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MG MGA - MGA Prices

I get the distinct feeling that MGA values are dropping like a stone. For example, I'm currently watching the Mathewsons monthly classic car auction. A very nice Coupe really struggled (with little interest) to get up to £9,000. The guide range was £12k to £14k. Much the same last month with a Roadster - about £4k below reserve. The general comments by the auctioneers and the Bangers & Cash TV programme is that today's buyers are going for the 60s/70s fast Fords, leaving the post war 50s/60s cars with a gradually reducing following.

Thoughts?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Same feelings here. Its a cultural shift as those buyers who grew up with cars from the 50's & 60's are being replaced by buyers from the 70's and beyond. Resto-mods, pickups and Japanese cars from the 80's and 90's seem to have greater traction in the market. In January of this year MGA's were projected by one estimate to increase in value 3.6%, but that was before the financial developments roiling all markets; its not been pretty. Even Twin Cams seemed to have suffered as 5 years ago Twin Cam sales were in the range of $52k, $55k, $63k, $64k and $67k. High points were 2 years ago at $101k, $99k and $168k. This past years sales were $48k and $56k. There's one on the market right now and the auction will close tomorrow; it will be interesting to see if it even sells.
Nick Kopernik

The twin Cam did not sell; high bid was only $26,000 for a very nice example. There's definitely a chill in the air.

Nick Kopernik

Same here-Prices of A's have stalled, MGB's have dropped dramatically, although a really good, not necessarily original car can still attract buyers-
Surprises me that Twin Cam didn't get a buyer Nick, looks a fairly tidy car in the pic. but then that $26000us is about $40000aud here then another $5000+ to get it here and stuff so $45000 would be a decent buy here still for a car like that,it'd probably bring something like 65-70ish+ here. but then the reserve must be more than that otherwise it would have sold.
William Revit

A good condition 1956 Roadster just went on Mathewsons a few minutes ago for £11,600 plus commission. That's probably less than half the price than those early days after Covid.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Prices are dropping on all classics at the moment. The global economy isn't in a great place and people aren't spending on this stuff. It will rebound eventually as it always does. In the meantime, enjoy the chance to buy your favorite cars at reasonable prices!

When prices drop, I'm usually the first one cheering. Right now most people on this forum can't afford a twin cam. If they drop into the 20's, then they will be able to afford them. I don't see how that's a bad thing unless you're planning to sell you car, which I am not. I want to see these cars continue to be loved and driven by enthusiasts. Not many cars that top six figures get driven anymore, and that isn't my idea of enjoying a classic automobile nor is it good for the hobby. Cars that aren't driven don't need repair or parts, which means the cost of those things goes up as demand wanes.

Interest in 50's cars will never be what it was in the past so it's expected that prices will fall just like every other "old guy" hobby. I enjoyed a Model T for many years because prices on the one I wanted dropped from 30K to 10K. And that's where they stabilized and will likely remain forever, or until literally no one wants one (not likely to happen).
Steve Simmons

I agree Steve. My three MGs are owned for the fun of driving them - not as investments (my wife handles that and has done quite well, thankyou). I go to shows to support our local clubs and local charities but that's not where the fun is. The fun is heading up Highways 178 and 215, over the Blue Ridge Parkway and staying on steep and twisty roads. Except for the getting there, we rarely go over 45mph. The TD weather gear stays in the garage and I doubt I remember how to put the hoods up on the MGA or the MGB.

It's a hobby whether you're into Concours, rebuilding/restoring or, like me, just driving for the fun of it.

If the prices go up, that will be good for the auctioneer who sells my estate but for me, not an issue.

JMHO

Jud
J K Chapin

Like many others I keep my A because I like driving, and after all I only paid £100 for it in 1969.
BUT one point for higher values is if you have an accident insurers are more likely to write your A off if value is lower. I know this from experience.

Good to hear from you Steve.

Paul
Paul Dean

Paul and others

I am in a quandary at the moment. With my restricted movement with back and knee I can barely get in and out of the car, let alone get under it for servicing. To compound it all I've just pulled a hamstring. I keep wondering whether to part company with it. I guess I will probably stick with it for the near future and hope I improve a bit. I feel sorry for the old gal, just sitting there week after week. That's what ejecting from a fighter jet can do for you over the years. 48 years of back pain and this November.

Steve
Steve Gyles

On the insurance issue, here in the USA an insurance company isn't allowed to write off a car without the owner's permission. Sometimes they do it anyway and the owner doesn't know the law. The best thing to do is get a collector's policy and insure it for the actual replacement value!

