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MG MGA - 1959? MGA

I have found this car and was wondering what it is worth as is. Body is VERY rusty. There's large holes all over it but, it's a complete car. It's local to me but it was a Black Plate California Car.
http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1599229
V.W. Piņa

Looks similar to a 1600 MkII I bought around 5 years ago for $500.00. Hard to tell from the pictures, though. Assuming you've somewhere to store it where it won't deteriorate further, it's like money in the bank. I'd hate to see it go in the crusher though, what with the price af scap steel these days. Let me know if you don't want it. I'm in over my head already, so 1 more won't make much difference!

And the Riley!

TTFN


Derek Nicholson

Well, that grille is worth about $120. The bonnet and boot if the frames aren't gone are upwards of $50 apiece. Windscreen is worth a few bucks. You also might be able to salvage some of the suspension parts and maybe a bit of the drivetrain. I'd pay about $100 for it, then you can make your money back easily and there will be a few more spare parts to go around. Make sure to get your tetnis booster first.
Mark

Showing my ignorance but what's a Black Plate California Car?
Malcolm Asquith

California has had a number of licence plate styles over the years. The "black plate" style (yellow letters on a black background) was in use from 1963 to I believe 1970 (when it became yellow letters on a blue background). The correct plate for this car (i.e. the plate you would have gotten when you bought it) would actually be a "yellow plate" (black letters on a yellow background). All that "black plate car" means is that the car has the same plates it was registered with at least 35-odd years ago, and that you get the slight "cool factor" of having a plate that's old.

Mark Lambert

Exactly! Mostly a cool factor but no big deal. Really just halps show its age. I have a TD that still has the original 1963 plates on them.
V.W. Piņa

If you buy it to part it out I would be intersted in the grill if it's decent.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

I will keep you in mind Kris.
V.W. Piņa

I would be interested in purchasing the plates if reasonalbe good.
scott

My email address
scott

FWIW, black plates can add $1,000 or more IF the car is actually registered in CA. The plates usually transfer with the car's title. For the earlier MGA's, the period plate is actually yellow with black numbers. These will really add value to the right buyer.

It is possible (if you find a sympathetic DMV worker) to re-register a black plate. Maybe even an earlier plate. However, do not make the mistake of refinishing the plate just prior to doing this! I have heard of an instance where an apllicant's plate was turned down because of this. I guess it smelled too toxic.

We have an interesting DMV, to say the least.
Tom Balutis

This discussion interested me and I checked the old plates that came with my current restoration. I have two CA black with yellow letter plates (Same number). They were registered to my car, (59-MGA). Both have a "63" stamp in the metal on the year block.

I guess I will have to move to California to get the $1,000 value out of the plates. --- Nah!

Jim

Jim Ferguson

Scott sounds interested..
Tom

In California, and likely other states as well, you can register your car as a historic vehicle. Not sure if I can use the plates or not for my 60 roadster, but it would be a nice touch, ps... 70 degrees today
scott

VW
If it becomes a parts car save me the brake adjusters on all of the wheels and let me know what you want for them. I can find the box I put mine in 33 years ago and need some. BTW: Does anybody have some spare brake adjusters for sale????? Thanks Gord
Gordon Harrison

I have a set of Black Plates which sat on my '59 MGA when I bought it in CA 3 years ago - if anyone is interested!!

Ole Aaen

Hi Ole -
I'm interested. Please send me details to my email address. scott@vintage31.com

best - scott
scott

I do not beleive California DMV allows Black plates to be put on any vehicle other than the car to which it was originally assigned. They do have of a program for "year of manufacture" plates for the pre 1963 issued plates, but the last time I checked they were not including black plates in that program. When I moved back to California I wanted to reinstall the '63 vintage black and yellows on my mgtf. I had the plates and a copy of my california registration proving the plates were on my TF and in my name, the local office sent it through, but then the main office rejected it and sent some current plates with my new registration, no explanation...I could however buy some 1955 vintage plates and install them under the year of manufacture rules...
Joe Buchmiller

So, VW, don't keep us in suspense. Did you buy it?

If you're not interested in it, shoot me an email.

Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 11/02/2006 and 19/02/2006

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.