MG A Twin-cam
| 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.
.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1588cc | S4 DOHC | BMC B-Series | 75.4mm x 89mm | 9.9 |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 mph | 13.3 s | 22 mpg |
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1855200783 | MG Road Test Book: MG MGA & Twin Cam Gold Portfolio 1955-62 | Brooklands Books |
|
| 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 |
MG Super test - an MG for all reasons |
40 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
Buying power - MGA |
28 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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. | ||||
