1959 MG MGA Coupe Sebring Race Car Replica

1959 MG MGA Coupe Description

Up for auction is my 1959 MG MGA Coupe. The previous owner converted it to be a replica of the MGA race cars that were entered in the Sebring 12 Hour Gran Prix Endurance races in the early 60's (see last 3 photos and Google for more info).
I've owned the car for a year and a half and have continued to improve it with many new parts and other upgrades. The car is not perfect; keep looking if you want an original concours show car. The previous owner built the car with the intent of making it look like a barn-find example with just the right amount of patina and flaws rather than a perfect restoration. The body has miscellaneous minors dents, the paint work has imperfections and some scratches. Like all British cars, it leaks a few drops of oil (nothing major) when it sits for a while. There are also a few minor things that can be addressed (see below) but nothing significant or immediate.
The car starts easily, drives, steers and stops as it should. It has great visual appeal and looks magnificent. I get countless compliments from people of all ages. It's also a very unique and fun experience to drive. Very direct steering and handling feedback.
Furthermore, MGA Coupes are far more rare than the convertibles and both are appreciating in value as not many are left. Buy this car, drive it, work on it and not lose any money when it comes time to sell. Parts are still plentiful and cheap from places like Victoria British. Classic car insurance is also inexpensive for this car.
Car is located in Los Angeles. I have the clear California title in my name. I have too many cars and rarely drive this so it's registered as non-operational. There are no back fees and it is fully insured. No CA smog checks ever either.
Below are the specs and details of the car. Any item marked with an "*" was done during my ownership; everything else was done by the previous owner (PO).
Engine/Drivetrain
- More powerful fully rebuilt 1800cc engine from a late MGB (5-main bearing version)
- Dual HS4 SU carbs
- MGB velocity stacks and K&N air filters *
- NGK plugs and wires *
- Electronic ignition (no more points to adjust) *
- Electric fuel pump with new filter
- Jaz Racing fuel cell in trunk
- 4 speed full synchro MGB manual gearbox (2nd gear synchros are getting weak, not an issue if you don't speed shift it)
- New clutch
- "Tube style" MGB rear axle
- Electric radiator fan with switch at the dash
- Battery replaced
Brakes
- New MGB front disc brake conversion done correctly with MGB spindles and modified MGA shocks *
- rebuilt MGB rear drum brakes
Suspension
- rebuilt MGA front lever shocks by World Wide Auto Parts *
- rebuilt front A-arms (disassembled, cleaned, painted, new hardware and new polyurethane bushings)
- Addco front sway bar with reinforced mounting points *
- New 1" lowering sport front springs (not cut) *
- New rebound buffers front & rear *
- rear tube shock conversion
- New 1" rear lowering blocks & hardware *
- rebuilt rear leaf springs (disassembled, cleaned, painted, polyurethane bushings and isolator pads) *
Body/Exterior
- British Racing Green repaint (driver quality), number circles are painted, union jack on fenders are decals
- No rust on body or frame
- New wooden floor boards
- Exterior battery cutoff switch
- Hood and trunk have exterior release latches
- Rear Sebring race car tail light conversion
- Genuine Raydot side mirror
- Exterior lights are functional, hi/lo beams, fogs, turn signals, brake lights, parking lights
- Horn works
- Leather bonnet strap
Electrical
- Completely rewire with new wiring harness from front to back (no more Lucas electrics). Done correctly with soldered wire ends and joints, shrink wrapped connector ends, relays for low-beam, hi-beam, fog lights, fuel pump and electric fan. Fuse box located under dash and uses modern blade-type fuses. Negative ground system. *
Interior
- MGB front seats w/seat belts
- Added 12V accessory outlet *
- Amco rubber floor mats
- Tachometer, water temp and oil pressure gauges work
- Gauge illumination also works
- Courtesy light *
Wheels/Tires
- New 15x6 Minator wheels*
- Yokohama 195/60R15 A001-R period reproduction tires, very good tread left, re-balanced and new valve stems
Extra Parts Included
- Original taillight plinths (2x)
- Headliner bows (may be missing one)
- New in box carb rebuild kits (2x)
- Original front springs (2x)
- Wiper motor assembly
Things that need work
- Needs speedo cable, odometer doesn't function w/o cable so true mileage is unknown
- Minor 2" split in the center seam on driver's seat, not very noticeable
- No headliner, PO sprayed a rubberized coating instead
- PO cut ABS plastic sheets as interior panels, keep as is or order a new interior kit, makes no functional difference
- Missing key to exterior driver's side door lock
- Both doors need adjustment and perhaps new door latches, originals are tired
- Paint has various blemishes, some dents, patina/driver quality repaint
- Interior rear view mirror is cracked
- Wipers not hooked up, wheel boxes are there and motor is included and fused 12v source has been prewired
- Fuel gauge does not work due to racing fuel cell
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.