1962 MG MGA 1600 MKII

The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until 1962. The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a complete styling break from MG's earlier sports cars. Announced on 26 September 1955 the car was officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A total of 101,081 units were marketed through the end of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were exported. 5869 cars were sold on the home market, and the MGA was replaced by the MGB. A new chassis was designed with the side members further apart and the floor attached to the bottom rather than the top of the frame sections. A prototype was built and shown to the BMC chairman Leonard Lord. He turned down the idea of producing the new car as he had just signed a deal with Donald Healey to produce Austin-Healey cars two weeks before. Falling sales of the traditional MG models caused a change of heart, and the car, initially to be called the UA-series, was brought back. As it was so different from the older MG models it was called the MGA, the "first of a new line" to quote the contemporary advertising. There was also a new engine available, therefore the car did not have the originally intended XPAG unit but was fitted with the BMC B-series engine allowing a lower bonnet line. The MGA convertible had no exterior door handles, however the coupe had door handles.

For consignment, a beautifully restored, 1 family owned since 1980 example, finished off in the early part of the turn of the 21st century, we have an example that is excellent. All correct, side curtains, nice convertible, straight rust-free steel, a wonderfully tasteful interior coloring accenting the black exterior, and 1962 never looked so good!

Exterior
The MGA was a big step forward for the British automaker and somewhat shocking to MG fans around the globe. Our example, the final year for the MGA, continued to stun crowds with its persuasive yet delicate flowing lines all bathed in a near perfect coating of deep dark black. Starting up front with the raked back waterfall style grille, complete with various show badges, melts its way into the rounded peak fenders with their chrome bezel headlights. Just below this steel and chrome artwork is a pristine bumper with auxiliary driving lights and an added bumper bar. Moving down the sides, a swooping body line melts into the highly arched rear fenders creating a soft Vee shape that keeps eyes drawn and hearts pounding. These sides, devoid of all chrome and trimmings, achieve artistic perfection with the well sculpted lines as they frame the well restored gray Dunlop knock off wire wheels and blackwall rubber. A like new black vinyl top with clear plastic windows and additional side curtains are present and accounted for in case you hit a spot of inclement weather. On the back is the rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender with its near perfect bumperettes, oval taillights, and chrome luggage rack just above the trunk lid. A shout out to the trunk with its clean red carpeting and like new weatherstripping.

Interior
Reaching in and pulling the door release strap we are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in the form of wine leather tuck and roll low back bomber style bucket seats with a hint of wrinkling to the upholstrey and the handbrake tucked neatly between the passenger's seat and center hump. An eyebrow curved dash, also draped in wine sports a litany of gauges which pepper a red leather curved panel along with the heater controls, bright radio speaker grille and MG badge in front of the passenger. This is fronted by the factory steering wheel is black bakelite with a banjo styled center 12 spoke design. Deep wine leather covers the simple small doors, and each offers up some pouch storage and the chromed retainers for the side curtains. Deep red carpeting floods the floors and a rear storage area all looking so inviting and beckoning me to feel its softness.

Drivetrain
A flip of the long swooping hood reveals a nicely restored 4-cylinder red painted engine block in 1600cc configuration. This mill is fed by 2 SU's which are semi downdraft carburetors. There is a 4-speed manual transmission attached to the back and a 4.10 rear axle way in back. The engine bay is very well done just like the remainder of this car.

Undercarriage
All rust free, straight structural steel is underneath, and makes up a clean undercarriage displaying with just minor road dirt, patina and some surface rust. The floor pans are strong and solid with factory undercoating applied, meanwhile the side rockers and unibody are nearly like new. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and leaf springs for the back and a front disc rear drum arrangement is on for the whoah factor.

Drive-Ability
I never miss a chance to pilot a British sports car and this one spoke to me dearly as it's the first of its kind to ever grace our Hallowed Halls. A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly and had great snappy pickup. It handled well and just the open road feel of this car is worth the price of admission. I noticed the fuel gauge is non-functional but all else was working swimmingly and my suspicions were correct, the deep plush red carpeting felt wonderful.

A 22 year old restoration job holding up just beautifully today, this car presents in excellent condition. It has a beautiful look with the black paint, and black vinyl top with the luxurious wine hued leather interior. Mechanically it is sound, and we are talking about a Brit from 1962, showroom condition and priced very fair for today's market. So leave the cell phone at home, send the kids to the neighbors and spend some much needed time in your own get-away car.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.