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MG MGA - Why shouldn't i buy a 1500?

Our next car is going to be a MGA, no doubt about that. We have at the choice of several but a dove grey 1500 seems to be top of the list. Seeing as we will use it for touring France / Italy ( though not at high speed) is a 1500 not a good idea?
d brenchley

Nothing wrong with a 1500. As long as the car is sound and you get the brakes looked at and are in good working order.
...CR
C.R. Tyrell

D: Are your concerns about engine size and power output or more to do with the older specification (and calendar age!) of a 1500?

If the car you have found meets your requirements regarding its history and condition, longer term improvements can always be made if the budget permits and you have no qualms about going "off spec".

The A makes an excellent long distance tourer (and if you are thinking Italy then that's a few miles!) as long as you can cope with the rather restricted luggage space. And I thought the Mk4 Sprite was bad in that capacity! Not courting controversy but my Mrs could never get enough for a week away in the A. Cue posts about how to get 3 month's luggage on the boot rack. Yes, I'm sure you can, but wouldn't it be great if it just went in the boot!
Graeme Williams

G: yes engine power rather than age, the 1500 we are looking at is totally restored to original. Would be willing to go down the modded route later, just like the 1500 tail lights. As to luggage Mrs happy if she can get her shoes in and we did 5 weeks in Provence last year in a fiat barchetta which has a very small boot.
d brenchley

The only down side of the 1500 I can see would be the lack of separate indicators at the rear - many of today's motorists just don't see a flashing brake light.
Cam Cunningham

The 1500 engine, as with all B-series engines, is rock solid and fine for what you are intending. I guess the real issue will be more to do with the gearbox, its ratios and worn syncromeshes. You will find you sit at higher rpms compared to modern cars when cruising. This increases the cabin noise when trying to relax and enjoy the scenery. Many of those boxes have worn syncros on second gear so you get adept at double declutching. That is one of the reasons why many of us have upgraded to 1800 engines and the 5 speed box. Obviously we get more power for outright performance but also benefit from better gear ratios in today's traffic.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Before you set off make sure the car does not have an overheating problem. It might only manifest itself when the weather is warm. The last time I went to Italy it was extremely hot (approaching 40 degC) and I remember thinking that driving an open car there would be very unpleasant...............mike
m.j. moore

Are you sure the 1500 is dove grey. As my books suggest that this colour came on 1600 with red interior and grey hood.
Good Luck with your search.
Brian Paddon

Like everyone else says, a 1500 is a fantastic car and beautifully balanced in every way. Condition (function) is way more important than specification and totally unmodified the car is still a total joy.

My everyday transport is a standard 1956 Morris Minor with its original 803cc engine and magic wand gearbox, neither of which have been rebuilt (yet). It is positive earth with cross ply tires, no seatbelts and trafficators... OK, my point is that it is an absolute pleasure to drive, indeed it feels more like a privilege. Is will not keep up with modern traffic on hills or straight A roads, but I have faster cars for that. It is totally reliable and great fun.

My point is that a 1500 will obviously not be quite as quick as a 1600, 1622, 1800 etc. You might have to be more cautious when manoeuvring in traffic (those indicators), but cruising along will be no less fun!

Just buy the very best you can afford or find!
Neil MG

I completely agree with Neil,
you will love the 1500, it has great handling and the brakes are really very good indeed, you just need to make sure they are regularly adjusted.

I have recently told on this forum of my surprise at the performance of my friend Richards very original 1500 when we toured the Pyrenees last summer.

My 1600 has a stage-1 tuned MGB engine, a 5-speed gearbox, lowered and stiffened suspension and a 30mm front anti roll bar all of which should have made my car much quicker through the mountains than Richards 1500.

In fact, although my car was obviously faster climbing the mountains, when it came to the descents his 1500 was easily as quick as mine, possibly even quicker as it was less nervous than mine around the faster corners.

I was very impressed by his car which proved that MG got it right from the start with the MGA.

Colyn
c firth

No reason not to. I am on my third (in 44 years!) the tail light issue is the only thing which I dislike. Mine has just had engine rebuilt (bored out to 1600) and gearbox also restored (first MGA I have had with synchromesh on second but I still double de-clutch). Currently a bit of overheating, following radiator out (did it stir up the muck?) With the speeds most of us can do off motorways, the 1500 is more than adequate.
Shane
Shanerj

Drop in a bored out and balanced MGB engine, 5 speed box and front disks. Heresy, but runs very well!
At 5'7 I found the seat needed the rake increasing to get back from the wheel and a block on the clutch pedal to be able to fully depress it. Easier than surgery to have the legs extended!
Graeme Williams

I am just one up on Shanerj with 2 1500s in 46 years although I went 1800 18 months ago.

My only reservation would be 1500 lights as I replaced mine with 1600 ones in the 70s as I thought them dangerous then. With a lot of driving you should either go 1600, or add additional orange flashers at back together with 1600 lights at front. Seriously I wouldn't do serious driving on white/red flashers no one expects/understands them.

As someone said give it a good thrashing first to be sure cooling is fine as many modern radiators are dire.

For luggage I just put spare wheel on rack. If you are going to use rack for luggage or wheel you need to do something about mirrors, i.e. wing/screen frame mounted and/or raised suction central mirror.

Colyn's earlier thread tells you wher to store bits.

Paul
Paul Dean

Updating to orange flashing bulbs with white sidelights at the front is easy with modern led bulbs. Adding rear flashers that are orange is also really easy.
dominic clancy

Thanks for all your comments, we have decided to go for a 1600 fitted with 1800 engine. The dove Grey one as really to fa away (Germany) to make sense.
d brenchley

I like the clean styling of the 1500 best of all. I'd throw a 3/4" front sway bar on it and make darned sure the front drums are operating perfectly but otherwise you can tour with confidence. I would also substitute 1600 front discs, but that's just me.

If you ever want more power, look for a 3 main MGB engine - I have on in my 62 coupe and it drops in easily and looks stock.
Bill Spohn

Have you found one yet D, or is that what you are about to go out to look for? Consider a 5 speed box as well?
Graeme Williams

G, think we may have found one , but if anyone has a near perfect 1600 A please let me know.
d brenchley

This thread was discussed between 16/07/2015 and 19/07/2015

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