Vehicle Description
1958 MG MGA Roadster
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 restored in the 1990's small cruiser with its
British Motor Industry Trust certificate, workshop manual, and a
phonebook's worth of restoration receipts and photos, all in 1958
MGA roadster form. All correct on the chrome and body front, coming
with its side curtains, a nice convertible top, a wonderfully
tasteful interior black coloring accenting the classic British
Racing Green color change exterior, and 1958 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
second to last year for the MGA 1500, continued to stun crowds with
its persuasive yet delicate flowing lines all bathed in a nicely
applied color change application of British Racing Green that is
showing well to this day with a few stone chips, scuffs, and
scrapes. Starting up front with the raked back waterfall style
grille which melts its way into the rounded peak fenders with their
chrome bezel headlights we arein late 50's English bliss. Just
below this steel and chrome artwork is a clean bumper with added
bumperettes. 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 save for the front quarter top venting, achieve
artistic perfection with the sculpted lines as they frame the
restored gray drilled wheels and blackwall rubber in 15-inch
format. A 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. We do note areas of tearing in the top, but
they are slight and do not require a full top replacement at this
point. On the back is the rear curved bumper stretching from fender
to fender with its near perfect bumperettes, oval tail lights, and
chrome MG badge gracing the trunk lid.
Interior
Reaching in and pulling the door release strap we are greeted with
a bit of unexpected niceties in the form of black leather tuck and
roll low back bomber style bucket seats with a hint of wrinkling to
the upholstery and the handbrake tucked neatly between the
passenger's seat and thickly padded center hump. An oak eyebrow
curved dash, also draped in black sports a litany of gauges which
pepper a black leather curved panel along with the heater controls,
and MG badge over wood in front of the passenger. Our consignor
notes that the original metal dash face plate is included with your
purchase. This is fronted by a black rimmed banjo style 4 spoke
steering wheel. Black leather covers the simple small doors, and
each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed retainers for the
side curtains. Deep black carpeting with very little wear 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 rebuilt1489cc 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
4.30 rear axle way in back. The engine bay is very well done with
just a light dust coating of patina.
Undercarriage
All straight structural steel is underneath and makes up a clean
undercarriage displaying just minor road dirt, patina and some
surface rust. The wood floor pans are strong and solid with black
paint applied, meanwhile the side rockers and unibody are nearly
like new, but we note a few amateur welded in repairs on the rear
of the rockers. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up
front, and leaf springs for the back and drum brakes front and rear
are on for the whoa 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 fourth of its kind to ever grace our
Hallowed Halls. A quick starter from the starter pull, 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. All was working swimmingly and my
suspicions were correct, the deep plush black carpeting felt
wonderful.
An older restoration job holding up just well today, this car
presents in nice shape as a driver, but with some very minor work
can be taken to the next level and be a top flite show winner. It
has a beautiful look with the classic racing green paint, and black
vinyl top with the luxurious black hued leather interior.
Mechanically it is sound, and we are talking about a Brit from
1958, 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.
HDR3353825
H-MGA
D-Roadster
R-Old English White
3-Left Hand Drive
3-Cellulose Paint
53825-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
