1969 MGC GT

Description

A smart GT in a lovely colour scheme with some choice mechanical upgrades; only 13k miles since major restoration including rebuilt engine and bare metal repaint; overdrive; power steering

First registered in July 1969, this MGC GT is one of only 4,457 examples made by MG during a two-year production span, the last GT leaving the factory in August 1969.  

From 2014 – 2021 it was owned by well-known Austin-Healey specialist, Kevin Law, proprietor of Orchard Restorations in East Sussex. Although the car was already in good condition when Mr Law acquired it (the history file has dozens of invoices back to the late ‘90s to show regular upkeep), he embarked on a major bout of fettling to bring it up to the standard he required.

This is all detailed in invoices and notes on file and we can only give you a brief summary here. The car was stripped back to bare metal and repainted in Grampian Grey, a lovely period colour that suits it really well. The only new panel required was the N/S front wing which had been badly repaired in the past. Various new trim parts were also fitted and once finished, the body was thoroughly Waxoyl treated and a new set of 72-spoke wire wheels were fitted.

The six-cylinder engine was completely stripped and rebuilt with new pistons, timing chain etc, the cylinder head was gas-flowed and a new uprated camshaft and new cam followers were fitted. A six-branch Motorsport exhaust manifold was also fitted, along with a twin pipe sports exhaust system and a Pertronix ignition kit. Tuned on a rolling road, the car was found to produce an additional 30bhp, along with a better torque curve (MG claimed 145bhp and 170lb/ft for a standard C).

The braking system was completely rebuilt with new discs, caliper pistons, cylinders, servo etc, and the brake and clutch cylinders were also replaced and modified to improve the awkward arrangement on the standard car. The twin 6v batteries were replaced by a single 12v high-capacity battery relocated from under the rear seats to the engine bay. It was also fitted with power steering and the geometry was re-set, Mr Law noting that: ‘the handling of the car was transformed – really good!’.

On the inside it got new black leather seats with head rests, new foams and diaphragms, a new headlining and a new wood-rim steering wheel. Other features include a modern retro-style radio, twin electronic fuel pumps, a battery cut-off switch, Healey-type overdrive switch on the alloy gear knob (which functions as it should), Brantz rally tripmeter, Garmin satnav and twin cigar lighter power points.

Our vendor, who also owns a Healey 3000 and a classic Jaguar, was already acquainted with Mr Law and bought the MGC from him in July 2021, a note from Mr Law admitting that the MG was a much better car for modern road conditions than the Healey he had owned for 25 years… (Shhh, we won’t mention it if you don’t! – Ed).

He has continued to look after the car well and has improved it still further, including fitting a new set of bespoke grey wool carpets, getting the door tops retrimmed in black vinyl and having hazard warning lights fitted.

Since the rebuild was completed, the car has only covered some 13,000 miles and has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site. Always kept garaged in the current ownership, it comes with two sets of keys, a workshop manual, a four-layer car cover and sundry useful spares. There are also 9 old MOTs, the last of which expired in May 2023 with no advisories recorded (nor has it had any advisories in the last 10 years) and it is, of course, now MOT-exempt.

Only reluctantly for sale because the vendor has reached that time of life when he no longer has the energy to look after three classic cars, this smart and sensibly uprated MGC will bring a lot of pleasure to its fortunate new owner.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]