1959 MG MGA

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

79097111240

Gasoline

This is a 1959 MG A Roadster with the 1500cc engine and four-speed non-synchro 1st gear transmission. The car starts, runs, shifts, drives, stops very well. It goes down the road straight without rattles, hops or squeaks. It has a Weber carburetor (the original SUs are available), has been converted to one 12 volt battery; it has an MGB-style oil cooler, and a hand-made wood dash (the original metal dashboard is still underneath). It's on 4 nearly new Dunlops and the spare has never been used. It has wire wheels with knock-offs. It is very solid underneath. The oil filter has been converted to accept a modern spin-on style filter. The engine area is tidy. It's on a clear WI title. The good: Strong runner, starts instantly, good clutch and brake pedal action; wipers and lights work -- has the original vacuum-style directional switch on dash, even the map light works! Handbrake functions properly, exhaust system good. Speedo, tach (reads high) and fuel gauge all functioning. Carpets are good and it has newer red seats with black door panels in nice shape. It has a serviceable top, side curtains and a tonneau. It has a period-correct aftermarket trunk rack. The car reportedly was restored at some point in the early 1990s to "driver" quality. The bad: Horn doesn't work, it has an aftermarket temp gauge under the dash (original one still present and works but last owner thought it wasn't accurate), and during the restoration the car was fitted with four fiberglass fenders -- not original-style steel ones. Aftermarket steering wheel fitted; original not available. The rear bumper is in nice shape, the front is a three-piece style with the center piece in nice condition with a grille guard while the two end sections are in poor condition. The ugly: The car needs a paint job -- badly. There is paint coming off in chips on the left side of the hood (visible in photo), the hood (aluminum) has dimples probably from a hail storm, there are crack marks in various spots and some ripples where the paint is lifting on the sides of both doors. That being said, with a paint job and some tidying up this car would make a very nice summer cruiser. Or, drive as is now and paint it over the winter!