MGAs...

My son just bought a parts cars MGA. I've had a couple of Bs, but this thing in interesting.... It even has an inside trunk release (that my DD doesn't have). Weird.

Any comments on these, or would I be better served asking over at Classic?

Stan

Stan,

I'd post this over on http://classicmotorsports.net/forum/

There are a bunch of MGA enthusiasts over there.

They are wonderful little cars, with incredibly balanced handling. Most folks think they actually handle better than the pretty nimble MGB. They aren't the quickest, but that can always be changed

I've always had a thing for the MGA. My father had one while in college, so I grew up listening to him gush about what a great car it was. It was always his counterpoint to my daydreams about 500 hp cars. "A car doesn't have to be fast to be fun" he'd always say.

Dad was right.

Oh yeah.......and they have plywood floorboards!

Joe Gearin wrote: Oh yeah.......and they have plywood floorboards!

That's what I had read about them. That would explain why the chassis doesn't look too bad, but you can still see the driveway... My son couldn't believe a car could be made that way and then I showed him the area behind the seats. I also reminded him of the Morgans we saw at the British Car Days last weekend and told him about the ash frames...

Joe Gearin wrote: Oh yeah.......and they have plywood floorboards!

I had a 64 VW that had plywood floorboards, although I don't think that they were put there by the Germans.

Well, it's a separate-chassis car. The floorboards aren't DOING much, other than keeping your feet off the ground.

Personally, I love the way the A looks, but don't care for how they drive.. mostly the driving position. I like the B better.

I much prefer the MGA to the MGB, having owned many of each.

The MGA has a strong separate frame, basically the same suspension as the MGB and IMHO far better aesthetics.

It is easy to give an MGA more power by using MGB engines. It is very difficult to give an MGB better looks......not that there is anything wrong with them, they just aren't old school smooth bodywork MGAs.

The MGA coupe is a largely ignored variant that offers comfortable touring and a weather tight package.

Disclosure - I am prejudiced. I've raced an MGA for the last 35 years.

I like the looks better than mgbs too. Not to mention that they're a lot rarer than Bs and restored prices have been closing in on big healey turf.

My first street car was a '56 MGA. Really a nice, elegant, simple car.

These days I have great fun ~Racing~ against them with my Spridget.

I'd trade my ~nice '69 MGB~ for a similar-condition MGA any day of the week.

wspohn wrote: The MGA coupe is a largely ignored variant that offers comfortable touring and a weather tight package.

Yeah, those are pretty cool. I didn't know such a thing existed until I saw one parked at the Woodward Dream Cruise last year. It was a neat little car.

We just did a oil change day for our club , heres avideo link of a couple of the cars that showed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yLuLVhTfTM&feature=channel_page

and here is a video of my coupe first shakedown run http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj134/mariesigns/?action=view&current=005-5.flv

I think they compete well with the xk looks wise as the prettiest cars ever built. My dad owned three different A's and regrets selling each one of them. Funny that now he drives a Miata- justifies the Costa-ness of it by saying it looks like an Elan. Good enough.
I think the twin cams could be so cool if they made some power and weren't so fiddly (like if the engine were a toyota, but not).

My favorite LBC. Wish I still had mine.

In reply to Hal:

Some cars you should never sell!

The white race car above is my first MGA that I bought in 1970 - and I still own it!

I'm not much of an MGB fan but the looks of the MGA are drop dead gorgeous IMHO

wspohn wrote: In reply to Hal: Some cars you should never sell!

I was a co-owner and when my buddy wanted to sell I couldn't come up with enough money to buy him out. Beginning teachers didn't make a lot of money in 1967.

If I had enough money I would still have these two also.

What happened to the girl?

There are two A coupes parked at an alleged restorer closeby...haven't moved in 1 yr. I have no place to put even one if it WERE for sale...

Joe Gearin wrote: Oh yeah.......and they have plywood floorboards!

Haha my dad had one long time ago and the floor under the battery rotted out. Went over a curved bridge, got a bit or air, and the battery fell right through the floor taking part of the wiring harness with it.