1961 MG MGA

-1.6L 4 Cylinder Engine
-4 Speed Manual Transmission
-New Convertible Top and Windows

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1961 MG MGA Roadster on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 185 photographs, as well as a short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“The MGA… is in essence a street-legal race car.” MGAGuru dot com, July 2011

The MGA Guru went on: “The general impression of MGA should be a light and frisky car that does what you tell it to, goes where you point it on demand, fits and wears like an old pair of sneakers, urging you to go dancing. Ride quality may not be quite equal to the MGB but to me it is reasonable and absolutely delightful in light of the handling character of the machine.”

Petrolicious later weighed in with its take: “It is hard to find fault with the (MGA). It is perfectly proportioned for two passengers, handles as well as any other car I've driven from the era, gets great gas mileage, and always puts a smile on the driver's face. (April 2014) They went on to describe the MGA driving experience, describing a pleasure not available in any modern automobile, sports car or otherwise: “Don't be afraid to run the engine right up to the redline in each gear. It is happy at these speeds, and such spirited driving is necessary to extract every precious horsepower from that little engine. You can accelerate right to redline through first, second, and third gears and still be below the speed limit. This is one of the most endearing features of this car. Just drive it like you're mad at it, and you'll still be street legal! Just take care to avoid making any sudden jerky moves on the steering wheel, as a very small movement translates to a big change in steering direction! Now just settle in and enjoy… let the feel, the sights, and the sounds of the MGA titillate all your senses!”

The beautiful red 1961 MGA offered here is an excellent, late-in-the-model-run example (MG ceased MGA production in 1962). The car is very nearly perfect, with just one little mystery: There are no available records of the complete, and apparently rotisserie, body-off-and-glass-removed restoration work professionally undertaken approximately 7,000 miles back. Prospective purchasers may see the car's acquisition as being a truly unusual opportunity, or, on the other hand, possessing some element of risk. To all, especially those in the latter group, we suggest a careful examination of the more than 185 high-definition photographs, and the walk-around-and-start-up video presented on the GarageKeptMotors site. Of course, there is no substitute for an up-close, hands-on inspection of the car in our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. We encourage interested parties, or their designated representatives, to visit us for that purpose. We ask only that an appointment be made in advance by way of phone or email contact so that we can devote our full attention to the visitors and the car. Of course, we also welcome specific questions about the car at any time.

The car's exterior red paint (which continues on the dashboard) shines beautifully without variation. The car's bespoke grille, chrome work, and emblems are all exemplary. Wire wheels with knock-off hubs are shod in fresh Nexen tires in the proper size. The tan leather seats, the full tonneau cover, and the properly fitting tan convertible top all appear to be without flaws or even much evidence of use. The car's door panels, included with the sale, are upholstered to the same high standard. The dashboard is complete, the Jaeger instruments have clear lenses, heating controls are all present and functional, and the 4-speed transmission floor shifter wears its factory shift knob (compared to many restorations that substitute a more colorful and newer version).

Under the hood, the engine bay is virtually concurs-ready: tidy, complete, and detailed to a perfect, historically accurate standard. The twin side-mounted SU carburetors are a special delight. Factory data plates and engine stampings are all present. The car's undercarriage continues the ready-for-show-or-go cleanliness with the stainless-steel exhaust pipe and muffler the only obvious deviations from stock.

In 2015, the magazine Classic Motoring told how, after the MGA was launched, the (British car magazine authority), Autocar, was clearly taken with its charms. “When that magazine's testers got their hands on an early (example), they wrote: 'There is no feeling at the end of a hard day that the driver has been doing most of the work. Long, winding hillside roads are a joy to traverse….'” The praise continued: “The road-holding and steering are of a high order. Even with the tire pressures set for fast driving there was no feeling of discomfort or pattering when on pavement and other poor surfaces. Fast cornering was a joy, the driver being able to position the car exactly where he wanted, and exit from a corner is also very satisfactory. Control is helped at all speeds by the excellent driving position.”

The period review concluded: “… if you're in the market for a classic British roadster or coupé, the MGA should be at the top of your list.” We agree.