1968 MGC Roadster

The MGC was a 2912cc, straight-6 version of the MGB sold from 1967 and produced through to August 1969. In the twin SU carburettor form used in the MGC, the engine produced 145bhp at 5250rpm.

The body shell needed considerable revision from its predecessor around the engine bay and to the floor pan, but externally the only differences were a distinctive bonnet bulge to accommodate the relocated radiator and a teardrop for carburettor clearance. It had different brakes from the MGB, 15 inch wheels, a lower geared rack and pinion and special torsion bar suspension with telescopic dampers. Like the MGB, it was available as a Coupé and Roadster. An overdrive gearbox or three-speed automatic gearbox were available as options. The car was capable of 120 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 10.0 seconds.Offered here today is another best-of-breed example straight from the top drawer. This truly is a special MGC thanks largely to the meticulous yet sympathetic restoration only recently completed by the MG Owners Club in Cambridgeshire. Bills for more than £20,000 accompany this car including more than £6,500 for the professional preparation of the body and application of the paint, to a further £17,000+ for mechanical preparation, and the renovation or replacement of every component part in the thorough rebuild of this car, including all-new wet weather gear and a completely retrimmed and re-carpeted interior.

A compact disc documenting the preparation of the shell and the panels before paint was applied is accompanied with the documentation for this car and is worth looking at in some detail. This restoration is not just skin-deep. The attention to detail is flawless and has resulted in a lovely iconic 60's sports car that is now better than when it left the factory and drives as you would expect - like a new car!

It is understood, but not warranted, that the engine used in this car was subject to fewer than 14,000 miles before restoration began, and since the speedometer was reset on the completion of these works only 1,000 further miles have been covered. The 2912cc engine as fitted to this car is a relatively lazy, under-stressed unit pushing out 145bhp. As a result, the MGC lends itself to simple but effective tuning. Just adding one extra carburettor with a suitable inlet manifold, or even changing the existing 1¾" units for larger 2" units and fitting a free-flow exhaust manifold unleashes another 30bhp. Add a fast road cam and gas-flowed cylinder head and it is possible to extract over 200bhp if one were so inclined. These minor upgrades would result in not only the best restored MGC in the country, but also the most potent too!

Offered with UK V5C, fresh MoT and Heritage Certificate confirming this to be a UK delivered home market car, this stylish MGC is begging to be enjoyed or shown throughout Europe.