Project Description
MGA 1600 Roadster
A nicely documented and restored 1960 MGA 1600 Roadster
Price
SOLDYear
1960Mls/Kms
87,076* milesSold in
GermanyHistory File
Our 1960 MGA Roadster is a middle range car from the three distinctive rear end variations with separate indicators and brake lights. The car comes with one of the most comprehensive restoration files we’ve ever seen at Cathedral Classics. It starts in 1986 with pictures of the car (in blue) looking in a dusty, sorry state wearing its distinctive black California License Plate. Jump forward to 2004 and the new owner, Mr Preston Hobbs from Medford, Jackson County in Oregon, starts to strip the car in earnest with a clear goal in mind, and one that would be fulfilled. It’s an incredibly well documented restoration, illustrated neatly in the cars huge file with dozens of pictures along with a multitude of invoices from 2004 right through to the cars completion in 2010. The Tachometer indicates* 87,076 miles and is quite possibly the original mileage but, cannot be confirmed. Equally, it may well be original as Heritage trust have indicated that the engine 16GA-U-H2880 and Chassis GHN L 71540 numbers are close enough from the period to be matching, despite the lack of official records. Interestingly, it has been confirmed that it left Abingdon in Old English White as we see it today. It is a lovely restored example and would fit well with any collector or indeed any MG enthusiast. The car has recently passed all the necessary German Historical inspections and can be registered as the first owner.
Exterior
Overall this is a very well restored car that underwent a powder coat, frame off restoration between 2004 and 2010. The car still presents nicely, but it should now be considered as an older restoration that was completed some 12 years ago. The Old English White paint (the cars original colour) is perhaps, ever so slightly, now showing signs of age, but this is also, perhaps, just our personal critical eye. The pvc roof is like new, but does, sadly, have a 1cm – now professional repaired – tear close to the window frame passenger side, but would also be hard to spot. The side windows are both brand new and the accessory Perspex quarter-lights are in nice addition and common place on most MGA Roadsters, these days. All the bright-work: bumpers, badges and neat wing mirrors have been suitably restored or replaced. With some tell-tale American signs (almost 95% of all MGA’s ever produced were shipped to the US), such as the white glass front indicators confirming the cars origins, it has to be said, that this is one of the better restored examples from America that we’ve come across at Cathedral Classics.
Interior
Probably the cars highlight which presents almost like new. Black leather seats and arm rest with white piping dominate the cabin, but it’s a nice combination of old and new with the original steering wheel and wooden gear knob, which is probably not original but certainly in-keeping. The dash board is nicely done in gloss black and don’t we all just love that horn in the middle. A keen eye will spot the 4-way flasher switch discretely situated but sensibly accessible just below the rev counter. Care has also been taken when restoring the roof frame which is not black, but correctly painted in grey.
Documents
Engine & Transmission
The car block engine number: 16GA-U-H2880 has been confirmed as a 1960 1588 cc 1.6 Litre B-Series DOHC unit, and despite their being no official records of these cars retained, Heritage Trust, have confirmed that the series is close enough to the cars chassis number GHN L 71540 which would indicate that we have a matching numbers car, with its original engine. Under the bonnet of our recent arrival displays a tidy and very well prepared engine bay with an oil change in July 2022. The cars comprehensive restoration history file contains an invoice from 2005 pertaining to a complete engine and gearbox overhaul which matches the photographic evidence also within the file. The 79.5 bhp (59 kW / 81 PS) performs well with appropriate gear change movement for the period.
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
The restored painted 48 spoke wires and winged chrome knock-ons are all in super condition and are covered in almost new 165/80R15 Federal tyres. Front disc and rear drum brakes are all working well and pulling the car up nice and straight.
Underneath
