The Twin-Cam's engine problems were bad enough that MG built a low-compression detuned version just to calm things down.
Lead trim: 1500 1.5 B-Series twin SU (68 hp) · up to 108 hp
MG MGA1955–1962
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a MG MGA yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe Twin-Cam's engine problems were bad enough that MG built a low-compression detuned version just to calm things down.
MG's BMC-era sports car, designed by Syd Enever and built at Abingdon (and by BMC Australia at Enfield) as a two-door roadster and coupé; the 1500 with its coupé brought standard MGA production to 58,750. It ran through the 1489 cc B-Series 1500, the 1958–60 high-performance Twin-Cam (DOHC aluminium head, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, Dunlop peg-drive knock-off wheels; its reputation was tarnished by engine problems, only partly fixed by a 100 bhp low-compression version), the May 1959 1600 with front discs (31,501 built in under three years) and the 1961 1600 Mark II with a 1622 cc engine, larger valves, re-engineered combustion chambers and a higher-ratio 4:1 rear axle. Succeeded by the MGB.
Collectors Spotted in the MG MGA Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the MG MGA yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
6 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 1.5 B-Series twin SU (68 hp) | 1955–1959 | 1.5 L Inline-4 | 68 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1500 1.5 B-Series twin SU (72 hp, uprated) | 1955–1959 | 1.5 L Inline-4 | 72 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1600 1.6 (79.5 bhp) | 1959–1960 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 79.5 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| 1600 Mark II 1.6 (90 bhp) | 1960–1962 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 90 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Twin Cam 1.6 DOHC (108 hp) | 1958–1960 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 108 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Twin Cam 1.6 DOHC low-compression (100 bhp) | 1959–1960 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 100 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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