1968 MG MGC

The vendor David has owned this magnificent MGC for a little less than three years, and has perhaps the most genuine reason for selling that we’ve encountered. “I’m under duress from the wife, as the house we bought is a fixer upper and has no proper heating, so we need a new system,” he explains. “An air source heat pump and associated underfloor heating is pretty much the cost of an MGC!”

He originally bought the car “on a whim”. It had previously had a thoroughly comprehensive restoration (just how comprehensive will become abundantly clear!), and he’s enjoyed the process of bringing it back to absolute tiptop shape.

“The car is now in unbelievable condition – very close to concours. I’ve gone through it and refreshed parts where necessary – everything is excellent.”

There is very little history with the MGC, as it was unfortunately lost prior to his ownership. “I did find a YouTube video of it after it was freshly restored, but I didn’t save it and it’s now no longer available.” That means that it is a classic that you’ll buy purely on current condition – and believe us, that just happens to be mighty fine.

The vehicle’s V5 document indicates five owners from new, while the British Motor Heritage Certificate (issued on 23 January, 2018) in the car’s history file denotes that it was first registered on 8 February 1968 and the exterior was originally Snowberry White in colour.

David has run the ‘C through a very recent MOT test, and the certificate runs until 17 September 2021.

Let’s not beat around the MG bush, for this is one seriously well-presented example. The body restoration still holds up beautifully with shut lines that are absolutely spot on, and arguably better than they were when it left the factory.

This MGC’s original Snowberry White is a pleasant enough colour, but we’ll take Tartan Red any day of the week; especially here with a superb lustre and in combination with pristine chrome, and there’s quite a bit of it (that’ll become even more apparent when we venture underneath!).

There’s the odd little blemish (such as two small chips on the lower nearside front wing, just beside the wheel arch) – David has used the car after all – but you have to hunt hard for any imperfections.

It wears mark-free chrome sill covers and these combine with the wire wheels and other bright work to give this car a serious bling factor; it’s a classic car that you can park outside any pub, or at any show and be proud to own.

Have a flick through our Photo Gallery below and you’ll see that all door shuts, gutters and crevices remain immaculate. You’ll also see that during the restoration chromed screws were used – no bog standard trade items here.

The black hood is in very nice condition and the frame lowers and rises just as it should.

The cabin is standard MGC/MGB, save for the addition of later seats. The carpets are unworn and protected by overmats. The dashboard crackle remains very smart, as do the chrome-rimmed Smiths gauges and door cards.

All electrics function as they should although we did notice during our test drive that rev counter is currently reading double, so that will require investigation by the new owner.

The seats (black leather piped red) offer superior lumbar support to the originals and have developed a pleasant patina. The soft-top hood’s headlining remains completely mark free. Overall, it’s a very pleasant cabin.

The odometer currently reads 1113 miles, but is a replacement unit. “The mileage on the MOT history jumps around a little,” says David. “I do know the speedo was broken and it was stuck between two numbers – I think the testers were jotting down any old number. This was addressed by a previous owner with the fitting of a new speedo.”

The centre horn push isn’t quite lined up to the steering wheel – now we really are nitpicking… is that really all we can find?

If you thought the exterior was good, then take a look underneath. Here you’ll see that the chap that originally restored the MGC really went to town. The fuel tank, differential and even the suspension leaf springs have all been chromed – we kid you not.

Can you imagine Don Hayter and Syd Enever trying to sneak that past the British Motor Corporation bean counters back in the day? “Ah, yes and to finish the MGC we’re going to chrome the bejesus out of the underside.”

Vendor David admits it’s slightly OTT but says, “you just need to embrace it, and enjoy the fact that it doesn’t deteriorate as quickly as zinc plating”. Or indeed the usual coat of chassis black that many restorations receive!

There’s a beautiful full-length stainless steel exhaust system and everything is absolutely spotless. It’s a similar story under the bonnet with an absence of any road grime, dust or spilled fluids and a wide range of chromed engine addenda.

David’s done quite a bit of work to the car: including all new brake pipes, two new rear brake cylinders, fresh front suspension bushes, a full cooling system replacement (including up-rated Jaguar S-Type five panel core radiator), and new breastplate gaskets on the engine.

“It drives lovely – absolutely perfect,” he says. “The engine pulls well, it sounds lovely and the brakes are nice and strong. The clutch is good and overdrive works fine. One of the rear shocks is a bit squeaky when you start driving, but it soon quietens down.”

We can confirm all of the above; it is a really tight example to drive.

Nothing to see here – best lie back, and think of British sports cars.

Okay that’s an exaggeration you’ll find the V5 document, a British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate, and the current MOT certificate in the MGC’s slim line history file.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and maintained to a high standard.

In fact, scratch that, with this particular car the proof is in the pudding and that dessert is its superb condition. Why not get yourself down to our Abingdon headquarters where you can view it for yourself.

If you’ve ever lusted after a toothbrush clean classic car presented to the very highest of standards, then here it is. Tartan Red with glorious contrasting bright work it really is a show-stopping Roadster.

It’s arguably been restored to better than new condition, and since he took ownership vendor David has been fastidious in its maintenance. Even the slightest hint of a leak (cooling system or engine related) or necessary mechanical repair has been immediately addressed.

That means that it not only presents beautifully, but it performs just as well on the road. David has now decided to sell in order to meet his new home’s heating requirements, which means that it’s time for this lovely ‘C to find a new home.

We think this impressive car will sell for between £18,000 and £28,000. For that, the next owner will be getting one exceedingly tidy Roadster and all that additional chrome work will certainly provide an interesting talking point.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.