MG A - Revision history

Red marquis at 11:44, 7 October 2008

2008-10-07T11:44:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:44, 7 October 2008
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	Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.		Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.

	MG enthusiasts had been given a hint of what was to come as early as 1951 when [[George Phillips]] drove a re-bodied TD Midget in the 24 Hours of Le Mans\|Le-Mans 24 hour]] endurance race. The car had been built for him by MG following his successes with his own TC, which had been fitted with a lightweight two-seat race car style body. So different was the appearance of his new TD racer, that it must have been difficult to believe that it was actually a venerable TD Midget underneath!		MG enthusiasts had been given a hint of what was to come as early as 1951 when [[George Phillips]] drove a re-bodied TD Midget in the [[24 Hours of Le Mans\|Le-Mans 24 hour]] endurance race. The car had been built for him by MG following his successes with his own TC, which had been fitted with a lightweight two-seat race car style body. So different was the appearance of his new TD racer, that it must have been difficult to believe that it was actually a venerable TD Midget underneath!
	It was a road-going version of the Phillips car which had been proposed to BMC in 1952 as a replacement for the TD Midget, but which had been turned down because of the corporation's decision to build the [[Austin-Healey]] 100. MG had gone as far as building a full prototype of the MGA by using TD running gear, the 1250 XPAG engine, a re-designed chassis, and the MGA bodywork.		It was a road-going version of the Phillips car which had been proposed to BMC in 1952 as a replacement for the TD Midget, but which had been turned down because of the corporation's decision to build the [[Austin-Healey]] 100. MG had gone as far as building a full prototype of the MGA by using TD running gear, the 1250 XPAG engine, a re-designed chassis, and the MGA bodywork.
	When it eventually became clear that the TF Midget was a bit of a lame duck and that it would have to be replaced, the new MG sports car was finally given the chance it deserved. The delay in production had one advantage in that it allowed MG to refine the design and install the much newer 1489cc four cylinder B-series engine and its transmission from the Magnette saloon.		When it eventually became clear that the TF Midget was a bit of a lame duck and that it would have to be replaced, the new MG sports car was finally given the chance it deserved. The delay in production had one advantage in that it allowed MG to refine the design and install the much newer 1489cc four cylinder B-series engine and its transmission from the Magnette saloon.

Red marquis at 11:43, 7 October 2008

2008-10-07T11:43:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 7 October 2008
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	{{Infobox \|		{{Infobox \|
	\|Image = ~~'''place image here in 300 pixels'''~~		\|Image = [[Image:MGMGA.jpg\|300px]]
	\|Marque = [[MG]]		\|Marque = [[MG]]
	\|aka = '''Type aka here, not up there'''		\|aka = '''Type aka here, not up there'''

Red marquis at 11:36, 7 October 2008

2008-10-07T11:36:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 7 October 2008
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	{\| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox ~~Automobile"~~		{{Infobox \|
	\|~~- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"~~		\|Image = '''place image here in 300 pixels'''
	\| ~~colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" \| {{{~~Image~~}}}~~		\|Marque = [[MG]]
	~~\|- style~~=~~"color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"~~		\|aka = '''Type aka here, not up there'''
	~~! colspan=2 \|~~ '''~~MG A~~'''		\|Production = '''produced from when to when+total units made (optional)'''
	\|-		\|Class = '''denote market class'''
	~~! colspan~~=~~2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" \|~~ [[MG]]		\|Body Style = '''how many doors+how many seats+what type of body'''
	\|~~- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top;"~~		\|Length = '''length - type here'''
	\| aka		\|Width = '''Width - type here'''
	\|		\|Height = '''Height - type here'''
	~~\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~		\|Wheelbase = '''wheelbase - type here'''
	\| Production		\|Weight = '''Weight - you get the point'''
	\|		\|Transmission = '''transmission + drive'''
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top;"~~		\|Engine = '''engine'''
	\| Class		\|Power = N/A hp @ N/A rpm<br>N/A lb-ft of [[torque]] @ N/A rpm
	\|		\|Similar = '''similar (competition)'''
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~		\|Designer = '''Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)'''
	\| Body Style		}}
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top;"~~
	\| Length
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~
	\| Width
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top;"~~
	\| Height
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~
	\| Wheelbase
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top;"~~
	\| Weight
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~
	\| Transmission
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top;"~~
	\| Engine
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~
	\| Power
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical~~-~~align:top;"~~
	\| Similar
	\|
	~~\|- style~~=~~"vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"~~
	\| Designer
	\|
	\|}
	When the '''MG A''' arrived in 1955, it must have come as quite a shock to [[MG]] aficionados who had become used to the pre-war look of the company's sports cars. Even the revamped [[MG TF\|TF]] left nothing to doubt about its 1930's-style design. The MG A was a complete departure in styling for MG.		When the '''MG A''' arrived in 1955, it must have come as quite a shock to [[MG]] aficionados who had become used to the pre-war look of the company's sports cars. Even the revamped [[MG TF\|TF]] left nothing to doubt about its 1930's-style design. The MG A was a complete departure in styling for MG.
	Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.		Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.

Red marquis at 06:21, 8 August 2007

2007-08-08T06:21:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:21, 8 August 2007
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	* '''Interior :''' Original seats covered with leather but many cars have been retrimmrd in vinyl. Floorboards are the car's only timber and wet carpets can see them rotting quickly. Marine ply is a cheap replacement. Hood stows in the boot and with a bit of practise can be assembled and erected quite quickly		* '''Interior :''' Original seats covered with leather but many cars have been retrimmrd in vinyl. Floorboards are the car's only timber and wet carpets can see them rotting quickly. Marine ply is a cheap replacement. Hood stows in the boot and with a bit of practise can be assembled and erected quite quickly

			==See Also==
			{{MG}}

	==External Links==		==External Links==
	*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_A Wikipedia page with pictures]		*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_A Wikipedia page with pictures]
	~~{{MG}}~~

205.188.117.19: /* Problems */

2007-08-08T00:17:15Z

Problems

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 8 August 2007
Line 126:		Line 126:
	* '''Interior :''' Original seats covered with leather but many cars have been retrimmrd in vinyl. Floorboards are the car's only timber and wet carpets can see them rotting quickly. Marine ply is a cheap replacement. Hood stows in the boot and with a bit of practise can be assembled and erected quite quickly		* '''Interior :''' Original seats covered with leather but many cars have been retrimmrd in vinyl. Floorboards are the car's only timber and wet carpets can see them rotting quickly. Marine ply is a cheap replacement. Hood stows in the boot and with a bit of practise can be assembled and erected quite quickly

			==External Links==
			*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_A Wikipedia page with pictures]
	{{MG}}		{{MG}}

Red marquis: /* The MGA 1600's */

2007-02-01T22:39:44Z

The MGA 1600's

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 1 February 2007
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	Shortly after the introduction of the MGA Twin Cam, the standard cars were given a 1588cc version of the standard pushrod version of the B-series engine, becoming the MGA 1600 in the process. They were also equipped with disc brakes on the front wheels, but continued with drums at the rear. The MGA 1600 continued to be offered in both open and coupe versions.		Shortly after the introduction of the MGA Twin Cam, the standard cars were given a 1588cc version of the standard pushrod version of the B-series engine, becoming the MGA 1600 in the process. They were also equipped with disc brakes on the front wheels, but continued with drums at the rear. The MGA 1600 continued to be offered in both open and coupe versions.

	By 1959, Abingdon was hard at work producing nothing but sports cars, since the ZB Magnette had been dropped from the range, and the MGA was selling well and they were also busy producing the six cylinder Austin Healey. Furthermore they were about to go into production of a new small sports car called the Austin Healey Sprite, the future looked promising!		By 1959, Abingdon was hard at work producing nothing but sports cars, since the ZB Magnette had been dropped from the range, and the MGA was selling well and they were also busy producing the six cylinder Austin Healey. Furthermore they were about to go into production of a new small sports car called the [[Austin Healey Sprite]], the future looked promising!

