MGA Vintage convertible

1959 MG MGA Description

I'm offering my '59 MGA for sale. My vintage car journey is common, single and restoring several cars and motorcycles. I spent 5 years working on a frame off MGA, then sold it when I had my first baby. Fast forward 12 years and I found this car in Saint Louis and bought it on the spot as shown. The weather in Kansas City has been amazing this winter, and I have been able to enjoy this car as my daily driver. I recently retired and sold my architecture firm, and would like to focus on my motorcycles, Land Rover Series II's, and the E-type, so my wife and I decided it's time to part with this little toy.
While driving the car on the highway and backroads every day, here are my findings:
Overall someone did a pretty awesome job on this car. I wouldn't say it's restored, but quite driveable.
The car speeds along nicely with the MGB engine and has plenty of power to keep up with modern traffic. I'm clipping along at 80 in the photo with the highway (but the gauges don't show it because they don't work!)
It stays warm under the tonneau with the heater and heater fan working properly. I keep one side of the cover unzipped on the cockpit drivers side when it is really cold out.
Be ready to get waives, thumbs up, and people almost running off the road paying more attention to the '59 A than driving!
The brakes work like new, which is just awful. Frankly the car is too fast for how bad the drum brakes are on this thing.
Mileage is unknown.
The radiator coolant looks good, bright fluorescent green. No overheating problems even after averaging 75 miles per hour for an hour each way into the city each day.
I put a new electronic ignition and new ignition wires on the car.
The engine does not produce any smoke or make any weird noises.
The tires and wheels look good and have plenty of grip. I think they are out of balance though, because there is a shimmy when driving 58 to 62 miles per hour that goes away at 65 and up. Driving is smooth at 75 and I drive 80 max so not sure above that.
There are a few minor touch ups in the otherwise quality paint.
The speedo and tach either are not hooked up or don't work. I use a gps speedometer and never tried to troubleshoot the gauges. The fuel gauge isn't accurate. The oil pressure is strong, and the temp gauge works properly.
Looking under the car, it has been painted black. The exhaust pipe is rusty but looks solid. I wonder if the previous owner was 10 years old, because there is some welding under the transmission that looks like it was done with a "Holly Hobby my first welder" kit. This needs fixed as your first project on the car. Safety item. It's possibly the worst welding job I've ever seen, and of course MotoExotica didn't tell me about it when I bought the car even though I'm a repeat customer. Apologies for the rant. I paid $29,000 for the car so after taxes just over $30k. Someone is getting a great deal for sure.
It has a sport exhaust on it that sounds like a vintage airplane when you punch the throttle up a hill. Absolutely awesome.
The chrome has some pitting and chips.
On some days, the transmission will pop out of third gear. It's usually when you rev high in third. The gearbox works as it should to engage first thru fourth and reverse.
The parking brake works.
The doors and bonnet open and close as they should.
It does not have a hand engine crank or jack accessory. I also bought it with no side curtains or full top and frame, and I don't mind because I love tonneau covers. All of that stuff and much more are available at Moss and Victoria.
I haven't had a chance to take a bunch of photos yet so I uploaded what I had on hand. More photos will be coming soon.
I have shipped cars and motorcycles all over the world, and international buyers are very welcome. I can drop off the car wherever you would like to ship from by driving it or using my car hauler.
I encourage any buyer to take my comments with a grain of salt, and have a paid professional mechanic inspect the car for a real report. It's money well spent to manage your expectations regarding this 60 year old machine. You are welcome to come visit me also and test drive the car with a $35,000 deposit before the test drive. Years ago I had a gentleman TOTAL my motorcycle on a test drive, and had no money to pay for it! Lesson learned.