From the purpose it was launched in 1955, the MGA was a certified gross sales success in North America. Of 101,081 vehicles constructed, 81,401 had been offered in that necessary market. Eager to help any efforts to advertise the MG marque in America the British Motor Company turned a serious fixture on post-war America’s road-racing calendar.

MG was on the forefront of successive Sebring endurance occasions from their beginnings in December 1950. In 1960 the Abingdon Competitions Division as soon as once more shipped three MGA Twin Cams to the States: UMO93, UMO95, and UMO96, plus apply automobile UMO94. The one pictured is the one I noticed at Concours of Class in 2020: chassis YD2/2571 – UMO93. Amongst many competitors modifications, all of the vehicles had mounting factors for quick-lift jacks, Vanden Plas aluminium hardtops, a bonnet scoop to direct chilly air into the cockpit, an additional air consumption and hot-air outlet, and oil coolers. The unique bumpers had been eliminated, twin driving lamps put in and a 17-gallon gasoline tank added. The usual 1588cc engine was fastidiously assembled with a 9.9:1 compression ratio, and energy was transmitted by means of a close-ratio gearbox and 4.55:1 gears within the limited-slip differential. Pushed by People Jim Parkinson and Jack Flaherty, UMO93 completed fourth at school.

Following the Sebring 12 Hours, UMO93 was offered to Dr. Paul Buchanan of Charleston, South Carolina. He campaigned it till it dropped two valves at Daytona in 1963. UMO93 then remained unused till bought in 1967 by Lyle York, who repaired the automobile and drove it periodically as much as 1970, when the clutch failed. The MGA went into hibernation at simply 5139 miles and remained unused till Lyle lastly offered it in 2003. The following proprietor undertook a radical mechanical restoration, whereas doing nothing to spoil its originality. In 2004, UMO93 participated within the Collier Cup race at Watkins Glen, and in 2010 it claimed first place within the Historic Race Automobile Class on the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Class.

DK Engineering bought the automobile in 2015 and repatriated it to the UK, and right now UMO93 stays a bodily time warp as the one remaining unrestored BMC-prepared MGA. It options fewer than 6500 miles from new, and is accompanied by its unique roof and facet curtains in addition to an outstanding file with historic information and pictures. This important historic race automobile boasts an unrepeatable patina and unbroken provenance; it’s a real motor sport survivor.

ENGINE

1.6-litre four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, twin carbs

CONFIGURATION

Entrance engine, four-speed handbook gearbox, rear-wheel drive, separate chassis, coil-spring entrance suspension, semi-elliptic leaf rear, discs all spherical