1957 MGA MG A 1500 Wire Wheel Roadster Very Good Tyrolite Green Survivor 57

1957 MG MGA Additional Info:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY:

Am 76 and it's time to let go of my British car collection. Started collecting cars about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, original paint, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. Hard task, as many were pummeled junk or so called "restored" cars. Good true original survivors have disappeared and the majority of the leftovers are either weekend restored cars, rusty beaters, money pits or overpriced trailer queens with a dubious history. An unrestored original, even though it may have some faults, gives you an accurate assessment of it's overall REAL condition along with plenty of character (or the nauseating word "patina"). This MGA is one of those cars. Recently brought out of it's 27 year storage and recommissioned for road use. Fresh originality, nothing is hidden and it is not something that was put together with Chinese parts, body filler and glitzy paint covering who knows what. It is an authentic two owner (am technically the 3rd owner) 1957 MGA, matching numbers, mostly original factory paint, unrestored, unmodified, original survivor roadster as shown. I purchased the car from a lady in Marietta Georgia over 26 years ago. She bought the car from the original owner who bought it new in the State of Washington. She had the engine rebuilt in Atlanta and was getting ready to have the car painted when I purchased it. So the engine/clutch/trans are still in good order even after being in storage for 27 years. It runs and drives very well. It has not been driven down the road because of insurance/licensing - it has been driven quite a bit up and down my 1/10 mile steep driveway and it may need (may not) minor sorting out or just exercise/driving for proper road use. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate which shows that it is a matching numbers car in the original Tyrolite Green color (excellent color - am tired of the standard colors) with a black interior and blue convertible top. (yes, blue - that's what the Certificate shows). Original equipment was: Wire wheels, heater, adjustable steering column, whitewall tyres and Cellulose paint. Built April 5-8, 1957 and shipped April 8, 1957. If you have an uncle in the paint business this is the perfect car for you. Please read the complete description so you will understand all conditions and any issues. I will answer all email questions.

As of this writing Hagertys classic car values list the value for the 1957 MGA roadster at: Fair: $9,600. Good: $20,100. Excellent: $35,400. Concours: $48,400. This is also a good investment as the value will probably increase over time.

There are more cars and motorcycles that will be on my ebay at a later date including A beautiful one owner green 1965 TR4A, beautiful one owner Primrose yellow 1972 Jaguar XKE coupe, Green 1968 MGC 4 speed overdrive roadster, Powder blue Triumph TR3 roadster, 1974 Laverda 750SFC competition motorcycle and a tandem axle car trailer - don't miss them.

ENGINE:

The engine is the original factory matching number unit, serial # BP15GB19089. The drive train was rebuilt about 27 years ago and the car put in storage shortly after that, with proper internal preservation oiling procedures followed, so the engine is in exceptionally good order. Starts and runs perfectly with high oil pressure when warm. No smoke or noises. Oil level is full and is clear - and has not been changed with fresh oil. Idles well and has excellent throttle response. Very good healthy engine. Carburetors were disassembled, cleaned and adjusted during recommissioning.

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH/DIFFERENTIAL:

Transmission is the factory original. Goes through all gears very well. Brand new clutch master and slave cylinders were installed recently in the recommissioning process. Rear axle/differential is the original. Smooth, no noise, grinding, clunking or other issues on anything.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

Nice, straight solid and original. No accident damage anywhere. Inner fenders straight and undamaged. Incoming flexible fuel lines are new - originals were removed because they were brittle. Original paint throughout - no rattle can blackout. Original wiring. Original Lucas fuel pump was rebuilt. New 12 volt battery - positive ground. Both original 6 volt battery boxes are intact and in good order. New battery will need to be fitted properly.

TRUNK COMPARTMENT:

Trunk bottom is solid. Scale surface rust only. The original 60 year old Semperit whitewall spare tire, wire wheel is still there. Trunk lid underside is original factory paint.

BODY PANELS, SHEET METAL:

All panels are in original good condition with some lower rust as shown. RF fender - low surface rust - nothing through. Headlight area hs filler from a fender bender. RR fender - lower rust through on dog leg and very small bottom area. Right rocker - rust through - patchable. Right door - bottom excellent. LF fender - low surface rust, nothing through. LR fender - Dog leg rust through. Left rocker - Very small 1/8" holes on top. Left door - bottom solid. Front valance - solid with some dents. Rear valance - Solid with a few small dents and a 4 inch rip. She had a small fender bender in the right front headlight area years ago and there is body filler in that area - dents, not rust.

EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:

The chrome is original and still in decent useable driver condition. The fuel tank is the original and is clean as a whistle inside.

