1957 MG MGA Convertible - FREE SHIPPING @ BIN!!

Description for MG MGA 1957

In 1955, MG made the momentous decision to make a complete departure from its pre-WW II roots and introduced the "first of a new line" of cars - the MGA. Introduced at the Frankfort Motor Show, the MGA represented a radical departure from the "squared curvaceousness" of the MG T-Series.

The MGA began when an MG designer, Syd Enever, penned a sleek designed for George Phillips LeMan's race car. This car placed Enever's body panels on a TD frame and created an MG like no one had ever seen before. Owing to the pure beauty of Enever's work, a prototpye was built and presented to British Motor Company ("BMC") chairman, Leonard Lord. Initially, Lord rejected the idea of building the MGA because he had just signed a deal for Austin with Donald Healey (and unknowingly created what was to become the Austin Healey 3000). However, owing to falling MG sales, Lord subsequently changed his mind and ordered the MGA into production.

As with all prior MG models, MG adopted a body on frame design which (essentially) took an MG Magnette chassis and bolted the (wooden) floorboards to its bottom. MG then fitted a BMC B-Series engine into the Magnette's chassis and connected it to a traditional 4 speed, non-synchromesh 1st gear transmission. The initial engine placed in the MGA was a 1489 cc engine producing between 68 and 72 horsepower. This engine (termed the "1500"), was remarkably long-lived and extremely durable. The engine gave the car a top speed of approximately 98 miles per hour and allowed the car to go from 0 to 60 in roughly 16 seconds.

The original MGA came equipped with drum brakes at all corners. The car was sold with standard steel wheels but wire wheels were an available option. The convertible version of the MGA could be purchased with an optional hard top. Convertibles did not have roll-up windows and were instead equipped with highly permeable side curtains. Convertible MGA's did not come equipped with door handles. Rather, "pull strings" were attached inside the car's doors. The car - in prototypical British roadster fashion - were sparsely equipped with lights, wipers, a horn, a radio and a heater.

In 1961, after "experimenting" with a Twin Cam variant and then replacing it with a 1588 cc engine, MG produced a "Mark II" version of the MGA. The "Mark II' was equipped with a 1622 cc engine which produced roughly 90 horsepower. It was capable of propelling the car to 105 miles per hour and could go 0- to 60 in roughly 13 seconds. This engine greatly improved the MGA's performance. In addition, the Mark II added disc brakes. Placing aside the increased displacement and the brake modification, the most salient distinctions between the Mark I and the Mark II concerned the front grill and the brake lights. The front grill was redesigned to be "offsetinwards" from the body panels while the rear taillights were rotated horizontally. In addition, the "MGA badge" on the front fenders was modified to read "Mark II." In sum total, these distinctions are somewhat minor.

MGA's were (and are) widely popular. In fact, of the 101,000 MGA's produced, over 95% were exported out of England. The car's popularity can be traced to the following factors:

(1) Great looks;

(2) Good performance;

(3) Mechanical reliability; and

(4) Easy maintenance.

At one point the MGA was so popular that it was actually raced in the NASCAR Grand National Series. MGA's have made numerous appearances in movies like Blue Hawaii, Animal House, Cool Runnings, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Recently, the MGA made a conspicuous appearance in the Showtime series Masters of Sex.

1962 was the final year of MGA production. It was replaced by the much lower valued MGB, a car which continues to be undervalued by the marketplace.

After acquiring the instant car, I began to recondition it. The first area I worked on was the paint which required various touch ups. Currently, the paint is in good (not perfect) condition. After addressing the paint, I replaced the top with a new vinyl top from Robbins and a trunk seal from Moss. The top is period correct for the car. Please note, this car is sold without side curtains and thus the top should be used in emergency situations only. In order to store the car (and protect it from the elements) I had a custom toneau fabricated from correct "crush" grain vinyl.

After making cosmetic corrections to the car, I undertook the following mechanical repairs / improvements:

Removed the engine from the car and replaced all major oil seals;Installed new motor mounts;Installed new front and rear transmission seals;Installed new transmission mount;Installed new timing chain and timing chain tensioner;Installed new cam and crank sprockets;Repainted the engine block;Installed new spark plugs and wires;Installed a new coil, new distributor and a new cap, points and rotor;Cleaned the engine bay and painted it black;Rebuilt the carbs;Installed new, period correct air cleaners;Rebuilt windshield wiper motor;Installed new windshield wiper motor mounting kit;Installed new windshield wiper switch;Replaced leaf spring bushings;Installed new tie rod ends and steering rack boots;Installed new brake pedal bushings and brake pedal boot;Replaced multi-gauge (oil pressure and temp gauge);Resealed rear differential;Replaced engine oil;Replaced differential lubricant;Replaced transmission fluid;Tuned engine.

After making these repairs / enhancements / improvements to the car, it is in fine running and driving form and needs virtually no additional maintenance performed.

If you would like to see a short video of me driving the car BEFORE the enhancements listed above were made then please visit my You Tube channel - TheBavarianMotors.

As the car currently sits, it runs, drives, stops and starts and will perform all mechanical functions without hesitation. All gauges work and all lights are operational. Obviously, given the fact tha this is a 50 year old car, I encourage you to have a pre-purchase inspection performed.

In regard to value, as of August 2015, the Hagerty's website values a 1958 MGA Convertible in Condition 2 at $35,300, and a Condition 3 car at $20,300. Owing to the mechanical integrity of this car and its rust free chassis, I believe that this car is a solid 2.5 and have priced it accordingly. Obviously, I am not in the car business to give cars away (and I will not give this one away) but I am open to negotiate on price.

If you are interested in adding a rock solid MGA to your collection then please feel free to contact Mark Counts at 713-320-3059.

Wire wheels!

Beautiful paint!

Great mechanical!

Great looks!

Fast, reliable, sexy!

New top!

Recovered side curtains!

Rust free!

Excellent investment!