1959 MG A Roadster 'Twincam' to fast road specification

For sale by auction on Saturday 07 March 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
It is important. before the car is described here. to understand
the man behind it. Thomas Boyce. a Canadian. studied engineering at
the University of Toronto in Canada and in the UK at Imperial
College. London. where he gained his doctorate in Engineering.

He went on to become a lecturer at the college in Mechanical
Engineering.

One of his activities was working to improve the efficiency of
internal combustion engines (both petrol and diesel).

He prepared the car and shared the driving with Lady Jean Denton
in her MGB. enabling her to be the only sports car to complete the
1968 London to Sydney rally. She later went on to twice win the
Woman's British Racing Drivers Championship in Boyce prepared
cars.

On one occasion. during the Mille Miglia at Mugello. Italy. br/>another car. a re-bodied Ginetta designed by Dr. Boyce for the
single seater Group 7 GT class. easily went on to win the race. An
objection was voiced to the clerk of the course by none other than
Carlo Abarth. After inspection. it was decided that there was no
case to answer and the Italian's objection was rejected.

So. with a technical reputation of this magnitude. what did he
do with his own car? Well it helps that he owned it from new. The
real changes took place in the 1970's when the engine was rebuilt
using twin-choke Dellorto 45's on a gas flowed head. The intake
valves were replaced with Healey valves and both inlet and exhaust
valves were re-profiled. The head was fitted to a five-bearing MGB
block with a nitrided crankshaft. which was cross-drilled and
balanced. The pistons were Alfa Romeo to improve combustion chamber
shape. gasses leaving through a straight-through stainless steel
exhaust system. A steel sump was fitted with a larger baffle
to prevent oil surging. (This was a common fault with the original
cast aluminium sumps. ) The diaphragm clutch. with Ford Transit
centre plate was fitted to a lightened and balanced flywheel and
connected to an MGB five-speed competition close-ratio gearbox. The
rear axle was fitted with a 4. 88 ratio differential and supported
by multi-leaf MGB competition springs. anti-tramp bars and
adjustable rear shocks.

To the front. a taller radiator was fitted to aid cooling.

The wheels have 6" wide rims fitted symmetrically to maintain
correct steering geometry and all held on with competition E-Type
three-eared spinners. the cones having been re-profiled to match
the hubs.

The body is relatively standard. the bonnet is aluminium and
louvered and the front wings are fibreglass and include a subtle
flare to accommodate the wider wheels. The speedometer has been
recalibrated to read correctly in conjunction with the altered axle
ratio and tyres fitted. The brakes are servo-assisted with
competition pads. Most of the works are documented and a full
year's MoT test certificate is provided. Following a subsequent
full. body-off restoration approximately ten years ago. light
exercise has kept the car in check and it is ready now for its
second owner. Whether historic rallying. circuit racing or standard
road-work. you will probably not find a better engineered or indeed
quicker MGA anywhere.

NB. There is a slight noise from 1st gear when
pulling away. otherwise everything is mechanically sound.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?