Kurt Brueske’s 1957 MGA 1500 Coupe

I found this 1957 MGA Coupe for sale on Craigslist in Omaha NE in 2017. It was the last remaining car of a larger collection of vehicles that were being liquidated as part of an estate sale. The car had been sitting for at least 30 years, possibly longer. I was able to track down and speak with the son of the owner who originally purchased it from an a USAF service member who raced the car during the late 50s at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha NE during a time when General Curtis LeMay, then the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Commander, sanctioned Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing events at Offutt as well as other SAC bases across the United States:

https://www.google.com/search?q=SCCA+racing

Although Air Force sanctioning of SCCA racing officially “ended” in the late 1950s, it continued surreptitiously into the early 1960s.

The connection with previous ownership was made possible using the 1969 registration tag attached to the telescoping steering column of the MGA. According to the son of the owner (1964-1997), it was pretty rough and needed to be restored at which time the color changed from Mineral Blue to Black. When I purchased in 2017, it was dusty and needed pretty much everything but was surprisingly complete and free of rust having spent most of its life near the NE/KS border. A BMIHT certificate documents that the engine is original to the car. Over the course of two years, I disassembled the entire car to a bare body on chassis, and performed a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration (engine, transmission, fuel system, wiring harness, brakes, headliner, etc.) with the exception of the 50+ year old paint which has wonderful patina as does the interior, argent 48 spoke painted wheels and spinners. I added a dry brush technique “eight ball” roundel…interestingly, this was before I learned about the cars SCCA racing history.

I absolutely love this car…beautiful MGA styling, handling, completely analog in every respect. It draws attention where ever it goes. It isn’t “perfect” but that’s how it like it…wouldn’t change a thing!

Safety Fast!

Kurt Brueske
NAMGAR Internet Coordinator