Steve, find a local kid who shows interest and teach him to drive it. That way you can still go out for a ride and a potential new MGA owner is created. :)
Steve Simmons

Steve
Sorry to hear about your ailments. I had been laid up with a back problem for 7 months but have just come out the other side. So I would do as you suggest and stick in there - hopefully you will start to improve soon. From what you say about your research it would be a bad time to sell anyway.
Maybe get someone to pump the brake and clutch pedals occasionally, just to work the fluids and hopefully stop anything seizing up
Graham V

I can sympathise with you Steve, it seems that quite a few of us are suffering from the effects of advancing Anno Domini.
I am down to have a new left knee later in July but that is only the start of things. The knee still works but it is gradually collapsing and this has caused my left ankle joint to completely wear out and it is now totally seized up. The plan is to have a total ankle replacement as soon as the knee replacement has settled down, so a "fun" year ahead!

So driving the MGA is really difficult and I have to either take pain killers or wait until my son in law visits, to drive it anywhere.

I should probably just let the car go, but I have decided to wait a year or so to see if I can still drive it after all the surgery is done.

I can understand that MGA values are dropping, it's only natural that the generations following us are more interested in cars such as Ford RS2000's than our MGAs.

But I can't see why those cars are fetching such high prices! I have owned two of those back when they were current cars and I remember that although the engine made them pretty rapid for the day, they were pretty poor handling and I have lost track of how many times I had spins in them in the wet.

The MGA turns-in beautifully, especially if you add a touch of throttle into a bend but I never got that feeling of confidence from my Fast Escorts.

But, in spite of that, having seen a good one advertised recently for well over £40,000, I kind of wish I had held onto mine! :^)

Cheers
Colyn

PS. I forgot to attach a picture of an Ford Escort RS 2000 similar to the car I had.
Colyn Firth

I had an RS2000 in this colour and at the time, I thought it was a groundbreaking design, but today you can tell that this is a car from the 1970s.
Colyn

Colyn Firth

It's supply and demand. The younger generations grew up with them, lusted after them, and couldn't care less if the aren't good cars. It's a nostalgia thing! I bought a Porsche 928 just because it was my high school dream car. They aren't fast but I don't care!
Steve Simmons

I built mine to drive! Never gave a damn about what it was worth. Paid $500 for it and it was one of the worst left out to rust buckets id seen. Took 10 years to slowly put it back together...and almost sold it several times when I got let go from work at different times.

I love it! when it hits that sweet engine singing sound and feeling at 85! I feel at one with the car. Man, and machine. I might sound a bit stupid here.... but it reminds me of what a WW1 fighter might feel like rolling through the clouds keeping an eye out for enemy planes.... lol. In my case state police. lol!

I remember hearing and old statement of an MG PROMO, I think from the fifties.
The man says in a very confident voice that "The car feels right, because it is right. You can count on MG engineers to make these cars safety fast! Ive felt that way in the car especially when it been wet and I thought the car would spin out and do a 360. It never did...its always felt balanced and controllable. Steady and predictable. I always felt like the car and me became friends. You be good to me...and ill get you where you want.

Driving on the highway from Massachusetts to Vermont for the British Invasion in Stow Vermont. It's a 2.5-to-3-hour ride.....Ive got a 5-speed attached to a 1622 engine and 3.9 rear pumpkin.

I've run it rain or shine and fog.

Its getting a little worn here and there...especially the jet hot coating on the header.
That coating really helped the heat get out from the bonnet...and kept the carbs from boiling on hot days!

Man....I just got out of surgery for a torn rotator cuff....Im on my 4th day of recovery from slipping down the stairs the wrong way.

I can't wait to clean the dust off old blacky and take her out for a ride. It was a car I could afford and didn't break the bank....and once built I've had years of pleasure driving. Maintenance has been minimal.

I've shared rides with many of the younger engineer kids I've known. just to introduce the marque and see if i can get them interested. Its not a fast car off the line but if you let it stretch its legs shell go like the devil.

I guess I'm just a fan of the design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYe_Ofo06B8


I loved finding out Ken Miles was a big MG man. Hopefully that part of Ford vs Ferrari is true!

What a career! So many awesome things came from the MGA....It was a journey meeting almost all my good friends threw the restoration and ownership of that car.

I hope others get inspired to keep the breed rolling down the road!

Who loves ya baby!

Well! Thats all I gots to say about that!



S

Great attitude - Think you're saying the car's a hobby and for fun, and I agree - if you want an investment buy stocks and shares!
Spent a packet on my golf clubs and love them and dont expect to get a penny back for them. It's a hobby.
Graham V

There was a Brightwells online auction this week. After it ended, it appeared that about 80% of the cars hadn't reached reserve.

The Twin Cam (see below) only reached £24k and the E-type £19k.

The TC has now disappeared from the website, but the E-type is showing as sold for £28k, so I guess there was a bit of negotiation going on afterwards.

Another E-type which also reached £19k, is also now showing as sold for £22.5k

Dave O'Neill 2

Steve Devine--Torn rotor cuff mate, ouch, wish you a speedy full recovery--take it easy man--willy
William Revit

Hey Willy! Ya slipped of the top stair after getting out of the shower. Can't believe how bad I hurt myself. My house is a little cape style

Getting better. Thanks for the well wishes. That means a lot.

S

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2025 and 19/05/2025

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