MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Coupe roof to roadster

Hello guys, I have a pretty solid roadster body and frame which I am finally starting on as a V8 project.(After it has been in the back of the shop for 15 years) I realized recently that I would really like a coupe instead of the roadster, but don't want to spend a lot of cash to purchase an equally solid coupe body, particularily as I really only need the body shell, not the rest of the car. There is a very rough coupe body locally which I think I can get cheap. My question is if it is feasible to transplant the coupe roof and doors to the roadster shell. (Sorry if either the V8 project or the roof splice offend any of the traditional enthusiasts.)Any info would be appreciated!
Kurt Schley

Kurt- Are you in Madison Wisconsin? Is the coupe body a red 1500 and missing doors and glass? I ask because I got many parts for my coupe from Jacks Auto Ranch in Watertown many years ago. Originally the coupe top was fitted and much lead was used. Don't see why it could not be done. Gary
gary starr

Hi Kurt. I am NOT a coupe owner or coupe expert, and perhaps should not be addressing your question. But for what my limited coupe knowledge is worth: While it might be possible to convert a roadster to a coupe, it wont necessarily be as easy as you might think at first glance. The coupe bodies were I think, considerably different from the roadsters. The doors were different, the rear pillar covers and I think perhaps even the rear pillers were different, the piller door latches were different, and the rear body tubs were also somewhat different If memory serves. If I am correct, these differences could perhaps create challenges that would be difficult to easily overcome. Perhaps other members can shed more light on the differences between coupe and roadster bodies. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

Kurt, not something I'd try. As Glen said, most everthing from the rear edge of the bonnet to the front edge of the boot lid is different to some degree. How about keeping a roadster and just finding a good hard top and newer style side curtains?
Bill Young

Coupes are rarer, but not enough that this would be worth the effort not to mention having a roadster that will probably never be right again.

Del Rawlins

I've never done a serious side-by-side comparison of the bodies around the cockpit area. You might have to add or subtract sheet metal to the rear shelf. You'd have to be very careful to get the alignment right to get the doors to fit. But the doors should bolt right in to the roadster body.

I might suggest selling your solid roadster body and buying a coupe body. But if you really enjoy metal fabrication, go for it.

Mark
Mark

Buy the body shell, restore and use it. Keep the roadster shell or sell it to some needy project. A good roadster shell would be worth more than a good coupe shell in todays market. I am sure there are more who would want make the swap the other way to make it worth looking in to.
Consider A/C in the coupe. I have a bare coupe shell (no you can't have it) and can send pictures if you would like.
R J Brown

Kirt,
I have a coupe and a roadster and believe me, there are many differences. It would be a major undertaking to do the conversion. You will have to get coupe doors, coupe dash, coupe top, coupe rear scuttle section and coupe "F" sections so you might as well get a complete coupe! You are looking at enough work in converting to v-8 without the coupe modifications also. Have a good day!

John












John Progess

Kurt, originality aside, since you already have decided to go with a different drivetrain, why not go with a modified body? What about the coupe interests you? Would a roadster with hardtop fit your desires?


I have seen one car on the 'net which put coupe doors on a roadster. I can't remember what they used for a windshield. If I had an A that I was building into "my" car and had the know-how, I would attempt this.

Having owned both a coupe and roadster, I prefer the openness of the roadster over the warmth of the coupe in all but the early spring and late fall. Getting into a coupe is tighter than you may think. All the stories of the MGA having a hot cockpit are doubled in a coupe. Actually, the coupe was my first. After years of driving a coupe in the summer, I thought I understood these stories. When I got my roadster on the road, I then learned that, by comparison, all these stories are highly exaggerated. Also, in a coupe, the engine and transmission noise are louder.

If you haven't already done so, find someone with a coupe and try a fit. You may find you prefer the roadster. A removeable hardtop with coupe doors may be a good compromise. Let's not forget that the prototype coupe was made from a roadster.

All that said, I just love the shape of the MGA coupe. It is one of my favorite British car shapes, right up there after the MG Airline Coupe and of coursen the XKE. (sorry guys).

Chuck

Chuck Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 21/12/2006 and 22/12/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.