It is fair to say that the MGA was MG’s first post-war car, even if it did not arrive until 10 years after the war. It filled a market niche, competing with the Triumph TR2 and then the TR3, and it was a less costly alternative to the big Healey. This meant that it became very popular very quickly, and most sports car clubs soon had many of them racing, rallying, and touring. It was an obtainable ticket to the sports car culture that reached its peak during the same years that the MGA was produced.

The spectacular example offered here has benefited from an exceptionally thorough restoration, one that had just recently been completed and had taken over one year to complete. The work performed during this restoration included a frame-off restoration of the body panels, with strict attention paid to achieving outstanding fit on the doors, boot lid, bonnet, and fenders. The outstanding body has been painted its beautiful original color of Ash Green, and this, combined with the correct grey interior, creates an image of understated elegance. Note also that the undercarriage is as nice as the exterior, and the bumpers, both in the front and rear, benefit from fresh chrome. Additionally, the tinted glass windscreen is also new and surrounded by a newly chromed frame.

The exterior has new 72-spoke painted wheels that have new chrome spinners and are mounted with new 165R15 tires. The interior is also thoroughly restored, featuring new seats in grey with dark grey piping and new door cards with a matching wool carpet, which is also in grey. The floorboards are also new, while the gauges, heater box, fan, and wiper motor have all been rebuilt. The new convertible top is a “Stay Fast” type by Robbins, which is in grey and has a matching tonneau cover. Additionally, brand-new side curtains are included with the car.

The 1,600-cubic centimeter engine has been completely rebuilt with a new performance camshaft, a complete valve job, a new oil pump and screen, new Venolia flattop pistons, a lightened flywheel, new iridium spark plugs, all-new gaskets, a polished finned aluminum valve cover, a new water pump, a new belt, and a new header, and the motor is painted its correct, original maroon color. It is fitted with a Mallory dual-point distributor with a new cap, sports coil, and high-tension leads, and the result is a compression of 180–190 psi and an estimated 120–140 brake horsepower, which is a usable improvement from the original 80 brake horsepower.

Additional restoration work performed on the car includes a reconditioned fuel tank and a new electronic fuel pump; a rebuilt radiator with new hoses and clamps; a new fabric wiring harness; new lights in the front and rear; new switches; and new brakes, master cylinder, and brake piping. The clutch and master cylinder are also new, as are the clutch hydraulic lines. The shocks and suspension have been remanufactured, and a new polished stainless steel exhaust system is fitted. The oil cooler has been refurbished, and new oil lines have been installed, along with a spin-on oil filter adaptor.

The name MG is synonymous with the best of British sports cars, and the MGA represents the bridge between the classic and the modern era of sports car development. There is hardly a more defining car of that golden era. This truly outstanding example, in wonderful colors, with an exceptionally thorough and recent restoration, will assume a place of honor in any collection, and it will be welcomed at innumerable events around the world.