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1960 MGA Coupe Project

1960-mga-coupe

Some people were not very happy when MG switched from the pre-war looks of the T-series cars to the modern curves of the MGA. Much of the drive-train was carried over from the old car, but the new exterior put the A more inline with its competitors. It also made the possibility of a coupe, a reality. This 1960 MGA is one of those aforementioned coupes and although it needs everything, it does appear to be a relatively solid California car. Find it here on eBay where bidding is currently at $5 with no reserve. Thanks goes to Jim S. for the submission!

1960-mga-engine

A 1960 MGA would normally be fitted with the 1600, but someone swapped it out for this 1800 from an MGB. This is a welcomed upgrade and the seller claims that it ran when parked. You will still need to go through everything, but you might just be able to get this one running without a rebuild. We are not sure why they didn’t go with the 5-main bearing engine, but this one still has more power than the original mill.

1960-mga-interior

Since the interior is trashed and the original engine is gone we would be tempted to make a few sensible upgrades during the restoration. You  needn’t feel guilty about making a car more drivable if it wasn’t original to begin with. We are picturing something like this. What do you think, what would you do with it?

Comments

  1. Avatar Dolphin Member

    I like the white painted coupe top on the linked ’59 ‘rally car’, especially with the green body. The MG factory never did 2-tone paint on the ‘A’ that I have ever seen, but it looks good to me.

    This red Calif coupe is all the way up to $5.50 on 6 bids. Looks like we’ve got some big spenders here. Either that or, more likely, some astute spenders, since as Jesse said this car needs everything. Compliments to the seller, who was honest enough to list it as a “project or parts car”. Looks like there are salvageable parts in it, but you’d want to have a good look underneath before taking that idea too far. Cheaper to get a decent driver, plus you’ll be driving it months or years sooner.

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  2. Avatar pw

    3-main MGB transplant is a direct bolt-in. 5-main is a bit more complicated.
    It’ll cost a bundle to restore this one. Rear glass is usually $300-500.
    Buy one that is done for less than the cost of resto.

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  3. Avatar Jamie Wallhauser

    The MGA Coupe is an exceptionally good looking car though this is rough and will require some cash and elbow grease. It will never be a big value, but with a total outlay around 10-15K it would make an OK investment. Start adding dollars over 15K and you’re looking a most pleasurable loss.

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  4. Avatar twwokc

    Rare instance where the Coupe is better looking than the convertible/roadster IMHO. This one does need everything but will make a great A when done.

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  5. Avatar Grant

    Much of the drive train carried over????? The MGA was a completely new car retaining nothing of the old “T” series except maybe parts of the front suspension. Rather all mechanicals were derived from the AUSTIN parts bin and no longer had any MORRIS components since MORRIS was also mostly AUSTIN derived after the MORRIS MINOR! In fact the first use of the 1500 “B” series engine was in the WOLSLEY 4/44 which came out originally with the MG TD/TF XPAG 1200 engine!!!!

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