Lot details
Registration No: RMO 101
Chassis No: YM1/596
Mot Expiry: Dec 2002

From launch with the 1500, via the pushrod 1600 to the final 1622cc powered MkII De Luxe version, MGA production totalled 101,081. Most were open roadsters, the rarer closed coupe version being offered from 1956 onwards. Pat Moss drove the first `works' MGA entry on the 1956 RAC. In 1958, the model's range was topped by a 1588cc 108bhp Twin Cam MGA with disc brakes behind all four centre-lock disc wheels. However, despite the car being reckoned by BMC works drivers potentially to be the equal in performance of the Big Healey 100/6 and soon the 3000, and with far superior braking performance, only a handful of Twin Cams were ever prepared in the Abingdon factory Competition Department.
Indeed, there were just three Twin Cam works racers built, all for the Sebring 12 Hours, finishing 2nd and 3rd in class in 1959, and 3rd and 4th in class in 1960 (Ted Lund's three times Le Mans entered being a Development Department car which was always run privately and achieved a best result of 12th overall in 1960), and only two rally cars. One of them, chassis number YM1/596, was signed off the Abingdon line on 27 October 1958 and was immediately consigned to Comps. On completion of their preparations, the fixed head coupe was registered RMO 101 and this is the ex-works MGA which is being auctioned here today.
This car took part in some of the world's most demanding rally rests of car and crew, including the 1959 Monte Carlo Rally (driven by John Gott/Ray Brookes, who were 9th overall/4th in class on the 1958 Liege-Rome-Liege in sister Twin Cam PRX 707), the 1959 Tulip Rally (John Sprinzel/Stuart Turner) and the 1959 Acropolis Rally (John Sprinzel/Richard Bensted-Smith).
Thanks in part to the difficulties of always being able to refuel with the necessary 100 octane, the TwinCam engine's early day reputation for heavy oil consumption, spark plug fouling, running-on and piston burning has tended to stick and the most desirable of all postwar MG engines has been unfairly maligned in pub courts ever since. Indeed, after much client unrest, not to mention having to fund unacceptably costly warranty claims, even MG themselves confirmed the Twin Cam's poor reputation for unreliability in period by axing the model after only 2111 had been produced, albeit confirming for all time the TC A's rarity, particularly the fixed head of which there were only 310 made. And yet, when properly set-up and maintained, as with the power unit in RMO 101, which has been totally rebuilt by MGA specialist Bob West, this is the type of motor to have under an MGA bonnet. According to an Aldon dyno sheet on file, this engine produces 97.8 bhp at 5500rpm.
A most comprehensive photographic album shows the car before it was stripped right down to the chassis, recording its total refurbishment and body-off restoration with many shots of work in progress showing the enormous attention to detail taken to reproduce most faithfully the period works-spec. The engine has been photographed being run on the Aldon dyno and there is also a record of final adjustments taking place with the engine in the car on their rolling road.
There are photos on file, too, of the car with factory team rally personalities beside it at a recent Abingdon Reunion Show including the car's former driver John Sprinzel and navigator Stuart Turner, as well as drivers Anne Hall and Jack Sears, navigator Chris Tooley and former Team Chief Mechanic Tommy Wellman. On completion of the restoration, numerous marque awards were won at shows and, again, photos record some of the silverware received.
Apart from the factory team provenance and, more recently, a total restoration to a very high standard, this rare and totally authentic rally MG is being auctioned with current Vehicle Registration Document and copy of previous V5 (confirming both original registration and chassis number), current MOT and preceding six Test Certificates, Twin Cam Operation Manual, as well as various photos, cuttings and magazines charting its remarkable story. This is your chance to buy a genuine Abingdon-built and run BMC rally car in outstanding condition. Rarer than a works Mini Cooper S, less expensive to campaign than a Big Healey and more affordable than both of them. Don't miss it!
Please note: This car is the subject of a special feature in the October 2002 issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine.