MGA 1500, 1600, MKII AND TC
It really was very appropriate that by the time MG unveiled its new sports car in 1955, it had used up most of the letters of the alphabet on its previous models. In 1953 had come the Z-type Magnette, which raised the question of what the next MG was going to be called, and a new naming scheme was only proper for a car which redefined what an MG sports car was like.
The new MGA was longer, wider, heavier, more spacious, more comfortable and more refined than any of its sports car predecessors. Gone was the pre-war styling, to be replaced with arrestingly pretty and streamlined full-width bodywork, sweeping blended wings, integral headlamps and a reclining grille. The new body was supported by a brand new chassis with the seats mounted between rather than on top of the rails, giving the car a lower centre of gravity and a low-slung stance. Power now came from a BMC B-series of 1489cc making 68bhp. The four-speed gearbox was also from the BMC parts bin, bringing with it a remote floor-mounted gear lever. Faster in acceleration and top speed than the outgoing TF 1500, the MGA was also a vast improvement in terms of handling, roadholding, ride and refinement – there was no doubt that the octagon was back and in fighting form!
The MGA was a huge success, both commercially and in terms of motorsport. Over 100,000 were built in seven years, meaning it sold double the amount of all the T-Type models and in a production run only half as long. The car was especially a phenomenal success in North America and other export markets, with fewer than 6000 examples being originally sold on the home market. Today this means that many of
