The History of the MGA Twin-Cam Works Sebring Racer

From the point it was launched in 1955, the MGA was a qualified sales success in North America. Of 101,081 cars built, 81,401 were sold in that important market. Keen to support any efforts to promote the MG marque in America the British Motor Corporation became a major fixture on post-war America’s road-racing calendar.

MG was at the forefront of successive Sebring endurance events from their beginnings in December 1950. In 1960 the Abingdon Competitions Department once again shipped three MGA Twin Cams to the States: UMO93, UMO95, and UMO96, plus practice car UMO94. The one pictured is the one I saw at Concours of Elegance in 2020: chassis YD2/2571 – UMO93. Among many competition modifications, all the cars had mounting points for quick-lift jacks, Vanden Plas aluminium hardtops, a bonnet scoop to direct cold air into the cockpit, an extra air intake and hot-air outlet, and oil coolers. The original bumpers were removed, twin driving lamps installed and a 17-gallon fuel tank added. The standard 1588cc engine was carefully assembled with a 9.9:1 compression ratio, and power was transmitted through a close-ratio gearbox and 4.55:1 gears in the limited-slip differential. Driven by Americans Jim Parkinson and Jack Flaherty, UMO93 finished fourth in class.

Following the Sebring 12 Hours, UMO93 was sold to Dr. Paul Buchanan of Charleston, South Carolina. He campaigned it until it dropped two valves at Daytona in 1963. UMO93 then remained unused until purchased in 1967 by Lyle York, who repaired the car and drove it periodically up to 1970, when the clutch failed. The MGA went into hibernation at just 5139 miles and remained unused until Lyle finally sold it in 2003. The next owner undertook a thorough mechanical restoration, while doing nothing to spoil its originality. In 2004, UMO93 participated in the Collier Cup race at Watkins Glen, and in 2010 it claimed first place in the Historic Race Car Class at the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance.

DK Engineering purchased the car in 2015 and repatriated it to the UK, and today UMO93 remains a physical time warp as the only remaining unrestored BMC-prepared MGA. It features fewer than 6500 miles from new, and is accompanied by its original roof and side curtains as well as a superb file with historical data and images. This significant historic race car boasts an unrepeatable patina and unbroken provenance; it’s a true motor sport survivor.

ENGINE

1.6-litre four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, twin carbs

CONFIGURATION

Front engine, four-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, separate chassis, coil-spring front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf rear, discs all round