I wanted an MGA from the moment one drove by in front of me as a boy. So, in 1993 I bought one that otherwise would be destined for the scrap heap. It was a mass of rust and body-filler. I brought her back from the dead, so to speak.

Is my MGA concours? No, not by a long shot. But she is a pretty daily driver (well, Hagerty Insurance won't let me drive her daily, as some of you will know). She does have matching numbers, though. I could have put in a replacement motor, but I chose to have the original rebuilt so that the body, chasis and motor would all match the original car which was built in late 1956 for the 1957 model year.

So, you are buying a car that starts every time, runs really well and like every British sports car - leaks a little oil. The needles on the oil/water temp gauge read steady, exactly where they should. She doesn't overheat, like a lot of MGAs. I cruise along at 160*- 170*, and it might creep up to 185* if I am sitting in traffic on a really hot day. I can't get the square end of the speedo cable to stay lodged in the side of the gauge, so it may have to be replaced... and the odometer hasn't worked since it rolled over 26K sometime in its distant past. But I don't hold that against her.

I confess that my tool chest toppled into the side of the driver's front fender and left a nasty scar and it has only rec'd a temporary cosmetic response from me. Most people don't see it immediately, but its all I see now when I go out in the garage. I know you can't see it in the pictures, but trust me its there. Eventually, as a new enthusiastic owner, you will want to redo the body work... but she still looks good for the time being. I am constantly having people shout out from the sidewalks, 'Nice car!' I have taken it on a couple of three-hour trips with no issues whatsoever.

She is mostly original, but there is a new electronic ignition hidden inside a classic-style distributor, an electronic fuel pump, and a modern spin-off oil filter rather than the old paper style.

She has new bumpers, new windshield glass, a new radiator and fan, a new gas tank, straps and sending unit, as well as a new wiring harness. Last year I put on new 60-spoke rims and new rubber and she rolls along so smoothing... ah! I'm going to miss it. The new exhaust purrs in that unique MGA way, and the heat is deflected nicely by a shield under the driver's seat and Dynamat under the new carpet. I re-upholstered the interior in new leather, and the rag top is also new.

My MGA has only been out in the rain twice since I put her back on the road... not on purpose, but I did get caught those two times so I know the wipers work! There is no rust. During the body-on restoration, I blasted the frame and body with a soda blaster (not sand or plastic), and painted it with POR15, or whatever that super expensive rust inhibiting paint is called.

There are new 'F' sections, that is sills and pillars, on both sides as well as rocker panels and other body parts where they were needed. Like every old classic, it is a work in progress and there is always something fun to work on, plan for, and tinker with.

Why am I selling this car? Because I am moving into a condo and I have no garage any more. Don't pity me, though, because I'm using the proceeds to buy some land... which I want more than the car.

Hagerty appraised it at 24K, but I think it is worth 19K, even though I have over 24K into it... at the very least. So, please, no low-ballers. I won't even respond to those... I'm a military chaplain so I have told you the truth about this car. Bring in an offer of 19K and its yours... I would ask more, but that driver's front fender is haunting me.

1957 Mga 1500 Convertible on 2040-cars

MG MGA for Sale