Lot 045: 1959 MG A TWIN CAM ROADSTER

Introduced in Autumn 1955, the MGA Roadster married a proven chassis design derived from its TD/TF predecessors (independent coil and wishbone front suspension and a 'live' rear axle) to the new B-series four-cylinder, pushrod OHV engine first seen in the Magnette saloon. Borrowing cues from the Abingdon factory's successful EX182 prototype racers (fifth and sixth in class at that year's Le Mans) its wonderfully elegant styling ensured strong sales on both sides of the Atlantic. Continually updated, the MGA range was joined by Coupe and 'Twin-Cam' variants in 1956 and 1958 respectively. Conceived as a performance flagship, the latter was engineered by Gerald Palmer. As well as the (jewel-like) double-overhead camshaft cylinder head that its name implied, the model boasted an enlarged 1588cc engine capacity, up-rated suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and bespoke centre-lock Dunlop steel road wheels (which were strongly reminiscent of those fitted to Jaguar's D-type racer). Developing some 108bhp @ 6,700rpm, the 'Twin-Cam' was reputedly capable of a Big Healey worrying 113mph. Yet for all its performance, the newcomer only enjoyed limited sales success (MG making just 2,111 out of the 2,500 originally envisaged with a mere 360 or so cars going to the home market). Hamstrung by a high price tag and some well publicised teething problems, the 'Twin-Cam' was phased out in 1960. Today, it is among the most sought after of all post-WW2 MGs. Finished in red with grey leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "fair" (interior trim), "fair to good" (paintwork), "good" (electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, wheels / tyres) or "very good" (engine, four-speed gearbox) condition. Downgraded to MGA pushrod power by the time it entered the current ownership in 1977, '7939 CD' was reportedly treated to a "chassis up restoration" (including the installation of a correct-type MGA Twin Cam unit) shortly thereafter. Resident at the Bridgnorth Museum during the mid-1980s, the Roadster had its engine thoroughly overhauled in 1988 by renowned Twin-Cam expert Peter Woods of Westwood Putway Garage. Subsequently driven on a number of European MSA-type rallies (though, recent usage has been more local), it benefits from the highly prized close-ratio gearbox as well as a telescopic rear shock absorber conversion and louvred bonnet (the latter apparently making the car run five degrees cooler). Summed up as a "well sorted old friend", this home market MGA Twin-Cam Roadster is offered for sale with workshop manual, original bonnet, MOT certificate valid until August 6th 2007 and historic class (free) road tax valid until July 2007.