MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Ebay - Another wonder.

Build quality aside... oh my god! Being a bit of a purist, I almost lost my lunch when I saw the interior. I am impressed though that they managed to fit a 350 V8 in it without bulging the hood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4534007042
Steve Simmons

You can definitely say that it has one hell of a paint job! I still can't for the life of me figure out why someone would spend that much money doing something like that. I guess it all comes down to having bad taste and too much money. Maybe Jay Leno will buy it.
Ken

Nice apint job indeed. How many clear coats went on that beast?

As for the work, I quite like the creativity of the guys to put it together. Who knows, if someone had done a job like that in the fifties, the car we all know and love may have turned out different.

I like to keep mine as original as I can, but I'd still like to slap a V8 into it one day!!
Ian Pearl

Absolutely the most horrible thing I've ever seen. Disgusting paint/interior/engine combination. Must be a bloody insult to the people at Abingdon who designed/built the original !!! Another nice MGA lost forever.
Nick, 63midget/52TD (ex 59MGA)
D.G.J. Herwegh

Arrgh ! I love the MGA but this one I'm sorry I can't recognize the class and style of the MG... it's the vulgar part of the family hope it's the only one, awful painting, wheel trims, dashboard is completely different as steering wheel, bodyshell as well ... nothing classic!
Alexia

The carpets/upholstery are incredibly well fitted, but the flared rear arches are just a bit tawdry. Take the front grille off and you wouldn't know it was an A.

If you want to see another example of a V8 in an MGA, have a read of this month's Practical Classics, in a feature on adapted MGAs. A good-looking Le Mans replica that's currently being sold for about £40,000 in the UK.
Richard Ross

Allright I sounded maybe a bit too hard sorry, but think this is an example of how NOT to do a modification !! I agree with a lot of enthusiasts who proclaim that there are enough "originally" restored MGA's about and that there is nothing wrong with modifying it a bit. However I think one should stay within the technical posibilities of that time and in line with the "Abingdon touch". Okay this starts to sound a bit woolly but what I have in mind is something like this: take a twin cam chassis, add Mr Turner's beautifull Daimler 2,5 litre V8 (they were on the market in 1959 and later even tried in the MGB so historically more or less correct),a five speed gearbox (Laycock overdrive maybe), an aluminium lightweight body (as on the LeMans prototypes),centre lock twincam wheels (or wire's), sport screen etc etc. In short: a bit like the Jaguar C/D types of the day... If you HAVE to have a V8 under the bonnet, I think this would be an interesting alternative... Opinions please !!! (Come to think of it: in the coupe it would make a real GRAND tourer !!!).....8^)
Cheers, Nick 63Midget/52TD (ex 59 MGA)
D.G.J. Herwegh

Well, I guess I'm very much in the minority.

I actually think this was done rather well!

Not every A needs to be nor should be a museum piece paying homage to the original factory specs. I think this car exhibits a lot of creativity. Compare this with that yellow monstrosity we all bashed on last summer, and I think you have to agree that this is in a different league.

I too am keeping my A as close to original as possible, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a variant.

My two cents.
Joe Cook

Here is another! The thought was that this car was not worth saving otherwise. This guy has turned out many award winning MGA's and MGB's. I for one think it is a fun project for the right car. John would not modify a restorible car like this. This car would have been in the scrap heep if it was not for his passion for MGA's!
http://www.themgdoc.com/mgav8.htm
jtm maguire

You know, if MG had continued to produce the A for another 20 years, it could have ended up looking like the first post. Consider what Morgans have morphed into over the years.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

I guess I am also in the minority. I probably won't restore my coupe with the same theme but I do like the 'no-bumper' look in the back. I also like the look the car has with beefier tires. The rear tire are a little over the top but I've seen much much worse on ebay.
gerard hutchinson

It is a great looking paint job, and not bad for a hot rod. Certainly musta kept somebody entertained building it. However, I look at it and find myself wondering why they didn't just get a Cobra kit???
Bob Muenchausen

I think it is a great car. Forget about the originality for a minute, and look at the overall quality of the build and the thought that went into it. I think the builder did a good job in bringing the classic shape into the hot-rod arena.

