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MG MGA - Buying 1st MGA, Questions

Hi Guys,

I have been an MGB driver since 1976, when I acquired my very first MGB. I have owned and driven various MGB's ever since, including my current fully restored 1979 MGB.

However, I am about to buy my 1st nice MGA this upcoming weekend. My question is;...what are the main issues to check out / look for when I go to pick the car up? Are there any main issues with MGA's, other than rust?


How driveable ar the MGA's? Can they handle the emands of driving them on today's roadways?

BTW,...this is a 1958 1500 I'm considering.

Anyones input will be appreciated.
Chuck
Chuck's MG

Chuck

I guess everyone who responds to you could write a book on the car, so I will restrict myself to just one theme and keep it short.

Unlike the B, the A has a separate chassis. Consequently, the lift off body can take on its own unique shape to a small degree. So my advice is to check out panel alignment, door, bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk) gap fit. Panel alignment is probably one of the big issues with the car and can be sod to sort out.

That all said, I think the A is a great driver's car for its era. I hope you get as much fun out of yours as I get out of mine.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Chuck,
Look for frame rot at the base of the interior where the floorboards meet the chassis rails. Be highly suspicious of door mis-alignment that can't be accounted for by hinge wear. If possible arrange for a pre-purchase inspection by an MGA expert.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Chuck,

As you say, rust is the main problem. Running gear is little different from the MGB and you have had 30 years experience with them.
I would definitely look at the car on a hoist. Most rust problems can only be seen from underneath. The chassis rails adjacent to the door sills, the chassis rails from the doors back to where the rails curve upwards, the metal strips supporting the floorboards, the battery carriers.
Also, the door sills, and the the front and rear door pillars.
The 1500 does have fairly high RPM on freeways. The standard rear axle of 4.3 probably cannot be changed to the 4.1 of the 1600 MKII as the engine power is not there.

Mick
Mick Anderson

Chuck,
A stock 1500 will run at 70-75 mph all day, every day. Might have to down shift going up steep hills. All you have to do is get used to the RPM, but they can take it. Anybody who's driven one, or even a small block Chevy with a 4.5 rear can tell you what that's like. As other's have said, get it up in the air and check the inner sills and frame. Bring a friend who is familiar with these cars. You can get burned....

GTF
G T Foster

Owning both types, currently and in the past--I would have to say that the MGB is more driveable than the A. Like any technology, MG's improved over the years. The A is a bit tighter in the cockpit, and unless you have a rhd car, leg room is a bit restrictive. The A is also less weatherproof. If it rains, you can figure on getting wet somewhere. It's a bit noisier, a bit less powerful, but does a better job at turning heads. The A is much more rudimentary when it comes to it's electric system and dash controls. This an be good or bad--when a gremlin gets into your system--it's lack of complexity can either make straightening it out a breeze, or a confounding puzzle. The first gear is not synchronized and is noisy. Not much cargo capacity. Spare takes up most of the trunk--top fills the area behind the seats. The handles well--likes curvy roads--but the steering effort is a bit higher than on my B. Good seat of the pants feel about it. I like both cars...for all of the reasons above. If I had to choose between them--only being able to keep on--it would be the A. But, that's based on the fact that I've got much more time, money and effort invested into it's resurection, than I do in the B's.
R. L Carleen

I agree with the thoughts expressed above. If you want an MGA that is comfortable at interstate highway speeds, please read the thread on this page titled "1800 + Sierra + 3.9." Before you fall too much in love with the car in question, take a step back and consider your vision for the MGA you want to drive. Then put pencil to paper with a Moss MGA parts catalog and do the math on what the car will need to get it to that vision. It can be less costly in time and money in the long run to purchase a car that has already been restored...even an older restoration.
Frank Nocera

Check the rear bumper, Steve's is bent! Some pratt drove/freewheeled into him


Terry Drinkwater

I own an A and look after a very early B. The A wins (for me) hands down, but the owner of the B wouldn't switch for anything - she says the B has always been HER dream car -(and I was looking for an B when I bought the A, which is a longer story (read the book)).

The A is just more fun to throw around, the B is much more civilised. Throw a blower in the A and it's a blast!

dominic clancy

Dominic, I too, very much appreciate your efforts. Thank you!

Unfortunately my key fob did not arrive intact. There was a small hole in both the envelope and the small plastic bag...and only the leather fob and the instruction sheet were there...no rivets. Does anyone know a source for the rivets?
Frank Nocera

AAAugh. I thought I put the previous post in the Keyfob Arrived thread. Don't know how it got to this thread! I will repost it to the proper thread.
Frank Nocera

I have owned a B GT V8 since new. I have also owned many other Bs including an R V8.

I sold my most recent MGA, which I had owned for 10 years, a few months ago & bitterly regret it.

Dominic is right, the MGA is much sexier and more fun than a standard B, but when a car had to be sold I couldn't sell the B GT V8 as I have owned it for so long, and developed it so highly.

Nigel Steward

This thread was discussed between 24/10/2005 and 26/10/2005

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