1970 MGC GT Competition-Spec Race Car with period history

At its launch, the MGC appeared to have the potential to become a great commercial success offering all the qualities of the much-loved MGB with some significant performance improvements at a very attractive price. This was not to be, however, as a number of unfavourable 'Road Tests' in motoring magazines criticising the car's 'nose-heavy' handling sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of potential car buyers. With the benefit of hindsight we now know that the manufacturer's recommended tyres and particularly tyre pressures were to blame for the tendency to understeer and this could easily have been resolved. The British Leyland Group, owners of MG, didn't help by dithering, somewhat publicly, over whether the MGC would hurt the sales of the two other six-cylinder sports cars in the range (the GT-6 and the TR6) and then eventually dropping the Abingdon car. The MGC GT did acquit itself quite well as a 'competition car' however, and two lightweight race versions (GTS) were built, RMO 699F and MBL 546E (affectionately known as "Romeo and Mable') to compete in the Targa Florio, Sebring and 'Marathon de la Route'.

Offered here is a modified MGC that was raced in period by Mark Burnside. Sold by Silverstone Auctions in May 2015 and intended for competition use, a change of circumstances and too many other racing commitments have dictated that LVG 798H is now reluctantly re-offered to market. It benefits from having had the engine rebuilt by Steve James Engineering incorporating new Cosworth pistons, valves and new valve seats in 2010 when it was sold to its second owner. At the same time, the crankshaft and connecting rods were crack tested and the Dellortos were set up to produce around 280bhp. This healthy power output is transmitted to the road through a 5-speed T5 Borg Warner box and limited slip differential, and everything is kept civilised by rose-jointed front suspension and beefy anti-tramp bars at the rear.

This 'C'GT is a very quick car having held a number of lap records in its day and now offers numerous options for competition. With a good period history, there is always the prospect of gaining historic papers offering access to a number of glamorous International events or it could happily be used as a reliable, much admired, weekend club racer.