1957 MG MGA

Convertible

1.8 block from and MGB, original 1.5 cylinder head

Manual

HDA4334245

Clear

Gasoline

Here is a nicely restored 1957 MGA Roadster. It amazes me how many MGAs show up on eBay that are described as “like new”, “perfect”, or “better than new” when they are missing major components or have had the trunk and engine compartment spray painted flat black. I am not going to describe this car as “perfect” or “better than new”, but rather describe the car as it is in great detail. Having covered approximately 71,000 from new, this car was carefully restored by a long term owner of over 30 years. The car has seen around 8,000 miles since a complete, ground-up restoration was completed in the mid-nineties. While certainly enough miles have been logged since the nut-and-bolt restoration to no longer consider it a “fresh” restoration, there have been enough miles driven to ensure that everything is in order while remaining low enough to provide an example of a nicely restored car. Unless noted otherwise, all work listed as being performed during the restoration took place in the 80s and 90s, as evidenced by the receipts.The gentleman I originally purchased the car from paid over $20K for the car in 1999 and drove it only a few thousand miles. I purchased the car in 2009, spent a few thousand dollars freshening up multiple items and installing many period accessories then sold it to a local enthusiast. I repurchased the car earlier this year as the owner found himself spending more time on his boat and back and forth between Cudahy and his winter home than he did driving the car. Under my care, the car once again has received a complete service and a thorough detail, and despite how excited the family is to have the car back in our lives, it simply doesn’t fit our lifestyle at the moment. As stated earlier this car will be described in great detail below. If you still have any questions after reading the description, please let me know. General Condition: The car is in fantastic shape and nicely optioned. The older single-stage paint job shines exceptionally well and shows little signs of wear. Most brackets and hardware were stripped and zinc plated when the car was restored. The interior is also in excellent condition as are the chrome and trim. The entire electrical system has been gone through and everything works as designed. This car is a turn-key driver and should only require general maintenance for quite some time. Body: I have numerous receipts detailing that every part of the car, including the body, was stripped to bare metal. Any repairs that were needed were metal finished, and the passenger side rocker panel was replaced with an NOS part. There is no evidence of any body work or accident repair. There are also receipts for a show-quality, single-stage paint job from a local, reputable shop. New door hinges were installed and many smaller parts such as the hinges, prop rods, etc. were stripped and zinc plated. The car does show signs of light use, including a few small chips in the paint in various places. There are no signs of damage anywhere on the body. Panel fit is very good and the doors shut nicely. Frame: The receipts also detail stripping of the frame. The frame was then painted black and new marine-grade floorboards were installed. There is no evidence of any frame damage or rust repair. All of the chassis hardware was zinc plated or replaced at the time of the restoration. All new body mounts and fender beading were installed as well. The passenger-side battery mount was removed, and the car is now using a single 12-volt battery on the driver’s side mount. Engine and Transmission: I also have receipts detailing complete rebuilds on the engine and transmission. The engine block is a non-matching 1800 block, which is a common replacement/upgrade. This block was inspected and bored, and new pistons were installed. The crankshaft was cut and new bearings were also installed. The 1500 cylinder head, believed to be original to the car was inspected, and new valves, hardened seats and seals were installed. The entire engine was then assembled and painted a nice, but incorrect shade of red. An aluminum valve cover was installed, along with a spin-on oil filter conversion. The oil pan and much of the hardware was stripped and zinc plated prior to installation. The transmission was thoroughly inspected and any questionable parts were replaced. The flywheel was machined, and a new clutch disc, pressure plate and release bearing were installed. As with any MG with a non-synchro first gear, the car prefers a shift into second prior to shifting into first, which is only to be done at a complete stop. Driveline and Differential: The differential was thoroughly inspected and any questionable parts replaced. A new driveshaft and U-joints were coupled to the freshly rebuilt transmission and differential at the time of the restoration. Fuel System: The fuel tank was serviced by RENU and all fuel lines were replaced. The fuel pump was replaced as well with a correct, reproduction SU pump. A new sending unit was just installed. The carburetors were fully rebuilt, including bushings, in 2009. The carbs were tuned at that time and again last month. The throttle and choke cables were replaced in 2009 as well. The original air cleaners and all brackets associated with the carburetors were zinc plated during the original restoration. Exhaust: The original exhaust manifold was reconditioned at the time of the restoration, and a Falcon stainless exhaust system and stainless clamps were installed in 2009. Cooling/Heating System: The heater core and fan were reconditioned during the restoration, and a new radiator and shroud were installed in 2009, along with all coolant hoses. The car