MG Sebring

MG built sports cars in the market town of Abingdon, about seven miles south of Oxford. In 1966, Abingdon’s production was divided over five models which parent company British Motor Corporation marketed under two different marque names. MG employees had been assembling Austin Healey brand cars alongside MG models for about nine years. The Austin Healey 3000 was the top of the line, but it was also long in the tooth. Sales were declining. Styling was beginning to look dated. Its body-on-frame construction was out of line with the factory’s other models; all the other cars featured uni-body construction. Major investments would be required to keep the Austin Healey 3000 in production, firstly because of looming safety regulations and secondly because the C-series engine used in the 3000 would soon be discontinued in the other British Motor Corporation vehicles. The big Healey’s days were clearly coming to an end. A replacement was needed.

In the automotive industry, it’s important for new models to make strong first impressions. BMC sought to promote their new MG model through endurance road racing. Specifically, the BMC Competitions Department set its sights on the annual twelve-hour endurance race at Sebring Florida. Perhaps recognising that the MG’s engine would have a power disadvantage in any racing class the car was eligible to enter, the “Comps” team sought to make up for it by reducing the cars weight. Specially fabricated aluminium body panels were ordered for the MG “GTS” or ‘Sebring” race cars. Most of these panels were made on regular production press dies by supplier Pressed Steel. Wings were a conspicuous exception: they were hand-made and they featured aggressive wing flares to suit oversized tyres. The front valance, front wings, door skins, and GT hatch were all made from aluminium and were designed to be bolted on.

The MG Sebring recreation offered here at Autostorico is based on a 1973 MGB GT, which has been subject to the most remarkable complete nut and bolt restoration. Finished in Aston Martin Almond Green metallic with Black leather trim and green piping this stunning car has covered just 95 miles since the restoration was completed. Clearly a ‘money no object’ approach has been taken to the Sebring modifications. These modifications include the following items;

Engine 

–               CC increased from 1798cc-1860cc

–               Full engine internal balance

–               Cylinder head ported and polished to stage II

–               Cylinder head converted to run on unleaded fuel

–               717 Camshaft fitted

–               Heavy duty timing chain fitted

–               Vernier pulley

–               Heavy duty crankshaft bearings

–               Compression increase to 9.5-1

–               Lightened and balanced Flywheel

Modifications to engine bay

–               Twin choke Weber 45 DCOE Carburettor

–               High flow air cleaner

–               Long type inlet manifold

–               3 branch exhaust manifold

–               MG Owners Club heavy duty sports exhaust

–               High flow electric fuel pump with integral filter

–               Electric cooling fan

–               Alloy rocker cover

–               Bespoke heater matrix bypass pipe

–               K&N crank case breather filter

–               Contact less electronic ignition

–               Stainless steel braided oil cooler pipes

–               Heavy duty sports clutch

–               Bespoke pipe work to engage the ignition advance and retard

Modifications to running gear

–               3/4” front roll bar

–               Grooved & drilled front brake pads

–               Front dampers uprated by 30%

–               V8 Front wishbone bushes fitted

–               Rear springs lowered 2 inches

–               Front springs lowered by 2 inches

–               Green Stuff front brake pads

–               Stainless steel braided brake pipes

–               Spax telescopic adjustable rear gas dampers

–               Bespoke fully adjustable panard rod bolted directly to the axle

–               15” Alloy wheels fitted with 225 R15 60 profile tyres

–               Stainless steel braided ‘T’ junction brake hose

Body modifications

–               Bespoke Sebring body kit

–               Bespoke Sebring stainless steel front grille, fitted flush with the front wings.

–               Entire vehicle under body coated with rubberised stone chip protector. Over painted in body colour.

–               Rear inner wheel arches extended and metal let in to enable larger wheels to be fitted.

–               Front and rear bumpers removed

–               Flush fitting valences fitted front and rear

Interior modifications

–               Bespoke black and green piped leather reclining seats

–               Body coloured dash board

–               Body coloured centre console insert

–               Moto Lite steering wheel

–               Bespoke instrument cluster fitted in the centre console containing a voltage meter/cigarette lighter.

–                   USB charging / satnav port

This has to be the best example of an MG Sebring currently on the market. I would describe this as the nicest MG I have ever driven with the panel fit and finish being absolutely superb. The cars a credit to both the owner and Haileywood Specialist Cars who painstakingly carried out the restoration.

Offered for sale with a current V5 registration document, current MOT and substantial history file including invoices and Photographic record of works carried out.

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