This fascinating story appears in the August, 2008 issue of Hemming's Sports and Exotic Car, The mere fact that more than 100,000 MGAs were sold is a testament both to MG (and MGAs) and the growing popularity of sports cars and driving as a sport. This particular car, produced on May 16, 1962, was specially appointed, getting an unique all gold paint scheme, chrome wire wheels, special badging and a deluxe white leather interior with 100% Australian lambswool carpeting - that the carpet was white indicates that MG intended this vehicle to be a strictly a show car.

So it was, arriving stateside aboard the Queen Mary in time for the 1962 New York Auto show. After that it was sent on a tour of US dealerships, except that it didn't get very far, one of the first stops (and ultimately the last stop) being a MG dealership in Nashville. It seems the purchaser came in on a Sunday, eyeballed this beguiling British beauty and it was love at first sight. The rookie salesman wrote up a full price sales contract, and stuck it in front of the sales manager, who was only to willing to sign off on a full ticket sale with only a glance. Next day, a frantic phone call from the dealer came, begging out of the sale, but the new owner, after a call to his attorney, stuck by his signed contract and the show car hit the streets.


Fast forward 40 years later and the car is parked behind the barn, 9000 miles on the odometer, weeds growing through the floorboards and the original buyer/owner deceased. The widow calls the younger brother, who had lusted after this special A since the day it was bought, and says it's yours, take it away. This is a car most MG aficionados had given up for lost.

Many dollars later ($12K just for the paint) this baby is back to looking like the gussied up Princess that rolled off the Queen Mary in 1962 - check it out and smile at www.100000thmga.com.

Labels: 100000th MGA, 1962 New York Auto Show