Lot Ended
Description
A smart GT
in a lovely colour scheme with some choice mechanical upgrades; only 13k miles
since major restoration including rebuilt engine and bare metal repaint;
overdrive; power steering
First
registered in July 1969, this MGC GT is one of only 4,457 examples made by MG
during a two-year production span, the last GT leaving the factory in August
1969.
From 2014 – 2021 it was owned by well-known Austin-Healey
specialist, Kevin Law, proprietor of Orchard Restorations in East Sussex.
Although the car was already in good condition when Mr Law acquired it (the
history file has dozens of invoices back to the late ‘90s to show regular
upkeep), he embarked on a major bout of fettling to bring it up to the standard
he required.
This is all detailed in invoices
and notes on file and we can only give you a brief summary here. The car was
stripped back to bare metal and repainted in Grampian Grey, a lovely period
colour that suits it really well. The only new panel required was the N/S front
wing which had been badly repaired in the past. Various new trim parts were also
fitted and once finished, the body was thoroughly Waxoyl treated and a new set
of 72-spoke wire wheels were fitted.
The
six-cylinder engine was completely stripped and rebuilt with new pistons, timing
chain etc, the cylinder head was gas-flowed and a new uprated camshaft and new
cam followers were fitted. A six-branch Motorsport exhaust manifold was also
fitted, along with a twin pipe sports exhaust system and a Pertronix ignition
kit. Tuned on a rolling road, the car was found to produce an additional 30bhp,
along with a better torque curve (MG claimed 145bhp and 170lb/ft for a standard
C).
The braking system was completely rebuilt
with new discs, caliper pistons, cylinders, servo etc, and the brake and clutch
cylinders were also replaced and modified to improve the awkward arrangement on
the standard car. The twin 6v batteries were replaced by a single 12v
high-capacity battery relocated from under the rear seats to the engine bay. It
was also fitted with power steering and the geometry was re-set, Mr Law noting
that: ‘the handling of the car was transformed – really good!’.
On the inside it got new black leather seats
with head rests, new foams and diaphragms, a new headlining and a new wood-rim
steering wheel. Other features include a modern retro-style radio, twin
electronic fuel pumps, a battery cut-off switch, Healey-type overdrive switch on
the alloy gear knob (which functions as it should), Brantz rally tripmeter,
Garmin satnav and twin cigar lighter power points.
Our vendor, who also owns a Healey 3000 and a classic Jaguar, was
already acquainted with Mr Law and bought the MGC from him in July 2021, a note
from Mr Law admitting that the MG was a much better car for modern road
conditions than the Healey he had owned for 25 years… (Shhh, we won’t
mention it if you don’t! – Ed).
He has
continued to look after the car well and has improved it still further,
including fitting a new set of bespoke grey wool carpets, getting the door tops
retrimmed in black vinyl and having hazard warning lights fitted.
Since the rebuild was completed, the car has
only covered some 13,000 miles and has been starting promptly and running well
as we have moved it around on site. Always kept garaged in the current
ownership, it comes with two sets of keys, a workshop manual, a four-layer car
cover and sundry useful spares. There are also 9 old MOTs, the last of which
expired in May 2023 with no advisories recorded (nor has it had any advisories
in the last 10 years) and it is, of course, now MOT-exempt.
Only reluctantly for sale because the vendor has reached that time
of life when he no longer has the energy to look after three classic cars, this
smart and sensibly uprated MGC will bring a lot of pleasure to its fortunate new
owner.
For more information contact James
on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com