There car was built for long term development work on the MGA Coupe, but competition work was a big part of the development effort. The car was built in June 1958, nine months after the first MGA Coupe. PRX 14, an Abingdon works registration, was affixed to a 1958 MGA Coupe as a "demonstration car". When the need to improve the performance of the MGA became apparent PRX 14 became the test vehicle, and the first 1600 engine and uprated disc brakes together with various under bonnet mods were installed. The car has had engines fitted 1500, 1600, 1622, and finally 1800 over-bored to 1844cc.

This car has been featured in numerous articles and books and was a regular competitor at Prescott Hill Climb. It owes much of its prominence to A.F Rivers Fletcher, the car's former long term owner. Other previous drivers include Jack Sears and Nancy Mitchell. It is most recently fitted with many of Fletcher's individual touches such as MK2 Grille, Mota Lita steering wheel, boot rack, a number of badges, and his special "throttle stick".

The car is (or was) offer for sale in January 2009 at the astounding asking price of £84,000 (approx. €89,679 or $116,663). It is listed again in July 2009 as "Offers Considered". For as long as the links work,
see here: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C89859
and here: http://www.ashridgeautomobiles.co.uk

There is a book "MG Past & Present" (not specifically about MGA) written by long term prior owner (and competition driver) of the car, A.F. Rivers Fletcher. He was of the opinion that there was nothing particularly grandeur about the history of this car. It is what it is, a factory development car sold off at end of the production period with only minimal competition history prior to his ownership. It does have a unique niche in MGA history, but perhaps not so prevalent as to demand such a high place in market pricing.

Addendum: September 7, 2009:
The car has now changed hands, and the new owner wants to say hello to the MG world. Mike Peters in Lancashire, England, will be putting the car back into service as a vintage racer, continuing the car's long history of competition use. With Mike's feedback I intend to post more about this car soon.

On 8/18/2010, Mike Peters wrote:
"PRX 14 has been regularly used and is a pleasure to drive. She's off the road for a couple of weeks while I rebuild the front suspension and brakes and generally clean up everything under the front wheel arches".

On 1/4/2011, Mike Peters wrote:
"The front suspension is completed and she is still regularly driven. I will be taking her back to Abingdon on 18th January and meeting up with some of the works mechanics. Really looking forward to it".

On 2/11/2011, Mike Peters wrote:
"A fascinating day spent with the brilliant and inspiring Jim Cox and Brian Moylan. Photos attached of Jim and Brian reminiscing at Abingdon. (Jim on the left). A wonderful experience and a privilege to meet men who made MG history, and built the car all those years ago".

Jim Cox and Brian Moylan with PRX14, 18 January 2011

On 8/26/2016, Mike Peters wrote:
"It's some time since I updated you on PRX 14. She was getting a bit tired, and there was no longer the option to do bits or small jobs. So the decision was made to take her apart and put her in first class condition. A major restoration is under way and she will emerge in January perhaps better than when she rolled off the Abingdon production line and into the hands of Jack Sears and Nancy Mitchell. Don't be concerned though, she will still be used regularly and in competition again".

On 3/5/2017, Mike Peters wrote:
"All steel is now repaired. As you say, it will last for another 60 years now".

On 5/20/2017, Mike Peters wrote:
"She is on the road and beautiful"!


On 9/18/2017, Mike Peters wrote:
"1,000 miles in the MGA this month, and here she is in the MG Car Club North West stand at the Footman James classic car show in Manchester this past weekend. She is running like dream". -- Mike


On 3/23/2018 Ray Casely wrote:
"Very interesting to hear the news about PRX14. I bought this car 53 years ago for £325. (1965?). It was my pride and joy and it was very fast in those days. It was traded in for a Hillman Imp on the orders of my girlfriend. I accepted £275 for it. When I bought the car it was blue in colour. I thought it was French Racing Blue. Being a young lad chasing girls I had her resprayed Jaguar Gunmetal Grey which in those days looked the part. Such fond memories. Do take care of her". -- Ray Casely

Addendum: Ray Casely, deceased late September, 2020.

