AS with so many of the cars we acquire, no history. Last owner only cared that his car started and ran. Hence we wind up doing a lot of the examination.
Correct, original 1600cc engine (please don`t ask about `matching numbers` as the VIN plate lists `engine number `as see engine`` on MGAs), 53,000 original miles,160 psi compression in every cylinder, no smoke hot or cold, 60+ oil pressure when warm, gearbox is quiet in operation with good synchromesh. What appears to be a new cotton covered wiring harness (and no better guarantee for a more reliable life than excellent wiring and electrics), MUST have been a Southern car as it had a rare heater-delete with a factory plate where the heater would be. A good original tonneau, new red interior, nicely detailed dashboard with working original gauges, wire wheels, what appears to be mostly new chrome, excellent chassis and wood floors, very clean old English White paint (certainly suitable for any low key show), very clean, detailed engine bay and trunk compartment, AND we just installed a rebuilt original heater assembly.
Wood floors look excellent as does the steel chassis, couldn`t find any trace of plastic filler, arrived with a good tonneau and set of side curtains, when sold will be getting a brand new top installed, has new seat belts, and there isn`t much left.
MGAs are great cars and 1600 Mk Is are a good compromise between the clean aesthetics of the 1500 and disc brakes, higher gearing, and added power of a Mk II. A good MGA such this, will cruise all day at 60-80 mph and hit around 95 mph. Of course, add an early MGB engine and a nice 5 speed gearbox conversion (as we did in my own 1961 MGA and something we can offer to a prospective buyer) and 100 mph cruising is easy (although probably best done in a modern sports car), It starts instantly, runs flawlessly, looks great.
