1958 MG MGA

1958 MG MGA Roadster The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until 1962.  The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a complete styling break from MG's earlier sports cars.  Announced on 26 September 1955 the car was officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  A total of 101,081 units were marketed through the end of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were exported. 5869 cars were sold on the home market, and the MGA was replaced by the MGB.  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 B-series engine allowing a lower bonnet line.  The MGA convertible had no exterior door handles, however the coupe had door handles. For consignment, a restored in the 1990's small cruiser with its British Motor Industry Trust certificate, workshop manual, and a phonebook's worth of restoration receipts and photos, all in 1958 MGA roadster form.  All correct on the chrome and body front, coming with its side curtains, a nice convertible top, a wonderfully tasteful interior black coloring accenting the classic British Racing Green color change exterior, and 1958 never looked so good! Exterior The MGA was a big step forward for the British automaker and somewhat shocking to MG fans around the globe.  Our example, the second to last year for the MGA 1500, continued to stun crowds with its persuasive yet delicate flowing lines all bathed in a nicely applied color change application of British Racing Green that is showing well to this day with a few stone chips, scuffs, and scrapes.  Starting up front with the raked back waterfall style grille which melts its way into the rounded peak fenders with their chrome bezel headlights we are in late 50's English bliss.  Just below this steel and chrome artwork is a clean bumper with added bumperettes.  Moving down the sides, a swooping body line melts into the highly arched rear fenders creating a soft Vee shape that keeps eyes drawn and hearts pounding.  These sides, devoid of all chrome and trimmings save for the front quarter top venting, achieve artistic perfection with the sculpted lines as they frame the restored gray drilled wheels and blackwall rubber in 15-inch format.  A black vinyl top with clear plastic windows and additional side curtains are present and accounted for in case you hit a spot of inclement weather.  We do note areas of tearing in the top, but they are slight and do not require a full top replacement at this point.  On the back is the rear curved bumper stretching from fender to fender with its near perfect bumperettes, oval tail lights, and chrome MG badge gracing the trunk lid. Interior Reaching in and pulling the door release strap we are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in the form of black leather tuck and roll low back bomber style bucket seats with a hint of wrinkling to the upholstery and the handbrake tucked neatly between the passenger's seat and thickly padded center hump.   An oak eyebrow curved dash, also draped in black sports a litany of gauges which pepper a black leather curved panel along with the heater controls, and MG badge over wood in front of the passenger.  Our consignor notes that the original metal dash face plate is included with your purchase.  This is