MG A
Overview
| Produced: |
1955-1959, 58750 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Sports,2 doors,2 seats |
In 1955 MG threw away its traditional sportscar mould and began producing an all new, sleek little roadster, the MGA. The MGA was a breath of fresh aired compared to all previous post-war MG designs, which had really been restyled pre-war designs. The new car featured a modern, low slung open roadster body, although this was still mounted on a separate chassis and used detachable side screens on the front doors, as was common practice on open MG cars.
Traditional MG fans were surprised by the cars modern looks to start with but the MGA soon found plenty of eager buyers all around the world, particularly in the all important US market. The MGA used the new BMC B-Series engine, in twin carb, 1489cc format which produced excellent performance (95mph) and plenty of scope for developing as a competition car.
The MGA sold well in this, its original "1500" form until 1959 when it received a more powerful engine, bringing even more performance.
Buyers Guide MG A featured in Practical Classics June 2001 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click Here to view
Source: Motorbase
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1489cc | S4 OHV | BMC B-Series | 73.025mm x 89mm | 8.3 |
Fuel System
| Type | Number | Capacity | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SU | 2 |
Drivetrain and Suspension
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 mph | 16 s | 68 bhp 5500 |
Brakes
| Front | Rear | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Drum | Drum |
Auction Sales History
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Buying guide - MGA 1955-1962 |
120 |
 |
|
| Publication | Practical Classics December 2012 | |||
| Buying guide - MGA 1955-1962 - How to choose a great example of MG's glorious roadster and coupe series cars. | ||||
| Article |
Icon on test - Living with an MGA Roadster |
34 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics July 2011 | |||
| Icon on test - Living with an MGA Roadster - Ross Alkureishi gets to know MG's finest drop-top. | ||||
| Article |
Modified MGAs |
46 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics April 2005 | |||
| Modified MGAs - The MGA is one of Britain’s favourite sports cars - so good, you just can’t resist the urge to make it better. Dale Drinnon reports. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Ownership Guide - MGA |
128 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics July 2004 | |||
| Buyers Ownership Guide - MGA - The MGA brought with it a new era of sports car motoring, being robust, sweet-handling and good for nearly 100mph. If you didn’t join in first time round, read our guide and do so now. | ||||
| Article |
Buying guide - MGA (1955-1962) |
116 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars September 2003 | |||
| Buying guide - MGA (1955-1962) - The most beautiful MG ever? Most think it is and if you buy a good one - with the help of this guide - it can be one of the most reliable and enjoyable MGs to drive, too. | ||||
| Article |
Survivor! |
68 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars October 2002 | |||
| Survivor! - You won't believe what this unique works MGA Twin-Cam has been through to get here. But here it is: rescued (twice), rebuilt, crashed again, repaired and finally restored to glory for your enjoyment. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars August 2001 pg 122 |
122 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars August 2001 | |||
| MG Magnette ZB. The last MG saloon to wear its badge with honour until the Rover 75-based ZT. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - MGA |
74 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics June 2001 | |||
| Buyers Guide - MGA - The first 100mph MG is a ton of fun but buy the wrong one and you will be in for a ton of grief, says Theodore J Gillam | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars Spring 2001 pg 126 |
126 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars Spring 2001 | |||
| Cloth Cap - A new race series for unusual sports cars. We try four at Donnington - MGA Monza. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars May 2000 pg 114 |
114 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars May 2000 | |||
| Twin peak. The MGA twin-cam used exotic engine technology to achieve performance ahead of its time. Was it too clever for it's own good? | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - MGA Stylish and nimble |
102 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics July 1995 | |||
| Buyers Guide - MGA Stylish and nimble - Is the MGA a practical classics for regular use in the 1990s? Rugged mechanics and good spares availability make an attractive proposition, explains Brian Cox. | ||||
| Article |
The mystery of the four-seater MGA |
132 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car May 2010 | |||
| The mystery of the four-seater MGA - Graeme Hurst delves into the origins of a fascinating family man's MGA that may well have been built at Abingdon. | ||||
| Article |
Top of the class - MGA 1955-1962 |
90 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart September 2008 | |||
| Top of the class - MGA 1955-1962- Great looks, lively performance - it's no wonder the MGA always scores highly. | ||||
| Article |
Working girl - MGA Mabel |
44 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly November 2007 | |||
| Working girl - MGA Mabel- Fifty years ago, 'Mabel' was tackling the Mille Miglia and the Alpine Rally in the hands of Nancy Mitchell. She's not ready for retirement yet... | ||||
| Article |
Twin Test - MG TF vs MGA |
60 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart October 2007 | |||
| Twin Test - MG TF vs MGA - If you want to step out of a B and move back along the BG time line, is the MGA too close or the MG TF a step too far? | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - MGA |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 2 February 2006 | |||
| Buying Power - MGA - The first 'modern' MG sportscar was the MGA of 1955, arguably the best-looking model that Abingdon ever produced. RICHARD GUNN looks at buying the car that made MG serious. | ||||
| Article |
Thinking Of Buying..An MGA? |
26 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart January 2006 | |||
| Thinking of buying..An MGA? - Everyone in the whole world knows everything about the MGB. MG enthusiasts know all about the car which preceded it, and Ted Purcell shares that MGA knowledge. | ||||
| Article |
Peak Performance |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly December 2005 | |||
| Peak Performance - There are few landscapes as dramatic as the Peak District, and yet within such easy reach of some of our major population centres. Mark Robinson takes as MGA to England's first national park - and the birthplace of modern industry. | ||||
| Article |
MGA - 50th Anniversary |
42 |
|
|
| Publication | The Automobile April 2005 | |||
| MGA - 50th Anniversary - On its 50th anniversary, Jonathan Wood explores the background and history of the MGA, the most popular sports car in the world. | ||||
| Article |
Marque Five - The Best MGs! |
35 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart August 2004 | |||
| Marque Five - The Best MGs! - Whatever your thoughts on MG, you can’t deny it’s the archetypal British Sporting marque. Paul Guinness picks five of the best models to buy right now. MGA, MGB, Midget, Magnette MkIII & IV, MGF | ||||
| Article |
MGA a Sporting Choice |
8 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart August 2004 | |||
| MGA a Sporting Choice - There really was sporting life at Abington before the MGB! Dave Bowers takes us through the MGA story, and owners add their views. | ||||
| Article |
Road Test - MGA |
32 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 21st January 2004 | |||
| Road Test - MGA - Built 1955 to 1962. Roadster/coupé, two-seater, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car. | ||||
| Article |
Classics January 2002 pg 100 |
100 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics January 2002 | |||
| MG Magnette ZA/ZB. Highly praised sporting saloons from the 1950s, but what are the ZA/ZB Magnettes like to maintain? Kim Henson takes a close look. | ||||
| Article |
Classics December 2001 pg 26 |
26 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics December 2001 | |||
| Your Classics. Welded to his task. Hidden horrors awaited Phil Pope when he bought this Maestro Turbo. Undaunted, he taught himself to weld. . . | ||||
| Article |
Classic Car Weekly 26 September 2001 pg 8 |
8 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 26 September 2001 | |||
| Buying Power. MG Magnette ZA/ZB. MG traditionalists may have disliked them, but ZA/ZB Magnette range has much to offer, says Richard Gunn. | ||||
| Article |
Classics February 2001 pg 36 |
36 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics February 2001 | |||
| Rare treats at Goodwood. Malcolm McKay revistis this years Goodwood Revival Meeting to bring you details of some of the most interesting cars at the meeting. | ||||
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