1958 MG MGA Roadster

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1958 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 the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 135 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The MGA… is in essence a street-legal race car.” MGAGuru.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!”

Offered here is a lovely light-turquoise-blue 1958 MGA, well-maintained and respectfully upgraded, later-in-the-model-run example (MG ceased MGA production in 1962), showing just over 34,000 miles on its odometer.

The car's exterior light-turquoise-blue paint (which continues on the dashboard) is in good condition for its age across the body. The bespoke grille, chrome work, and emblems (including the model designation on the hood) are all properly in place. Wire wheels with knock-off hubs are shod in period-correct reproduction Michelin® tires in the proper size. An “overrider” bar has been added to the chrome front bumper for added protection.

Inside, the tan leather (with dark-brown piping) reupholstered seats show no flaws or even much evidence of use; the color choice nicely complements the body paint. The car's door panels 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 an added chrome shift knob. An upgraded push-button radio is mounted in the factory-radio location. The windshield is clear.

Under the hood, the engine bay is tidy, complete, and detailed to a historically accurate standard. The dark-red engine-paint is the proper color choice; 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 some signs of fluid “weepage” common to an MGA of its age. No chassis damage is evident, and only minor surface rust is present on some untreated metal surfaces.

While the more than 135 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '58 MGA in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

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 couldn't agree more.