MG A Roadster 'Build' Thread

[theclassicvaluer]

I've got a 105 Alfa that's super standard but always loved the lines of an MG A Roadster, particularly in a Sebring / racier spec.

So when one came up on PH auctions a few weeks back I acquired it and she's now back home. Pics from the listing attached.

Idea is to put some of my stamp on her:

- Cut-down windscreen
- Convert interior to tan
- Change exterior colour to dark green or black, TBC
- Foggies
- Mesh grill
- Stone guards on headlights
- Wire wheels (potentially)


Plus some other bits along the way.

Monies aren't gonna be lavishly spent on this, I'm gonna try and do as much of it myself as possible, inc. the re-spray...... And I know bugger all but sod it


Ultimately I'm aiming for something similar to a car I fall in love with every time I go to southside hustle:

[theclassicvaluer]

[MG Mark]

Good to see and hear the plans. Similar look to mine, although mine's a Coupe which I've owned for 44 years now. I rebuilt it from the ground up as stamdard (except the colour which is Jaguar BRG) and then, once it was all running nicely, been modifying things ever since.

The changes are a variety of mechanical, electrical and cosmetic items, from small and easy to some big and complex. They're easy to work on, parts are available and affordable, and they're reliable when running/maintained. In all those years, I've had a handful of "failures to proceed" all of which were easily fixed at the roadside with stuff carried in the boot.

Will follow with interest, feel free to PM me if you want.

[MG Mark]

[Snubs]

This one's my dad's. I'd definitely go wire wheels, albeit he tells me they're as hard to clean as you might imagine. It's standard other than an electric fan and seatbelts. I can see it being quit cold with a cut down windscreen though.

Gets a lot of positive attention in town despite the fact that the exhaust seems to be a mix of benzene, cadmium and other toxins!

[wspohn]

If you go wire wheels don't use stock 48 spokers - get the 60 or 72 spoke version as they are much stronger.

[MG Mark]

wspohn said:

If you go wire wheels don't use stock 48 spokers - get the 60 or 72 spoke version as they are much stronger.

if wire wheels is a must, then definitely go 60 or 72 spoke - less flexing and allows for wider wheels, which are a handling transformation compared to the original 4.5 inch wide 15" steel wheels.

Mine has 6J x 15" Triumph TR steel wheels, which fill the wheel arches nicely - same bolt pattern (pitch circle and cone angle) so literally a bolt on "option", and being "J" wheels they dont need inner tubes. Tyres are a slightly larger rolling radius but not so different to affect the gearing or speedometer reading unduly.

[theclassicvaluer]

MG Mark said:

Good to see and hear the plans. Similar look to mine, although mine's a Coupe which I've owned for 44 years now. I rebuilt it from the ground up as stamdard (except the colour which is Jaguar BRG) and then, once it was all running nicely, been modifying things ever since.

The changes are a variety of mechanical, electrical and cosmetic items, from small and easy to some big and complex. They're easy to work on, parts are available and affordable, and they're reliable when running/maintained. In all those years, I've had a handful of "failures to proceed" all of which were easily fixed at the roadside with stuff carried in the boot.

Will follow with interest, feel free to PM me if you want.

44 years of ownership Mark. That's what we should all aspire to

[theclassicvaluer]

Snubs said:

This one's my dad's. I'd definitely go wire wheels, albeit he tells me they're as hard to clean as you might imagine. It's standard other than an electric fan and seatbelts. I can see it being quit cold with a cut down windscreen though.

Gets a lot of positive attention in town despite the fact that the exhaust seems to be a mix of benzene, cadmium and other toxins!

You're certainly right, I drove it to the MOT and back today. 20 minute round trip, 2 thumbs up from cyclists, a mutual thumbs up with a chap in a Frogeye Sprite and a long chat with someone in the petrol station.

With the wires I was thinking going to powder coat dark to match the dark body colour - hopefully helps with the cleaning.

Mine also has an electric fan but seems to stay on for at least 5+ minutes regardless of even if it is a 3 minute round trip to the shops - is yours the same?

[theclassicvaluer]

MG Mark said:

if wire wheels is a must, then definitely go 60 or 72 spoke - less flexing and allows for wider wheels, which are a handling transformation compared to the original 4.5 inch wide 15" steel wheels.

Mine has 6J x 15" Triumph TR steel wheels, which fill the wheel arches nicely - same bolt pattern (pitch circle and cone angle) so literally a bolt on "option", and being "J" wheels they dont need inner tubes. Tyres are a slightly larger rolling radius but not so different to affect the gearing or speedometer reading unduly.

60/72 seems to be the common wisdom for the wires. I like the idea of them but equally not wedded to it. It seems swapping out discs for wire wheels, particularly on the rears (entire rear axle assembly needing changing etc) seems a bit of a faff - anyone done it? What's the scale of the task solo?

[MG Mark]

I've not changed to wires because of the cost of conversion, they flex, need inner tubes and they're a pain to clean and maintain. But, yes, they do look good, particularly when stove enamelled in body colour.

Conversion would involve changing the standard front hubs and either changing the rear axle (the steel wheel axle is wider) or using the conversion kit that has splined rear hubs on the steel wheel axle with wheels that have a larger offset than normal so that they don't stick out. I've no idea whether you then end up with front and rears with a different wheel offset (and potentially then don't have a spare that works for all 4 corners).or the front hubs are non-standard so that all wheels have the same offset.

[theclassicvaluer]

Cheers Mark - the more and more I look into it the more I think I'll stick with what I've got.

This weekend saw my partner and I take the seats out and swap the current (awful imho) black with red piping seats to a much better biscuit colour.

Photos below. More to do interior wise (armrest and a few other bits) but am fairly happy with my first attempt at swapping out the seat covers.