If I look at it as a Hot-Rod: For me the overall is done well with few exceptions. I think the dash is understated compared to the rest of the interior. The rest of the interior is fantastic including the nice creative shape of the dash brow (pad rail). Even the underside of the dash is finished off. It could use some pinache. Also the rear tires / flares are overdone for my liking.

I could go on as to my particular likes and dislikes but I won't. I sort of look at it like this: This car, compared to an original MGA is as the MGB-RV8 is to a '63 MGB. Unmistakably a decendent of the original but does not have the bare-bones feel of the original.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

I don't care what anyone thinks. This is a great car..The workmanship speaks for itself. I'd love to own it...drive it...flaunt it. The only think would put me off would be the thought of a plug change. Looks mighty tight in there.
R. L Carleen

What's worse than having the bad taste to build it, is having the bad taste to BID on it!
Craig Cody

It seems we are quickly becoming the majority, this car is not my personal taste but I can see nothing wrong with it.
The car is a modified MGA, the same as many other modified MGAs whether that is with a B engine radial tyres or any other non factory fitted parts or paint. I find it very strange that when I and many many others first bought our cars either new or second hand we immediately modified them in some way. Nowadays we are classed as some sort of lunatics or criminals. The new MGF was launched a number of years ago now in Europe, I do not know of any of them that are as they left the factory, everyone has personalized their cars. You are a long time dead, the car is for having fun, enjoy your car to the upmost and get a life.
Bob (robert)

What about this wonder; And its only a replica!


http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/mg/1109884729/1109884729ss.htm

Dan Barton

All that time, energy, effort and money...and then they forgot to install the clutch pedal! (An automatic MGA...say it ain't so.) Actually I am leaning toward the guys who like the craftsmanship (except for the ill-fitting bonnet). My biggest issue with the car is the oversize tires and wheels. They are not in proportion to the body and really make it look like a vehicle designed by the Disney animation studios. I'm thinking that the additional horsepower combined with the higher center of gravity from the tires/wheels would make for some interesting high speed cornering. Replace 'em with standard chrome wire wheels and it would have a much more appealing look...at least to this traditional-MGA-loving geezer. Hmmm...while I'm at it, I'm not that keen on the frenched rear fenders, either.
Frank Nocera

I like it (apart from the poor fit of the bonnet.
dominic clancy

An original 32 3 window Ford Coupe is beautiful but so it a nicely done chopped 3 window high boy or low boy. I am a purist with my MGA and still have points, positive ground and try to stick all original stuff (except oil filter) but I like this car. It appears to a nicely thought out modification. I like the 50's tail lites in the body and the interior. Paint job looks great. Why do hot rods always have outstanding paint jobs? Go to a hot rod show and contrast the paint to a Brit car show. Shoving a 350 in required some thought considering the hood is not bumped and the exhaust runs underneath. My only dislike is the rear end and the flared fenders. I would have cut down a Ford 9 inch and kept the wheels in closer to the body even if I had to modify the frame to avoid the fender flares.

The reality is it is only a car and each to their own. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I do my underpowered but original MGA.
Bill Haglan

In all it's vulgarity...thats sensational. Steve
Steve Meline

Bill,
I talked to a hot rodder, and he told me that he had over $100,000 into his car, and probably couldn't get over $45,000 for it. I think that speaks volumes about the paint jobs.
I think that the car is nice, but not what I bought an MGA for. I notice that it has inside door handles; I bet you can even find the windows under the trim on this one. :)
I personally would have preferred all gauges on the driver's side. Who wants to look over to see what is going on?
mike parker

It's always interesting to me how British sports car owners, including myself, react to hot rodders chopping up the cars we love. We certainly aren't used to it like the American car crowd. This car is not my style but as I hinted above I admire the build quality. The interior is done exceedingly well. But as others have noticed, what the heck is up with that hood? You'd think after all that work he would have done something about it before the paint job. A small scoop would have been better than letting the tip of the hood ride up like that.

