1970 MG C

The car we are pleased to offer is a MG C Roadster from 1968, chassis number M62061M, which is practically ready to be enjoyed on the road. Like all MG C cars it features the heavily bulged bonnet with its chrome stripe to house the much bigger BMC C series 6-cylinder engine, with its 2912cc of displacement and 145hp at 5250rpm. The unit is fed by two HS6 Solex carburettors and was, at the time, one of the car's biggest talking point. The press couldn't appreciate it given its excessive weight and little power difference compared to the smaller 4-cylinder engine found on the MGB. The double-wishbone suspension also saw the springs replaced by torsion bars to free up some space and, apparently, this made the handling experience a bit less engaging. Despite these downsides, the spiritual heir to the glorious Austin Healey 3000 is a clear icon of what we can define as British style, imperfections included.

This car is finished in a beautiful ivory colour and the paint, which we doubt it's the original one, is glossy but shows some clear signs of a hasty respray like the drips close to the headlights and the little care used to finish some other areas. Aside from some tiny dents and the lower part of the driver's side door, which should be addressed, the bodywork is in good nick and the panel gaps are respectable and in line with the standards of the era. The chrome bumpers are shiny but show some exfoliation and pitting so the most demanding collectors might want to address the situation. The bullet-style rear view mirrors, which are not original, flow well with this car's vintage look and don't look out of place at all. The front grille and its emblems are pleasant to look at and both the head and taillights are well preserved. The centre-lock, spinner (or knock-off) equipped 15" wire wheels were well taken care of and still rather shiny while the rear luggage rack appears to have been installed with care but barely used. The vinyl soft top doesn't seem to need any repairs and it's free of cuts or gashes. The 3 pieces rear window still offers great visibility, although it might further improve with some dedicated products to reduce or reverse the slight, physiological yellowing it shows.

MG C's interior is known for its classy and yet sporty attitude and this car really shows us why. The dashboard is full of round gauges with chrome bezels, with the dials clearly nodding to another British mainstay: aviation. The instruments are clean and easy to read while all the toggle switches and levers appear to be well preserved. The same can be said about the overdrive switch, a sought-after option to help quench the gas-guzzling engine's thirst during long trips. The three-spoke steel and wood steering wheel are a tasty mix of industrial design and British elegance while the shift lever reminds us that this is a manual car, with its four forward gears ready to please those who enjoy driving a manual car. The slightly discoloured seats show some creases and cracks, especially on the driver's side and the pipe stitching has some minor cuts and cracks. The door cards, on the other hand, are in much better shape. The soft top's frame is in excellent condition while the carpets, despite being clean and not excessively worn, hide some rust spots on the floor pan which are also partially covered by patches of equally well-kept carpet.

The engine bay is captivating: the BMC sourced in-line six and its radiator are massive when compared to the 4-cylinder engines of the era. The bulge on the hood was added for a reason, after all: space was scarce and the engine had to fit in there, somehow! Despite the engine's overall fair conditions, there are traces of oil and\or dirt spray close to many hoses, on top of some minor speckles of rust. We suggest that the new owner takes care of the hoses, random gaskets and grime because it would be a waste to keep such a beautiful engine bay so dirty given its good conditions. This car has clearly been driven and enjoyed and maintained accordingly to let its owners enjoy it at a moment's notice without caring about cosmetic imperfections and the like. The undercarriage doesn't show any worrying signs of rust, just a tiny veil here and there. Both the rear leaf springs and front torsion bars, along with the dampers, seem to have been recently refreshed. The pictures show no signs of worrisome leaks from the mechanical parts. The steering rack is almost new, with its sticker still clearly visible.

This Roadster was built in 1968 and was registered in Italy in the year 1970, where it still resides. It's registered as a classic car through the Automotoclub Storico Italiano and, according to its certificate of historic relevance issued by A.S.I the only non-original parts that should be checked are the rear-view mirrors and the chrome valve cover while the bumpers show the aforementioned defects in the chrome plating. The last Italian MOT, with a regular result, dates back to 15 March 2021 and is still valid. The road tax, which is reduced in Italy for historic cars, is regularly paid.

British cars from the '60s had a distinctive style that's almost impossible to replicate or imitate. They had their own character, just like this MG C Roadster from 1968. It's true that the engine may be a bit on the heavy side and it's true that the front suspension design may be lacking some bite but still, the emotions this car offers to those who drive it are hard to describe. Just think about its glorious soundtrack and compare it to the annoying drone of many 4-bangers built-in current times.

This is clearly a car that can either be enjoyed as-is or restored to Concours-grade standards, the choice is for the fortunate new owner to make!

Price estimate for this MG C: € 22.000 - € 32.000

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in the province of Pistoia, Italy. To arrange an appointment 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 or try our “Frequently Asked Questions”.