1960 MG MGA 1600 Roadster - Will It Run?

I am ready to get back to the MGA project so I have re-edited the original video from December 24, 2019 to remove the music and other tweaks amounting to twice the edits as the original. If for some reason you would like to rewatch the original version you can find it here: • 1960 MG MGA 1600 Roads...
Trying to start and get running a 1960 MG MGA 1600 roadster that was sitting for a very long time.
Don't forget to visit my website for more updates: www.thisweekwithcars.com
This Week With Cars - Episode 0045
#MGA #Roadster #WillItRun

[@terran5569]

That startup even made me feel good.

[@fjanson2468]

In high school, a buddy bought a 56 MGA, I ended up being the mechanic for it. Wire wheels look better, plywood floors, 6 volt batteries, tricky carbs, sounded like a 2 seater should sound, quick little beast that was very fun to drive, except in the winter.

[@oldtanker4860]

It is simply amazing how you can find such old cars in such great condition instead of rusty hulks held together by the paint and mouse nests. That one sounded really good too.

[@jbstepchild]

Cause those cars don't tend to rust as they don't sit outside

[@jbstepchild]

I live in Ontario have a 62 with an 1800 it used to go out in all weather but hasn't for 30 years Looks great runs great an can be fixed with basic tools great lil learner car

[@jjryansea]

Always loved the lines of this car, sleek and elegant. Thanks for bringing it to us and back to life.

[@beegee22]

Love watching a mechanic who knows what he's doing. It actually sounds very good for having been sitting for so long - smooth. 👍👏👏👏

[@gvxclassics]

You brightened my day when the second hose leaked. Thank you...

[@dansotelo228]

1970 in L.A. my drafting teacher in Jr. high school had the exact MGA and was his daily commuter. He always had the tonneau cover wore Pilot RayBans and a cigarette when he drove to and from school and looked very kool... He was a great mechanical drafting teacher.

[@ChuckRosseel]

I owned a '59 MGA. Thanks for bringing your MGA back to life.

[@roarlyng]

I always enjoy your "Will it run?", keep'em coming 👍

[@imtonedeaf1]

My friend richard had this car in high school his family owned 4 of these we slowly restored 3 of them we bought 4 more had fun bringing them back to life that was in 90s

[@christopherjgibson]

Love the methodical and no nonsense approach to will it run.

[@generatorjohn4537]

That engine sounded pretty smooth for something that sat dormant for so long. Nice job!

[@gryfandjane]

Loved it! I’ve owned my ‘78 Midget for 26 years, and have helped a friend on many occasions with his ‘61 and ‘71 Midgets. I love MGs, and it’s always a thrill to see a forgotten one come back to life. Plus, MGAs are just gorgeous.

[@jimstevens1726]

In the 60s and early 70s I owned 4 of these. The last one I owned was a 1962 hardtop coupe with roll up windows! I loved these cars, but when I got married I knew I needed more reliable transportation as parts were not easy to get. I have some great stories about these cars.

[@fknsl1]

The Papers in the Trunk from Scarborough Faire - this was a shop in Rhode Island on the Providence/Pawtucket line that specialized in parts for British Imports. Right on Route 1. They would advertise nationally, I saw them in Hemmings Motor News. Plus I have driven by there many times...

[@kennethgrasing2218]

Always like the tips and tricks on working through starting issues. Thanks Steve!

[@johndavey72]

Result ! She really sounds fine and the bodywork looks very promising so it's a win , win Steve . Great stuff. ! Thanks

[@MrDunky48]

Your skill and knowledge plus the way you demonstrate the work is so straightforward and in no time something that has not run for 30 years is working. I was looking forward to another of your videos. And still finding an American so keen on old British cars is a treat!

[@dennisgannon]

Diamond in the rough. You will have a good jewel when you are done. We all look forward to that day. Thanks for sharing.

[@douglasmills6276]

I enjoyed the video. I always wanted a MGA to restore.

[@bswalker4819]

Great video. I bought a 58 Coupe 2 summers ago from a barn find, just cut all the brush away from the ramp leading to the under barn storage. Hope to winch it up in the next few weeks . I'll wait until its in the shop to start it up and this video was really helpful.

[@AutoAli]

Prettt sweet looking A! Ours was a pile and we built her from the ground up. Sadly one of the rods was a quitter so I’m starting to rebuild engine #2 this weekend.

[@markfisher8206]

Would like to see the complete restoration.Great content always enjoy the will it run series!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Coming soon!

[@ranger2316]

I've had two 1960 MGA's man, does this bring back fond memories. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!! They really are pretty simple to work on, and run forever. You're a lucky man!

[@wedjr97]

Boy, what a lucky day!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Beautiful classic.

[@leroyspicer8927]

My first sports car was a 1962 MGA. It was an easy car to work on and parts were cheep in the 70's. I drove it hard for 3 years and enjoyed every minute behind the wheel. Liked your video...

[@stefeniedavidmusic]

I had a 1960 around 1973. Paid $200 for it. Wood floors. You could reach out and strike your match on the road to lite your cigarette. Very cool

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

One of my favorite little cars.

[@roycarter6235]

Thanks for another excellent video. A simple step by step process to get a long unused vehicle running. Always enjoy your videos.

