1969 MG MGC

This MGC is originally a Channel Islands car, which explains the low mileage of 44,700; the islands are beautiful, but petite (you see what we did there?) and with a much nicer climate than the mainland, salt-induced rust is much less of a problem.

The owner bought an automatic as he wanted to use the car for continental jaunts and driving in London traffic, something it has performed faultlessly for him. He is only selling the car because he is restoring another MGC.

The Tartan Red coachwork is immaculate, as well it might be considering how much the owner paid for the professional respray…

As part of the bodywork restoration (when it left Jersey it was “tatty, but solid’ according to the owner), the MGC received new sills, rear quarters and some repairs to the doors. Interestingly, when the wings were removed the underpinnings were discovered to be factory original and never repaired or welded, which might be unusual for the marque but is completely in keeping with the condition of the majority of Channel Island cars.

The car comes with a full photographic record of the work that was carried out by Village Garage in East Grinstead, the well-known MG Car Club-recommended engineers.

While wire wheels have been de rigueur for years, many now believe that the original steel factory wheels are more desirable; if you are among that number then you will be delighted to see that this car sports a very fine set fitted with the correct 15-inch tyres!

The interior sports the original pattern leather seat covers fitted over new foams, so they are as comfortable as they look. This was carried out by Roger Jenner of Haywards Heath along with the the refurbishment of the sunshine roof.

Both door cards have recently been replaced with original pattern items, following the relocation of the radio speakers from the doors to the rear of the cabin. All other trim panels are believed original.

The interior headlining is original but the fabric on the folding roof, believed to have been fitted by the supplying dealer in Guernsey, has been replaced and improved by the addition of a wind deflector with chrome hinges, which the owner reports is very effective at speed.

The heated rear window has been replaced and is operated by an original BMC pull switch and an MGB centre console and armrest has been added to enable the fitment of additional instruments and switches.

The car also has various security measures fitted, which will be fully explained to the car’s new owner.

The 3-litre straight-six engine has been rebuilt with an unleaded head, larger carbs and a free-flowing exhaust manifold, all of which mean that this example is more than capable of keeping up with motorway traffic. It has even been painted in the correct shade of BMC metallic green. 

The original Borg Warner three-speed automatic gearbox is, in the owners own words “a delight, changing smoothly.”

The headlights have been upgraded to more modern standards and are supplemented by the addition of a pair of original Lucas driving lights.

After being exported to Guernsey, the MGC then went to Jersey and was re-registered with a Jersey registration number. It was then re-imported to the mainland 2 years ago and re-registered with a UK age-related historic number. Ironically on its return to the UK the DVLA issued the wrong registration number which the current owner drove about on before the mistake was picked up at the recent MOT! Correct and legal plates (PUJ 89G) are now fitted to the car.

Sadly, the Guernsey authorities destroyed all their historic vehicle records some years ago, although the original registration is known from later Jersey registration documents (G 8434) and the Heritage Certificate (included with the car) does show its export to Guernsey and confirms its status as a ‘matching numbers’ vehicle.

Other than that there is a small amount of information with the car from its time in Jersey registration and it does come with its Jersey number plates, which would be a lovely addition to your garage wall!

The car comes with invoices for all the work the current owner has had done to the car, including that for a high-quality respray.

The classic car world is full of refurbished MGs claiming to have been the subject of a full restoration. 

This is not one of them: this is a low-mileage, largely original MGC that has been fully restored at a cost of more than £13,000. The quality of the work is so high that it has recently been chosen to feature in Classic Car magazine, a copy of which comes with it.

The car’s provenance is impeccable and while it isn’t concours, it is very close. More importantly, this is a turn-key car that is ready and waiting to waft you to the South of France to find some winter sun.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the launch of the MGC, something many believe will give a further stimulus to their already rising value, which can only be a good thing for those lucky enough to have jumped the gun!

This is one of the best MGC's available and can be viewed in Cobham in Surrey - use the 'contact seller' button at the top of the page to arrange