1959 MGA 1500 Fixed Head Coupe - Drivable Dream

1959 MG MGA

1959 MGA 1500 Coupe Drivable Dream

Up for sale is my original unrestored 1959 MGA 1500 Coupe that I refer to as a “Drivable Dream”. This is a matching numbers rare original unmolested coupe (fixed hardtop) model. There were only 9,922 coupes produced out of 101,081 MGA total production (1/10th of production), only 660 North American Exports coupes were produced in 1959 out of a total of 6,272 1500 coupes produced in total which makes this car actually pretty rare and a very desirable collector car that will continue to appreciate in value.

Just turn the key and go! Runs and drives great. Lovingly maintained and enjoyed by a friend for the past 30 years in RI. Unrestored Original Unmolested Rust free and Accident Free!

According to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate (Birth Certificate), this MGA was built on September 20, 1958 and dispatched to the US on December 11, 1958, VIN: HMR43/56687. All ID plates on the car match the BMIHT certificate nos. which match the transferable registration that is in my name. Car still retains its Old English White paint color with Black interior. Dash, gauges, all knobs and switches and door panels are original and operational.

Mechanicals: After replacing and upgrading the parts listed below, the car now drives good and can be driven anywhere. It was lovingly maintained and enjoyed by a friend of mine in Rhode island for the past 30 years.

This engine idles at 800 rpm and is a smooth runner and a very quick starter. Turn the key, pull out the choke and with one pull of the starter the car comes to life. It revs quickly with a terrific exhaust note. The engine valves were adjusted with new plugs, wires cap and rotor. The cooling system runs cool. Brakes were completely rebuilt with new front and rear pads and lines and the car stops straight and fast. Steering and shocks are in good shape. Its truly a “Drivable Dream”. The ride is quiet and enjoyable. The 15 inch vintage Moto-lita steering wheel makes all the difference in driving comfort for me. I have driven on a 150 miles day trip and it was a performed flawlessly, a real pleasure.

Oil pressure is good and it revs quickly to 5500 rpms and the engine runs cool and doesn’t overheat. Lights, horn signals and gauges all work. The original water temp gauge was disconnected and a modern gauge added below the dash. This can easily be reversed if desired.

This car also has solid steel wheels and feels and drives with a more stable feel than the weak 48 spoke wire wheels that are usually mounted on MGA's that give it a bouncy ride.You can literally drive this car at 60-80 mph all day long. It has a comfortable road feel at cruising speed and a nice sounding crisp exhaust note. I’m 6 feet 2 inches and 200 lbs and I fit very comfortable with my legs straight out and comfortable seat cushion.

The following are recent upgrades, new parts, included parts:

· New accelerator cable

n · New fuel lines and filters – I use 100 Octane non-ethanol racing fuel

· New tune up parts (distributor and ignition wires, cap, rotor, spark plugs, Lucas Sport Ignition Coil) oil change and new oil filter – I use Valvoline VR1 racing oil 20/50 with Zinc.

· Oil filter conversion with FRAM oil filter, New air filters

· New brake shoes, brake lines, flex lines and bleed nipples.

· New heater hoses

· Lucas Tripod H4 Halogen headlights

· New Voltage Regulator

· New Battery

· Front windshield rubber and rare glass rubber installed along with chrome trim. All glass and chrome are original to the car.

· Orignal steering wheel included (Vintage 1970's Moto-Lita steering wheel fitted ($500 value)

· Original starter crank and spare wheel jack included

· BMIHT certificate included (birth certificate)

· Original 1958/1959 New York License Plates

· 4 new tires (165x15) come with the car

· Misc original parts

Body: Body and Frame are RUST FREE, straight and accident free including the seat rails, inner and outer sills and rocker panels. The three photos just show some surface rust nothing more anywhere underneath. All the wood floors are solid with no rot. The car was repainted its original Old English White color in the 1980’s from what I am told. Paint is old but has great patina, looks good from 10 feet but is presentable. It has some minor paint touch ups, dings and imperfections. What makes this car special is it’s an honest runner that has not been modified in any way. Trunk area, wheel wells, frame rails, inner and outer sills are all rust free and accident free? Primer still shows in trunk and engine compartment as a testament to its originality. Spare tire cover is original which is rarely seen. Doors close really nice and tight, door gap lines are as good as they get. Window regulators work fine. Quarter window rubber needs to be installed but are operational as well.Front windshield glass, lights, lenses, and all chrome including front grill, bumpers and bumperettes, are original and in good condition.The front rubber glass and trim were just replaced along with the rear rubber and three piece glass panels and chrome trim and look perfect. These glass panels are very difficult to replace and rarely look this good.

Interior: The interior in the car is nice and full of patina. The dash, wooden door caps, door panels are original. Seats appear to have been reupholstered but are in good condition. Dash looks great with all working original gauges, buttons, and knobs. Wood cockpit rails are in good condition with a nice tight fit. Doors close nice and tight. The Moto-Lita wheel is from the 1970-1980’s (super expensive now at $500) and I have the original steering wheel. Carpet is in good condition as well. The spare tire and original tire cover are in the trunk along with a new battery.

Closing: This is a 65-year-old car so it is sold “AS IS” with no expressed or implied warrantee or guarantees. I am not a broker or a dealer so this is a private sale that is final. It is sold “WHERE IS” in Huntington, New York and if transported will be the cost of the buyer. You are welcome to see and drive the car to insure 100% satisfaction.

MGA coupes are very sought after by collectors and car enthusiasts and are rapidly appreciating for original unrestored cars, which are all the rave at auctions such as Barret Jackson, Bonhams and Mecums. Hagerty Insurance Co has an agreed upon value of $30,000. MGA coupes sold on BAT range from $18K to $45K. This car is priced fair and reasonable at the Buy it now price.

I have a current valid transferrable New York state registration. If you are a serious buyer and have any questions or need any detailed photos, please call or text me at 631-339-3349 or contact me through email by asking me a question. Thanks for your interest. Dave.