1956 MGA Mark 1500 Roadster

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|10 September 2022, 14:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1956 MGA Mark 1500 Roadster
Registration no. 738 UYR
Chassis no. HDR33/17361

• In single ownership since the 1990s
• Charming Red over Black colour combination
• Left-hand drive
• Little used in recent years

Footnotes

'Throughout its history, the policy of the MG company has been to compete with cars developed from their standard production models, and the 1955 Le Mans car, designated EX 182, is a further example of this policy,' reported Autocar in its June 3rd edition of 1955. Just three months later the respected British motoring magazine was able to reveal that the policy had indeed born fruit: 'From these Le Mans cars, known as the type EX 182, has been developed the production series MGA. It is apparent that the experiment of Le Mans was considered successful, as the car shows no basic changes from those which took part in the race, but detail modifications have been made for normal road use.'

In fact, by the time Le Mans came around the design of what would be known as the MGA had effectively been finalised, the race itself being little more than a useful opportunity to check that everything was as it should be. Conceived as replacement for the traditional T-Series MGs, the MGA combined a rigid chassis with the Austin-designed, 1,489cc B-Series engine that had first appeared in the ZA Magnette. Initially this engine produced 68bhp at 5,500rpm, though this was later raised to 72bhp at the same revs to further improve performance. Running gear was based on that of the TF, with independent front suspension and a live rear axle, but as far as its road manners were concerned, the far superior MGA was in an entirely different league. Clad in a stylish aerodynamic body and capable of topping 95mph, the MGA proved an instant hit, selling 13,000 units in its first full year of production.

This left-hand drive MGA 1500 Roadster was despatched from the works on 10th July 1956 (BMIHT certificate on file). The car was delivered new in Old English White over red trim. The car was purchased by the current owner in Greece in the early 1990s, it was kept there until being brought to the UK and first registered here in June 2016. Little used in recent years, these quintessential British sports cars offer much driving pleasure on the open road and make great entries into local rallies and club events.

Additional information

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