Incredible photos show the painstaking restoration of a pre-war MG that was bought as a disassembled shell for a few hundred pounds, but will now fetch up to £12,000 at auction
- The now glossy cream colored MG VA rolled off the production line in 1939
- Production of the model started in 1937 but had to stop when World War II started
A pre-war MG bought as a wreck in a basket box will fetch up to £12,000 at auction after being beautifully restored by its owner.
Rolling off the production line in 1939, the now gloss cream MG VA features a 1.5-litre engine, twin carburettors and an Art Deco interior.
The model was only made for two years from 1937 before World War II broke out and production ceased.
The car ended up in a terrible state after failing its MOT in 1969, after which it was rolled into a garage.
A pre-war MG bought as a basket case wreck will fetch up to £12,000 at auction after being beautifully restored by its owner
The then owner partially disassembled the car to restore it, but the overhaul never took place and it just kept collecting dust.
The MG remained in dismantled condition for 45 years until it was rescued by the current owner from Devon, who bought it from a family friend for a few hundred pounds and then lovingly restored it to its original condition.
The car enthusiast, who wishes to remain anonymous, carried out all the work himself, except for an engine overhaul and a professional refinishing.
The owner now wants someone to enjoy driving the car in its current pristine condition.
Built alongside larger SA and WA models, the MG VA was distinguished by its 108-inch wheelbase, the smallest in the range.
The car sold for up to £350, the equivalent of almost £19,000 in today’s money. Just over 2,400 were produced.
The MG VA ended up in a terrible state after failing its MOT in 1969, after which it was rolled into a garage
The then owner partially disassembled the car to restore it, but the overhaul never took place and it continued to collect dust
The MG remained in dismantled condition for 45 years until it was rescued by the current owner from Devon who bought it from a family friend for a few hundred pounds and then lovingly restored it to its original condition
Built alongside larger SA and WA models, the MG VA was distinguished by its 108-inch wheelbase, the smallest in the range. Above: the car’s 1.5 liter engine
The car has a cream-colored leather interior, although every new owner will have to make do with opening windows
The interior of the car has been faithfully assembled and restored after being allowed to rot
MG itself was founded in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber and was best known for its range of two-seater sports cars.
It went through several changes of ownership before becoming part of the much derided British Leyland group, which was partially nationalized in the 1970s.
In the early 2000s, the company, then MG Rover, ran into financial difficulties and eventually went into receivership in 2005.
The MG brand was then bought by its current owner, the Chinese firm Nanjing Automobile Group, which started producing cars again in 2007.
The MG VA goes under the hammer on June 8 at the prestigious Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset.
In 2011, the first British model in 16 years, the MG 6, rolled off the production line.
The MG VA goes under the hammer on June 8 at the prestigious Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset.
Richard Bromell, of Charterhouse Auctions, who manages the sale, said: “To say the MG was bought as a project sounds much better than it was as it was indeed in a very appalling condition.”
“Fortunately, the owner was more than handy with a key and has completely restored the MG.”