Lot Ended
Description
From 10-year ownership; original University Motors MGC; tons of
history; veteran of many Continental tours; Heritage Certificate; matching
numbers; lovely example
First seen in 1967, the MGC was BMC's
attempt to plug the gap left in its range by the demise of the Healey 3000, but
without having to build a completely new car.
It used a modified version
of the MGB body shell and was powered by a tuned version of the C-Series
straight-six engine used in the Austin 3-Litre saloon. In the twin SU carburetor
form used in the MGC, the engine produced 145bhp and could propel the car to
60mph in 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph.
It also had
better brakes than the MGB, larger 15-inch wheels, lower geared rack-and-pinion
steering and special torsion bar suspension with telescopic dampers. These
tweaks, combined with a pronounced bonnet bulge to clear the larger engine, gave
the MGC an altogether more purposeful look than the humble MGB.
However,
it was no Big Healey, and the heavy engine blunted the car's handling somewhat
leading to a mixed reception in the motoring press. Never properly marketed by
BMC, the MGC was quietly shelved in 1969 after just 1,403 examples of RHD MGC
Roadsters were built.
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 which can easily be tuned to extract 30% more power, they make excellent
high speed Cruisers.
As the accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms,
XLK 607G was delivered to University Motors Limited, London, on 3rd April 1968,
ordered in Mineral Blue with options of wire wheels, overdrive gearbox, tonneau
cover and pack away hood. An extensive service and restoration file comes with
XLK detailing the various investments made into the Roadster's upkeep and
improvement.
For the best part of the late 1990s and 2000s, this MGC was
in the care of Victor Murrell of Essex who maintained the Roadster by having
major chassis restoration work from Pleshey Motors in 2002. This included the
replacement of the sills, the floor pans, both front wings and a host of minor
details. In 2005 the really special MGOC seats were fitted, followed in October
2006 by a new set of wire wheels from Peter Edney.
XLK changed hands in
May 2009 with the brokerage help of Doug Smith of MG Motorsport in
Hertfordshire, it was shipped over to the Republic of Ireland into the care of
Mr and Mrs Kennedy of Dublin. Invoices show how the Kennedys prepared the
Roadster to suit their desire to take part in long distance continental MG Car
Club rallies.
Invoices from Doug Smith at MG Motorsport detail many
thoughtful touches to ensure reliable service in far flung places. More major
investments were made with Koni shocks absorbers, parabolic springs and
Superflex polyurethane bushings, which account for the car's sporting road
manners today.
Imported back to England in 2013, the car has had three UK
owners since, all local to Leominster.
Clearly a much-loved machine, the
vendor states that the bodywork, chassis and running gear are in excellent
condition, and although it has been used, it has also been
pampered.
Looking great and still fresh in its original Mineral Blue,
power is plentiful from the lusty six-cylinder, with buckets of torque and a
lovely burbling exhaust note. The precise gearbox is a delight and the dashboard
operated overdrive allows the driver to match his pace according to mood and
road conditions in a most rewarding way, from a spirited charge to a lazy
cruise.
Inside, the cockpit has benefitted from a walnut dashboard and
door capping’s and new carpets plus supportive MGOC seats. A new Mohair hood was
also fitted June 2012 and still looks good today.
Last MOT’d in 2018
where it passed advisory free, this MGC has covered just 1,200 miles since in
the hands of our keeper who purchased this lovely matching numbers machine from
ourselves in 2015, he has enjoyed this car and hasn’t changed much since he
bought it simply fitting a larger steering wheel and keeping it regularly
serviced.
A perfect companion on the long hot summer days that
undoubtedly lie ahead of us, this MGC has been running and driving nicely on
site.
Contact: Quintin.hayward@brightwells.com