1960 MGA 1500

In 1955, MG threw away its traditional sportscar mould and began producing an all new, sleek little roadster, the MGA. The MGA was a breath of fresh air compared to all previous post-war MG designs, which had really been restyled pre-war designs. The new car featured a modern, low slung open roadster body, although this was still mounted on a separate chassis and used detachable side screens on the front doors, as was common practice on open MG cars.  

MG enthusiasts had been given a hint of what was to come as early as 1951 when George Phillips drove a re-bodied TD Midget in the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race. The car had been built for him by MG following his successes with his own TC, which had been fitted with a lightweight two-seat race car style body.

  
The MG Team for the 1951 Le Mans Race

It was a road-going version of the Phillips car which had been proposed to BMC in 1952 as a replacement for the TD Midget, but which had been turned down because of the corporation's decision to build the Austin-Healey 100. MG had gone as far as building a full prototype of the MGA by using TD running gear, the 1250 XPAG engine, a re-designed chassis, and the MGA bodywork.  

When it eventually became clear that the TF Midget was a bit of a lame duck and that it would have to be replaced, the new MG sports car was finally given the chance it deserved. The delay in production had one advantage in that it allowed MG to refine the design and install the much newer 1489cc four cylinder B-series engine and its transmission from the Magnette saloon.  

Traditional MG fans were surprised by the car’s modern looks to start with but the MGA soon found plenty of eager buyers all around the world, particularly in the all important US market. The MGA used the new BMC B-Series engine, in twin carb, 1489cc format which produced excellent performance (95mph) and plenty of scope for developing as a competition car.  

The MGA sold well in this, its original "1500" form until 1959 when it received a more powerful 1600cc engine, bringing even more performance.

Engine

 Gearbox

 Fuel System

 Performance

 Brakes

 Dimensions