runs cool, operating slightly above the “N” mark on the gauge, and never exceeds ¾, even in traffic. Steering and Suspension: All bushings were replaced during the restoration. Additionally, the steering rack was rebuilt and new kingpins were installed. The coil and leaf springs were stripped and repainted, and all four original lever-type shocks were restored at that time as well. Brakes and Hydraulic System: All 1957 MGAs came with four-wheel drum brakes as standard equipment. The entire system was replaced at the time of the restoration. The drums were stripped, cut and repainted. New shoes and hardware was installed at that time as well. The emergency brake system was rebuilt during the restoration. In the last week, the brake/clutch master cylinder, four front wheel cylinders, front brake hoses and front brake shoes were all replaced. The clutch hose and slave cylinder were replaced as well. The entire hydraulic system was flushed and filled with synthetic brake fluid, the system was thoroughly bled, and the brakes were adjusted. Electrical System: The generator, ignition coil, horns, fuel pump, ignition switch, parking lamps, license plate lamp and wiring harness were all replaced during the restoration. A single 12V battery was installed in favor of the more expensive and difficult to source dual 6V batteries. A cloth wiring harness was installed in 1999 due to a faulty panel light rheostat, which was also replaced at that time. A rebuilt starter was installed and the vacuum delay turn signal switch was rebuilt in 2009, and still holds about 40 seconds of delay. The Lucas PL700 tripod headlamps and Lucas tail lamps are original. The Lucas flamethrower driving lamps and brackets are reproduction and were installed in 2009. Chrome and Trim: With the exception of the windshield frame which is in nice, original condition, all of the chrome and body trim was replaced or re-chromed at the time of the restoration. Interior and Instrument Panel: The interior was replaced with a Moss Motors leather kit during the restoration. The premium carpet kit and embroidered floor mats were installed at this time as well. I have personally never seen a nicer carpet installation on a British car, with perfect seams throughout, along with the correct felt underlayment and proper use of lift-the-dot fasteners. The interior shows very little wear, and looks almost as if it were new. An aluminum floor rail and scuff panel kit was installed in 2009. The instrument panel was fully disassembled in 2009, all questionable switches were replaced, and reproduction knobs were installed. New gauge bezels and gaskets were installed as well. Weather Equipment: A Stayfast canvas top and short tonneau with correct fasteners and a side curtain stowage bag were installed at the time of the restoration. All show minimal signs of use. The car comes with an original set of flip-up type side curtains (not pictured) along with all necessary hardware, but they are in poor condition. If planning to use in inclement weather (which the car has not seen since being restored) I would suggest the purchase of a set of updated, sliding-type side curtains. Reproduction wind wings were installed in 2009. Wheels and Tires: Four new Dunlop chrome wire wheels, as well as four classic radial Dunlop tires with new tubes were installed during the restoration. The tires remain in excellent shape with no signs of wear or age and have plenty of tread. An original bias-ply tire is mounted to an original rim which is under a carpeted cover in the boot. It is secured with the correct bracket. Accessories: This car is equipped with many accessories that would have been added to the car when it was new, including: Smiths heater, MG-crested knock-offs, aluminum valve cover, Lucas flamethrower spot lamps, Lucas PL700 tripod headlamps, wind wings, and aluminum scuff plates and floor rail trim. Classic style lap belts have been installed on both the driver's and passenger's side. Aside from a wooden knockoff tool and an original prop shaft, no jack or tools are present. Summary - Forgive me for the lengthy description and if I have forgotten anything. I have tried to be as thorough as possible in hopes of covering all subjects I would want covered if I were in the bidder's position. Due to the age if the vehicle and the simple fact that it is a used car, it is being sold AS-IS/DESCRIBED. Please ask any/all questions prior to placing a bid. The car can be driven from my home in Cudahy, WI 53110 - a few minutes east of General Mitchell International Airport and approx. 80 miles from O'Hare. Additionally, you could have the car picked up by a carrier of your choice. While I wouldn't personally hesitate driving the car some distance, please keep in mind that I am very familiar with this car and have many years of experience working on classic automobiles. Also keep in mind that is a 58 year-old car and safety and comfort standards were much different back then, not to mention speed limits. No matter how you plan on receiving the car it must be paid for within 10 days of auction close, NO EXCEPTIONS! I am happy to accommodate domestic and international buyers. In any case, shipping is the full responsibility of the winning bidder. The car must be paid for prior to it leaving my possession. Please ask any/all questions regarding shipping before bidding. Buyer responsible for all shipping/handling costs.On Aug-06-15 at 20:15:23 PDT, seller added the following information: My apologies for any misinformation, but the block is marked 1600, indicating it is from a later-series MGA. It is not an 1800 block as I had earlier thought. As reserve has not yet been met, I see no reason for any bid cancellations. Please keep this information in mind as you place future bids.