restoration or coated at a later date, as the metalwork is an inviting sea of black and silver, as opposed to the usual brown and burnt orange colours seen underneath British sports cars of this era.

There is a few patches of surface ‘bloom’ but certainly nothing that looks like it needs any attention.

Out on the road, we were impressed at how healthy and tight this MG feels, with an overall impression of the restoration having resulted in a very well screwed-together example indeed.

We noted no strange noises from the suspension or transmission, and the engine appeared to be in rude mechanical health, starting with ease and settling into a comfortable idle, with the choke adjustment allowing surprisingly minute adjustments as and when required. The gearshift, too, was impressively direct and the clutch felt reassuring beneath the driver’s left foot.

There are no reported faults from the vendors, and nothing that we noted during our short test drive.

Included with the car is an impressive history folder, showing fairly significant expenditure in recent years to keep this example in top condition, following the more thorough restoration undertaken in the 90’s after it was brought back to British shores.

All of the documentation and paperwork is available to view below, but here are a few highlights for you:

The V5, showing only one former UK-based keeper.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, confirming the car’s original specification, the fact it was indeed a NA export car, the original colour being Iris Blue over Navy/Black, and the options fitted including disc wheels, a heater and a hard top, the latter of which has been sadly lost at some point during its existence.

Numerous invoices for various parts (including servicing) from MOSS and other UK specialists

New tyres and alignment in 2015

A new tonneau in 2016 at a cost of £382

The fitment of an electric fuel pump in 2017, along with attention to the distributor, plugs and leads, ignition timing, valve clearance and throttle cables, at a total cost of £843.

Alongside invoices, there are also MoT certificates, magazine excerpts and more.

Thanks to its age, the car is exempt from mandatory MoT testing, and therefore currently does not have (or require) an MoT certificate.

Being based in Abingdon, having any MG’s come through our door always feels somewhat special, as if they’ve completed the first cycle of their lives and ‘come home’ before embarking on another adventure, and this 1600 MKII Roadster is certainly no exception.

Presented in virtually pristine condition both mechanically and aesthetically, with only one former UK keeper and an extensive restoration in the 90s - along with continued maintenance and upkeep - this is perhaps one of the best examples of the MKII MG A Roadster we’ve seen, and one surely not to be missed by any enthusiasts or collectors.

What’s it worth? Well, given its condition and history, we’d say in the region of £27,000 to £34,000 but with an example as good as this, who knows what will happen! Happy bidding!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at our headquarters near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, so to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.