It's definately no longer a vehicle in the spirit of the original since I'm sure it handles like a dog, but handling was surely the farthest thing from the builder's mind when he created that thing. In a way I feel that hot-rodded MGAs cheapen the originals by making them something less special on their own, but that's just the purist in me oozing it's way out however it can.
Steve Simmons

After looking at the pics one more time, it is obvious to me that this may be a car on consignment to a dealer (e-bay seller). Looking into the background of the pics I see a rather standard looking TD and Olds 98 along with other Euro cars. Further, looking into his other auctions I see other US iron and even a Vespa. None of these other vehicles seem to be modified to this extent. Also, this is the only car that has a license plate.

It looks like the seller didn't do this to the car, nor even has he bought it to resell. Just rtrying to make a buck.

Chuck

Chuck Schaefer

Personally I prefer an original MGA but given the fact that this is the MG answer to a Cobra it isn't bad at all. Very creative and from the photo's it appears to have been very well done. I would be concerned as to the handling unless some very serious mods were done that aren't shown or discribed. I seriously doubt that anyone took a prestine MGA and modified it more than likely it was a real rat to start with. I say,"good workmanship and interesting concept"
John
J E NELSON

I agree with Richard Ross, have a look in Practical Classic's. That 'could' have been a genuine MG.

I don't think there is anything wrong with modifying an MGA, as the MGA definately has shortcomings for certain types of driving.

Though personally I don't think the car discussed is all that special. Judging a paintjob from a picture is impossible and without offending anybody, a V8 with automatictransmission is not my idea of a sportscars' drivetrain. In my opinion, if you modify a car it must be in style with the car.

Apart from that, just imagine what it drives like. Although you probably have quite a bit of grip because of the wide tyres, there is hardly any weight in the back. Instead everything is up front because of the heavy V8.
I know the type of roads in the US are different (straight), but I think in Europe you find yourself doing 180s all time. ;)

Regards,
Koen

Koen Struijk

Hi All
It would appear that this car is here in Toronto. If I get a chance I will check it out and get back to you.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

I don't know if it's better put a v8 in MGA when we see thoses crazy price for an " Hot MGA Rod "

Me i am sure not to do it to my " A "

Jules

I'd drive it!
Todd C.

maybe its because i'm not an A man, but i think its breathtaking
Chris Edwards

LOL!!! I was expecting something WiLd...seems rather mild. As far as the statement "Take the front grille off and you wouldn't know it was an A"...you got to be joking. They didn't ruin the lines of the car so much that you can't easily see it is an A. It'll never be a Cobra...not with all the wasted money a fool can throw away at it.
Jon Bachelor

I do find it strange that they spent so much time on the top finish of the car (apart from the dreadful fit of the hood) and not too much time spent underneath. There is rust on the inner wheel wells and the frame looks like it's seen better days. The splash plates are not fitted and that's not a stainless exhaust.

If he decides to break the car, as he didn't get the reserve, I would like the seats and the engine. And if he can get me a discount on a nice paint-job, I'd be interested.
Ian Pearl

Its bloody beautiful!!!That car has had so much thought and effort put into it!! But then its not the usual red/white/british racing green clone like every other MGA out there at the car shows. Suppose it is like mine when I tok it to shows...put down the back in duisgust by the purists who then got peeved when most spectators walked past the 30 identical MGAs to look in detail at mine and say how great it was....so who cares? By the way in 1960, some guys tried to do the Shelby thing with the MGA and a Buick, but unfortunately failed at the last step with Buick...pity, would have given the car some real muscle. Fortunately a number of us have since rectified this problem and installed V8s into our MGAs with great success and fun...each to their own I say, after all isn't America supposed to be the "land of the free"?
regards
Mark
mark mathesen

I think this car is bitchin'. This is something that what's his name Coddington would produce. A five speed and a bit more of a stealthy paint job and I would love to have this given to me. Notice, I didn't say I'd buy it.
rg

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2005 and 19/03/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.