This might be the one and only video on the entire internet where someone finally honked the horn on an MGA. Thank you!

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Might be the one and only that actually worked too!!! hahah

I miss my MGA. I had it for over 10 years.would loved to have put it in a garage and kept it

@classicperformance

3 ай бұрын

Great cars and very reliable once you get them sorted. Don't give up, they are still out there and somewhat reasonable. However the B's are much more reasonable.

To avoid the grinding of gears going into first, when sitting still,put the transmission into second then first.

@film_magician

Жыл бұрын

Could you put it into 1st before starting the engine and keep pressing the clutch -- no grinding?

@AAI30

Жыл бұрын

@@film_magician That will wear down the Carbon release bearing real fast if you do that method.

My dad had a 1958 and boy did I love that car. My first car was a 1950 TD because of it.

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Jim, watch the channel as we'll have an MG "T" car coming in a about a week or less!!! Yes, they are great cars!!! Thanks for your interest!!

Sounds fantastic! Subscribed.

@classicperformance

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for the sub! appreciate you letting us know!!!

Great videos. The first one was especially helpful, as the controls on these cars had unfamiliar features for American drivers. I have heard that the turn signal switch is supposed to have a feature that uses escaping air to keep them blinking for a few seconds, so if you have to hold yours to keep it on, I suspect that part of the switch is faulty. Around 1971, I spotted my neighbor's barn burning, one evening and I ran over because I knew he had a bunch of vehicles in there. As a neighbor kid and I were pushing the cars out, I got to a blue MGA and was flummoxed by the fact that it had no door handles. I had never heard of such a thing. Being in a huge, timber-framed barn that was going up fast, I had little time to figure it out, and I noticed that the side windows slid sideways. Never heard of that, either, but it meant that I could get it open to reach my arm in but, surprise, there's no door handle on the inside, either! I feel around for a latch mechanism and find the cord, pull it, and the door pops open. It's such a light car, it was easy to push it out, once I got it out of gear. There was fire in the lower part of the barn as it was going out the door. I looked at that beautiful car sitting there in the light of the fire, and thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I went back the next day and asked the owner if he would sell it, since he wouldn't have any of the half-dozen cars or so that we got out of the barn, had we not pushed them out. He smiled and said "Thank you for saving the car, but it's not for sale." I've wanted an MGA like that one ever since. It had to be a 1600, and although I had a few seemingly close calls, I never landed one until a year ago, when I scored a 1960 1600 that a guy had started working on, but didn't finish. It's complete, and assembled, but needs a full restoration, so it's going to be one of my first retirement projects. It will be Iris Blue, like the one I pushed out of that barn. Fun MGA fact--the floors were plywood panels. At least the frame was steel!

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip Stephen, I will look into the directional signal switch. Good luck with your car and keep us posted!!!

I love you videos. I'm watching videos about the old MGs to help me with visualisation because it's my dream to own one one day, but also to educate myself because I don't know that much about cars, never mind old ones. I do like the idea of the slightly bigger engine, but I think the MGA 1500 Roadster which is what I'd set my heart on might suit me fine because we don't have as many open roads in the UK where we can build up speed without hitting traffic as you guys do across the pond, which I think is why the engine sizes of cars here tend to be a lot smaller because the smaller engines are obviously more economical if your stuck in traffic much of the time. Keep up the great work. I could sit and watch you drive around in these old MGs all day. lol

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Stewart! Here in the good 'ol USofA we have a lot of expansive ground to cover in these cars but you have options. The high-speed interstate or 2-lane back roads. Even with the bigger engine, on the interstates where traffic regularly moves along at 80MPH (130KM/hr) now, the MGAs with 4-speeds struggle. Some guys change the rear axle gearing or put MGB overdrives in to handle that. I like to use the back roads and stay off the interstates as much as possible.

It needs to be double declutched into first so that the straight cut first gear is not damaged or unnecessarily worn. It’s an art but easy once you know how. Some countries lean towards cars which use mainly automatic transmission which in comparison are very easy to drive the double declutching is an art which has to be learnt and practised!

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

You are most correct Chris. The non-synchronized first gear is what some might call a "crash box' type transmission or at least for first gear. Most likely on the flat lands you'll never need to go into first gear while moving, but if you do, release the clutch w trans between gears, match RPM to anticipated first gear speed, depress clutch and into first you go with ease. More and more today, folks loose the double clutch rev-match technique for automobiles since they are no longer needed via syncros or computer rev matching is doing the job for you for smooth clutch release downshifting.

