1959 MG MGA Roadster

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Presented in its original colour of Iris Blue, this MGA Roadster is the archetypal British sports car of the 1950s and has been meticulously looked after during the long-term ownership of its current custodian.

First registered on 10 August 1959, 839 WMV is an early example of the 1600 model and was built as a right-hand-drive car for the UK market.

The current owner bought the MGA in July 2009, after the previous keeper had carriedreportedly out a comprehensive restoration of both the bodywork and mechanical components. In late 2014, the engine was rebuilt to original specification by Wards Engineering in Rugby, a process that included fitting a new crankshaft.

At the same time, the owner took the opportunity to replace the original four-speed gearbox with a Ford Type 9 five-speed unit, which was supplied by Hi-Gear Engineering in Derbyshire.

In April 2016, following the discovery of some slight corrosion on the nearside front wing, the decision was taken to entrust the MGA to Rugby Classics. They replaced the nearside front and rear wings and restored the inner wings and sills at the same time. Any replacement panels that were required were UK-made in steel.

Some well-chosen upgrades have been made along the way, including electronic ignition, an alternator conversion, an oil cooler, Spax adjustable dampers on the rear, and drilled front brake discs. More recent work has included the installation of a new petrol tank and radiator, and in 2022 the combined brake and clutch master cylinder was replaced.

Having covered more than 21,000 miles in its current 15-year ownership, this MGA 1600 is now being offered for sale with an extensive history file that includes a wealth of invoices and photographs. It’s a beautiful example of this charming, practical and enduring sports car, and is ready to be used and enjoyed by its next owner.

The MGA marked a significant step forward for the Abingdon marque when it was launched at the 1955 London Motor Show. Its flowing lines could be traced back to a streamlined body that Syd Enever had designed for the MG TD of George Phillips in time for the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Enever then went on to create a revised chassis that allowed for a lower seating position than the previous generation of ‘upright’ T-series MGs, and into this was fitted BMC’s latest 1489cc B-series engine.

A high-performance model was part of the plan as well, and the 1955 Tourist Trophy at Dundrod featured an MGA powered by a twin-overhead-camshaft engine. The production Twin Cam was subsequently introduced in 1958 and was good for a top speed of 115mph.

In the summer of 1959, the original MGA 1500 was replaced by the new 1600 model. This not only gained an enlarged 1588cc engine, but also Lockheed disc brakes on the front in place of the drums that had been fitted to the 1500.

The later 1600 De Luxe model had disc brakes all round, a set-up that had previously been used on the Twin Cam, while the final variation was the 1600 MkII. Introduced in April 1961, this featured a 1622cc engine and various detail changes, but the following year the model was replaced by the MGB – not long after the 100,000th MGA had left the factory.

The model had not only been a huge success in the all-important North American market, it also contributed to the marque’s stellar competition history. Nancy Mitchell became European Ladies’ Rally Champion in 1956 and 1957 while driving MGAs and Magnettes, and the works Competition Department ran MGAs in the Sebring 12 Hours between 1959 and 1962. A 1600 MkII also won its class in the 1962 Monte Carlo and Tulip rallies.

1959 MG MGA Roadster

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

MODEL HISTORY