1957 MG MGA

Description

You know this 1957 MGA is a great car because it's been restored TWICE! Obviously it's a joy to drive because the owners just can't seem to stay out of the driver's seat, and as a result, it's fully sorted, beautiful to look at, and if you've been watching the market, you already know that these are appreciating by leaps and bounds.

The first restoration was finished in the early 1990s, and over the intervening two decades, it was a reliable and fun companion. Over the past two years it was given a full makeover, including fresh Antique White paint that captures the vintage feel of the original finish as applied in England, but since it's urethane, it'll probably outlast us all. The MGA was revolutionary for the small automaker, finally incorporating fully integrated fenders while maintaining the sporty styling for which British 2-seaters are justly famous. Fit and finish are well beyond anything that MG was delivering back in the '50s, with tight gaps, doors that close easily without slamming, and a beautiful buffed paint job that makes you want to rub your fingers over a fender. This MGA is also nattily dressed with lots of chrome, from the instantly-recognizable MG grille to the raked windshield to the luggage rack out back that's also quite practical. Taken together, the combination of exceptional paint and all that chrome makes this look like a far more expensive and exotic car.

The gorgeous burgundy leather interior is a wonderful contrast to the Antique White paint, a traditional look that seems especially well-suited to open two-seaters like this. Somehow, only the British seem to have mastered that wonderfully inviting look that makes you want to settle into the bucket seats and feel the soft leather hold you in place during a spirited drive on your favorite country road. Handsome Jaeger gauges might actually be original, and since the steering wheel is also original, that's not too hard to believe. The 4-speed shifter has a delightful mechanical feel that encourages you to wind it out in each gear to listen to the mechanical symphony going on around you. Once glance in the trunk and you'll know this was never a rusty car and in case of inclement weather, there's a neatly tailored black convertible top that's easy to install and erect.

The 1500 cc inline-four was a mainstay of MG sports cars for years and year, and with a fresh rebuild and the dual side-draft SU carbs recently balanced, it runs superbly. The cackling exhaust note is bigger than the engine's size would suggest it should be, but that's the delight of an MG: driving it quickly is an experience you'll savor without having to risk life and limb at insane speeds to do it. With proper MG Maroon paint on the engine and lots of raw aluminum details, it looks quite authentic. There's also a new master cylinder for the brakes, which are effective given the car's weight and performance and a new fuel pump to ensure years of happy motoring. Standard painted steel wheels with hubcaps wear flashy 5.60-15 wide whites just to give the little sports car a dash of class.

Delightful to drive with great ownership support and a rapidly growing fanbase, this MGA is a great opportunity to sample vintage motoring and make a smart investment. Call today!