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MG MGA - 57 Roadster Dailey Driver

I have a 1957 MGA that has been sitting for about 8 years. I went to college and left it with my parents. Needless to say it was not taken care of as i would have liked it to have been.. got a job... moved around a bit and now i have the car of my teen years sitting in my garage... I'd like to make it a dailey driver without doing a full restore on it...
car is still in prety good shape rockers are strong and the body does not sag.. minor rust in the frame rails around the drivers side floor board...
First question... is this a good idea ?
and secondly what are some of the things i need to look for in the car for safety and reliability issues before it goes back on the road for any length?
thanks for everything
Glenn in Tennessee
GOB Bolin

Glenn

I have had two MGA's that I used as daily transport and the weather is much worse here than in Florida. They are an extremely easy car to work on and drive in most daily traffic situations. I would suggest that you have the frame checked and repaired if required then make sure that your braking system is fully operational and set up properly. You may get a little wet on those rainy days but you will always have "smile appeal".

Enjoy your MGA....they are meant to be driven!

Brian
Brian Smith

First answer...its a great idea!
The obvious things to check (and probably rebuild or replace) are brakes, including master cylinder, wheel cylinders and lines. Rodents have been known to chew the flex lines. Make sure the emergency brake is working. Check the shocks for leakage and/or fluid level. Check the rack for seal deterioration and oil level. The rear end for oil level and signs of leakage...seals do harden when setting around. Wiper blades and lights, a tune up, oil change, check the tires for tread and air pressure and let 'er rip!

Good luck.
GTF
G T Foster

Only item I'd like to add is to check the electric system thoroughly. Many problems you have with an old car coming out of storage will be related to chewed-up wiring or corroded connections. Check all the grounds, lubricate the generator, clean switches with contac cleaner, etc.

I don't drive my MGA as a daily driver but I would have no reservations about doing so. In good order they are reliable cars. I did drive mine for about two months as an only car and had no problems other than depression when I got to work and had to get out!
Steve Simmons

Might want to drain the old gas and clean varnish from the carbs. Remove spark plugs and pull the engine through a few times till you achieve oil pressure. Great project. Good luck with it. Consider buying two new batteries.
Paul Hanley

Since it's really a fifty year old car--all of the above applies and more. Tires should be replaced regardless of wear. If it's to be a daily driver, consider converting it to an alternator and neg ground. If you've left gas in the lines, your fuel pump is probably toast. Flush the cooling system. The seat leather is going to be dry and brittle. Feed it with a good leather oil or you'll end up with cracked sets. Consider a type 26 battery instead of two 6v units.
R. L Carleen

I dunno about the alternator conversion. The generator in my early B has only bee rebuilt twice in 300,000 miles. Am I just lucky?
Steve Simmons

Thanks for all the helpful advice... I was cleaning on the car today and found the frame to be in good shape ... I do however have two motor mounts that need replacing as well as some brake lines rusted in two ... brake shoes have seperated from the pads... thermostat cover has deterioated (SP?) so it will be a bit of a project... I had already planned the altenator conversion... and interior needs some help as well as a new top and a re-spray wouldn't hurt either... but IM QUITE EXCITED about getting her back on the road.
GOB (not in Canada)
Gob Bolin

GOB BOLIN; What part of Florida are you in? I maybe can help.
Sandy Sanders
Hudson Florida
conrad sanders

This thread was discussed between 01/01/2005 and 02/01/2005

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