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MG MGA - 1958 MGA Coupe with V8

I came across this accident damaged MGA with interesting number plate for sale at Coparts, Whitburn which is quite close to Edinburgh.
https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/52717210/clean-title-1958-mg-a-v8-whitburn
The modifications aren't at all to my taste but someone has spent a fair sum of money on it. Will be interesting to see what it sells for.
Tim Prime

Like you say, Tim, a fair amount has been spent. I wonder what the extent of the damage is - certainly front wing, door and rear wing. Rear wheel? Anything more? Chassis damage?
Peter Allen

Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
P Draycott

Someone has put a lot of work into building that car. In addition to the V8 it looks like a different gearbox and the 170mph speedo is a nice touch.

Not sure why the fuel tank is in the boot possibly to allow for a swirl pot or extra baffles.

Anyone know what the box above the fuel tank is for?

From the outside just the two exhaust pipes and slightly wide 72 spoke wheels to identify it as a potential Q-Car.

I like it and would be very interested to know more about the car.

John Bray

I hope it is a disc braked model, hopefully with an upgrade.
If not I guess that is why he crashed!!

I like it. If I hadnt retired from restoration I would be after that.

Will make an interesting car. And I love the coupe!
Colin Parkinson

If you type the car reg MGA 736 into Google images you'll find more details on this car pre the prang. No expense spared it would seem. Will be an interesting insurance claim.


Tim Prime

Following on from Tim's post, there is some more information on the Border Reivers site

https://borderreivers.co/portfolio/mga-v8/

John Bray

Some thoughts on the V8 coupe.

I was more than a little surprised at just how well my MGA coped after I installed the 1950cc engine with almost 140 bhp, it has fantastic traction and I don't get any axle tramp or wheelspin dramas even when I drive it hard.

So I would think that the chassis will cope with the V8 power far better than anyone would expect and the LSD will probably help to keep any wheelspin under control.
The car looks to have independent rear suspension and I presume that means that there is no solid rear axle to cause traction problems.

I have stayed with the standard Lockheed disc/drum brakes option on my MGA with no servo, except fitted with uprated pads and rear shoes. They work exceptionally well and if I press too hard I can easily lock them up.

I also think that the coupe is probably the better car to fit a big V8 into, the aero over the car is far better at high speeds and so would make a much nicer high speed cruiser.

My roadster is capable of doing almost 120 mph (with the soft top up), but with the top down, the buffeting once you get to three figure speeds is so bad that you just don't want to be doing it.

So a V8 Coupe would seem to be the ideal continental tourer, but then you have to factor in the negatives.

The coupe is notoriously hot inside and so you would probably have to install some form of air-con in it to make it bearable.

The boot space is already limited and with the new fuel tank taking up most of it, you would have to fit a boot rack to be able to carry any luggage.

Finally, there was no mention of fuel consumption, but my guess would be 20 mpg at most and the new fuel tank doesn't look like it holds 10 gallons like the original does. (Obviously, the new independent rear suspension takes up all the space where the original tank was.)

So I would guess it probably has around 100 miles range between refills.

But no doubt that it would be fun to drive, which I suppose is all that really matters.

It would be great to hear more about the car from the original builder.

Cheers
Colyn

Colyn Firth

I assume it doesn't have a spare wheel.
Malcolm Asquith

This thread was discussed between 12/08/2021 and 17/08/2021

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