My first car, in 1971, was a '59 MGA. Great video! If I remember, the turn signals were "self cancelling" through a spring loaded friction disc inside the housing behind the dash. So you pushed the lever over to one side, it slowly returned to center on its own. Great fun to drive! Not so much in the NY winter though.
Howdy. I might be a little late on this considering the age of the video. The turn signal switch is supposed to be pneumatically delayed to shut off between 15-25 seconds. Inside the switch, there is a piston with leather on the sides of it that originally had a lubricant / sealant material. All you should have to do to fix it is apply a new lubricant, as long as the leather isn't rotted. Cheers
Nice walk-through. I owned a ‘58 back in the 70s. I kick myself. I knew nothing about them. Wish I had this video back then. Good job. Looking to buy one again.
When I was 16, I bought a non-running MGA. (Broken crankshaft, "something's wrong with the engine") I did some things on it, until my parents found out what insurance for a 16 yr old with a sports car would cost! It got sold to my Mom's boss, her brother was a mechanic. Wish we'd kept it! It was turquoise.
This is a great video! Thank you. I learned more than I expected while it was completely interesting. My dad had one he bought in high school but sold it in 1974, I remember crawling into the cab playing around in it when I was 4.. lol Now after several Corvairs I think I want to try one of these.
Thanks for the interest! MGAs are still a great value and with upside potential. Easy to work on, and fun to drive! See my other MGA videos for the MKII as well.
My father owned 2 A's, a '59 and a '60. He traded the '59 for the '60 because the '59's wire wheels' wires kept loosening up so got the steel discs on the '60. Drove both to work every day, regardless of the weather, 26mi one way in upstate NY almost always with the top down partly because it took nearly 45 min to put up the top. Had a tonneau cover to hold some heat in the cockpit. As far as rain went, tried to claim he never got very wet so long as he kept moving.
Fantastic story, and true British motoring folks never put the top up and with the tonneau only open on one side it does hold some heat. When my father and mother were first married, for a period of time in the late 50's, they had a used '54 MGTF as the only car between them. This was in the Binghamton, NY area and prior to me being born. I believe once the winter really set in, a sedan was purchased.
Love how you describe the "choke" for some of us of a certain age the choke was a completely a normal operation and yes you knew if you had " too much choke" by listening to the exhaust note.PS it's a bonnet on an English car and a boot in the back 😀
@@classicperformance Depending on the the weather temperature full choke on cold day less when warmer. Too much choke the exhaust would "chug" more. I would love to own a red MGA.
@@blackvulcan100 exactly correct. --and in a "chugging" situation black smoke too will be noticeable from behind. I have learned over the many years how to fine tune it as it warms up. From a cold start in the mornings, full choke is necessary for it to fire off as the SU carbs do not have an accelerator pump to "charge" with fuel, but usually soon as it fired it must be pushed in about 1/3 of the way then in more as it warms. I have never had and issues with British cars with SU carbs. They work extremely well when setup correctly.
Just a little note of interest two years ago whilst travelling in France we stopped off at a beauty spot and stumbled on a rally of MGA's all in pristine condition. A most beautiful day with the temperature around 30d.Like dying and going to heaven.
My parents had a '60 MGA1600. Gun metal grey, steel wheels. Mom put headers on it. They would go on time/speed/distance rallies around southern California. One a year she would go to palm springs and race at the airport. It was the first case I ever drove and I was so upset when she sold it
Hi Doug You have a beautiful mga there it looks really original. I have a 59 MGA MK1roadster with an MGB 1800 5 bearing motor in it she is champion red and her name is Rebecca. I live in Australia so the steering wheel is on the other side lol and I have 60 spoke chrome wheels on 15 by 5 and a half she really looks smart. The other day I got in the car and before I started the motor noticed the fuel pump kept on ticking. When I got out and looked under the car there was fuel poring out of the overflow pipe on the front carb. I took the float bowl top off and checked the float it was ok so I changed the needle and hay presto it fixt it. I now always listen to the fuel pump and make sure it stops ticking before I attempt starting the engine. I just thought I'd pass on that bit of information incase it ever happens to you. Stay safe mate and I look forward to your next video.👍 PS just subbed.
Geoff, thank you for your interest, information about your '59 and the tip. I too let the system pressure up prior to cranking to start. I too have had a needle stick and yes, the pump will run as fuel comes out the overflow pipes. Another thing I do as I don't drive the car regularly each week, from time-to-time, I just turn the key on in the garage, let the system pressure up and turn back off. This way the carbs and needle and seats don't dry out. I have had no carb problems since. Thanks for the sub, some more MG content coming soon with a TF 1500 and a barn find BGT I know of. Happy Motoring!
