1961 MG MGA

1961 MG MGA MK1 1600 Introduced for 1956 model year, the MGA roadster replaced the aging T-Series cars. Powered by a 68 horsepower 1,489cc overhead valve engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission it featured independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering and a solid rear axle with leaf springs. Braking was by hydraulic drums at all corners. The final iteration of the MGA was the 1600 Mk II, with a 90 horsepower 1,622cc engine, and minor styling changes. The higher performance MGA Twin Cam was produced from 1958 into 1960 with a 108 horsepower twin cam engine and four wheel disc brakes. Thx Hagerty.com For consignment, a 1961 MG MGA MK1 1600 showing 7,321 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This garage kept beauty is a one family owned MGA. 1961 MGAs are split between the MK1 1600's and the MK2 1600's which were introduced in late 1961 with a 1622cc engine. Exterior Old English White is the official name of the paint here and it's a fitting name for an elegant little British sports car. A long hood that takes the shoulder line and slopes down to a low topped door, then rising again seamlessly on rising rear fenders is textbook British design and will forever look good. The lack of external door handles is an esthetic plus here while side mirrors are mounted on cowl and virtually disappear against the windshield frame. Rear tail lights protrude from the back fenders in their own, color keyed housing while chrome bumpers contour to end lines and contain a pair of bumperettes front and rear. 15-inch chrome wire wheels are the only way to go, and they look right at home topped with knock offs. The white canvas soft top has discolored over time and could use a good cleaning while the three plastic windows are slightly hazed. Imperfections include chips, paint runs, minor bubbling, orange peel, various scratches, and cracking paint. Interior Oxblood is the interior color and a fantastic contrast to the white exterior, here beginning with simple vinyl clad door panels with large openings, leading to stitched bucket seats in very good condition. A padded band of Oxblood vinyl lines the top edge of the dashboard and travels back over the doors spilling over slightly to appear on the exterior. Up front, a three spoke wood rimmed steering wheel fronts a white painted dash panel with simple black gauges and a series of black knobs, each showing some light patina. A low pile black carpet covers the floor and houses the shifter with rubber boot on the transmission tunnel and the driver is afforded an elbow rest. In the clean trunk, we find glass windows and a tonneau cover for the stowed soft top. Drivetrain Oxblood paint covers the valve cover of the 1588cc inline four cylinder under the bonnet. It's in driver quality esthetic condition and puts our 80 horsepower with rebuilt dual 1-barrel carburetors. A 4-speed manual sets things in motion and sends power to the rear axle with 4.30 gears. Undercarriage Surface rust coats the gas tank in back as well as the leaf springs in back and parts of the frame and front suspension. There's some residual oil on the rear differential and the wood floors are in good condition. Disc brakes are used up front with drums in the back. A single exhaust wears a clean stock style muffler and the system terminates with a short tailpipe in back. There's some flaking rust on the inner rocker panel in back but the door bottoms are clear. Suspension includes the aforementioned leaf springs out back and coil springs in the front. Drive-Ability This spry little sports car doesn't disappoint with its powerful little engine, classically comfortable cabin, and stately good looks. We row the shifter and take the MG around the test loop where it handles very well and your proximity to the ground makes things feel a lot faster than the speedometer implies. But we note some dragging of the brakes and the pedal itself is soft. Beyond that, all functional items on the car opera