Description
We are pleased to offer, for sale, a fantastic opportunity to purchase a genuine low mileage, matching numbers, Downton MGC. Possibly, the lowest mileage car in this condition with just 19, 600 miles from new and offered with remarkable original features.
The MGC was built between 1967 and 1969 and it is common knowledge that it was unfairly given poor press reviews due to wrong tyre pressures and tyre choice on the press car. The MGC is now coming into its own as people realise these cars offer fantastic usability, power and excellent styling, this has to be one of the best touring sports cars of the 1960’s.
This example has had an interesting life, YFD 644H was manufactured in 1968, and was first registered in 1970 to ‘Fuggles of Bushy Heath’ a Bristol Cars and Sunbeam agent that was run by Mr Fuggle as a side-line to the Fuggles Brewery business, probably on display in his showroom from manufacture to first registration.
The car was delivered to Mr Fuggle and in the immediate weeks after delivery the MG went to the Dinitrol workshop for total rustproofing and then onto ‘Downton Engineering’ where modifications were fitted in line with the Touring conversion 43 kit. YFD 644H was returned to Mr Fuggle whereby he placed it in his own showroom for many years as a centrepiece and only leaving the showroom for occasional days out and to various shows.
The car was then sold to a friend of Mr Fuggle and was owned by a Mr Prestwich, but a condition of the sale was that the car would remain on display in the showroom.
This history is recounted by Fuggles showroom manager of 19 years who bought the car in 1989 having always expressed an interest in the vehicle. He owned the car until 2008 when it was sold with just 16, 903 miles.
The car comes with a folder of historical invoices, photographs, and notes to trace this mileage and history. The car was recommissioned professionally due to a certain lack of use but since the current owners purchased the car in 2018 with 17, 258, we, Bill Rawles Classic Cars, have looked after the car with no expense spared.
The vehicle has many original features, body panels with spot welds from new, original windscreen, original heated rear window, carpet, plastic over sills, the paintwork is in excellent condition throughout with original paint in the engine bay. The C also comes with an additional a set of 5 chrome wires (4 x as new, 1 x very tired).
Not only is this a low mileage car in great condition but it is also Downton tuned virtually from new.
Downton Touring Conversion 43 This conversion retains the twin carburettor layout and gives a useful performance increase whilst improving flexibility and fuel economy.
Modified Cylinder Head – on exchange, with re-shaped and balanced combustion chambers. Modified porting and valves. Compression ratio 9. 5:1 or according to export requirements. Modified Inlet Manifold – on exchange. Polished and match cylinder head. Two Extractor Exhaust Manifolds. Dual Exhaust System. Complete set of gaskets and suitable sparking plugs. Maximum BHP. 119 nett at 5, 500rpm
Offered for sale and available for viewing, this MG must be seen to be appreciated.
On the road, the car is direct and precise, gears and smooth and power is ample thanks to that Downton upgrade. Despite the bad press, the MGC drives fantastically and although this car is unique in mileage, it deserves to be used and I would have no hesitation booking a continental trip in this fantastic car, known to us for many years and available for ramp inspection by appointment.