PAINT:

Very very poor, but most of the paint is still the factory original. Scratches, nicks and bare metal were touched up and painted over just for additional protection. Useable as is for a driiver or have uncle Mario repaint to your satisfaction.

INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:

The interior is in decent original useable condition but a new interior kit would really be nice for this car. Leather seats are still decent but hard with a couple rips and the bottoms are good originals. The lady owner was short so she had the drivers seat recovered in period vinyl with a lot of extra padding for increased height. The seat track assemblys are there and in excellent condition. All of the floorboards are original and in amazingly good dry condition. No carpeting. Needs door panels and upholstery - old ones are there but would be good enough for patterns only.

DASH AREA:

Dashboard is original and quite nice. Odometer shows 44498 miles. All original gauges are there and are working. Here is what works: Horn, turn signals (miracle), Tachometer and Speedometer, temperature gauge, ammeter, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, ignition switch, start button, glove box lock, dash lights, heater fan, generator and turn signal dash lights, choke, windshield wipers.

ELECTRICAL:

Original wiring appears to be completely intact. No butchering to be seen anywhere. New 12 volt battery - system still on positive ground. Battery needs to be fitted properly. Both 6 volt battery boxes are intact and in good condition - Original Lucas fuel pump has been rebuilt and is in it's proper original place. All lights, turn signals, electrical systems work well.

GLASS:

Windshield is in good order and unbroken/uncracked. There are no side curtains. Nobody uses them anyway.

CHASSIS:

The frame is simply excellent, straight and complete from front to back with only minor surface rust.

TOP:

The top bows are excellent and undamaged. The top is very old but still useable with a taped over 5" rip on the passenger side.

WHEELS/TIRES:

Original 48 spoke wire wheels (5). Tires are junk but hold air. Spare tire is the original 60 year old Semperit whitewall. Not worth anything but amazing that it is there.

AIR CONDITIONING:

None. Aftermarket air conditioners are available if desired - the new units are excellent, compact and very efficient.

SUSPENSION/BRAKES/STEERING:

New rubber brake hoses. Brakes were new 26 years ago and still function OK.

EXHAUST:

Still very good - sounds nice and healthy.

FACTORY ID PLATE:

The original ID plates are all good and unmodified. The vehicle serial number is HDT43/28946. Engine number is BP15GB/19089. (This is the correct original engine).

PAPERWORK:

The car does have a clear proper Washington State title in the original owners name, signed over to the lady who bought the car and has a correct Georgia registration in the name of the 2nd lady owner. Includes the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate which shows that it is a correct matching numbers car in the original Tyrolite Green color (excellent color - am tired of the standard colors) with a black interior and blue convertible top. (yes, blue - that's what the Certificate shows). Original equipment was: Wire wheels, heater, adjustable steering column, whitewall tyres and Cellulose paint. Built April 5-8, 1957 and shipped April 8, 1957. Includes all of the bills from Moss Motors for the new parts.

REVIEW:

An attractive surviving roadster that has not been modified or abused through it's life. Just the kind of car I would be wanting if I could start over again. Pulled out of storage and recommissioned for use. Can be used as a fun driver as it stands or rebooted in many ways while driving if desired. If you have a contact in the car painting business this would be a very easy and cheap solution to getting a stunning early MGA with little investment.

INSPECTION OF CAR:

As always, it is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. If you elect not to do this you will have one of three outcomes after purchasing the car. #1. The car will be exactly as you thought it would be from the auction description and photos and you and I will be happy. #2. The car will be less than you thought it would be and you and I will be unhappy. #3. The car will be more than you thought it would be and you and I will be more than happy. I can accomodate anyone to show them the car. It is described to the best of my ability along with many good photos but it is the bidders ultimate responsibility to ensure that what he thinks he is getting is indeed one in the same and something he will be happy with. I have purchased and sold roughly 27 autos/motorcycles through ebay over the past 19 years and also many more over the telephone and have always had excellent results and complete satisfaction from the buyers but I do my due diligence and suggest you do the same.

SHIPPING:

I have shipped many cars to all parts of the world over the years and can assist the buyer with transport or completely arrange transport. The car is in a secure place at my home and it can be collected there. I can assist with loading.

PAYMENT & BIDDING:

Contact me if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. The balance is due within 3 days via a bank cashiers check or wire transfer. Full payment is to be made IN ADVANCE of collecting the car. IN ADVANCE, BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE CAR - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it. When the auction is over payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. The car is at my home and can be left here for up to 30 days at no charge before collection. After that I have the option of charging a storage fee.

SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE CAR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES