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Re: MGA advice

To: Bryan Vandiver <Bryan.Vandiver@Eng.Sun.COM>
Subject: Re: MGA advice
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 09:40:53 +0000
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
References: <200007281924.MAA13220@shorter.eng.sun.com>
Hi Bryan,

The best advice I can give you is to join the MGS list and maybe even
SSTS Local MG club.  They know these cars pretty well.

When you remove the body off the frame, I hear there is a critical
point.  If it is a roadster you must brace the doors to keep her from
bending in the middle.  MGA coupes you don't have to brace because the
top keeps the doors straight.  Most people drop the MGB engine into them
for more power.  It's like the 1275 conversion in a Sprite, same engine
series and fits right in.  It is also a better engine with 5 mains and a
real seal.  I know, it ain't british if it don't leak oil, but my MGB
doesn't leak now that I have replaced the rear seal.  The  MGB Overdrive
doesn't fit and with the 15" tires most think it isn't required.  A
early MGB diff is nice, has a lower ratio. 

Frankly, I think they have the looks of the early Jag roadsters.  They
have some real nice curves and always get many looks at the shows.  It
also has the smallest trunk in the world.  The only thing else I can
recall is they must have made about 3 billion of them, because everyone
tells you they had one in college when they were a kid.  It's a running
joke amongst the owners.

Have fun.

Rick  

Bryan Vandiver wrote:
> 
> Some of you may remember that I brought up an MGA I saw about a month back.
> Well it's now listed in the local paper for $3500. I just got off the phone 
>with
> the guy, and here's the scoop.
> 
> '58 MGA ccomplete - Was driven and parked in his driveway about 14 months ago.
> When he drove it home, it had not been started for quite a while, and was
> running rough, but was driven approximately 10 miles to his home. It has not
> been started since.
> red-oxidize paint, with .surface rust along fender beading.
> Body is fairly straight and solid looking.
> two dents on drivers side - one 4x8" in front side fender, and one about the
> same in rear side fender
> front bumper is bent almost exactly in the middle, but ends look straight.
> the grill is straight, except there is surface rust at the very top where the
> 'crest' is missing.
> Has decent look wire wheels, with a nice set of Dunlop Gold seals
> The only major rust spots are directly in front of the rear wheels where is
> paint is bubbled pretty badly in about a 4x4" area on each side.
> Interior is complete, but needs restored, andthe top frame and side curtains 
>are
> there.
> 
> What do you guys think?? I'd especially like to hear from the MGA owners out
> there. When I looked at it before, it appeared that it really wasn't any more
> complicated than my Bugeye, and used many of the same components. It looks 
>like
> it would require a lot less work than my bugeye did, and because it's pretty
> complete, I won't have to spend 5-years looking for parts like I did my 
>bugeye.
> 
> Regards - Bryan

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