1959 MG A Coupe

“Dealer Bill Postins is a friend through membership of the BRDC,” explains vendor Jonathan Buncombe. “And recognised the number-plate of this car when it came up for sale. It was presented as a standard car, but he’d been an apprentice at the dealership that originally supplied it new and knew it wasn’t – somewhere along the way its history had seemed to get lost.”

That history was fairly special as the original owner Frank ‘Cliff’ Ward had purchased the car back in 1959, with a view to competing as a privateer on the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally. And that’s exactly what he did. Starting at The Hague in Belgium and powering through to the Principality of Monaco finish in 130th place.

“He still lives just up the road and says that he flew back once he’d finished the rally and his co-driver then drove YDU55 back to the Midlands in his own.”

Interested parties don’t need to rely on word of mouth however, as there’s a British Heritage Motor Trust certificate that confirms the car’s chassis number as well as a Pathé newsreel clip of the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally that’s held on YouTube, featuring it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ov5brH94H4

If you’re seriously interested then it really is worth pouring yourself a glass of scotch (fine wine, optional) and settling in to watch it, as nothing brings history to life quite like a bit of early colour film. There’s honourable mention of pilot Cliff Ward and accompanying footage of YDU55 ‘sliding through the Ardennes’ at 2 minutes, 18 seconds with a further appearance later on.

“When Bill bought the car it had wire wheels on and had been restored as a standard Mk1,” says Jonathan. “I’ve had it returned to its original Monte Carlo livery; sourcing bits and bobs and fitting the correct wheels and rally accessories such as the roof-mounted spot lamp. It’s lovely and doesn’t need anything; most importantly, it’s eligible for lots of major events.”

Jonathan is now in his Seventies and says that he’s selling a few of the cars from his modest collection so that he can sample a 3½-Litre Bentley. “It’s been on my bucket list and I want to buy one before I’m six foot under.”

His decision means that this very special old warrior is now ready for a new home.

A previous owner carried out the MGA’s restoration between 2010 and 2013. You’ll find a detailed list of the works carried out in the car’s history file, but body and chassis highlights include:

• Chassis stripped, shot blasted, primed and painted with 2-pack paint in original black

• Body panels stripped, shot blasted, primed and painted with 2-pack Chariot Red paint

• New windscreen and new rubber seals front and rear

• New front and rear bumpers with overriders and number plates

• New stainless steel luggage rack

• New wooden floor boards

The older restoration still presents beautifully. Only now it does so in its original livery. “I’m old enough to remember that when you bought wheels from BMC they came in red oxide and from the video you can make out that’s what it wore on the Monte. Bill had another MGA on steel wheels when I bought it and we agreed to swap this car’s wire wheels for them. I sourced the correct hubs at that time.”

Jonathon’s visual fettling means that YDU55 once again wears its number 332 decals, spotlights and looks just as it did in its prime. One minor note is that the driver’s door latch requires adjustment, as it doesn’t latch very easily.

The cabin remains in first class condition. Thankfully, although its heritage was lost for a while, it still retains its special-order factory competition seats. “They’re really rare,” says Jonathan. “I’ve never seen their like before; the passenger seat even reclines.”

The black leather remains supple and is piped red to match the bodywork; this is repeated on the door-cards, dashboard top and carpets for a lovely sporty ambience.

A quick look under the dashboard reveals lovely, tangle free and fresh-looking wiring (the loom was replaced during restoration). A passenger map-reading light is fitted, as is a handgrip for aiming the roof-mounted spot-lamp.

Electrics were converted from 6v to (2x)12v and everything functions just as it should. There’s no doubt that as a rally car cabin goes, it’s an exceedingly pleasant place to be.

The MGA has only covered around 50 miles or so during Jonathan’s 18-month period of ownership, so it’ll need easing back into regular use before it’s ready for full-scale battle again.

However with a quick MOT check showing a 2013 post-restoration mileage of 6156 it’s clear that the fully restored mechanicals remain virtually as new, so it should only require minor fettling.

We’ve taken it for a spin or two and can confirm that it’s a very sweet thing to pilot and feels both tight and on the button.

At restoration it had the following completed:

• A full engine strip and rebuild, with new timing chain and followers, core plugs, points, leads and condenser

• New water pump, fan-belt and engine mounts

• A clutch plate, release bearing and friction plate

• New front brake callipers and discs, and rear brake cylinders, new brake pipes throughout

• A fresh fuel pump, pipes, filter and regulator

• A stainless exhaust system and mounts

• New steering gaiters and track rod ends

• The original starter motor, speedometer, brake master cylinder, fuel tank (and sender unit) and wiper motors were all reconditioned

The underside and engine bays both still presents very well indeed.

The star highlight of this MGA’s past isn’t actually held in its history file, rather it’s online. Yes, it’s the aforementioned Pathé newsreel clip of the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally that’s held on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ov5brH94H4

You’ll also find a V5 document, which shows that YDU55 was first registered on the 1st of August 1959 and that it’s had a total of seven owners since new. The original buff logbook is also present, which is lovely to have.

A British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate is also included. It confirms the chassis number (GHD/72014), date of build (7-9 July 1959), colour (Chariot Red) and factory-fitted equipment (disc wheels and competition seats).

A typed guide on how to start the MGA, as well as a summary of the restoration details, another one of its Monte history and a Series MGA Driver’s Handbook are also included.

The topping on this MGA’s considerable historical cake is a lovely miniature model of the car itself.

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 very high standard.

The next owner of this vehicle has but one job and that is to return it to the modern iteration of the Monte Carlo Rally – it’s a must!

Of course, it would be equally at home in an MG or classic rally car collection, but imagine the pleasure to be had in reliving this car’s youth as you battle elements, competitors and landscape.

I must admit that I’m frothing at the fingertips writing this one, as we’re suckers for a bit of period-perfect action here at The Market.

So to price, we think that this glorious Chariot Red chariot will sell for somewhere between £32,000 and £45,000. For that, the next owner will get a slice of privateer MGA rallying history, a car that will put a smile on the face of anyone who comes across it and one that’ll be welcome at, and on, a plethora of events.

With correct history reinstated, YDU55 is once again fully ready for action.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located here at our Abingdon headquarters; 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’.