Chassis No. GHNL/71203 Engine No. 16GA-U-2462 The MGA was the first genuinely modern MG. Its steel construction and sleek, rounded styling brought the company fully up to date with its competition, yet it remained a true roadster with snap-in side curtains and no outside door handles. Naturally it became a worldwide favorite, as truly one of the sports cars that generations of enthusiasts cut their teeth upon; some 57,000 were produced over a seven-year run, and many of them were exported to the United States. This MGA, chassis number 71203, is probably the example still on the road today that remains closest to the condition in which it left the Abingdon-on-Thames factory in the United Kingdom on 2 July 1959. Exceptional for its authenticity and for the rare state of preservation in which it presents itself today, it is equally remarkable for its documentation and uninterrupted history. Delivered new through Morris Garage in Maryland, USA, in left-hand-drive configuration, finished in Old English White with a black interior, and factory-equipped with optional wire wheels, heater, and windscreen washer, this MGA was first registered in March 1960 in the name of its first owner, Philip J. Robinson, of Ithaca, New York. Gordon Morris, owner of the dealership and also a collector, realized, a decade after delivering the car new to Robinson, that it had covered only about 2,000 miles. Charmed by its extremely low mileage and by the immaculate condition in which it presented itself, he offered to buy it back from him. In 1975, anticipating his passing and wishing to put his affairs in order, Morris transferred the car to his son, Clark Morris, at which point it showed just 2,241 miles on the odometer. In 1983, Clark Morris in turn sold the car, after having driven approximately 1,000 miles behind the wheel, to Gary C. Enck, still in the state of New York. It was then quickly resold to Carl Meyer less than two years later. Meyer kept the car for less than a decade before it joined, in March 1994, the museum collection of Robert A. Koons, which it would not leave for nearly twenty-five years, before being offered at public sale in 2018, crossing the Pacific Ocean to the Netherlands, and finally being acquired by the current owner in 2019. If it is exceptional for its authenticity, it is equally so for the historical file that accompanies it. Included in this file are copies of the titles of transfer between Robinson and Morris, from Gordon Morris to his son Clark Morris, from Morris to Enck, from Enck to Meyer, and from Meyer to Koons — as well as the registration, tax, and transaction documents related to that acquisition — a copy of the registration issued following its departure from the museum, and subsequently the Dutch documents through to Belgium, where it is located today. Three appraisal reports spanning different periods are also included in the file: the first, dated 1984 when the car showed 3,262 miles on the odometer, states, “There can be no argument about its authenticity”; a second, from October 1994, concludes with, “there just is not another car like it anywhere in the world”; and finally an FSP Certificate of Authenticity dated December 2021, awarding it an AAA rating, the highest possible. This exceptional MGA, with extraordinarily low mileage rarely—if ever—seen, has never been restored or repainted. It is presented today still fitted with its matching-numbers engine, its soft top, its side screens, and its original leather key fob. It is also accompanied by its British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate, its owner’s manual, and original MG brochures. PREVIEW DETAILS: This lot will be available for viewing by appointment from Waregem, Belgium. SALE LOCATION: Belgium BUYER’S PREMIUM: 10% + VAT on the Hammer Price TITLE/REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS: Belgian Certificat d'Immatriculation ADDITIONAL NOTES: New Means of Transport: This Lot was first entered into service no more than 6 months ago or has been driven for no more than 6,000 kilometers and therefore is considered a New Means of Transport for movements within the European Union (EU). Acquisition VAT is payable by the Buyer upon arrival of the Lot in the EU destination country. Broad Arrow reserves the right to collect a deposit of 21% of the sale price from the Buyer which will be refunded after receiving satisfactory evidence of removal from Belgium and registration in another EU country. POST-AUCTION REMOVAL AND STORAGE: Following receipt of payment, collection can be arranged by appointment only from Waregem, Belgium with 24 hours' notice.
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- VIN CodeGHNL/71203
