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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 - Parts is parts?

Are there differences in the quality of parts between the different retailers (i.e. little british car co, scarborough faire, moss etc.)

or are they coming from the same factory?
Tysen

This is a minefield as there is tremendous variation. Many of these suppliers subcontract small part manufacture to small engineering shops and accuracy, finish and material specs can vary widely. This happens in trim, fittings and rubber parts and is not much more than an annoyance but when it comes to safety critical components such as suspension pins, drums, discs and so on it becomes a serious matter. Be very critical and if you receive anything that is not satisfactory reject it. As for safety, keep an eye on this BBS and also be aware that there are lists on known unsatisfactory components published on the web although these may more relate to the B.
Iain MacKintosh

There are a few NOS parts suppliers left but not very many NOS parts. Unfortunately, just about everyone sells Moss repros, which is not a bad thing at all. Some parts are bad but more are good.
Jarrod

I've done some business with both Moss (U.S.) and Victoria British and have no reason to complain with either, but judging from the posts here there are some items which usually don't pass muster in the quality area. I've also heard good things about Clarke Spares http://www.clarkespares.com/. They do manufacture some items which are unique and are reported to be of very high quality.
Bill Young

Buyer beware of "NOS" parts. I have purchased some items, EBay primarily, described as NOS parts when actually they were new old reporduction parts. New old repro stock doesn't constitue "New old stock" i.e., new old original stock.

Fit and finish seems to be the most common issue, front grill shells for example. You'd think, having received numerous complaints regarding some items, folks at Moss and other suppliers would correct this problem with their supplier?
robert maupin

Many of the parts are the same as the parts suppliers sell parts to each other. I have bought parts from V. British. which had Moss tags for their item numbers on it. Some people manufacture certain parts and resell them to the other dist. Just don't ask me which ones!!!
JEFF BECKER

Having lived back in the days (1960's)when you could actually go to an MG dealership, and go to their part's department...IF they had the part in stock, it's quality wasn't much different than the repro stuff that's currently being offered. Fit was no better, reliability was about the same and it cost more--when you figure in inflation. NOS stuff is the same stuff that never got sold (or used). It's the same quality as it was originally, with forty or more years added to it. You can get good parts from any of the usual sources--if they routinely sold crap, they'd soon find themselves out of the market. The problem lies in finding suppliers to make the aftermarket parts. Sometimes their QC leaves something to be desired and any of the dealers can find themselves with a bad lot of a certain part, that previously was fine. The only way they'll know is if we tell them.It's kind of unrealistic to expect them to open every package and test each unit. Back when I was an aircraft mech--one of the things they drilled into us was to carefully inspect any part received, and to submit the proper forms to report discrepancies, so the supply system could track problems.
R. L Carleen

Whoever came up with the "parts is parts" thing should be punished. I've had rebuilds like starters for everyday cars that didn't work off the shelf, so expect the same for an MG. Most of the suppliers for our cars are in love with them as we are, so they want to please. Your local Dodge dealer, for example, will charge you more outrageously for parts than the Brit car guys.
Tom

I know for a fact that Scarborough Faire makes, or outsources to local manufacurers, many of their own parts - including a lot of their interior panels and upholstery - using factory originals as guides.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Just got finished replacing the glass in the windscreen frame for the second time (first time in 1991). Easy stuff in 1991 because I used original hardware. Pain in the butt this time because I used new hardware from several sources. The top corner windscreen frame brackets from Moss couldn't be used due to the misalligned pitch of the studs that mated to the ragtop bow (they did look purty, though). Todd Clarke sent me correct top brackets. But Todd sent substandard rubber for the bottom corner seals (6" rubber strips that were unsealed on 2 sides); and Moss had better seals (sealed on all 4 sides). So, you never can tell who's got the best stuff at any one time.
Also, I'm changing all the rubber body pieces and welting right now because the Moss rubber (kit) I bought in '91 is all totally rotted.

Tyler
tyler

Like R.L., I too have been around since the 1960s and MOSS, VICTORIA, & SCARBOROUGH FAIRE have been good sources (usually!) since at least then. I used to buy parts from the U.K. "DIRECT", importing parts myself because of the 200-250% "MARKUP" here in the U.S. at that time! I remember a "DOWNTON ENGINEERING", "V.W. DERRINGTON", "BROADSPEED", "JANSPEED" or "SPEEDWELL" "STAGE II MODIFIED CYLINDER HEAD" complete with all valve gear from the U.K. was actually CHEAPER than a "DEAD STOCK, BARE HEAD" from the local M.G. Dealer! On another note, I certainly hope that NO "N.O.S." BRAKE or clutch "NATURAL RUBBER" PARTS are still out there anywhere! If it doesn't have a "D.O.T. NUMBER" on the box (Indicating "U.S.-TYPE SYNTHETIC RUBBER" parts, compatible with U.S. Brake Fluids!)DON'T BUY IT! If you didn't use "LOCKHEED LMA" (U.K.-made ONLY!)or "GIRLING CRIMSON" Brake Fluid from the U.K., the "NATURAL RUBBER" seals were only good for 6 MONTHES or so before they CRUMBLED AWAY & GAVE YOU AN INTERESTING, BUT SCARY RIDE!
OLD BILL-67

This thread was discussed between 02/11/2005 and 10/11/2005

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