Vehicle Description
1962 MG MGA 1600 MKII
The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until
1962. The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a
complete styling break from MG's earlier sports cars. Announced on
26 September 1955 the car was officially launched at the Frankfurt
Motor Show. A total of 101,081 units were marketed through the end
of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were
exported. 5869 cars were sold on the home market, and the MGA was
replaced by the MGB. A new chassis was designed with the side
members further apart and the floor attached to the bottom rather
than the top of the frame sections. A prototype was built and shown
to the BMC chairman Leonard Lord. He turned down the idea of
producing the new car as he had just signed a deal with Donald
Healey to produce Austin-Healey cars two weeks before. Falling
sales of the traditional MG models caused a change of heart, and
the car, initially to be called the UA-series, was brought back. As
it was so different from the older MG models it was called the MGA,
the "first of a new line" to quote the contemporary advertising.
There was also a new engine available, therefore the car did not
have the originally intended XPAG unit but was fitted with the BMC
B-series engine allowing a lower bonnet line. The MGA convertible
had no exterior door handles, however the coupe had door
handles.
For consignment, a beautifully restored, 1 family owned since 1980
example, finished off in the early part of the turn of the 21st
century, we have an example that is excellent. All correct, side
curtains, nice convertible, straight rust-free steel, a wonderfully
tasteful interior coloring accenting the black exterior, and 1962
never looked so good!
Exterior
The MGA was a big step forward for the British automaker and
somewhat shocking to MG fans around the globe. Our example, the
final year for the MGA, continued to stun crowds with its
persuasive yet delicate flowing lines all bathed in a near perfect
coating of deep dark black. Starting up front with the raked back
waterfall style grille, complete with various show badges, melts
its way into the rounded peak fenders with their chrome bezel
headlights. Just below this steel and chrome artwork is a pristine
bumper with auxiliary driving lights and an added bumper bar.
Moving down the sides, a swooping body line melts into the highly
arched rear fenders creating a soft Vee shape that keeps eyes drawn
and hearts pounding. These sides, devoid of all chrome and
trimmings, achieve artistic perfection with the well sculpted lines
as they frame the well restored gray Dunlop knock off wire wheels
and blackwall rubber. A like new black vinyl top with clear plastic
windows and additional side curtains are present and accounted for
in case you hit a spot of inclement weather. On the back is the
rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender with its near
perfect bumperettes, oval taillights, and chrome luggage rack just
above the trunk lid. A shout out to the trunk with its clean red
carpeting and like new weatherstripping.
Interior
Reaching in and pulling the door release strap we are greeted with
a bit of unexpected niceties in the form of wine leather tuck and
roll low back bomber style bucket seats with a hint of wrinkling to
the upholstrey and the handbrake tucked neatly between the
passenger's seat and center hump. An eyebrow curved dash, also
draped in wine sports a litany of gauges which pepper a red leather
curved panel along with the heater controls, bright radio speaker
grille and MG badge in front of the passenger. This is fronted by
the factory steering wheel is black bakelite with a banjo styled
center 12 spoke design. Deep wine leather covers the simple small
doors, and each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed
retainers for the side curtains. Deep red carpeting floods the
floors and a rear storage area all looking so inviting and
beckoning me to feel its softness.
Drivetrain
A flip of the long swooping hood reveals a nicely restored
4-cylinder red painted engine block in 1600cc configuration. This
mill is fed by 2 SU's which are semi downdraft carburetors. There
is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a 4.10
rear axle way in back. The engine bay is very well done just like
the remainder of this car.
Undercarriage
All rust free, straight structural steel is underneath, and makes
up a clean undercarriage displaying with just minor road dirt,
patina and some surface rust. The floor pans are strong and solid
with factory undercoating applied, meanwhile the side rockers and
unibody are nearly like new. For the suspension, independent coil
springs are up front, and leaf springs for the back and a front
disc rear drum arrangement is on for the whoah factor.
Drive-Ability
I never miss a chance to pilot a British sports car and this one
spoke to me dearly as it's the first of its kind to ever grace our
Hallowed Halls. A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran
incredibly smoothly and had great snappy pickup. It handled well
and just the open road feel of this car is worth the price of
admission. I noticed the fuel gauge is non-functional but all else
was working swimmingly and my suspicions were correct, the deep
plush red carpeting felt wonderful.
A 22 year old restoration job holding up just beautifully today,
this car presents in excellent condition. It has a beautiful look
with the black paint, and black vinyl top with the luxurious wine
hued leather interior. Mechanically it is sound, and we are talking
about a Brit from 1962, showroom condition and priced very fair for
today's market. So leave the cell phone at home, send the kids to
the neighbors and spend some much needed time in your own get-away
car.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.