1961 MGA 1600 MkII FHC LHD

£SOLD

Here is one of MG’s prettiest sports cars to a specification and condition that guarantees maximum enjoyment, and a car that we know for sure is rock-solid underneath and absolutely stunning externally. It’s fully ready to be displayed, or else driven with the gusto that it demands.

Built on 18-19 September 1961 and delivered new to the USA just 10 days later, the body and engine numbers still match. This left-hand drive car is, under close analysis and in accordance with its Heritage certificate, one of just 156 built in series II FHC LHD examples manufactured for the North American Market. The coupé bodywork makes it an excellent, year-round car – a great bridgehead between the traditional and modern MG roadsters in the marque’s canon, and so a crucial car in any MG collection.

The MGA returned to the UK from Illinois in 1972, and we acquired it in 2017 from a gentleman who had owned it for the previous 30 years. While in his possession, the car had undergone a four-figure restoration and repaint, and had then been placed in long-term storage. Consequently, it’s seen almost no use in three decades.

We have now completed another full, bare-metal re-spray in the original Chariot red, including the engine bay. For this, the body was removed from the chassis so the engine and gearbox could be rebuilt and, once reunited, the engine and its components have been fully and carefully detailed.

All the car’s chrome-work – and there’s quite a lot on an A – has been removed and fully restored. The wire wheels have been refurbished and powder-coated in silver, and they carry brand new Continental tyres. Other new parts fitted during restoration include a stainless steel exhaust, front brake discs and callipers, brake master cylinder, fuel tank, clutch, and brake and fuel lines.
All the wearing surfaces of the interior have been replaced, with black leather seats piped in red, a white headlining, and black carpets.

With a total of over £57,000 on this cars restoration, this rare-spec MGA Mk II 1600 coupé is, today, in magnificent order once again. Together with its comprehensive history file and properly sorted driving characteristics, we feel it offers excellent value and is probably one of the best show cars on the open market today.