Description
Introduced at the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show the MGC was the larger engined, more powerful version of the MGB that MG always intended to build. The 2912cc straight-six engine in twin SU carburettor form produces 145 bhp (108 kW) at 5, 250 rpm with a torque figure of 170lbft at 3, 400rpm making the MGC capable of 120 mph (193 km/ h) and a 0–60 mph time of 10. 0 seconds. This allowed MG to fit a 140 mph speedometer to the MGC one of the few outward differences to the MGB. Under the skin there were extensive revisions around the engine bay and to the floor pan, different brakes, 15 inch wheels with 165 HR 15 tyres and special torsion bar suspension with telescopic dampers. A new gearbox was developed for the MGC with synchromesh on all forward gears and with a higher torque capacity. In addition the MGC could be specified with a Laycock overdrive unit operating on 3rd and 4th gear as this MGC has.
Production of the MGC ceased in August 1969, during the MGCs short production run, a total of 8, 999 cars came off the assembly line with a slightly larger proportion of Roadsters (4, 542) than GTs (4, 457). Of these 3, 437 were built for the Home Market with 1, 405 being the Roadster variant. So this RHD MGC Roadster is a comparatively rare car.
Registered new on 21 November 1968, this MGC shows just 3 owners on the Vehicle Registration Document. The car was extensively restored by the previous owner prior to July 2019 when the current owner, an MGOC member, bought the car. The restoration is reputed to have cost in excess of £30k and some of the items attended to were:
- Bodywork repaired and re-painted using only Heritage panels when required
- Engine Re-build with new water pump, oil pump and piston rings
- Stainless steel exhaust fitted
- New Clutch, master cylinder and push rod
- Re-built SU HS6 carburettors
- New braded hoses and copper brake pipes
- New Fuse box and wiring loom
- New brakes, wheel cylinders and hoses
- New fuel tank
- New wheel bearings
- Freshly stove-enamelled wire wheels fitted with new Continential tyres
- Interior fully trimmed in biscuit leather
- New mohair hood and Tourneau cover
- Full bare metal re-spray in red
When the current owner bought the car it didn’t meet his exacting standards so he spent a further £5000 having the following work done
- Full Service including new plugs, contact breaker points, rotor arm, condenser and HT leads
- Fitted new Rear Gaz Shocks
- Re-bushed front suspension using Superpro bushes, new pivot pins and fitted Gaz Shocks
- Fitted MG Owners Club Power Steering kit
- Drain, flush and re-fill coolant system
- Remove door fittings to allow Dinitrol treatment inside the doors
- Check tracking
The car looks immaculate and drives superbly. Raising the car on our ramp reveals the underside is as clean as the rest of the car and everything is as it should be. The work done has been done correctly. A very special MGC that is a great touring car that handles better now than in period due to modern tyre technology and the use of better suspension bushes and shock absorbers not to mention the fitting of the MGOC power steering kit.
