1968 MG 1300 Saloon

Last in the line of sporting MG small saloons (until the arrival of the MG Metro in the early 1980's), the MG 1300 arrived in 1967. Originally the MG 1300 came with the single carburettor and a 58bhp version of the A-Series engine, although from 1968 a twin carb version was used. The twin carb, 1275cc engine provided excellent performance and also gave the car a much welcomed sporting feel. The MG 1300 received the same MkII modifications as the rest of the range in 1968 and also benefited from an improved interior which included an attractive burr-walnut dashboard. The MG 1300 remained popular throughout the late 60's and early 70's and remained in production until the 1300 range was finally deleted in 1973.

We are informed by the vendor that this particular car started life as a 2 door saloon in Connaught Green over Snowberry White and was sold to a Mrs Wilcox of Wolverhampton on the 9th of September 1968. Invoices and previous MOTs indicate that it stayed in the area until the early 1990s. It was then repatriated to the Birkenhead region whereupon it was "re-bodied' using a later four door MkIII shell, but with the correct MG front panel. The interior was been retrimmed and interestingly the dash board is a one off special using a Vanden Plas glove box lid and switch panel with toggle switches, but staying with the original Smiths speedo and rev counter. Additional matching 2'' Smiths gauges have been fitted for the clock, temperature, oil pressure, fuel and volt meter. The dash and glove box lid, along with all 4 door tops, have been redone in walnut veneer by an ex Rolls Royce craftsmen, the car also benefits from Heritage certification.

We are told that recently a lot of mechanical work has been carried out, including a new rear sub frame, the radius arms have been modified to take grease for added protection, the braking system has been overhauled, the front lower arms and tie bars have been replaced, along with polybushes on the lower arms and new rubbers on the tie bars. At the same time a re-cored radiator was fitted and the engine block flushed and given fresh engine coolant. The car has recently been fitted with 4 new Falken tyres mounted on the original Dunlop D1 alloys which have also been refurbished and polished along with new wheel nuts all round.

Since June 2012, the car has covered over 2,500 miles; most of this was on the "Land's End to John O' Groats 1100 Reliability Challenge'. It is also worth mentioning that during the trip the car appeared on an ITV Central news report being driven by Wesley Smith of ITV News at the Longbridge MG Motor UK site. The car also successfully completed "Le Jog' and was then driven to the British Motor Heritage Museum Gaydon for the "50th celebrations of the 1100'. We are informed by the vendor that the car is due to be the subject of a feature in the MG Enthusiast Magazine next month covering the Le Jog run.

A charming little classic car ready to be enjoyed and driven.