	However, all was not well for the MGA Twin Cam. Despite its very good showing in a wide range and large number of competition events, it was a car that needed sympathetic treatment from the driver. Unfortunately the increasing "civilisation" of sports cars had led to a new breed of sports car driver who was not quite as in tune with the car as his contemporaries had been with the earlier sports cars. The MGA Twin Cam was a highly strung thoroughbred and was easily damaged through misuse. As a result of this it got a bad reputation, and in early 1960 it was dropped from the range.		However, all was not well for the MGA Twin Cam. Despite its very good showing in a wide range and large number of competition events, it was a car that needed sympathetic treatment from the driver. Unfortunately the increasing "civilisation" of sports cars had led to a new breed of sports car driver who was not quite as in tune with the car as his contemporaries had been with the earlier sports cars. The MGA Twin Cam was a highly strung thoroughbred and was easily damaged through misuse. As a result of this it got a bad reputation, and in early 1960 it was dropped from the range.
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	A year later, in 1961, the MGA 1600 MkII appeared. This had a 1622cc version of the standard B-series engine together with other minor changes, which included new rear lights and a redesigned grille with inset vertical slats. The engine now developed 93bhp, which was an increase of some 25bhp over the original MGA's. In this form the car was capable of travelling well in excess of 100mph, offering similar performance to the Twin Cam but without the temperamental nature of that car.		A year later, in 1961, the MGA 1600 MkII appeared. This had a 1622cc version of the standard B-series engine together with other minor changes, which included new rear lights and a redesigned grille with inset vertical slats. The engine now developed 93bhp, which was an increase of some 25bhp over the original MGA's. In this form the car was capable of travelling well in excess of 100mph, offering similar performance to the Twin Cam but without the temperamental nature of that car.

	A few remaining Twin Cam chassis were also given the 1622cc B-series engine, but retained the four-wheel disc brakes and centre-lock steel disc wheels. In this guise they were known as MGA 1600 MkII De Luxe, which ridiculed MG's reputation for short names for its cars!		A few remaining Twin Cam chassis were also given the 1622cc B-series engine, but retained the four-wheel disc brakes and centre-lock steel disc wheels. In this guise they were known as MGA 1600 MkII De Luxe, which ridiculed MG's reputation for short names for its cars!

	==The End of the Line==		==The End of the Line==

Red marquis at 22:39, 1 February 2007

2007-02-01T22:39:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 1 February 2007
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			{\| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
			\|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" \| {{{Image}}}
			\|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
			! colspan=2 \| '''MG A'''
			\|-
			! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" \| [[MG]]
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| aka
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Production
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Class
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Body Style
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Length
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Width
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Height
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Wheelbase
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Weight
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Transmission
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Engine
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Power
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top;"
			\| Similar
			\|
			\|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
			\| Designer
			\|
			\|}
	When the '''MG A''' arrived in 1955, it must have come as quite a shock to [[MG]] aficionados who had become used to the pre-war look of the company's sports cars. Even the revamped [[MG TF\|TF]] left nothing to doubt about its 1930's-style design. The MG A was a complete departure in styling for MG.		When the '''MG A''' arrived in 1955, it must have come as quite a shock to [[MG]] aficionados who had become used to the pre-war look of the company's sports cars. Even the revamped [[MG TF\|TF]] left nothing to doubt about its 1930's-style design. The MG A was a complete departure in styling for MG.
	Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.		Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.

Red marquis at 22:38, 1 February 2007

2007-02-01T22:38:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 1 February 2007
Line 2:		Line 2:
	Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.		Its beautiful streamlined body was right up to the minute in terms of appearance, and it was powered by a new engine, as MG had decided that the old XPAG unit had had its day. The MGA was powered by the much more modern B-series engine that had made its debut in the recently announced Magnette saloon.

