1957 MGA in depth look

Today I’m back at jk galleria to look at this sporty 57 MGA 1500. Lots of period correct ads in this one. Go through all the different series during MGA production 1955-1962.
Enjoy =)

[@AnsonMK5]

There were only door locks on the Coupes. The fixture that you say is the door lock is for securing the side curtains😊

[@What.its.like.]

Great information =)

[@walterholmes4609]

The door latch lanyard was the only option for all MGAs, but I believe the door locks were an option. I've had 2 '62s and a 60, none with door locks. As to model designations, MG NEVER designated any model as a Delux. That was strictly an American and some Canada dealer "value added" sales thing. The later MKII and twin cams, both of which were options over the 1600, arrived stateside with a variety of other options (often Randlomly supplied and not specifically ordered). So any model that deviated from bone stock specs could and often were called Delux. Thank you for this overview of a nicely done car

[@walterholmes4609]

Correction to my comment about door locks. Seems they did come as standard. Looking at old photos jogged my memory. My '60 had the interior redone in the late 70's and I now recall elinating the door lock at that time. Photos of the 62's do reveal door locks of the later flat dome with knurled ring type. Forgive an old man's memory, but I will say in defense that thru years of ownership and countless miles of driving I was never so nerdy or paranoid as to ever have locked the doors of an open roadster.

[@rossmitchell7125]

The “ unopenable glove box” is the radio blank.

[@giovannilevoci941]

My father back in 1966 bought me a 1962 MGA MKII Roadster it was the best car I've ever owned, it had an aftermarket Continental Kit with 5 Wire Wheels, Candyapple Red, it was beautiful...

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =) I want to drive one maybe this year

[@christopherkraft1327]

I never realized that the MG has such a fascinating history!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 👍👍

[@What.its.like.]

=) thank you for watching

[@markw208]

My older brother had a 1600 DeLuxe, about 6 years old at the time. The door panels and opening cord are just as you explained. Only the British could make a car that looked so advanced at the time but had so many oddball features. You might have mentioned that MG was an abbreviation for Morris Garage and they made a variety of vehicles. Overall you did a good job. I guess you might also mention MG sold more MGA’s in the U.S. than anywhere else. There were MG dealers all over and the car was relatively cheap.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome added information thank you so much for adding that =)

[@richardjensen2769]

Don't remember a clock on the dashboard of mine. (Under that ignition switch was a Fuel Guage, and below That was a pump for the Windshield Water Bottle. {About like "having ownership" of a Squirt Gun; but at least the two nozzles on the Cowl "spritzed" your H-two-O onto the windshield.})

[@stevequinlan8139]

These cars were originally shipped with the oil/water gauge and fuel gauge reversed to the sample used in this video. The configuration shown here is far more practical.

[@hyett1954]

The panel on the right side of the dashboard is a radio delete plate, not a glove box. My older brother owned a 1960 MGA and his had a radio in front of the passenger seat and the same cable door pulls.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for the information and correction =)

[@asteverino8569]

I sure enjoy your videos, WIL.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =)

[@WilliamBHickock-kj4yy]

The passanger side dash has a radio 📻 delete plate.The speaker would have mounted in the center behind the grill.

[@user-bq4un2zx1s]

Lots of low production sports cars used a pull chain/cable/strap to open the doors, usually on models with no external door handles.

[@rossmitchell7125]

As did the early Morris/Austin Mini which was launched in 1959

[@dougburdick7066]

Beautiful car, I had a '57. The chrome device on the door is only for mounting the removable side curtains, not a door lock! Only the roadster had these, as the coupe had roll up windows, and didn't use side curtains. nothing lockable on the roadster, not even the trunk! Must have been a different time!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for all of that information =)

[@craigjorgensen4637]

I’ve had two. A 1960 MGA and a 1973 MGB. Both were quirky and troublesome.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

Really pretty car, but that windshield looks like it would buckle in a stiff headwind. A chrome covered guillotine. I love it anyway.

[@What.its.like.]