Now going back a little farther, we have some information from Sally Irvine, dughter of Robin Irvine, who was first owner of the car ex-works in 1962. Note that at this time Robin Irvine is still with us, and may have more information to share.

On 11/5/2020, Sally Irvine wrote:
"I just came across your website and thought I'd get in touch as this was my Dad Robin Irvine's car in the very early sixties. He was the first owner of it as ex works and presumably sold it to Ray Casely who has also commented on your website. My Dad loved the car and only had to let it go because I came along so finances didn't permit him to keep it. He will be delighted to hear that I've contacted you"! -- Sally Irvine

On 11/6/2020, Sally Irvine wrote:
"I believe Dad bought it in the early sixties and sold it in about 1964 presumably to Ray Casely who it appears to have bought it about that time. Dad has followed it online in recent years but has never got in touch with anyone so I thought I would to try and update its known history. I will give Dad a ring to see if he can remember exact dates he bought and sold it and who from and to".
I think Dad has some old photos though I can't do much to help him scan them until after lockdown is over.
I've just spoken to Dad and he's given me lots more information for your website about PRX 14. He bought it in on his 21st birthday on 25th September 1962 from Marshallsea Brothers in Taunton, Somerset who were the Morris MG distributors. He paid £530 for it. He then sold it again (because of me coming along and having to put a deposit on a house for his new wife and daughter) in about 1964. He thinks (but isn't 100% sure) that he sold it back to Marshallsea Brothers (who presumably then sold it on to Ray Casely - but he doesn't know that).
When he owned it, it had the MGA 1500 engine and was originally Mineral Blue with Grey upholstery (it's now the wrong blue!). It also had steel wheels not wire wheels at the time. He was told that the reason it had steel wheels is because it had been Stirling Moss's sister's Monte Carlo rally car and so wire wheels would have been totally impractical.
He does have at least one photo of him with the car in 1962 which I will scan and send to you when I'm allowed to visit again after lockdown'.

On 11/7/2020, Sally Irvine wrote:
"Regarding the purchase on 25th September 1962 and where from, Marshall Brothers in Taunton were the MG distributors at the time from the factory and my Dad was the first private owner of the car. He definitely paid £530 for it on this date. -- Regarding the original colour of the car (Mineral Blue) and grey upholstery and the wheels being steel not wire when purchased from the factory. My Dad was in touch with Rivers Fletcher many many years ago when he owned it (he changed the colour and fitted the wire wheels). Dad is going to send me the photo he has of him with the car in 1962 plus a couple of photos that Rivers gave him when he owned the car. I should get these within a couple of days and will send on to you".

On 11/10/2020, Sally Irvine wrote:
"As promised, attached 3 photos. The first taken in the winter of 1962 when my Dad owned the car with it's original steel wheels and Mk 1 grille. The other two are of Rivers Fletcher's time with the car with wire wheels, new paintwork and Mk 2 grille.
"Incidentally, I did hear back from Ray Casely's wife with the sad news that Ray died 6 weeks ago, so she couldn't help me much other than to confirm that he knew Marshall Brothers well and could well have bought the car from them after my Dad sold it back to them". - Kind regards - Sally


On 5/29/22, neary five years on, Mike Peters wrote:
"Just to keep you updated with PRX 14, still running beautifully and in regular use. I love this car! -- Mike

I love it when people drive the cars that were built to be driven. -- Barney

On 10/19/2023, Mike Peters wrote:
"It being the 100th year celebrations, the MGA group of the MGCC wanted to get 20 MGAs together to celebrate in the English Lake District. As it happens, there were 75 came, and we had a wonderful weekend of chatting and driving. I attach a few photos.
PRX 14 was the guest of honour and led all 75 cars off for the first day's drive. The final photo below shows Roger Enever (son of Sid Enever) flagging off for the start. He was a passenger with me all weekend. A great honour to have the son of the MGA designer ride with me. -- Mike