1960 MG MGA

1600 -

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Gasoline

This 1960 MGA 1600 is an honest driver. It was a car I bought to drive and fix-up as I went along and as time and money allowed. Cosmetically, this car needs some TLC. Mechanically however, the car is superb. If you are looking for a fairly cheap entry level MGA and you don't mind putting in some time yourself, this car is for you. It does not need any major body-work, the body is solid and the frame is as well. I have tried to take as many detailed photos of the negative points on the car because I want you to know what you are buying. Mechanically the car is very good. The fellow I bought it from restored it about fifteen years ago, drove it a few thousand miles and parked it a few years back. After I freshened everything to get it running I spent an additional $1,500 sorting out the little kinks and replacing any tired parts. Short of doing a clutch job, just about all the components of the clutch and brake system were replaced. I told my mechanic that, regardless of cost I wanted to do everything we needed to do to make this a reliable driver. The engine runs very strong at right temperature and oil pressure. The car sounds superb and shifts and brakes smoothly and evenly. All the wheel cylinders were replaced so even at lock-up the car is balanced and even. My mechanic gave the car a clean bill of health and was particularly impressed with the strength of the engine. If you call or email me, I can give you his number and you can ask him any questions you have about the mechanics of the car. Again, I want this to be an honest sale. Anything I can do to give you a better idea of the car, please do not hesitate to ask. As an MGA "guy" I can attest to the condition of the transmission. It shifts smoothly and does not have any of the noise in 2nd or any of the worn shift gates that so often accompany these cars. The car has a nice top and a tonneau that is decent. The interior, besides the dashboard is quite nice. The seats are an older vinyl but they are in nice shape and the carpets are like new. The floorboards are new and don't have any rot in them and everything else is as it should be. The car can, and should be driven and enjoyed as it is. Drive it in the summer and enjoy working on it in the winters. I see two knocks on the car. The first is the paint. When the car was restored the paint was not prepped properly and needs to be redone. There are discolored spots that at 5 feet are noticeable and closeup are prominent. I have included two pictures that accurately show this spotted "phenomenon". The best way I can think to describe it is it looks like there are pollen spots on the bonnet. The second knock is the dashboard. The paint again was not applied well and should be redone. These cars are supposed to have a dash that matches the body color, so the good news is that the paint shop could easily do both. If not, I will include a very nice, brand new burl-walnut dashboard that can be swapped for the current one. The only other thing that deserves mention is that the rear of the car has been welded together to create a smoother rear end. Where the fender welting is supposed to separate the fenders from the body-tub has been smoothed out and the result looks to me similar to the rear of a Porsche 550 spider. At first glance the effect isn't really noticeable but I have tried to take detailed photos there as well to represent the car honestly and accurately. This probably isn't for everyone, but I actually think its a very attractive upgrade. I need to sell the car because I've just bought a twin cam basket case and I know I won't have the time or money for both (or as it seems so often, for either). I will probably lose money on the car. Regardless, I'm selling it with no-reserve because I need to move it quickly. The car IS going to sell at the end of the auction. I will not end the auction early and there is no "buy-it-now". The car is available to be seen, inspected and driven in Providence, Rhode Island by appointment. I strongly encourage anyone bidding to do so. Balance will be due by bank transfer or cash in person within 5 days of the end of the auction. Car is sold As-Is with no warranty expressed or implied. If you cant come see it in person and you have any additional questions, or would like any more pictures, call me and I will do my best. My number is (401)965-6150. Happy bidding!