Description
The MGA was a radical step forward succeeding the very aged pre war derived T series of MG. Announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show of 1955 the MGA met with critical acclaim and from 1955 to the models replacement with the MGB 101476 were manufactured of which only 5869 were sold in the UK. They were initially sold with 1500 ‘B’ series engines later 1600cc power units mated to 4 speed gearboxes.
Our car is an original home market 1600 open top sports that according to the Heritage Certificate on file rolled off the production line on the 10th of December 1959. A rare rare car then.
Little is recorded about the early life of this car. The history begins when specialist restorer Marksdanes Classic Cars fully restored the car in the mid 1980’s. This restoration is photographed and documented in the history file. The vehicle was sold to a Mr Peter Galliford of Rugby in June of 1987 having been the recipient of a full body off chassis restoration.
In August 1996 Mr Galliford sold the car to Thomas B Williams of Ashby Parva. My association with the car began at this point. Mr Williams was the local SAAB dealer in the next village to my home and he was an avid and very discerning collector of classics. His showroom should have had SAAB’s in it but it was filled with his classic collection which ranged from pre war MG’s and Jaguar’s right up to his very desirable fast road Aston Martin DB6. Williams used to use his classic extensively on rallies, sprints and hill climbs. As a young enthusiast I often used to stop by the garage for a peek at ‘Tommy’s’ collection.
In respect of the MGA he set about a performance upgrade entirely consistent with his competition ‘hobby’. He reregistered the car TBW2 and upgraded the engine to fast road spec and weber carburretor enhancing the drivetrain associated suspension and rear axle improvements to suit his purpose. This is all documented on history file and there are a volume of MOT certificates undertaken by his garage Ashby Garage. In August 2004 Tommy sold the car to Roger Gibbins of Ashby Parva. Literally a stones through away from Ashby Garage. Gibbins used to be my cricket captain! It is a small world. Gibbins improved the vehicle with a 5 speed Ford gearbox conversion for high speed reduced revving driving. This is documented on file together with a volume of other maintenance invoices. In 2006 Williams bought the vehicle back from Mr Gibbins and it stayed serviced but largely in active in the showroom of the still SAAB dealer. Williams failing health meant that his collection of cars sat serviced but rarely used, I attempted to buy the DB6 I had always loved. Alas he wouldn’t sell it to me but he did sell me the MGA in 2012.
I drove it extensively and serviced it continually prior to selling it to the present owner who has used the car well and serviced it annually for the passed 12 years. Now it is time to sell the car to another lucky owner who will continue the history of this lovely MGA
The car presents very nicely. The restoration by Markdanes and careful maintenance by subsequent owners reflets really well on this car. Structurally the car is 100%. The paint is still very good as is the chrome and other fittings. However this car was and is all about the way it drives. From start up the single Weber feeds the well balanced fast road motor and emits a fruity exhaust note. On the road the car has great manners and is a joy to drive. The engine and 5 speed gearbox work perfectly together and the road experience is a joy and tribute to the original restoration and subsequent improvements by Mr Williams. I used to look up to and admire Williams. He sold my dad many cars over the years. I was very angry when he sold the DB6. I had offered him all the money I had in the world at the time £50k and he sold it to somebody unknown for £52k. Once a car dealer always a car dealer! Heyho, the MGA is a lovely car and needs a new sporting enthusiast to carry on the story. There is responsibility to that ‘story’. But that’s the history and passion of classic cars we all love isn’t it?