Thank you for sharing, Doug! I just bought a 1960 MGA Coupe two weeks ago. It needs everything. Been sitting in a field since 1986. I figure it'll be a great project to exercise my welding, machining and industrial sewing skillset. And I may try thermoforming front & rear windshields since I need both. Initial thought is to buy one side complete rust repair panel set and replicate it for the other side, we'll see. Best, Andrew @BranchAndFoundry

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Andrew, sounds like a good project! I really ave enjoyed my '60 with the disc brakes! I have a trans, doors and boot should you need panels. Safety Fast! as they say. Doug

@drewt3210

3 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance Please check your IG request @BranchAndFoundry. I'm interested in doors. Thank you! -Andrew

@anjdog2003

3 жыл бұрын

Don't take any short cuts Drew., do it right. If you take it to a shop make sure they are very knowledgeable.

@drewt3210

3 жыл бұрын

@@anjdog2003 Thank you, JP. That's my plan. I'm in no hurry. More than anything, it's a "skills challenge" project for me. As a hot rodder, it'll have some surprises, definitely will not be a "Purist" type restoration. I've talked a good bit about it with my dad, who rally raced a brand new '56 MGA and '59 Austin Healey. He said back then they thought the MGA was a real dog. The first thing they did was a motor swap, though he cannot recall what he put in it. My plan is either a Ford or Honda 4 cylinder with a T-5. It will be a touring car, built for road trips.

These cars were initially designed for the Le Mans 24 hr race (Twin cam model) and won some European rally's in the 1960's driven by Pat Moss. They aren't as delicate as they seem.

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this information Alan, they are quite robust I have found and also contrary to many opinions, quite reliable once sorted and tuned. I have driven this particular MGA over and across 3 states, com interstate but mostly prefer 2-lane back roads.

@awalk5177

3 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance Please look at "MGA with Attitude" on internet by Barney Gaylord. He has done almost a million miles in MGA's. All maintenance information is there on his website.

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

@@awalk5177 ahhh, a great resource!!!

Nice car , I had a red 1959 MGA back in the day. Speaking of synchros, could time rpm’s and engine speed and shift without the clutch! not sure why, but just a dumb kid idea.

@classicperformance

2 ай бұрын

ha, have done that too. I was in beach traffic one day on a Saturday and the clutch linkage in a '70 Corvette snapped. Just put it in neutral and shut it off at the lights, put it in first, rolled off using the starter motor and shifted away. Drove 15 miles like that to the hotel we were staying at. No big deal at all. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your interest!

I had one way back in 1975 , I wish that I still had today. I used to road run the little bugger all day long all week long , then roll int the shop on the weekend to tune it up again . I did learn how to never use that clutch just speed shift up and down the gear's The clutch was for starting out and stopping only .

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

You go Chuck!!! Rev matching gears is indeed an art lost!! Thanks for the view and comment! We have more British cars coming in terms of "T" series MGs

@chuckjohnson2564

2 жыл бұрын

@@classicperformance My first car was an 64 chev SS Malibu . Small bock 283 with a hurst shifter on a four speed . I got to piont were I could R R a Clutch in 45 min once the car was off the ground. Aw the good old day's.

I have a 1962 Chariot red with beige interior. Because i live in So. Cal. i can drive it 50 out of 52 weeks. Although the top is new i never drive with it up. Austin Healy's maybe faster the MGA's but the MGA's handle much better.

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your interest JP, let's keep the MGs on the road and drive them! Safety Fast!!!!

Great vid for a great car. I can't endorse the reliability exactly, but they are pretty simple and anything that can go wrong with them is pretty quick to fix. Aside from the braking and acceleration these are incredibly well handling cars, you feel like you're on ice skates. It's some combination of the insane lightness of them and the relative drama of the engine noises compared to how fast it's actually making you go just makes them really fun. Also they feel like you're in the nicest go cart ever made rather than a car that's missing features. it's difficult to explain, but it feels like it has a specific purpose and when you're not doing that purpose it feels even cooler. Like driving an f16 to the grocery store to buy eggs and milk.

@classicperformance

Жыл бұрын

Now, that's a great description of exactly how it is!!! spot on my friend!!! Thanks for watching

This was my first car!

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Great First Car!!! Mine was a Vega :(

@kge420

2 жыл бұрын

Mine as well!

President elect Biden has a 1967 Corvette convertible even if you don’t like him you have to admit that he has a good taste in cars.

@classicperformance

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I have seen his '67 Corvette in Goodwood Green! 1-owner too! I will have some '67 Corvette content coming soon!

@anjdog2003

3 жыл бұрын

What does that have to do with a MGA?

Youre kidding, right ? You mean you dont know that the way to get into first when you take off is to go slightly into second (just a tiny bit) and go into first without ANY grinding at all ? You dont have to go full into second, just hit the tip of it, then you can use its synchro for first .

@classicperformance

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the 2nd gear synchro is just enough to stop the shaft free-rotation going into first. However at a decent roll, or any roll, you are best to double-clutch.

@axiomist1076

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I guess. Maybe if I were racing, but when I used to drive my Sprite back in the cave days (1973), I never went into first while moving at speed. As I came to a light or stop sign, I may go into second and coast to a stop, then go into 1st and start over . But I understand you .