MGA Early MGA MK2 question.

[PhilW]

I have an opportunity to buy a very nice, but older restored MGA. The price is a little on the "high side" for me, but because it's one of the first dozen or two cars built, I was wondering if it's worth dipping deeper into the home equity. I'm familiar with other British cars that put a 10% to 20% premium on the very early and very late production cars, and I hope it's the case for this one. Then again, separating the MGA's into 1500's, twin cams, 1600's, and MK2's is spreading the rarity tag a bit thin.

Any comments?

Phil.

 

[Steve_S]

In my opinion, all Mark II MGAs are equally valuable. Early or late makes no difference. If it were a very early 1500 that would possibly be worth a little more to a collector, since that would be one of the very first MGAs built. But just because a car was one of the first to have some changes made for the new model year means nothing to me.

If it's a Mark II Deluxe, it will be worth considerably more to many buyers. These cars had 4-wheel disc brakes among other differences that make them not only quite rare, but somewhat better performing cars.

 

[PhilW]

I'll have to do some more reading. It has the 1622 engine with the high comp. pistons. I know it has front disc brakes, as one was draging a bit, but I didn't check the rear brakes. (I have a MGB, but the MGA is new to me.) It may be a Deluxe. Is there any way to tell from the VIN or engine numbers weather it's a Deluxe or not? Since it was "restored" a while ago, who knows what's correct and what was changed.

Phil.

 

[Steve_S]

Get the car number and we may be able to figure out if it's a deluxe. I don't have my original MGA available right now but I can check it later. If the car is a roadster and has a vinyl-covered dash, it may be a deluxe. If it has rear brakes, it's definitely a deluxe. I've never heard of anyone converting a standard car to rear discs because the parts are very hard to find and extremely expensive. An incomplete MGA disc brake rear end just sold on eBay for $1000.

 

[billspohn]

You don't need a car number to tell if it is a Deluxe.

If it has the Twincam chassis it will have the steel knock-off Dunlop wheels.

This is a pic of my coupe.

If the one you are looking at doesn't have those wheels, it ain't a Deluxe (unless someone has been buggering about - there is one Twincam chassis up here that has lost some bits...)

The Mk 2 is almost certainly the best of the pushrod cars. The engine puts out more power, the crankshaft is stronger, and the diff is lower numerically, giving it a bit more relaxed highway touring ability. There aren't a lot of them around, so if you can get one for a decent price, it would be worthwhile.

 

[PhilW]

After trying to remember, i'm sure it's not a Deluxe. It has alloy wheels that are bolted on and i'm sure that the rear had drum brakes. But the dash was covered. Since it was an older restoration, who knows what the car was originally. I did write down some incomplete numbers - the tag wasn't stamped too well.

16GC-U-H on the engine

GHNL2/1003-- on the plate

According to the Moss book, it could be anything.

Is the chassis number stamped anywhere other than on the number plate? I'd feel a little bit better if that shiny new re-stamped plate actually matched something on the car that isn't pop riveted on.

Thanks,
Phil.