Rare 1969 MGC Hard Top Headed To GAA Auction Block

By Max Holder Feb 28, 2019

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By Max Holder Feb 28, 2019

Britain’s favorite sports car of the 1960s is up for auction with the sought after straight-six engine and hardtop

The MGB sold over half a million units in its remarkable 18-year production run from 1962 to 1980. Dubbed repeatedly as Britain’s favorite sports car it’s hardly surprising to see why this little gem sparked a variety of vehicles attempting to replicate its success. Lightweight, practical and most importantly easy on the wallet. The Mazda MX-5, among others, potentially owe a nod to the ‘poor man's Aston Martin.’

Originally equipped with the B-Series 1.8-liter unit, the MGC, as featured here in a GAA sale lot, spiced things up a bit for those wanting a more aggressive soundtrack. The 2.9L inline-six was introduced to replace the Austin-Healey 3000 whilst tidying up BMC’s ludicrously broad product range. With 145-horsepower it had an additional 50hp on its biceps compared to the standard MGB. Quite the percentage increase, then.

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The tell-tale sign of an MGC is the rather suggestive power bulge in the bonnet, included to cater for the much larger C-Series block. Interestingly, the MGC didn’t receive the press BMC were hoping for, thanks to a substantial weight increase on the front end from the heavier engine. In addition, although it was vaguely meant to represent a replacement to the Healey 3000, at the same time it… well… didn’t. You see, BMC continued to sell the Healey alongside the MGC, while also offering a car that failed somehow to show any significant performance advantage over the standard MGB. Sadly, its fate was set. After just two years, MGC production was discontinued.

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With just 8999 cars produced, of which 4542 were roadsters like the one here, they are a rare sight on North American shores. The example that’s up for auction at GAA has a classical finish of Old English White, set with some period white wall tires and perfected chrome wire wheels. Better still, a rare and sought after hard top is included, allowing for some fantastic road-trips cross country.

Although details are scant, the images speak volumes and suggest a particularly clean example. We certainly fancy taking this fine example around Yosemite this summer, perhaps it’s time to call the bank manager.

Source: GAA