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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 - Newbie Greetings & Questions

Hello Folks, I am a Triumph TR3 person. After a 46-year absence, I finally have a TR3 again. I would like to expand my LBC garage to include an MGA, as it was the first sportscar I was ever exposed to, and it sent me down this path.

I am trying to learn as much about the car as I can, before I go looking seriously. I have David Styles' book, Brooklands Owners Workshop Manual, the MGA 1600 Drivers Handbook, and various catalogs from Moss. From a few websites, I learned how to translate the Chassis numbers. I have a few questions:

1. Is there a definitive "Spare Parts Catalog" that shows the evolution of the MGA? (As some of you may know, Standard-Triumph published an SPC for the TR2-3B that was literally the Bible for the car. Based on your Commission Number, you could find the exact original part number that went on your car.)

2. Is there an evolutionary history of the car? "What was done to it when?" Obviously, the first 1500 was not identical to the last 1500 (bracket added?, jets changed?, wiper motor changed?, etc). A few Triumph historians have laid out a definitive history of the TR, and I am hoping that BMC will have done the same.

3. What further books should I get?

Lastly, I am the original Gordon Badwrench. I have an excellent mechanic here who is a LBC expert. He will do 99% of the work on my car.

I look forward to hearing from you guys. There is nothing that pulls at the heartstrings like a convoy of LBCs (ALL marques) coming down a country road. I live in the Dallas TX area, and am a little disappointed that there is no interaction between the various clubs. They are still holding onto rivalries that were 40 years ago. I am joining the local MG Register this month. Another member of the RRTC has a MGTD, and is a member of both clubs.

I look forward to hearing from you.
G. A. Boley

The parts book is available here FOC, as well as a pile of other owners materials

http://clancy.ch/Owners_Pack.html

Know nothing like the book you describe in point 2, although the Claushager "Original MGA" is about the best as far as the MGA is concerned, and Neil Cairn's book is the best on the engine trivia. Claushager is back in print, try Amazon, the Cairns book, and others, are available here

http://clancy.ch/Library.html
dominic clancy

And a couple thousand pages on www.mgaguru.com.

FRM
Fletcher R Millmore

Some other texts and no MGA library should be without include: "MGA A History & Restoration Guide" Robert P Vitrikas, "MGA Restoration Guide" Malcom Green, and "MGA Owner's Information & Technical Guide" Todd A. Clarke. There were 3 mark changes in the MGA's production run, (not including the rarities such as the Twin Cam and Deluxe): the 1500, 1600, and 1600 MKII. Both came in Roadster and Coupe form with Roadsters in the majority. All three share their major sheet metal with minor changes in lighting and trim. There were many internal changes during the production run. Something to remember is that after all this time most MGAs that are still around have had many parts replaced, altered, and "upgraded" through many owners. So, assuming that any car that you find will be as it left the factory is highly unlikely. Speaking of resources have you joined the North American MGA Register yet? This is the National organization for our cars and it is a wealth of information and opportunities to enjoy the MGA. It is a great complement to your local car club. See namgar.com for membership info.
Keith Lowman

Thanks, guys. I had already ordered the Claushager book, which is apparently going thru a second printing. Amazon.com will have it for me in February, at a price about 1/3rd of what I have seen on various auction sites. I will check out the others also. And like Fletcher says, there are thousands of pages on guru.

Thanks again.
G. A. Boley

This thread was discussed between 11/08/2010 and 12/08/2010

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