Sometimes magic just happens, and that was undoubtedly the case with the sleek MGA. Combining simple, proven underpinnings with a Le Mans-derived aerodynamic body, it’s still widely regarded as the most beautiful car MG has ever produced. As an illustration of Abingdon’s ability to make the desirable achievable, it was just about perfect, bringing the brand into the modern era and remaining a hugely desirable classic today.
Announced in September 1955, the MGA was a big leap from the ‘square rigger’ T-Series models it replaced, with that startlingly pretty bodywork supported by a brand-new chassis with the seats mounted between the rails, giving it a low centre of gravity and a low-slung stance. Combined with a 68bhp version of the 1489cc BMC B-Series engine, the MGA was faster than the outgoing TF and was also a vast improvement in terms of handling, roadholding, ride and refinement.
A year after the initial launch, the MGA line-up was expanded with a fixed head coupe, with the highperformance Twin-Cam model following in 1958. Boasting 108bhp from its cutting-edge 1588cc version of the B-Series, the range-topper could also boast all-round disc brakes rather than drums.
From May 1959, the standard MGA model received the same 1588cc block as the Twin Cam, taking power to 79bhp, with front disc brakes becoming a standard fit. When the Twin Cam was dropped, a small number of 1600s were built to 1600 Deluxe specification, receiving
