1968 MGC GT

Description

Few owners, the current for 40 years; restored in the early 1990s and only 3,000 miles since; overdrive; lovely mellowed interior; nice paintwork; just needs using!

First seen in 1967, the MGC was BMC's attempt to plug the gap left in its range following the demise of the Healey 3000, without having to go to too much trouble. Using a tuned version of the C-Series engine found in the Austin 3-Litre saloon, it produced 145bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph. 

Never properly marketed by BMC, the MGC was quietly shelved in 1969 after just 8,999 examples had been built, half of them roadsters and half GTs. Nowadays though, because of these low production numbers, the MGC is keenly sought after. With modern tyres and a few subtle suspension tweaks the handling can be transformed and, with a strong torquey engine, they make excellent high speed cruisers.

The Heritage Certificate shows that this MGC GT left the factory in May 1968 destined for Bradburn & Wedge Ltd of Wolverhampton. Equipped with wire wheels, overdrive and a heater, it was originally finished in Mineral Blue with a black interior.

Although the V5C records just two former keepers, photocopies of older logbooks show that it had three owners (perhaps four, the addresses are hard to read) before our vendor acquired it way back in January 1984 by which time it had already been repainted red.

In 1990 the car was sent to RG Restorations of Middlesborough for a full restoration which took almost two years to complete. The full extent of the work carried out is too detailed to list in full here but is amply covered in invoices, photos and correspondence on file.

Finished and back on the road in October 1992, it has been very sparingly used since, old MOTs implying that it has only covered around 3,000 miles in the last 22 years, with a few invoices for routine upkeep. Always kept garaged, it has been barely used at all in the last 5 years.

We are told that it was treated to a degree of recommissioning shortly before the sale, including a brake system overhaul and tuning of the carbs. Once warmed up, it has been running very sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with good 40psi oil pressure.

As you can see in the photos, it looks most attractive with nicely mellowed red leather seats, good carpets, super crackle-finish dash and a very tidy engine bay. The body looks reassuringly straight and solid with no signs of rust and good brightwork. The paint finish is nice and shiny with just some slight microblistering on the scuttle panel ahead of the front windscreen (as pictured).

Altogether a most attractive MGC, from long-term ownership, with a super ‘old car’ interior that is just crying out for more regular use.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com