1960 MGA 1600 DELUXE Roadster

1960 MGA 1600 DELUXE ROADSTER Factory Demonstrator.

This car is the MG Factory Demonstrator confirmed by the Heritage Certificate and also an original letter in the history file from The MG Car Company Ltd. written in 1964 to a previous owner. To add further interest to the provenance the car is pictured in "Goodwood- The Sussex Motor Racing Circuit" a book by Peter Garnier. In 1949 Tommy Wisdom, who at the time was Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers, instigated Test Days at Goodwood to enable motoring journalist to drive some of the cars exhibited at the London Motor Show. My car was photographed at such an event in 1960 and is seen on page 92 still with the current number plate.

The Deluxe model differed from the standard mainly as it had a similar specification to the Twin Cam MGA with 4 wheel Dunlop disc brakes, Dunlop racing knock-on wheels and Deluxe seats. They have been described as a Twin-cam without the about to be dis-continued, troublesome Twin-cam engine and with a simple reliable push-rod engine in its place.

MG made 19 RHD Home Market 1600 MK1 Deluxe roadsters and 2 Export RHD Deluxe of the same specification and only 70 overall including the Left Hand drive cars.

When the 1600 MK11 was introduced they made a total of 290 Deluxe spec. roadsters of which 23 were RHD.

The car was invited to join the 60th Anniversary Factory Launch of the Twin Cam at the Cobham Test Track formally known as the Fighting Vehicle Research and Development Establishment. This was a re-enactment of the original launch of the Twin-cam that took place there on 14th July 1958 and included blasting round the high speed track as they did in 1958.

The car is finished as per its original specification of Chariot red with beige interior. The car had a major restoration in 1980 and the refreshed in 2010 by the MG specialists Naylor Bros for the previous owner. I bought the car from that owner in 2013 and the car has been cherished ever since. It was on display at Beaulieu Garage from then till 2016 when I brought it home. I have MOT certificates as far back as 1993 and since that time it has done 8097 miles. The only modification from standard is a conversion to spin-on oil filter though.

It is still in great condition and is fabulous to drive. An important piece of motoring history and a true find for an MG enthusiast.

It is difficult to value such a significant piece of MG history but if you are interested please talk to me. I am going to sell at least two of my small collection so I will be realistic.