Saleofcar.com :MG

MG MGA (1959)
for sale

Price: US $2,300.00

Description:

This is a 1959 MG MGA that I bought from out of an Equestrian's workshop in April to either complete the electrical and use as a driver (instead of another MGA I have) or to resell. I now took an executive position in healthcare and don't have time to look at it, so pursuing a sale. Frame off restoration about 90% complete (had to finally sell due to cancer). Frame was blasted and painted, now has some surface corrosion visible but solid. The complete power-train was professionally rebuilt by Quality Coaches in Minneapolis (some of it being done by the owner of QC before the shop existed). New everything - polished cam, crank, pistons, rods, rings, bearings, oil pump, clutch, drum brakes, transmission seals (the hard to get at ones that most people skip). All new peripherals- water pump, generator, regulator, distributor, electrical/wiring harness (front lights and some electrical needs wiring yet, dash and tail lights/signals have been wired for test driving). Original SU carbs have been rebuilt. I have a folder with about $11, 000 in receipts that came with the car. New (within last 6 years?) red leather seats with a horseshoe stitching (hence, jockey owner) on one of the seats (see pic). Tires are also like new. I was told that they need to be balanced but didn't notice any shake when I drove it.
The owner would occasionally take it out on a 10 miles drive in the country despite not being finished, licensed, or insured and he estimates about 100 miles on it since rebuild. I was able to get it started and running good (this is the quickest starting MGA I've seen). It would initially flood but I cleaned the carb floats/valves and was able to take it down the highway but it would die eventually due to not charging. A common problem is dirty brushes in the generator causing this, which is likely since it is all new but has been sitting a long time. Carburetor gaskets/seals/grommets need to be replaced from sitting/lack of use, they leak and drip gasoline when running - a fire hazard. This is a $20 kit and easy to complete. The choke needs to be adjusted, it would run better when left slightly engaged. Leaks oil, presume due to sitting/lack of use. I'm not sure where it is coming from but presume a seal/gasket needs to be replaced. This is almost a right of passage for a MG. As mentioned above, its has countless scratches, some minor dents, and some paint work needed. I had planned to use touch up paint where absolutely needed and leave the rest as is to give the vintage racer patina/character. I also put on a speedscreen and I removed the front and rear bumpers. One of the pics has masking tape which was going to be a template for a white nose like a sebring along with some other vintage livery but I did not finish. I left the carpet and interior trim out in keeping with race theme. There is a hole in the bulkhead that was cut out (going from cabin to trunk) - not sure why.
I lot of time and money (30 years and $20, 000 in parts, labor, bodywork, respectively) have been put into it. Time has taken some of it away. I personally would finish the electrical and use as a driver and enjoy it but its a long way down the restoration track if one would want to complete. I'm likely forgetting or not aware of some things, both good and bad. It is what it is; a beautiful piece of automotive history and British racing heritage. It's a treat just to look at.
I no longer have email alerts through EBAY as I don't have the original email address associated with it, but you can email me at rossbhemmer@yahoo.com or I will check ebay messages as able.
_{update: 2015-09-09}