1968 MG C GTS Sebring homage

Competitive road/rally car built as a GTS homage. Dual-registered; UK V5c and French FFVE papers.

Built by the highly regarded Lola chief engineer, Clive Robinson, Vic Young and Ric Hall

3000cc, straight-six, competition-spec engine with triple Weber "48"s" developing a proven 255 bhp,

All-synchro Quaife gearbox with Laycock competition O/D. Quaife ATB 4.2 LSD

Comprehensive account of the build including photos, dyno sheets, engineers drawings, numerous invoices.

The MGC was a 2912cc straight-6 version of the MGB and was sold from 1967 with production continuing through to August 1969. It had been intended as a replacement for the Austin Healey 3000 that was now showing its age. The body shell needed considerable revision from its predecessor, particularly around the engine bay and floor pan, but externally the only differences were the distinctive bonnet bulge to accommodate the relocated radiator and a teardrop for carburettor clearance.

The MGC GTS Sebring was, however, a different 'beastie' entirely and is still regarded as one of the most desirable creations to come out of the BMC Competitions Department in the 1960s.In the automotive industry, it's important for new models to make strong first impressions and BMC sought to promote their new MGC model through endurance road racing. Specifically, the BMC Competitions Department set its sights on the annual twelve-hour endurance race at Sebring in Florida believing that a lightweight 'C would have a power advantage over the competition in its class. Work on designing the lightweight Cs began in 1966. Six body shells were built, with the centre structure built from steel similarly to the road-going version, while the exterior panels, such as the roof panel, doors, and the instantly recognisable bubble-arched wings, were formed in aluminium.

Ultimately, only two lightweight versions of the MGC GT were assembled by BMC at Abingdon. These 'Works' cars ran in the 1967 Targa Florio and in 1968, the MGC GTS, as it was now known, raced at Sebring and the 84-hour-long Marathon de la Route at the Nürburgring. Their final Works-supported outings were at Sebring in 1969, when the MGC competition project was cancelled.

"THN 777F" was first registered in May 1968 and remained a standard MGC GT road car until the early 90s when the current owner embarked upon a mission to create something special. He wanted to convert his CGT into a road rally/sprint car that would remain usable and legal on the road and soon became excited by the prospect of creating an homage to the.'Works' GTS of 1968. The idea quickly became a reality and the build would be entrusted to no less than the highly regarded Lola chief engineer, Clive Robinson. Within the "bible" that accompanies the car, you will find names such as Rick Hall, who engineered the braking system and Vic Young who developed a slightly de-tuned version of the works cars competition engine.

The initial intention of modifying the MGC suddenly became a project and a new Brown and Gammons 'GTS' bodyshell was ordered. Clive Robinson's brief was to put together a car that was as true to the factory Sebring cars as possible but that was also capable of being taxed and tested. The level of success and the quality of the engineering are immediately evident from looking at the photographs.

The specification includes 3000cc, straight-six, competition-spec engine with triple Weber "48"s" developing a proven 255 bhp, all-synchro Quaife gearbox with Laycock competition overdrive delivering power through a Quaife ATB 4.2 LSD. Competition radiator, Tony Law manifolds, side-exit exhaust, Works-type headlamp cowls, safety cage, Corbeau bucket seats and Luke full harnesses, plumbed in fire extinguisher, alloy fuel tank with 4"" Le Mans filler and uprated works-type suspension with a Panhard rod.

The result is a car that is suitable for fast road use or competition. On road test, the MG performed without fault, demonstrating surprisingly good road manners, however, in the correct environment, could deliver what is required from a competition derived sports car. Accompanying this fabulous MG is a comprehensive account of the build including photos, dyno sheets, engineers drawings, numerous receipts and invoices. The car is dual-registered with current UK V5c and French FFVE papers.