	MG enthusiasts had been given a hint of what was to come as early as 1951 when George Phillips drove a re-bodied TD Midget in the Le-Mans 24 hour endurance race. The car had been built for him by MG following his successes with his own TC, which had been fitted with a lightweight two-seat race car style body. So different was the appearance of his new TD racer, that it must have been difficult to believe that it was actually a venerable TD Midget underneath!		MG enthusiasts had been given a hint of what was to come as early as 1951 when [[George Phillips]] drove a re-bodied TD Midget in the 24 Hours of Le Mans\|Le-Mans 24 hour]] endurance race. The car had been built for him by MG following his successes with his own TC, which had been fitted with a lightweight two-seat race car style body. So different was the appearance of his new TD racer, that it must have been difficult to believe that it was actually a venerable TD Midget underneath!
	It was a road-going version of the Phillips car which had been proposed to BMC in 1952 as a replacement for the TD Midget, but which had been turned down because of the corporation's decision to build the [[Austin-Healey]] 100. MG had gone as far as building a full prototype of the MGA by using TD running gear, the 1250 XPAG engine, a re-designed chassis, and the MGA bodywork.		It was a road-going version of the Phillips car which had been proposed to BMC in 1952 as a replacement for the TD Midget, but which had been turned down because of the corporation's decision to build the [[Austin-Healey]] 100. MG had gone as far as building a full prototype of the MGA by using TD running gear, the 1250 XPAG engine, a re-designed chassis, and the MGA bodywork.
	When it eventually became clear that the TF Midget was a bit of a lame duck and that it would have to be replaced, the new MG sports car was finally given the chance it deserved. The delay in production had one advantage in that it allowed MG to refine the design and install the much newer 1489cc four cylinder B-series engine and its transmission from the Magnette saloon.		When it eventually became clear that the TF Midget was a bit of a lame duck and that it would have to be replaced, the new MG sports car was finally given the chance it deserved. The delay in production had one advantage in that it allowed MG to refine the design and install the much newer 1489cc four cylinder B-series engine and its transmission from the Magnette saloon.

Red marquis: /* Pocket buyers' guide */

2007-02-01T22:37:27Z

Pocket buyers' guide

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:37, 1 February 2007
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	===Pocket buyers' guide===		===Pocket buyers' guide===
	Australia was a popular destination for new MGAs and the cars’ ongoing desirability has ensured high survival levels with most of those available being 1500 and 1600 Mk 1 Roadsters.		Australia was a popular destination for new MGAs and the cars’ ongoing desirability has ensured high survival levels with most of those available being [[MG 1500\|1500]] and [[MG 1600\|1600 Mk 1 Roadsters]].

	The Mark 2 and Twin-Cam are rare while the Fixed Head Coupe wasn't popular here and is also scarce. For practical and aesthetic reasons wire-wheeled cars command better money than those with drilled steel rims.		The Mark 2 and Twin-Cam are rare while the Fixed Head Coupe wasn't popular here and is also scarce. For practical and aesthetic reasons wire-wheeled cars command better money than those with drilled steel rims.
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	Top-quality recent restorations will cost $10,000 more and cars with concourse potential $30,000-35,000.		Top-quality recent restorations will cost $10,000 more and cars with concourse potential $30,000-35,000.

	As collectibles very early drum-braked cars are more valuable than later ones but if your MGA is destined for regular use a disc-braked 1600 represents better value.		As collectibles very early drum-braked cars are more valuable than later ones but if your MGA is destined for regular use a disc-braked 1600 represents better value.

	===Problems===		===Problems===

Red marquis: /* The End of the Line */

2007-02-01T22:36:48Z

The End of the Line

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:36, 1 February 2007
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	==The End of the Line==		==The End of the Line==
	By now, despite the fact that it was a very good sports car, the MGA was getting a bit long in the tooth and was not offering the level of interior comfort which was being demanded and could be found in its direct competitors. Sales were now beginning to tail-off, inspite of the car continuing to prove itself well on the race track.		By now, despite the fact that it was a very good sports car, the MGA was getting a bit long in the tooth and was not offering the level of interior comfort which was being demanded and could be found in its direct competitors. Sales were now beginning to tail-off, inspite of the car continuing to prove itself well on the race track.
	In 1962, therefore, after around 100,000 cars had been produced, the MGA was dropped from the MG range. Its replacement was already waiting in the wings, and would prove in its many forms to be the longest-running and best-selling MG of them all - the MGB.		In 1962, therefore, after around 100,000 cars had been produced, the MGA was dropped from the MG range. Its replacement was already waiting in the wings, and would prove in its many forms to be the longest-running and best-selling MG of them all - the [[MG B\|MGB]].