1969 MG MGC

First registered on the 1st of August 1969, this black MGC is really rather wonderful. Originally Old English White, it was the subject of a nut ‘n’ bolt restoration in 1980 that was estimated to have taken 2,000 hours. A genuine UK car, it then went to Germany in 2009 before returning home in 2015 where it regained its original registration number.

Now featuring a rebuilt engine with a gas-flowed cylinder head and an electronic ignition system, it breathes through a K&N air filter and exhales via a sports exhaust system. The manual gearbox has an overdrive, and there are telescopic dampers on the rear.

The whole thing goes rather well - and it looks sensational, not least because of the new hood that was fitted this year and, of course, those dazzling wire wheels and matching high-quality tyres.

We've had a few nice MGC's through recently, this is another one to add to the list.

The black coachwork looks terrific from a couple of feet away, an impression aided and abetted by the tight and even shutlines, the excellent trim alignment, and the ripple-free flanks. The bonnet bulge adds a purposeful air, as does the chromed luggage rack on the boot.

We even like the union flags on the front wings, the bodywork of a classic British sportscar being one of the few places you can display them these days without people thinking you sleep under a Nigel Farage duvet cover.

Black is a helluva colour to keep looking good though and while this one's paintwork only scores an 8.5-out-of-ten, it could be brought up to a solid nine-and-a-bit with a machine polish to remove the swirl marks (it appears to be over 30 years old). If we were to take a guess, then we’d say that the paintwork has been washed diligently but rarely polished, hence the marks. That said, we’re being ultra-picky here, largely because we have little else negative to say, and it presents so well that to leave it as it is would be a wasted opportunity.

The chromework is very good too, being straight and largely free of pitting and corrosion. The black folding roof was fitted this year, so is still in an excellent condition and fits very well. As weathertight as you’d expect, it furls and unfurls easily, so was fitted by someone who knew what they were doing.

The 15-inch centre-lock wire wheels were fitted in Germany, so are still fairly fresh and look wonderful. Undamaged and running true, they are painted rather than chromed, which is always nice to see for the long term. Well shod, they’re fitted with matching 165/80R15 Continental Contact tyres, all of which have good tread still. Wonderfully, even the spare is a matching wire wheel with a matching tyre; how often do you see that?

And, as we will never tire of explaining, our 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. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Aside from those swirls and the inevitable stonechip and minor mark, the only problem area we can see is the aluminium bonnet, upon which some of the paint is a bit wibbly and sunken in places.

Fitted with a black leather interior, a Mota-Lita steering wheel and period vacuum gauge, the interior is wonderfully judged and fulfils every MG fantasy you’ve ever had.

Those black leather seats, for example, are piped in red and have settled into the sort of crumpled shabby chic you’d pay a fortune for in Borough Market. Still comfortable and only gently creased, if it were ours, we’d be tempted to have them restuffed but otherwise left alone.

Lifting the good carpets shows only solid metalwork underneath, and the door cards and dashboard are in a similarly good condition. The white lettering on the switches, dials and gear knob is bright and vibrant, and the whole lot is both reassuringly traditional and familiar.

There really isn’t anything in here that jars or should be of concern other than some the odd spot of surface rust on the hood frame and the modern speakers (one of which is sans grille) in the doors. Both would be cheap and easy to remedy with a pot of paint and two new cards respectively.

The MGC was fitted with a rebuilt engine and a Peter Burgess gas-flowed cylinder head in 2015. The specification is impressive and includes a 0.040” overbore, a Kent 714 camshaft, a forged steel crankshaft, and a lightened flywheel. Please see the spec sheet for the full details.

It also features braided oil cooler hoses, an electronic ignition system, a K&N performance air filter and a sports exhaust. It is running beautifully and drives very well. It changes gear nicely and the overdrive works as it should.

Other recent parts include the clutch and brake master cylinders, plus a new fuel tank. The boss has driven it and reports that it drives well, with the overdrive cutting in and out on command.

The engine bay is pretty darned good with only the odd spot of surface rust detracting from its otherwise excellent appearance.

The underside is very clean and strong. There is the odd patch of peeling and flaking underseal and if it were ours we’d spent half-a-day wire brushing the chassis down before repainting it with a decent underseal to keep it looking this good for another half-a-century.

The MGC doesn’t have a current MOT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have the car re-MOT’d at the earliest. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

It has a sheaf of invoices and bills to confirm the work that has been done to it over the years. There is also a fair amount of paperwork from its German years.

It also has one of the most comprehensive type-written histories of any car we’ve had through our hands. Obsessively detailed, it charmingly lists its history from 1979 through to 1997, a period that covers its restoration.

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

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

The MGC’s time has come and discerning enthusiasts are willing to pay good money for the very best cars - and this car is one of the nicer we’ve seen for quite a while.

An MGC always makes for an interesting alternative to an MGB, and never more so than when it is as well presented and fettled as this one. Nicely clean without being unusably so, it is running very well and is in need of nothing other than a little gentle TLC to enable to fulfill its considerable potential.

With a guide price of somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000 – and, as always, an even lower reserve – it’s going to be good value, too. Not the cheapest you’ll find but then the best is always worth paying for, not least because it’ll generally give you a better ownership experience in addition to more money when the time comes to sell it on.

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’.