Page 41 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

THE FACTS
MG MGA
MGA 1500 MGA 1600 MGA 1600 Mk II 1956-1959 1959-1961 1962
MGA Twin Cam
ENGINE
Displacement 1489 cc 1588 cc 1622 cc 1588 cc
Bore X stroke 73.0 mm x 88.9 mm 75.4 mm x 88.9 mm 76.2 mm x 88.9 mm 75.4 mm x 88.9 mm
BHP @ RPM 68-72 @ 5500 79.5 @ 5600 90 @ 5500 108 @ 6700
Torque @ RPM 77 lb ft/105 N-m @ 3500 87 lb ft/118 N-m @ 3800 97 lb ft/132 N-m @ 4000 104 lb ft/141 N-m @ 4500
Compression Ratio 8.3:1 8.3:1 8.9:1 9.9:1
Fuel delivery Twin SU Carburetors Twin SU Carburetors Twin SU Carburetors Twin SU Carburetors
TRANSMISSION
Manual 4-Speed 4-Speed 4-Speed 4-Speed Close Ratio
Automatic N/A N/A N/A N/A
Final Drive 4.30:1 4.30:1 4.10:1 4.55:1
BODY
Construction Body-on-frame Body-on-frame Body-on-frame Body-on-frame
Overall Length 3962 mm/156.0 in 3962 mm/156.0 in 3962 mm/156.0 in 3962 mm/156.0 in
Overall Width 1455 mm/57.3 in 1455 mm/57.3 in 1455 mm/57.3 in 1455 mm/57.3 in
Overall Height 1270 mm/50.0 in 1270 mm/50.0 in 1270 mm/50.0 in 1270 mm/50.0 in
Wheelbase 2388 mm/94.0 in 2388 mm/94.0 in 2388 mm/94.0 in 2388 mm/94.0 in
Front Track 1207 mm/47.5 in 1207 mm/47.5 in 1207 mm/47.5 in 1207 mm/47.5 in
Rear Track 1240 mm/48.8 in 1240 mm/48.8 in 1240 mm/48.8 in 1240 mm/48.8 in
Fuel Tank 45 liters/12.0 gallons 45 liters/12.0 gallons 45 liters/12.0 gallons 45 liters/12.0 gallons
Trunk Capacity 161 liters/5.7 cu ft 161 liters/5.7 cu ft 161 liters/5.7 cu ft 161 liters/5.7 cu ft
CHASSIS
Front Suspension Independent, with double wishbones, coil springs, lever-
arm shocks
Independent, with double wishbones, coil springs, lever- arm shocks
Independent, with double wishbones, coil springs, lever- arm shocks
Independent, with double wishbones, coil springs, lever- arm shocks
Rear Suspension Solid axle, with leaf springs, Solid axle, with leaf springs, Solid axle, with leaf springs, Solid axle, with leaf springs, lever-arm shocks lever-arm shocks lever-arm shocks lever-arm shocks
Front Brakes Drum Disc Disc Disc
Rear Brakes Drum Drum/Disc Drum/Disc Disc
TEST DATA
0-60 MPH 14.2 seconds 13.3 seconds 12.8 seconds 9.9 seconds
Top Speed 93 MPH 100 MPH 103 MPH 115 MPH
Fuel Consumption 25 MPG 28 MPG 28 MPG 19 MPG
For more info from
snap the QR code or visit: hmn.com/mga
WAYNE’S TAKE
MG MGA: Incredibly underrated classic sports cars with timeless looks, great driving fun and easy maintenance. Coupe versions are particularly attractive and are rarer. Apart from the usual rust risks, many have been
poorly maintained or have been left sitting for prolonged
periods, so a detailed inspection is a necessity.
ARelatively easy to service, good parts supply
AReliable if well-maintained ANXIETY INDEX: LOW
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  39