1960 MG MGA Roadster
The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until 1962.
The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a complete styling break from MG’s earlier sports cars. Announced on 26 September 1955 the car was officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A total of 101,081 units were marketed through the end of production in July 1962, the vast majority of which were exported. 5869 cars were sold on the home market, and the MGA was replaced by the MGB.
This 1960 MGA roadster was built in October 1959 and is equipped with a 1,600cc inline-four paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. The car underwent a body-off refurbishment performed by a previous owner over a ten year period, which was completed in 1999 and included a repaint, an interior refresh, and an engine rebuild. The North American MGA Register (NAMGAR) awarded the car Best-in-Class at GT-24 in 1999, with a subsequent Premier achievement awarded at GT-28 in 2003.
Chromed 15″ Dayton wire wheels wear 15″ Michelin XZX tires, including the trunk-mounted spare. Updates to the suspension are said to have included replacement tie rods, king pins, and wheel bearings, as well as a rebuild of the lever shocks completed by White Post Restorations. Front disc brakes are equipped.
The cabin has been retrimmed with tan upholstery, which covers the seats, center armrest, door panels, and dash trim. A replacement Triplex windscreen is housed within the Auster frame, and new seat foam was installed in 2016.
Jaeger instrumentation sits behind a Moto Lita steering wheel and includes a tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and water temperature.
The 1,600cc inline-four was rebuilt in 1986 and is paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Notable features include a .030″ overbore, a pair of SU carburetors, a full stainless steel exhaust, and an added oil cooler. A single 12-volt battery is equipped in place of the factory 6-volt pairing.
The MGA was considered the first true post-war MG. Created to replace the old T-Series, the MGA combined a newly developed rigid chassis with Austin’s B-Series engine, ideal for sporty driving. Despite being conceived as an evolution of the TF, the MGA was a successful and truly superior car compared to previous models. The sleek and attractive aerodynamic bodywork attracted the favour of many enthusiasts and in one year, the MG produced 13,000 units of the MGA.