That car was really hard to get into for me because of how small it was but they’ll be a car featured today that is totally out of the box than what we do on this channel probably it is the first exotic car to be featured on the channel unless you count the Jaguar XKE an exotic.. it’s the first Italian car and it was five far the hardest car to get out of for me.. I’m just putting the finishing touches on the episode hopefully I’ll be posted tonight

[@richardjensen2769]

When I went to have mine Insured (1971-ish) I was told that the MGA was tied with the VW Bus as the Most Hazardous Machine that was regularly Covered. (In the VW, the driver was "First at the scene of the Accident." My MG would slide sideways Real Well; but I did my Very Best not to try to Turn Sharply after "exiting" from Level Pavement. (The "downside" wheel would "Dig Your Grave." And you are 100% Correct, that windshield would "Go All to Pieces." A guillotine that would Get Respect from Marie Antoinette.)

[@stevequinlan8139]

Hence the slogan ‘safety fast’😅

[@leightonfarms4962]

they are mint

[@glennso47]

MG and Austin Healy. I remember radio stations advertised them together. Were they made by the same company?m

[@What.its.like.]

MG, Austin, princess, Jaguar rover and many more were part of British leyland now part of rover corporation

[@glennso47]

@@What.its.like. in my town someone has a Leyland city bus a double deck one like was used in England. He drives it in parades etc,

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome my brother found a Reliant Robin he wants me to review he wants me to do the Jeremy Clarkson thing where he rolled it every time I would never do that to somebody else’s car if it was my car I would totally roll it =)

[@customkey]

MG, and Austin Healy were products of BMC, British Motor Corporation during their heyday, before their decent into Leyland. That's why they were grouped in the ads. MG and Healy's were sold and serviced at the same dealerships during the '50s and '60s.

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

the engine was reliable in its day. but due to the limited machining tolerances, the engine's moving parts tend to wear out quickly. they need to be monitored and a regular maintenance schedule. something that we have little need of today. once rebuilt and balanced properly, they tend to be very reliable.

[@What.its.like.]

We took that out for a drive later on (I did a video for jk galleria for their channel to help sell that car) it was really peppy. =)

[@awalk5177]

This is the first time I have seen a locking door on an MGA. It seems a little pointless because you can just step over the door.

[@What.its.like.]

It was super weird

[@awalk5177]

@@What.its.like. Normally they are just the same as on the early Mini. I think this is a owner modification as it is attached to the sidescreen attachment knob.

[@RobertdeVries-trimaran-sailing]

The chrome half wing nut is front “side screen” attach, the string in a non locking pull down doorlatch release no door lock installed. Have mga1600 since 2003…..

[@warrenp2022]

Everybody who explains that what you called a door lock is actually the front mount for the side screen are correct. The side screen is used in place of a door window. I bought my 1958 MGA in April of 1967, I still have it, it will not be sold while I am alive. To the fellow who spoke about the Deluxe version, my understanding was they were twin cam cars with 1600 or 1622 engines. The twin cam engines proved to be difficult to tune and had reliability problems, they stopped making the engines and were left with cars designed for the twin cam engine so they installed a four cylinder engine and called it a Deluxe. Interesting show, I just subscribed and will watch more. You think it was tight fit for you, I am 6'4", I prefer the top down.

[@haltonbrat512]

So much mis information, please do some research before producing a KZbin channel because viewers will take what you are telling them as being correct. A beautiful car in fantastic condition, I have a 1952 MG-TD.

[@What.its.like.]

I do lots of research on every topic covered on this channel please fill us in on what was miss represented

[@jayadams8187]

Engines were junk

[@What.its.like.]

I’ve heard mixed signals about the engines.. some say engines are great others say they were junk, electrical issues seem to be worse.

[@markw208]

@@What.its.like. , The more you learn about British cars you will see Lucas Electrics called “The Prince of Darkness” because they were so weak and unreliable.

[@johnbusby5614]

The engines only had 3 main bearings, which let the crankshaft flex excessively. That then led to rod bearings being eaten alive, particularly if you ran the engine at high rpm's. So, yes, the engines were junk. I once owned one. Funnest car to drive I ever owned until the rod came out the side of the block one evening.