MG MGA 1.8L four-cylinder 1955
General description :
1955 MG MGA Mk. I Roadster
True, classic 1955 MGA
Sold on a California actual mileage Title
Frame-off rebuild with upgrades
Two-tone Cream White over Oxblood Red paint, reminiscent of a 1959 LeMans racer, with a black folding top and an Oxblood Red Leather interior with black tonneau
Professionally repainted, color-sanded exterior
Newly rebuilt and dynamically balanced 1.8L MGB four-cylinder engine with approximately 1,800 miles added since rebuild; reportedly has a 20 percent performance boost over standard 1.5L four-cylinder engine
New clutch, disc brakes (using DOT 5 fluid) and modern electrical system
Internal components (crank, rods and head) mag crack inspected
Engine head has been ported and flowed with hardened valve seats
Four-speed manual transmission
Differential upgraded with MGB gearing for better driveability
Documentation includes extensive library of repair and maintenance receipts documenting the rebuild process
Before there were Mazda Miatas or MG Midgets, there was the MG MGA Mark I Roadster. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this first year 1955 model that received a recent frame-off restoration with upgrades, including photo documentation of the restoration. This wonderfully restarted example hails from Escondido, CA and has been with the previous owner for the last 10 years.
The Cream White and Oxblood Red paint and chrome trim are in overall excellent order, with a couple of very minor blemishes. The windows are clear and intact and the black convertible Hartz cloth top has a clear plastic rear window. The roadster’s lights are haze-free and intact while the bodywork is very straight and solid. The engine bay is quite tidy, and highly detailed, the battery appears new and the chrome bumper are in excellent shape and fit tightly to the car’s body.
Under the bonnet is a newly rebuilt and dynamically balanced 1.8L MGB four-cylinder engine with about 1,800 miles on it since the rebuild finished. This 1.8L reportedly has a 20 percent performance gain over the standard 1.5L four-cylinder that came standard in MGAs. The engine and car have the following new components – clutch, disc brakes (using DOT 5 fluid), a modern electrical system, internal engine components like the crankshaft, cylinder rods and head have been mag crack inspected while the engine head has been ported and flowed plus it has hardened valve seats. Backing up this motor is a four-speed manual transmission and a differential upgrade with gearing from a MGB for better driveability.
This show winning roadster rolls on Nexen radials, size 165/80R15 at all four corners and it has new chrome wire wheels with center knock offs. The wheels are in excellent overall condition.
Inside, the Oxblood Red Leather interior is in overall excellent order, the buckets seats look great, the red carpeting backs that impression up, as does the three-spoke wooden steering wheel. The metal instrument panel and inner door liners are all in similar top-notch condition while the center console with armrest looks ready to be used. The shift lever is in very good order and topping off the interior is a JVC AM/FM stereo with CD player and a remote control.
The MGA design dates back to 1951, when MG designer Syd Enever created a streamlined body for George Philips’ TD Le Mans car. The problem with this car was the high seating position of the driver because of the limitations of using the TD chassis. 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 corporate B-Series type allowing a lower bonnet line. The MGA convertible had no exterior door handles, however the coupe had door handles.
It was a body-on-frame design and used the straight-4 “B series” engine from the MG Magnette saloon, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. Suspension was independent with coil springs and wishbones at the front and a rigid axle with semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Steering was by rack-and-pinion. The car was available with either wire-spoked or steel-disc road wheels.
Competition to this MG in 1955 included Chevrolet’s Corvette, Bristol’s 405 Drophead Coupe, Daimler’s Conquest, MG’s own TF, Morgan’s Plus 4 Drophead Coupe and Porsche’s 356.
If you’re longing for a fully restored classic British two-seater that has period correct looks with modern or updated internals, you should swing by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to look this one over.
VIN: HDB4617390
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 95,291 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, actual mileage title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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1955 MG MGA 1.8L four-cylinder is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Fenton (St. Louis) by for $36500.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : MG Model : MGA Model Version : 1.8L four-cylinder Engine size : 1.8 Model Year : 1955 Sub type : Convertible Location : Fenton (St. Louis)
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Seller Information
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About MG
The MG (Morris Garages) story is a rich tapestry that spans several decades and involves various owners and corporate entities. Here is an overview of the MG story from its inception to the challenging period under the British Leyland (BL) corporation, highlighting key models and their specifications:1. Foundation and Early Years:
Year of Establishment: 1924
Founder: Cecil Kimber
Initial Focus: Coachbuilding and customization of Morris cars.
2. MG Octagon Logo:
The iconic MG octagon logo was introduced, representing the merger of MG with Morris.
3. MG M-Type Midget (1929–1932):
Key Features:
Compact two-seater.
Powered by a 0.8L engine.
The beginning of the Midget series.
4. MG T-Series (1936–1955):
Key Models:
MG TA, TB, TC, TD, TF
Key Features:
Roadsters with classic styling.
Success in motorsports, particularly in pre and post-World War II eras.
5. Post-War Era and MG A (1955–1962):
Key Features:
Departure from traditional styling.
First MG to feature a streamlined, modern design.
Available as a roadster or coupe.
Powered by a 1.5L engine.
6. MG B (1962–1980):
Key Features:
Classic British sports car design.
Available as a roadster or GT coupe.
Produced in high numbers.
Variants included the powerful MGC.
7. MG Midget (1961–1979):
Key Features:
Compact sports car based on the Austin-Healey Sprite.
Affordable and popular.
Various iterations with engine upgrades.
8. MG C (1967–1969):
Key Features:
A more powerful version of the MGB, featuring a 2.9L inline-six engine.
Limited production.
9. BL Corporation Era (1968–1980):
Acquisition by British Leyland (BL):
MG became part of the larger British Leyland corporation.
Struggles with quality control and labor disputes.
Decline in product quality and reputation.
10. MG MGB GT V8 (1973–1976):
Key Features:
Introduction of a factory-produced MGB with a V8 engine.
Attempt to inject performance into the lineup during challenging times.
11. MG RV8 (1992–1995):
Key Features:
Limited production convertible.
Revival attempt by Rover Group (successor to BL) to rekindle the classic MG spirit.
The MG story during the British Leyland era marked a challenging period with a decline in quality and reputation. However, the brand continued to be associated with classic British sports cars.