1947 MGYA, Complete frame off restoration of a classic that has a great history

Prior to July of 2007 I had never seen a 4 door MG. I was in South Africa and stopped to visit my friends Norman & Jennie Frost who own Frost Brothers Classic Cars in Knysna, S.A. Jennie was driving an MGYA and told me it was not for sale, but if that changed, I would be the first to know. Before my safari trip was finished, Jennie had found a car that she liked better and I was the proud owner of a 1947 MGYA.

Norman arranged to get the car shipped via container from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. About 35 days later, the container arrived in Spartanburg, SC. After unloading the MG, I got in it and it started the first time. I felt like this was a good omen and I gradually began to understand how special this MG really was.

This special car had just over 37,000, actual and documented, miles on it when I got it. The color was black with a wine color interior and real wood dash and door trim. Amazingly, everything worked. It had a sliding sunroof, telescopic steering wheel, Jack-All system, turn signal trafficators and roll-out windshield for great ventilation.

As we began the process, we discovered the original paint color had been a pastel green with dark green fenders and running boards. We knew immediately we should go back with the original color.

Naturally, this drastic color change would require a new interior to match. We found great pictures of an original interior. And after enlarging them; our interior experts were able to duplicate even the stitching and especially the different color piping on the seats. They even perfectly re-covered the rear fold down arm rest.

The engine, suspension, and wiring had been rebuilt while still in South Africa so no engine work was necessary except to change the carburetion. With a single carburetor, the 1250cc engine created a whopping 46 horsepower. We added another carburetor and increased performance significantly. We may have as much as 52hp now! This increase in horsepower makes the YA much more enjoyable to drive. If anytime in the future the carburetor, intake, etc needs to be replaced, I have carefully preserved the originals.

As everyone knows the MG cooling systems were never designed for hot weather driving. To make sure we never overheated the engine, we added a hidden electric radiator fan which keeps it cool even when driving around during the hot South Carolina summers.

The first few trips driving this right hand drive car required some concentration, especially to change gears with the left hand, but now it’s very enjoyable. It’s even fun to see people react when I drive backwards into the drive thru window at the bank or fast food restaurant.

We disassembled this MGYA completely and started back with the powder coated frame. Every nut and bolt was cleaned, shined and made to look perfectly original. And by using a rotisserie, we were able to get a perfect paint restoration. Also, we were able to refinish the wooden dash, the wooden doors and window trim, and the wooden trim around the sliding sun roof.

At this point, you may be wondering why we would spend so much money on this car. To help answer that question, and to make me feel better, I want to explain the heritage of this car.

The history begins with the original registration certificate when in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Bernard Barh Long registered his new car on November 15th, 1948. The next day, on November 16th, he put 6 gallons of gas in the car and recorded that purchase and the odometer reading of 101 miles. From then until 1994, at the mileage of 36,495 every gallon of gas, every service, every tire, every battery, and every mileage were recorded in a petrol log book. I guess the car changed hands in 1994, but there were barely 2000 more miles put on the car before my purchase in 2007.

The MGYA began production in 1947 and when production ended in 1953, 6,151 MGYA’s had been built. No doubt there are several still in existence in Great Britain, a few in Australia, and a few in the United States. I believe this car to be one of, if not, the very best one still in existence.

Other items of authenticity are the original The First 500 Miles break-in instruction booklet, the Lubrication and Maintenance booklet, the original owner’s handbook, the original sales brochure, and the original tools.

As of today, this MGYA has 39,023 miles on it, and it spends most of its time in a garage that has both heat and air-conditioning.

If there are any research buffs out there, this car is Y1901 and the body number plate designates this car to be exported by using the X in the body number (XPAG/SC/X11684).