1959 MG MGA

Twin Cam 2-Door Convertible

DOHC - No. 1477, No Number Plate

4 Speed Standard

YD3/1604

Clear

MGA Twin Cam, Old English white, proven show winner. Shipped to the USA on 3-19-59 as one of 940 imports. I am the third owner. I bought the car in 2004 from Delray Moore and it has been warehoused in Virginia since then, taken out for a few Sunday drives, with less than 200 miles put on the car since I purchased it. Please note that the millage in this listing (17,621) is now incorrect as I have driven the car a few miles since then. I love driving this car! I have all the notes, receipts, pictures and other documentation from the restoration described below. I have an MG soft-bound service manual and original hardbound service parts list. There may be an original owner's manual as described in Delray Moore's text, but I have not located it as of this posting. I’ll provide it if I find it. The car is a first-place winner as discussed below (before my time) and I will provide that trophy and a few others with the car. This car is beautiful or as one potential buyer said, "Art in Motion". I have had many MGA Twin Cam cars and rebuilt one engine many years ago; this car is a gem. The engine had a miss at low speed that evened out at driving speeds after warm-up, that is now corrected. While correcting that, I touched up the SU Carbs a bit, gapped and installed new spark plugs, verified that each is firing, did a compression check the results of which are 190,190,190,190 warm, and checked out the fuel flow, all of which are fine. The oil pressure is 55 - 60 while driving (higher when cold) and around 30 while idling. The car runs cool at 160 degrees. I have posted a somewhat blurry picture of the Temperature/Pressure gauge that I took while driving the car a few days ago. I have changed the oil per the article that can be found here: http://www.mgtoronto.com/pdf/Tech/Oil.pdf. I did not change the oil filter because I do not have a lift. I will provide a new filter with the car. I want to remind any potential buyer that all MGs of this era are positive-ground. This means that the positive battery wire is connected to the chassis and the negative to the starter switch. Installing a radio can be a challenge. Hooking it up backwards or having someone jump-start the car without understanding this can be a disaster. This is a body-off-frame restoration and the undercarriage is clean and well done. I tried to take pictures with the car on a floor jack, but they didn't come out so well, so I didn't post them. The engine (No. 1477) is a fantastic rebuild (see below), but the aluminum engine number plate is missing. It was likely boiled away during one of the engine rebuilds. Because I have owned so many of these cars, one of my potential buyers asked that I take a critical-eye look at the car from the perspective of displaying it in a museum-level collection. The results of that request follow this description. Below, you will find the story of the restoration buried in the complete eBay listing from which I bought the car. Other than the less than 200 miles I put on the car, nothing has changed. One humorous note: In the listing below, Mr. Moore states, "This is quite possibly one of the lowest mileage twin cams existing". In fact, I have an all original second MGA Twin Cam that is behind this car in one of the pictures that has just over 13,000 original miles. Below Mr. Moore’s listing is a story sent to me by eBay Member 455_nut about this car when he saw the original listing (a few months ago). I have included it so that the successful buyer would know that this MGA Twin Cam has real history! I am in the US until the 11th of September, returning on the 20th, departing again on the 22nd, returning on the 28th. So we will have to coordinate on the pickup. * Begin Delray Moore's 2004 eBay Listing: Absolutely exceptional, Old English White, proven show winner! This automobile speaks for itself, trophied her first (and only) three shows she entered. (Two judged, one participants’ choice.) YD3-1604 started life on March 16, 1959 as one of approximately 2100 produced worldwide. She was shipped to the USA on 3/19/59 as one of 940 imports. A small number; over half of these are thought to exist as complete. I have the original owner’s manual and original hardbound service parts list. This car has all five steel hubs and wheels. Note: I have provide a few comments to Mr. Moore's History in Bold Italics - GilHistory - In the words of Mr. Moore: Original owner Jim Eddy purchased 1604 for a race care and used her solely as such. The roll cage was removed and modified to a removable, non-functional roll bar. The mileage I found her with (16,812) consisted solely of track mileage accumulated throughout the 60s. Southern California was the car’s home turf where Mr. Eddy raced with an MG team. 1972 found her with a freshly rebuilt engine and a new home to boot! 1604 was trailered to Nelson Ledges race track near Warren, Ohio where Mr. Eddy assumed part ownership of the track. The track was home to the Andretti Brothers and hosted Paul Newman on occasion. Once there the engine was fired up – no oil pressure – the engine was shut down, the car rolled into the barn, to be looked at “later". Later never came, and Mr. Eddy passed away soon after. Twenty seven-plus years later (1999) YD3-1604 was “unearthed”. Complete and solid, with only surface oxidation, but what could chalk chalked, what could dry rot rotted and fused. The building was dry, but home to birds, bats and mice, as was evidenced by chewed rubber and leather, mouse nests, and the proverbial heap of bird and bat “guano.” We did have some guilt about evicting half the rodent population of eastern Ohio from the boot! Vehicle Condition $50,000 (all receipts available) and four painstaking years later the restoration was complete. Engine by Prather Racing of Wakarusa, KS. Kent is a four-times SCCA national champion in an MGA. (See Classic Motors September 2003 issue.) The engine was re-engineered and rebuilt to the exacting standards Prather demands of all its champion race engine. This engine is street-able (spec sheet available). To those who are familiar with the blighted twin-cam legacy, this motor is far better than the original The engine dynoes at 120hp. The restoration was done by John Wells of Summerville, PA. Mr. Wells has had numerous national winners to his credit. Included among his accomplishments is the 1996 DuPont paints “calendar girl” – an immaculately done 1964 GTO convertible prized with a Hershey PA Seniors award, Best of Show two years running. Every piece, part