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MG MGA - New owner

Hi guys, you all gave me some help in deciding to buy an MGA, I think I will soon be the proud owner of a Mk1 1500.
So I will be pestering you guys with lots of questions, I've been a member of the MGB part of the forum as I have a MGBGT, so I know the drill, and have had lots of help throughout the years, looking forward to chatting to everyone, I'm on Facebook and there are a couple FB groups for MGB's is there a Facebook group for MGA owners ?
Cheers Jack.
Jack New Forest

Jack

Welcome. The good news is the A bit is a lot more active than the B one.

Paul
Paul Dean

Welcome Jack. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the car when you get it.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve and Paul, yes Steve hopefully in the next week or two, I'll be in touch your not far away, I'll probably have loads of question for you.
I'll post some pics when I get them.
It's a red MK1 1500 1956
Only thing that worries me is I've been used to my 1800 engine with over drive, am I going to find this 1500 four speed a bit slow, I hope not.
Jack New Forest

Hi Jack - welcome to world of MGA. I had a '79 BGT before my MGA . I find it a lot more enjoyable than the GT to drive on everything except motorways - have fun - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Hi Jack, now the fun stars in all sorts of ways.
If you need any hands on help I'm only in Fareham and have had a 56 MGA for over 40 years. Get in touch if you get stuck.
Cheers
Alan
AR Terry

Cheers Alan good to know, looks like I have plenty of A men about to help, cheers.
Jack New Forest

Jack
We have something in common - I have a 69 GT plus I'm on my fifth MGA rebuild since 75. I consider you will find the MGA much tighter and more responsive than the GT if the suspension is up to scratch and your early car has a ARB fitted you be well on your way not to be too concerned about the slightly poorer straight line performance.
Enjoy
Regards
Mark
Mark Dollimore

"I have plenty of A men about to help" :
Amen to that Jack!

Like you I owned an MGB before my MGA. In fact I've now owned the same MGB for 46 years and have covered about a quarter of a million miles in my MGB.
I regret to inform you that the MGA is more cramped, it gets terribly hot inside in summer, stuffy with the top up, it leaks badly in the rain, it has bugger-all luggage capacity, and is slower than an MGB. The lack of overdrive in modern road conditions is an absolute pain.

BUT, boy is an MGA a lot of FUN. They're addictive. They go round corners like no MGB ever does. They feel more responsive. And they look just wonderful, with those outrageous flowing curves. I can't ever wipe the silly grin off my face when I drive mine.

Add a 5 speed gearbox like many (including me) have done, maybe an MGB engine (ditto) and just get out and enjoy the thing. Just leave plenty of extra time for each journey, not because an MGA is slower than an MGB, but because every time you stop, people will want to talk to you about your car.
T Aczel

Jack, there's a Facebook group for MGA's, although it's mostly just pretty pictures: https://www.facebook.com/groups/193181557496034/
Rutger Booy

Thanks for all the comments guys, over the years, I have rebuilt a Frogeye sprite, an MG midget, then owned two MGBGTs snowberry white mk1 which I have now sold, and a BRG mk2 which I'm keeping (wife's car) bit of rust on it but engine is an Ivor Searl rebuild and is superb to drive. Top gear wanted to buy this MGBGT from the previous owner but I got there and beat them to it, I had visions of them thrashing around the track then trashing it.
But of all these cars I'm very excited at the thought of being an MGA owner, your right T. Aczel it's probably the most beautiful car MG made.
I have two trips planned this year, Le Mans Classic in July and the NC 500 round the coast of Scotland, so I'll have to get used the the A and make sure she is ready.
And you guys have been very encouraging, I have enough classic car experience to know it's not all plain sailing, but that's part of the fun, bring it on !
Cheers Jack.
Jack New Forest

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2016 and 19/01/2016

MG MGA index

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