1968 MGC "THE MONSTER" Registration Number: FND 371F Chassi...

Hammer

£12,500

1968 MGC "THE MONSTER"

Registration Number: FND 371F
Chassis Number: GCN1U3953G

- Converted in period in California to steel Sebring coachwork 
- More recently recommissioned 

When the “M.G. Division” of British Motor Holdings was tasked with creating a replacement for the long-lived Austin-Healey 3000, the corporate bosses latched onto Abingdon’s plan to build a six-cylinder MGB. Donald Healey himself squashed the idea of a Healey-badged M.G., but the idea saw light for model year 1968 when the new BMC “C-series” seven-main-bearing, twin SU-carburettored, 2,912cc straight-six engine was shoehorned into the B. This unit was physically taller and 340 pounds heavier than the MGB’s 98hp, 1.8-liter four, and fitting it required swapping the front suspension’s coil springs for torsion bars. In spite of its overly generous dimensions, the three-litre was an impressively smooth unit of 145hp at 5,250 rpm and 174-lbs.ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm, making it the most powerful M.G. sports car built until the RV8 of 1994.

This very interesting MGC was first supplied via a Southern Californian dealer in 1968, specified with an automatic transmission and wire wheels, and finished in British Racing Green. We understand a British serviceman, whilst posted to California, purchased the MG, driving it for a couple of years before returning the car to his dealership to be converted to RHD specification. In addition, our then owner decided on some racy bodywork modifications…

A nearby body shop was contacted and briefed to convert the MGC’s body, with wide steel Sebring-style wheel arches, a deep front spoiler, a restyled rear end, and the removal of bumpers to the front and rear. Although undocumented, the engine is said to have been stripped, lighten and balanced, and rebuilt, and an overdrive unit fitted. A year or so after the work had commenced, the serviceman had disappeared back to the UK, leaving the MG and a sizable invoice in his tracks. The MGC sat, and sat, and sat. A full 20 years later a Mr. Bob Sauder of Grass Valley, California acquired the car, now finished in primer, with wide chromed wire wheels, a six-branch manifold, triple carburettors and a Downton twin pipe exhaust system. A later MGB dashboard had also been fitted, with an MGC odometer and rev counter.  

Bob, now in his 70s, decided he would never finish the project, and so sold it to the British enthusiast, who completed the car around 5 or 6 years ago to the standard presented here. Further additions include telescopic shock absorbers all around, renewed brake and clutch systems and a rebuilt overdrive gearbox. The seating was renewed in leather by  P. J. M. Motors of Shropshire, and the coachwork finished in a period Porsche shade of Minerva Blue.

A car which has always remained in dry California, or garaged in the UK, the MGC is remarkably well preserved for its age with no signs of previous rust repairs. Now UK registered, this striking MGC, affectionately known as “The Monster”, is complete with Heritage Certificate, large file of maintenance and various parts invoices.