After the disappointments of the Twin Cam model, engine enlargement was seen as the way forward for the MGA.

The result was a capacity increase from 1,489cc to 1,588cc that raised maximum power to 79.5bhp and boosted torque by 17 percent.

Acceleration was improved and the MGA in '1600' form was now a true 100mph-plus car.

To cope with the extra performance, front disc brakes were adopted and the suspension uprated.

The more-refined coupé version, with its wind-up windows and lockable doors, continued as before while the roadster now came with sliding side windows.

Introduced in 1961 and built for little more than a year, the face-lifted 1600 Mark II came with a revised and enlarged (to 1,622cc) B-Series engine, and performance further improved courtesy of an extra 13bhp and raised overall gearing This left-hand drive MGA 1600 was sold new to the USA and then imported into Italy.

It was completely restored for the immediately preceding owner and sold to our vendor at Brooks' Monac...