@@classicperformance Hi Doug thanks for that tip I too only drive when the weather is right and sometimes weeks go by so I'll definitely start turning the key on to let the system pressure up in between drives. Looking forward to more of your great videos.👍
Ya know, people always seem to complain about MG's reliability, Lucas electrics, etc. but also, folks miss them when they are gone. MGAs are great cars once you get them all sorted. We drive this one much of the time without even a small tool bag it's that reliable. Thanks for your interest!
Nice video, nice car. I could wish that the audio was better. Very distracting through stereo speakers, continuously switching from left to right and back again. Sometimes so low it couldn't be heard at all.
yes, older GoPro Hero Black. I was pretty disappointed with it when it arrived. Terrible audio. Now use a Here 10 hyper smooth and audio is better but not great. I am moved away from the GoPro stuff for the most part lately. Check out some of our more recent uploads and things get better. thanks for your interest!
Hey Doug, great video. I'm dying to get this exact model. 1600 MGA, vertical lights (look way better in the rear) and disc breaks. Anything you can give us a heads up on for what usually or might go wrong with these cars? Any suggestions where to check for places that sell more restored MGA's like these? thanks
@FilmMagician thanks for your interest and I specifically wanted a 1600 for reasons you mentioned and more. Bigger engine, disc brakes vs drums, taillights, etc. I am soon to post a video of a side-by-side comparison between a 1600 and the MKII. Very similar if you are not familiar. Basically once you get the car sorted they are incredibly reliable. I sorted mine years ago and it's a reliable as a Toyota. As you might have heard, the Lucas electrical system is the weak point but I installed a new harness and have not had an electrical issue since. Bring a Trailer, Hemmings and the web is your best bet to find MGAs. I am also considering selling mine. dwmmsvc @ hotmail dot com should you be interested.
@@classicperformance oooo don't tempt me with a sale, but for sure let me know if you're putting it up for sale. I'm always on bringatrailer. I wouldn't mind too much to fix one up a bit, but I'd love to just get a turn key MGA and not have any headaches. Thanks for the reply. Can't wait for that new video!
Mine also had an ammeter gauge if I remember correctly, a 1961 1600. You didn't show behind the seats, dual 6 volt batteries hooked up in series to equal 12 volts (positive earth as they call ground in England, electric fuel pump, storage flap.)
We all use one small 12v and even an Optima battery which fit just fine in one rack. But yes, both racks are there for the two 6v batteries. This 2x 6v configureation carried over into the early MGBs too!
I did the same with one 12V. I so miss that car I had a dream within a dream. I woke up in my dream to find the car gone from my driveway, but woke up again to find the car in the driveway.
Lovely video,, I have a 58 1500. I did see you indicator switch turns off immediately, there is an easy repair for this to get it to stay on as it should for 10-15 secs. Let me know if you eant details prob less than 30 mins to do it 👍
The indicator switch is spring loaded and has to be held to L or R to be operational. I would be curious for more information on this and these! Many thanks! Doug
@@classicperformance Hi Doug, believe it or not these are vacuum operated, mine was the same as yours and it now stays on for 12 secs before turning off, and its tunable lol probably easier to email me ill message you direct👍
Soy amante de los mga 1600.es un carro bien construido por los británico.me gustaría la traducción en mi idioma.porque no se mucho inglés.soy amante de ellos.tengo mga 61/1600 mg.midget 70/72/76.son especiales para mi.
@johnmidget591 John, Gracias por su interés en el MGA 1600. Es un automóvil fantástico y confiable que a menudo se conduce en viajes más largos de 2 a 3 horas sin problemas. Todavía son algo razonables para comprar también. Los MGB también son coches fantásticos y su compra es muy razonable. ¡Gracias!
Your turn signal switch needs maintenance. It should come back to center slowly. When you take it apart you'll find a little piston like a bicycle manual air pump. The leather is probably dry. Oil it up well, and the switch will stay on for a finite time. That time can be adjusted slightly with a screw in the back.
@@classicperformance I'd like to say I figured this out myself but that's not true. Like you with me, another experienced owner shared their knowledge.
Jeff, I do not know, I bought it years ago from a guy who had it painted. It was an original red car from the factory, but I am not sure if it was painted the original shade of red. Thanks for asking!
@@hueyhoolihan582 exactly. I park it at the mall, WalMart, etc and could care less. Nobody would even know today you have to reach inside the door pocket and pull a cable. I am asked often, "where's the door handle" 😉 much less, how to start it with a pull "S" button.
