Our car, a former steed of the Lancashire Constabulary and resplendent in ‘Reno Red’ is worthy of the highest consideration.  Offered with several files of fascinating history,  continuation buff log book from 1964, which is the time it entered the ownership of one Dr Coutts with whom it was to remain until 2016.  Acquired for £60 in September 1964 whilst a student at Edinburgh University, it was slowly restored on a measly budget to 1970 in time to transport Coutts and his new bride on their honeymoon.  Rather less enchanting is the conclusion that they ran out of money and didn’t much care for the north Scotland weather so headed home after five days, but that wasn’t any fault of the car!

Fast-forward to the years leading to 2000, whilst still in Coutts’ ownership, but with slightly greater budget than that of his student days, the team from Naylor Brothers of Shipley were appointed to fully restore his beloved MG TA to better than new standard and with modest practical upgrades such as telescopic dampers, alfin brakes and electronic ignition.  This restoration has been well documented with dozens of photographs and completed to a very high standard still evident today.

In total, more than £70,000 has been invested to make this TA undoubtedly the very best available today.  In 2002, Jacob Engineering of Gloucester were enlisted to fit T-Type steering conversion to ‘BTD 810’ at a cost of some £2,000, then later, in 2010, MG engine specialist, Peter Edney, undertook a complete engine and gearbox rebuild at a cost of nearly £10,000.

As you might expect, the result is exceptional and that’s the only way to describe this car.  Unusually, our TA sports cycle wings over the front wheels rather than running boards, this being just one of several nods to the potential within this car for the likes of classic rallying or hill-climbing and as such it has become a recognisable and known car in MG circles.

To that end, it has competed in two HERO rallies, the first being the London-Lisbon in October 2000 immediately after receiving the restored car back from Naylor Brothers, and having seemingly caught the rally bug, Coutts was back at it again on the Classic Malts in 2001 with his beloved MG TA winning the Concours Award at each rally.

In recent months the love affair of this MGTA has continued with its current custodian, being treated to a replacement clutch, water pump & thermostat, and a rather smart original-style 17” Bluemel Brooklands steering wheel in black which finishes the whole package beautifully.