Highlights
- Beautifully restored
- FIA papers
- Eligible for the Mille Miglia
The Appeal
Replacing the MG TF 1500 Midget, and representing a complete styling break from MG's earlier sports cars, the MGA was announced on 26 September 1955 and was officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. By the time the 100,000th example rolled off the production line in 1962, it was the world’s best-selling sports car. A total of 101, 802 units were marketed through to the end of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were exported. Just 5869 cars were sold in the UK, and the MGA was replaced by the MGB.
The car still has huge appeal among enthusiasts; it’s fun to drive, with timeless looks, and cheap and practical to run. SLN 994 is one of only 799 MGAs supplied to the home market in 1956, and has undergone a complete restoration in recent years; it looks stunning. It’s been rally-prepared and has FIA papers.
The History and Paperwork
- UK-supplied RHD example
- FIA papers
- RAC Motor Sports Association Rally Special Stage Logbook
- MoT-and tax-exempt (but has an MoT)
- Eligible for the Mille Miglia
- Current V5
- Previous tax discs
- MoT certificates
- Numerous invoices
This MGA was a ‘barn find’ in 1984 by the previous owner, who then spent four years on a complete restoration, with assistance from staff at Colchester Institute. The owner used it for rallying – it won its class in the 1991 Top Gear Heritage Historic Rally Car Championship – and he then kept the car until September 2019, his tenure lasting some 35 years.
It was subject to further extensive restoration work in recent years, before being purchased by the vendor in 2019. It was bought with the specific intention of entering historic rallies, and having done a number of these (including the 2022 Enstal Classic, and the 2022 Three Castles Trial) the vendor has decided it is time to sell the car for a new owner to enjoy.
Among the impressive files of paperwork are the car’s FIA Historic Vehicle Identity Form and its RAC Motorsports Association Rally Special Stage Vehicle Logbook. SLN 994 is eligible for the Mille Miglia Retrospective (subject to rules and specifications).
Although MOT- and tax-exempt, as an historic vehicle, the car has an MoT valid until May 2023. As well as a number of invoices for recent work, there is also a folder of previous MoT certificates, and tax discs dating back to 1992.
The Interior
- Original leather seats
- Rally seat belts
- Wooden floor in excellent condition
- Spare wheel and tyre
- Stopwatches
- Original MG steering wheel supplied
The interior of the car has been very sympathetically restored, and aside from the rally steering wheel and three-point rally seat belts it all looks very original. The original MG steering wheel is supplied with the car. The leather seats have a lovely patina and the carpets and door cards are all in very good order. Note that the Halda Tripmaster visible in the pictures is on loan to the vendor and is not supplied with the car, although the dual stopwatches will be. The stopwatches and Halda have been carefully mounted so as not to interfere with the otherwise-original dashboard, and the MG insignia from the dash is ready to reinstall.
The three-point rally seat belts provide reassurance and security while on the road, although these can easily be removed should the new owner wish to return the car to more original looks.
Under the carpets, the varnished wooden floor is in excellent condition on both sides, again reflecting the high standard of the restoration.
In the boot, there’s a securely mounted spare wheel and tyre in very good condition, along with an original jack and a mallet for the wheel spinners.
The Exterior
- Classic British sports car
- Ageless looks
- Smart red paintwork
- Wire wheels
- Excellent brightwork
- Recent new soft-top
- Tonneau cover
The MGA looks every inch the classic British sports car; this is a car that can hold its head high at any classic-car gathering. Again, SLN 994’s exterior is testament to the quality of the restoration work. It looks fantastic in its red paintwork; all the brightwork, lights and badges are excellent, and the painted wire wheels and tyres are all in very good order.
The Mechanics
- Starts and runs beautifully
- 1489cc engine
- Recent brake overhaul (new master cylinder, slave cylinder and brake shoes)
- Copper brake pipes
- 12v conversion
- Stainless-steel exhaust
The car starts readily, and the engine has a lovely note. The vendor assures us that it drives and handles really well, and he has covered long and gruelling stages on historic rallies with the car never missing a beat.
Under the bonnet, everything is in good order and reflects how well the car has been cared for. Prior to purchase by the vendor in 2019, the car had a major brake overhaul including new master and slave cylinders, brake shoes and copper brake pipes. The car has also been converted to 12v.
Along with the car comes a whole suite of spares to ensure continuation in any rally, including spare electronics, distributor, solenoid, dynamo, regulator, points, belts, valves filters and others.
Along with the car comes a whole suite of spares to ensure continuation in any rally, including spare electronics, distributor, solenoid, dynamo, regulator, points, belts, valves filters and others.
Summary
The MGA has long secured its place in the classic-car pantheon. It’s a quintessentially British sports car, a great-looking car that’s fun to drive, and this one really looks the part in its smart red paint. It starts and runs beautifully, it’s clearly been restored to very high standards, and with those FIA and RAC MSA papers it’s bound to appeal to anyone with an interest in the historic rallying scene.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion.
Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy.
Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
