Lot Ended
Description
Part of a
private collection of classic sports cars; impressive looking Sebring replica
with proper racing history
One of the most desirable creations ever
to come out of the BMC Competitions Department, the MGC GTS was aimed squarely
at taking the fight to the opposition in endurance racing.
The Competitions Department set its sights specifically on the annual
12-hour race at Sebring in Florida, believing that a lightweight 'C’ would have
a power advantage over the competition in its class. Work on designing the cars
began in 1966.
Six body shells were built, all with those trademarks
flared arches, and all to be powered by a race-tuned version of the standard
C-Series 2,912cc straight-six fitted with triple Webers and producing 220bhp, up
75bhp from stock.
Ultimately, only two
lightweight versions of the MGC GT actually left the BMC factory, these 'Works'
cars racing in the 1967 Targa Florio, the 1968 Sebring and the 84-hour-long
Marathon de la Route at the Nürburgring. Their final Works-supported outing was
at Sebring in 1969, after which the MGC competition project was eventually wound
up.
FUD 226G left BMC’s Abingdon factory in
January 1969 as a standard MGC GT. After seven years running in original
specification, the second owner was Doug Smith (owner of MG Motorsport Ltd in
Hertfordshire) who bought FUD to replace his wife’s Mini in 1975. John Chatham
converted it to Sebring specification in 1976, Doug then got Minilite to cast
him a set of 8-inch wheels in magnesium to finish of the
car.
When it needed an engine rebuild in 1984,
Doug was persuaded that he might just as well up-spec the whole car and take it
racing. Doug competed in the MGCC BCV8 Championship from 1984 to 1986, before he
sold the car to German MG collector Dietter Rohl in 1987. He made a concerted
effort to race in every round of the championship and 1986 proved to be his most
successful season. Going to the last round at Oulton Park, Malcolm Beer, Tony
Pris and Doug all had a mathematical chance winning the series. Doug came third
in Class C for modified MGCs, but scoring 120 points he ended up winning class C
overall in 1986.
The current vendor has owned the
car for the last 17 years, regularly maintaining and attending anything that has
been required. It has been part of his collection of classic sports cars,
although he has not competed in it himself. He has now decided to sell the car
with some others to make room for future projects.
Starting and driving while on site, as you can see the car look truly
amazing and ready to drive on the road, classic car events or even track
days.
PLEASE NOTE: If bidding on this lot over £25,000, you
will need to increase your bid limit within your
account.
Contact - james.booth@brightwells.com