and thread of 1604 is literally new, rebuilt, repaired or remanufactured. Research into Mr. Wells’ automotive artistry and Mr. Prather’s racing genius will assure you that this is one of the finest examples of the MGA Twin Cam. The car now has 17,490 miles (less than 1000 since restoration). An astute TC eye will notice a few things. The head and front cover are not painted as per Kent Prather’s recommendation. Note from Gil: This was true of many race MGAs as the rumor was that a painted head keeps in heat. The addition of the center-head cooling line was also a common racing addition, and I had a Twin Cam 35 years ago that had this line. The dipstick is not original, we did not have one; Kent made one. The plug wire bracket is not there. I believe I counted four non-original type hose clamps. The car has stainless exhaust and stainless brake lines. On the dash – the oil pressure/temp gauge and the fuel gauge, as well as the speedo and tach are transposed. This is the way the car was found; most likely this was Mr. Eddy’s personal preference. I find the oil/temp gauge are much easier to quickly glance at in this arrangement. Actually, many MGAs had the pressure/temperature gauge in this position from the factory. I have a late MGA to be restored that came from the factory this The only things not completed are the top (I have the original bows) and the side curtains (I have the original frames). This is still true. This car is truly immaculate and a proven show winner - first in class at the Roadster Factory’s summer show and second in class at British Car Days during the vintage grand prix at Schenley Park, Pittsburg PA. * End of Delray Moore’s listing from 2004 * Beginning of interesting listing response Dear giljullien, Saw Your MGA Twin Cam on eBay. I have wondered what happened to the car, as I believe Jim Died in the late 80s, early 90s. I saw him last, working at a convenience Store in Austintown Ohio, back in 85. Interestingly, Jim raced the car @ Canfield Speedway, in 59-60 under the name "Morris G. Anderson" so that his Mother wouldn't know should the listing show in the local paper. I believe he & the car were in California for a while, & had entered some CSCC events. Don't know where the car was, during the Years he was in Indo China, but it showed in the Registration Barn, when he lived at the track, and worked for Sainato Motors, as the Parts Manager. (Late 60s-through the 70s) Unfortunately, I am unable to bid, but thought you might like some added history. JR Wills, Dickinson TX - 455_nut * End of interesting listing response I have a Tonneau Cover in perfect condition. Mr. Moore also provided me with a box of parts that were replaced (like the Tachometer and Speedometer trim rings) or things that may have been in the boot when he bought the car. It is an eclectic assortment that the purchaser is welcome to take or leave. Terms of Sale: Vehicle is sold as-is, with no warranty. I make no representations beyond the ones in the description above. I will refund 50% of your deposit if you believe or even suspect that I have misrepresented the car in any way, once you have seen and inspected it. A $1,500 deposit is required within 24 hours by PayPal or wire transfer. Deposit may be paid by cash, cashier's check or money order in person. Full payment is due within 10 Days of the auction close. If Cashier's Check or Money Order is provided, I will accept it only if my bank, United Bank, Chantilly, VA Branch, accepts it as cash. Otherwise, it will be accepted "once cleared". While I will accept "Cash (in person)", I will need to know that in advance. Preferred method for the balance is wire transfer. I will assist with shipping but you must make all arrangements. Title transfers at my location in Sterling, Virginia; you bear the risk of loss during shipment. Once payment in full is made, I will at your discretion: (1) hand you the signed title if you are here, (2) email you a copy of the signed title and put the original with the car, or (3) FedEx or send by Registered Mail the original signed title. Thanks for looking! Gil Jullien A critical-eye look at this wonderful car for a potential buyer. The small things I would consider doing beyond the current restoration to bring his car to Museum-Level (probably better than original). Slightly re-align the doors (A simple hinge/latch adjustment or an adjustment to the new rubber bumpers). Don’t get me wrong on these, the doors look good, and close with a “thunk”. Ditto for the trunk-lid (the rubber gasket may be a tad thick)Acquire or correct the following:Original JackTire pump (I never had one of these, but it says that the car came with one)Original spare tire hold-down (the original bolt and wing-nut are there). Spare tire cushion - I have only ever seen one MGA of any kind with the spare tire cushion (the other MGA Twin Cam that I have) and it is in very bad shape. But you are welcome to photograph it and duplicate it.Verify tool kit (as it turns out, these may be original, as they match mine on the other car). These are in a new pouch, which I like. The original with the other car is plastic. You may choose either.Leather or canvas straps for mounting the tire pump (for sure) and maybe the tool kit (I can’t remember if the tool lit mounts or is loose)Hand Crank Original spark-plug wire brackets, either style (as shown in the parts manual)Perhaps better caps for Brake and Clutch master cylinders (these are original and a bit rough)Perhaps replace the center-head water plug and remove the racing head-cooling line (as discussed in the description)White-paint “fill” the letters on the dash switches and pulls (starter and choke) that need it or replace with new.Possibly replace the battery cover (behind the seats).Possibly put in two 6 volt batteries as original (now has one 12 volt battery on the passenger side)Get a top put on the top frame (as discussed and in the description)Refurbish the side curtains (as discussed and in the description)Perhaps repaint the engine head and front cover (as discussed in the description) – I wouldn’t do it, but you might want too.As the ad said, the dipstick is new. I think I would look for an original and the bracket that goes with it. Or, barring that, make a new one identical to the original. Not a big deal, but it’s what I would do.I think I might disassemble, clean, and reassemble the carbs. They have had little use in ten years. I am running carb cleaner in this tank of gas, and it made a difference, but If you are serious about repainting the head and front cover, then rebuilding the carbs on the way by would be no big deal.