Lot details Registration No: 707 YUT Chassis No: HDR435817 Mot Expiry: Exempt
- Supplied new to the USA and repatriated during August 2011
- Treated to a 'no expense spared, ground up restoration'
- Uprated 1798cc B-series engine, overdrive gearbox and brakes etc
Further Info:
The Syd Enever-designed MGA was a breath of fresh air for the Abingdon marque, as it replaced the last of the venerable T Series cars, whose origins dated all the way back to the TA of 1936. Launched at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, it featured a separate chassis penned by Roy Brocklehurst and was powered by the 1489cc straight-four BMC B Series engine. Suspension was independent with coil springs at the front and by live axle hung on semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. Braking was by Lockheed drums all-round, and steering was by rack and pinion.
The very special MGA offered vacated the Oxfordshire plant in 1957 bound for the USA, where it was first registered in June the following year. It was repatriated in August 2011 and subsequently treated to a 'no-expense-spared, ground-up restoration', during which: '707 YUT' was converted to right-hand drive; the original engine was replaced with a 1798cc MGB unit, plus overdrive gearbox; and the brakes were uprated. The lengthy list of new items installed includes: petrol tank and pump; brake discs and callipers; wheel hubs; brake and clutch pipes; electric fan and electronic ignition; water pump; prop-shaft; bespoke stainless steel exhaust system; RHD steering rack assembly; wood rim steering wheel; side screens; mohair hood and frame; leather interior with deep pile carpet.
The bodywork is finished in a notably tasteful shade of Blue and the interior trimmed in white-piped Blue leather. The vendor unsurprisingly now grades all major aspects of the vehicle as 'excellent', and is selling the MG complete with some 150 images of the restoration, all relevant receipts, full import documentation, and both Heritage and valuation certificates. The car's original engine is currently being refurbished and it, and the matching gearbox, will be included in the sale. A clearly very fine example of a much-loved breed.
PLEASE NOTE: The vendor has advised that the refurbishment on the original 1500cc lead free engine has now been completed and will need to be collected by the successful purchaser. The work carried out included:
- Block stripped, water and oil gallery plugs removed, block de-greased
- New core plugs and gallery plugs fitted
- Re-bore, new pistons, rings and gudgeon pins +60 thou.
- Crankshaft reground, new main big end bearings and thrusts
- Full set of gaskets and seals
- New timing chain
- New timing chain tensioner
- New oil pump rotor and shaft
- New pressure relief valve and spring
- Cylinder head pressure and crack tested, new valves, guides, springs and hardened valve seats
- Surface grind cylinder head face
- Surface grind cylinder block face
- New rocker shaft re-bushed
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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