West Coast Classics are proud to present a superb and great daily driving and a beautiful restoration example of this southern California 1956 MGA Roadster Convertible with a later model rebuilt (1962) Mark II 1622cc engine!
This is obviously one rare and highly desirable classic British sports car - a rust free example of the legendary chrome bumper and grille MGA roadster! The trunk, floor boards, rocker panels and all the typically rust prone areas are all completely solid and rust free - an obviously always garaged example that was lovingly restored as necessary!
The paint is in absolutely beautiful and virtually flawless condition and the interior is also as nice with Red leather seats and matching door panels and black carpets, a lovely original steering wheel and restored 'Jaegar' gauges. The black color soft top is also as new and the car has a full weather tonneau cover & restored original knock off chrome wire wheel
The upgraded 1622 cc engine has been rebuilt and purrs quietly under the hood and the 4 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through the gears - an absolute pleasure to drive! The temperature always remains cool and there are no noticeable oil leaks. The car is a recipient of a recent body off restoration and boasts new Red leather interior and new carpet & door panels. All new gauges, bumpers, grill, soft top and tonneau cover. The car has new tires, new fuel system including carbs, pump & fuel lines, rebuilt front suspension including bushings, pivot pins etc, rebuilt brake system, new front wheel bearings & seals, new front shocks, new steering rack gaiters & tie rod ends, replaced suspension bushings, pads & limit straps.
The MGA is probably the most important car in the post-war MG story and was a quantum leap from its predecessor and proved more than a match for its contemporary Triumph and Austin Healey rivals. It arrived just in time to save MG and revive the brand for another 25 years! With sales falling in the U.S. of the 'T' series cars, the MGA was a lifesaver, once announced it was hard for the British Motor Corporations's MG division to keep up with demand, especially from North America. The new MG made its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1955 and it was a refreshingly modern looking car for its day, with its most notable feature being its remarkably striking aerodynamic body. Performance was impressive too with a top speed of 99mph being recorded by a very impressed 'Autocar', the World's oldest car magazine, a publication in print since 1895 and still published today! Staggeringly, by 1957, twice as many MGA's left the company's small Abingdon factory that year than the total TC build during its four year production span. Built between the years 1955-62 a total of over 101K cars were sold with the vast majority being exported making it the highest export percentage of any British car, an amazing achievement and testament to the brand.
The MGA also earned an enviable reputation in competition and was raced extensively in the United States since its introduction in 1955 with considerable success continuing to even very recent years, an accomplishment unequaled by its contemporaries! It was also used in NASCAR from 1960-63. It was joined by a handsome, but fairly cramped and to some, claustrophobic, coupe in 1956 and in 1958 by the exciting twin overhead camshaft 1588cc engine designed by Harry Weslake. With 108bhp its top speed was increased to 110mph. It was a highly desirable property and still is today! The final Mk II 1600cc of 1961 had a slightly bored 1622cc engine. Production ended in 1962 with the new generation of MG's, the MGB arriving in its wake, certainly an even more modern car than its predecessor, but perhaps not as pretty!
MGA buyers could choose to have the car painted black with red or green trim; red with red or black trim; white with red or black trim or blue with gray or black trim. Hoods could be in light blue or black. Bolt on perforated steel wheels were standard with center lock wire wheels being an option. The uncluttered design means no door handles with the doors being opened by pulling a cable reached from inside the cars door. The dashboard has no glove compartment and the center grille is for a radio and speaker. Passengers have a map light but little else. Although the MGA's steel panels were hand pressed, the bodies were finished by hand and therefore no two were quite the same and over the years obviously for unrestored cars the gaps and finishes are typically off somewhat!
Without a doubt this is one rare piece of British motoring history - a perfect daily driver and a beautifully restored example for any MG enthusiast or simply any classic British sports car lover to enjoy today!
