MG A Twin-cam

Overview
Produced: 1958-1960, 2111 produced.
Types: Sports,2 doors,2 seats
Coupe,2 doors,2 seats

Launched in 1958 the MGA Twin-Cam appeared to be the ideal sporting package for serious MGA fans looking for even more performance than could be found in the standard cars. The Twin-Cam used a unique twin-camshaft engine based on the B-Series engine used in the standard car. The engine measured 1588cc and was never used in any other BMC product, despite plans for using it in a high-performance Magnette saloon.

Available in open and closed form, the MGA Twin-Cam featured up-rated suspension, all-round disc brakes and exclusive centre lock steel road wheels made by Dunlop (which had a strong resemblance to the wheels on the then current racing Jaguar D-Types). Despite these mechanical refinements and 108bhp / 113mph performance the MGA Twin-Cam failed to sell in great numbers, due mainly to its high price and poor reliability record.

MG had originally planned to build 2500 Twin-Cams, only 2111 cars were actually built. To use-up left-over production parts some special "De Luxe" MGA Mk II's were built featuring all of the Twin-Cam mechanical refinements except the engine!. These De Luxe models are now highly sought after

Buyers Guide MG A featured in Practical Classics June 2001 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
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Source: Motorbase
Engines
CapacityConfigModelBore/StrokeCR
1588ccS4 DOHCBMC B-Series75.4mm x 89mm9.9
Drivetrain and Suspension
DrivetrainSteeringFront SuspensionRear Suspension
Performance
Top Speed0-60SQMMPGEngine PwrComment
115 mph13.3 s22 mpg
Auction Sales History
Lot
Num
Description Auctioneer Date Hammer Price Hammer Price
(inc premium)
130 MG A Twin-Cam Roadster Coys 12 Mar 2013 - £31860.00
105 MG A Twin Cam Roadster Bonhams 15 Sep 2012 £32500.00 £37375.00
248 MG A Mk. I Roadster Historics at Brooklands 1 Sep 2012 Not sold
210 MG A Twin Cam Roadster Bonhams 29 Jun 2012 Not sold
230 MG A Twin Cam Roadster Bonhams 16 Jun 2012 £24000.00 £27600.00
67 MG A 1600 Twincam Roadster H&H Sales Limited 19 Apr 2012 - £31360.00
265 MG A Mk. I Roadster Historics at Brooklands 18 Feb 2012 Not sold
306 MG A Mark I Bonhams 25 Jun 2011 Not sold
203 MG A Twin-Cam Roadster RM Auctions 12 Mar 2011 $77000.00 -
335 MG A Twin Cam Roadster Bonhams 2 Jul 2010 £44000.00 £49900.00
40 MG A 1600 Twincam Roadster H&H Sales Limited 26 Nov 2008 - £21450.00
602 1959 MGA 1600cc Twin-Cam Coupé Bonhams 3 Dec 2007 £18000.00 £20700.00
045 1959 MG A TWIN CAM ROADSTER H&H Sales Limited 1 Mar 2007 Not sold
131 MG MGA FHC Barons 1 Nov 2005 £4800.00 -
232 1958 MGA Twin Cam 1.5-Litre Coupé Bonhams 30 Jul 2005 Not sold
41 MG A Twin-Cam Roadster BCA 2 Jun 2005 Not sold
36 MG A 1600 Twin Cam 'De Luxe' BCA 6 Dec 2004 - £12305.00
050 MG A Twin-Cam Roadster BCA 19 Apr 2004 Not sold
130 MG A Twin Cam Roadster Bonhams 8 Mar 2004 CHF27000.00 -
038 MGA Twin Cam 1.6 (1958) H&H Sales Limited 2 Oct 2002 - £44100.00
929 MGA 1600 Coupe (1958) Brooks 2 Dec 1996 - £7475.00
018 MGA Twin Cam (1958) Coys 9 Dec 1992 Not sold
Books
Magazine Articles
Title Pages Options
Article Buying guide - MGA 1955-1962
120 View
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 View
Publication Practical Classics July 2011
Icon on test - Living with an MGA Roadster - Ross Alkureishi gets to know MG's finest drop-top.
Article MG Super test - an MG for all reasons
40 View
Publication Classic Cars March 2009
MG Super test - an MG for all reasons- Whatever your taste or budget there's an MG for you - so will you be driving a YA, TF, Magnette, Midget, MGB or MGA in 2009?
Article Modified MGAs
46 View
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 Buying guide - MGA (1955-1962)
116 View
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 Buyers Guide - MGA
74 View
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 May 2000 pg 114
114 View
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 View
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 Buying power - MGA
28 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 17 December 2008
Buying power - MGA- A T too traditional? A B too bland? Then the MGA might be just what you are looking for, as IAN SEABROOK discovers.
Article Top of the class - MGA 1955-1962
90 View
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 Cam twins
124 View
Publication Classic & Sports Car October 2007
Cam twins - The Twin Can engine added a dose of Latin character to the pretty British MGA.  But how does it fare alongside twin-can specialist Alfa Romeo's Giulietta, asks Alastair Clements?
Article Twin Test - MG TF vs MGA
60 View
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 View
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.
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