Lot Ended
Description
Few owners, the current for 40 years; restored in the early 1990s and
only 3,000 miles since; overdrive; lovely mellowed interior; nice
paintwork; just needs using!
First seen in
1967, the MGC was BMC's attempt to plug the gap left in its range following the
demise of the Healey 3000, without having to go to too much trouble. Using a
tuned version of the C-Series engine found in the Austin 3-Litre saloon, it
produced 145bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a
top speed of 120mph.
Never properly
marketed by BMC, the MGC was quietly shelved in 1969 after just 8,999 examples
had been built, half of them roadsters and half GTs. Nowadays though, because of
these low production numbers, the MGC is keenly sought after. With modern tyres
and a few subtle suspension tweaks the handling can be transformed and, with a
strong torquey engine, they make excellent high speed
cruisers.
The Heritage Certificate shows that
this MGC GT left the factory in May 1968 destined for Bradburn & Wedge Ltd
of Wolverhampton. Equipped with wire wheels, overdrive and a heater, it was
originally finished in Mineral Blue with a black interior.
Although the V5C records just two former keepers, photocopies of
older logbooks show that it had three owners (perhaps four, the addresses are
hard to read) before our vendor acquired it way back in January 1984 by which
time it had already been repainted red.
In 1990
the car was sent to RG Restorations of Middlesborough for a full restoration
which took almost two years to complete. The full extent of the work carried out
is too detailed to list in full here but is amply covered in invoices, photos
and correspondence on file.
Finished and back on
the road in October 1992, it has been very sparingly used since, old MOTs
implying that it has only covered around 3,000 miles in the last 22 years, with
a few invoices for routine upkeep. Always kept garaged, it has been barely used
at all in the last 5 years.
We are told that it
was treated to a degree of recommissioning shortly before the sale, including a
brake system overhaul and tuning of the carbs. Once warmed up, it has been
running very sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with good 40psi oil
pressure.
As you can see in the photos, it looks
most attractive with nicely mellowed red leather seats, good carpets, super
crackle-finish dash and a very tidy engine bay. The body looks reassuringly
straight and solid with no signs of rust and good brightwork. The paint finish
is nice and shiny with just some slight microblistering on the scuttle panel
ahead of the front windscreen (as pictured).
Altogether a most attractive MGC, from long-term ownership, with a
super ‘old car’ interior that is just crying out for more regular
use.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – [email protected]