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MG MGA - Coupe buying advice?

Hi

I am thinking of getting an MGA coupe in the next 12 months. Any hints or tips please what to look for?

Ideally would like a solid useable road car rather than show winner, but not frightened of some work (have a MkII Austin Healey Sprite). RHD front disc braked car or one with this update. No budget for a twin-cam, even if one could be found, just a regular B Series car!

What’s the view of MGB engines - ready performance upgrade but reduces the value? (Cheaper purchase? Guess if it came with an spare MGA block would be good).

People fitting Ford Type 9 five speed gearboxes (which donor, 4 cylinder or V6?) - how do the ratios suit? What about MGB overdrive gearboxes?

Guess rust is a big issue, plus noting body and chassis rather than monocoque MGB or unitary Sprite.

Any parts availability issues?

Thanks
Mike

M Wood

Mike. I'm in Edinburgh and have a 1961 1600 Coupe and if you are up for coming across from the west I'd be happy to chat through the Coupe attributes etc. I had a '61 AH Sprite for about 13 years before the MGA and they are quite different driving experiences. The mechanicals are pretty similar however. I've no regrets in buying the Coupe (bought 3 years ago). Cheers. Tim


Tim Prime

Hi Mike

Many decades ago I had 2 coupes but rebuilt last one as the roadster I still have.

Main issue to be aware of is rust although many car have been reimported from salt free US State.

The main differences between models is in engine size, disc or drum front brakes and lights.

Clearly get more power over 3 models, and there is quite a difference between 1600 an 1600 Mk 2 due to improved head rather than capacity. But I replaced my 1500 engine with 3 bearing 1800 B engine which is by far best option particularly if you want to drive a lot. This upgrade is a slot in except for needing to change water pump as well. Later B engine have advantages but get more difficult to fit. Unfortunately early B engines are by far the most difficult to source.

As my car is a 1500 I have drum front brakes. Discs are usually regarded as better but I have been told that straightforward upgrade to discs is not worth it. This advice has come from very well informed sources.

Unless your car is only for show I wouldn’t drive major distances on 1500 lights (flashers are white at front and red at back) but upgrade to later options is easy.

By the way I went from Coupe to Roadster when car became hobby rather than workhorse, even in Scotland.

Good luck

Paul
Paul Dean

Mike,

My second car was a 1098 Mk 2A Sprite.

I have a 1959 1500 coupe and have had it for 20 years next week; previous owner had it for 19 years. It is my third MGA and second 1959 coupe (out of the 101 home market cars). So it has drum brakes (I have a set of discs in the garage but have not seen the need to fit them) and red & white lights. Changed to wire wheels with a conversion set; others will ask why; I just happen to like the look.

Engine oil pressure was poor, so I bought another 1500 engine, had it bored out to 1600 spec, new pistons etc, found a new old stock crankshaft and had Mike Rolls assemble it - with a MGB head - and refurbish a second gearbox.

A 'slight' inner-sill problem identified on a MOT resulted in the car going to Mike Rolls again for what turned into a major refit: wings off, all the inner panels were rotten, front had been shunted at some stage, so new nosecone, new front chassis extension, took the opportunity to put on an anti-roll bar and do a rewire. All this necessitated a respray in Jaguar Regency red, rather than the MGB maroon.

Seats were worn out, so found a 'new' set and then retrimmed the interior. Prop shaft and rear springs were also replaced and electronic ignition and electronic fuel pumps fitted, as well as an alternator which is a dynamo look-alike. Also has an electric fan; just gives me confidence in heavy Summer traffic. And I found a 3.9 rear diff and had that fitted, dropping the engine revs by almost 10% instead of fitting a 5 speed. And replaced the 48 spoke wires with refurbished powder-coated 60 spoke wheels.

It has been a busy 20 years. Carpets only half fitted: more fun to drive than to fettle... Also still wearing a Mk 11 grille (which I like); I have the correct one in the garage, together with the 4.3 diff, MGA head etc.

You will have fun. I had a 49 mile run yesterday, frustrated by folk who only wanted to drive at 35/40 when the Wiltshire roads were good for 50/60.

Shane
PS Not a sales pitch; just reliving the 20 years.
Shanerj

It's natural to focus on power and the drivetrain - however brakes are barely adequate for driving in traffic and lighting adds unnecessary risk for simple low-light journeys.

On the braking issue, people look first at the normal disc conversion kit which uses an aluminium bracket to hold the calipers. It works but proximity of steel and ally is not a long term solution. The use of MGB discs and calipers is a relatively easy permanent answer. Barney's website (MGA Guru) has instructions. The site has some useful suggestions on the addition of a power servo.

The lighting issue is easily sorted with exchange H4 headlamp bowls. The indicator lights on the 1500s are confusing for other road users. Although sorted in the 1600s, the earlier cars need yellow indicators and there are several solutions - the front white indicator lights can accept a yellow replacement widely used on other cars of the era such as Rover but then the sidelight needs to be added to the headlight. The simplest solution is to fit 1600 lights front and rear (and risk the ire of the purists)
Finally the dc generator is pretty feeble. The MGB alternator is an easy retrofit but requires changing the system to negative earth - again not at all difficult and Barney's website tells you all you need to know.

Small changes but they make the car a lot more usable.



Roger Walker

Shane
Were there really only 101 home market Coupes? Does this include twin cams? I am amazed and really pleased I have my home market and rusted out to prove it 1600 Coupe. It was originally 7987JH, in case someone recognises it, and is now PAS653.
Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

Dave of Bolney. Sorry: only 101 1959 1500 coupes sold in UK. Photo is towards the end of the 'minor work'.
Shane


Shanerj

The simple way of adding amber direction indicators to the front of a 1500 car is to exchange the incandescent bulb for a "switchback" 1157 LED that lights white but flashes amber. Can be done in minutes - but don't forget to also update the flasher unit with one that is rated to operate at lower current for LEDs.

I use these
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?client=safari&q=led+switchback+1157&prds=epd:16412391500856698350,eto:16412391500856698350_0,pid:16412391500856698350,prmr:1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiN2Lztx4XxAhXEjKQKHVmfBqQQ9pwGCAU
Dominic Clancy

This thread was discussed between 31/05/2021 and 07/06/2021

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