Description
Built by John Chatham, who bought the BMC works racing program
Body panels moulded from the original factory cars
The closest you will get to own one of the two legendary works cars
Featured in Classic & Sports Cars
Full history file and benefitting from a recent full refurbishment
The BMC Works MGC GTS racing cars
For a glorious spell during the 1960s, the British Motor Corporation enjoyed an exceptional period of overseas motorsport success. Fuelled by the desire to promote export sales in the USA and Europe and facilitated by a talented team of engineers and drivers, the BMC Competitions Department was a force to be reckoned with on the international race and rally scenes.
While the giant-slaying antics of the Monte-winning Mini-Cooper S came to define the Competitions Department’s efforts in the eyes of the wider public, the Abingdon-based outfit fielded a raft of impressive and versatile machinery. They ranged from the aptly named ‘Big Healeys’, which revelled in rallying and long-distance road races, to numerous MGs that also proved adept at circuit and stage driving. Even the unlikely Austin 1800 saloon got the Abingdon treatment to compete in the gruelling London-Sydney Marathon.
Among the most appealing – not to mention last – of the cars built by the Competitions Department cars was the Lightweight MGC GTS. Work on designing the lightweight Cs began in 1966, to compete in the prototype sports car categories. Six body shells were built, with the centre structure built from steel similarly to the road-going version, while the exterior panels, such as the roof panel, doors, and the instantly recognisable bubble-arched wings, were formed in aluminium.
Ultimately, only two lightweight versions of the MGC GT were assembled by BMC at Abingdon. These Works cars ran in the 1967 Targa Florio and in 1968, the MGC GTS, as it was now known, raced at Sebring and the 84-hour-long Marathon de la Route at the Nürburgring. Their final Works-supported outings were at Sebring in 1969, when the MGC competition project was cancelled.
However, four lightweight shells originally constructed at the Competitions Department remained. Legendary Austin-Healey man John Chatham was due to drive the GTS Sebring on the Targa Florio in 1970, but with the cancellation of the programme he was offered the opportunity to purchase the remaining chassis and components in order to complete the final four cars.
His cars were highly competitive as he raced them at the United Kingdom’s most famous race circuits, including Silverstone and Castle Combe. Chatham also raced the cars in club and mod-sport events throughout the early 1970s.
It was at this time that John decided to build a 'Sebring' roadster as his own road car. He recalls, that it was a fantastic machine. As a result, he received two customer orders, of which one is the example we're proudly offering for sale.
This MGC GTS Sebring Roadster
This car was built by John Chatham with replica flared wheel arches moulded from the original factory cars, with wider wheels and larger tyres.
Modified suspension, works torsion bars, uprated shock absorbers, a Quaife-style limited slip differential fitted, engine modified with triple Weber carburetors, six-branch exhaust and a 300-degree camshaft producing 200-plus hp.
In short, this is the closest you'll ever get to owning one of the two legendary BMC works cars.
This example has an extensive history file, including a letter written and signed by John Chatham himself, authenticating the car. It has been used enthusiastically by its current owner on many events, including hillclimbs at Shelsley Walsh. It has just had an outing at the 2024 'Classic Nostalgia' show, where it was driven by well-known racing driver Martin Stretton.
It was also featured in an article in Classic & Sports Car's March 2021 issue titled 'The MG that might have been'. We highly recommend reading the article to get a feeling of what the car is like:
- details above
After an extensive test drive, we can confirm that it is every bit as thrilling as Malcolm Thorne describes it!
A recent fully documented refurbishment has been performed, including respray in its original colour scheme of British Racing green with BMC works correct yellow front valance. The engine was rebuilt by John Chatham's workshop and comes with a power output diagram.
A unique opportunity to own an important part of British automotive history and the perfect car for historic racing events worldwide.