[@leefranklin3054]

Love that expertise you have built up dealing with these old classics. Had a friend back in the 80's with one of these, always an amazing looking car.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Love the MGA, a bit of a tight fit for me but love the lines and the fact you can pretty much get most of the parts you need. Love your approach. Subscribed

[@fw1421]

I had a friend that had an MGA back in the late 60’s. He always took his Afghan Hound Dog with him. They both had long red hair and were a sight to see with their hair blowing in the wind.😁

[@StephenEgertonMusic]

A very enjoyable watch, as always. Thanks!

[@celticpridedrums]

"when the last time it was ran" well I'm glad good English grammar has no relationship with good auto mechanics. I can write a book, but I could not start this car to save my life buddy--thats why I love watching you guys; its amazing to me that you seem to know exactly what to do--well done; always amazed.

[@henryrodier8024]

MGA that’s are car I would enjoy in the late 1970’s I had 1965 Triumph TR4 A w/ IRS was a blast to drive

[@paulhall170]

I always worry about people who start stored cars without dumping and changing the oil first.... That said, I like your patient, methodical approach!

[@ColdWarVet607]

Great stuff, thank you. Just found out my neighbors Dad has a 1960 MG 1600. Im told it wont start but she didn't know any other details. Its in excellent clean condition inside and out, engine is immaculate. Ive worked on American cars since I was 6 with my Dad but never on a 60's British car or any other MG. This gave me a good go over of things. The only thing I didnt understand is why you called the batteries negative terminal the "hot" terminal. I understand its a "positive gnd" system which is a misnomer because even though the battery positive is connected to the body its still positive. I get why you didnt want the negative terminal next to the positive chassis but I didnt get why you called the negative terminal hot? Great stuff thanks again.

[@neiloconnell2120]

Great fun. I smiled a lot when the new but old hose, leaked badly as well :) Your earthing tips were appreciated also. I am working on my 1929 Austin 12/4 heavy Burnham limousine tomorrow so I shall be re-using your knowledge to good effect. You do know your "stuff". It is also wonderful to see British marques being so well served in the good old US of A. From your cousin in the UK.

[@tonymaiettasr.7340]

Nice. Brings back memories of mine. Thanks for the video

[@markdaugherty6378]

Love the way you get these going

[@bbrut3332]

Another interesting project. Time for a bath and some interior and exterior TLC. It will be interesting to see if 34 years of parking have been good or bad to the interior and exterior finishes. Thanks for the video.

[@jamesjosef4826]

Can't wait to see this road worthy again! One of my dream cars, that are elusive here in upstate NY. I'd buy this one to restore in a heartbeat!

[@tomk4199]

Definitely looking forward to seeing more on this car! The engine sounded great.

[@andrewnorris5415]

It sounded chirpy, happy to be alive again!

[@yellowbird8690]

This weekend saw an Iris Blue MGA, at an auction, at the London Classic Car Show, Syon Park. It was sold for £22,500.

[@victorrobison5069]

It's a minor point, but when I mark the first three, I usually don't put any markings on the fourth plug wire. Good video!

[@brwlegge]

Great video, what a great car! Can’t wait to see the next in this series.

[@TahoeRealm]

Excellent please keep them coming!

[@johnhoye4535]

Thanks for doing MGA,s they are real sports cars, I had one and just loved it. I found that you can’t get the motor out without the transmission connected. What a pain that was , lots of good memories from the 60s.

[@jplacroix461]

You are always so methodical as you troubleshoot. I've learned a ton watching your videos. Keep em coming they are terrific!

[@kerrykrishna]

Steve, I SO enjoy watching you work and how non-anal retentive you are about almost everything. You explain stuff SO incredibly well. I sure wish my life had taken a different turn, and I could have ended up with a small sports car like this.

[@rocknrollrod5]

I had a 59 MGA, and they are great cars. I would fly over hills and lift off the ground for 30 ft. I used vacuum cleaner brushes to fix the starter and generator. When the Banjo steering wheel broke off, I drove with a big vice grip to steer. I paid $1000.00 for it in the 70ies.

[@rayschoch5882]

My first car! Mine was Robin's egg blue, however. Same side-draft carburetors, same funky, unreliable mechanical stuff. I basically thrashed mine - road raced other kids on rural highways (they'd never seen a "sports car"). They always won drag races, I always won if the road was curvy. Doubt I could get in and out of one now, but it was great fun when I was 16 and 17.

[@lib556]

I miss my MGA.

[@lucenmarcosgarage5649]

Always fun to watch your videos Steve. The simple approach to car tech so everyone can do the things. We sure could use your knowledge of British cars in our videos when working on our Austin.

[@stevemercer952]

Great video, Steve. Woild be great to see this roadster in the road!

[@awboat]

That is in pretty damn good shape. Better than my 60. Mine's got the 67 MGB motor in it. I have to finish the dash wiring and being an old broken down body (mine), it is going to be hard.

[@genebalinski645]

Nice work ! Sounds amazing for condition

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Ah, the flood of memories! Had the same year MGA, nick-named "Maggie". Forced to sell her when moving overseas.

[@colinritchie1757]

So annoying here where the MG was built , all I ever find are large lumps of rust that vaguely resembles a car , great work as always

[@paulmaul2186]

There are some good lumps of rust in Canada too. Even here in the city I found an MGA in British racing green that had been sitting in a driveway uncovered, with the roof off, for ages. Within about 5 minutes of downtown Toronto.

[@colinritchie1757]

@@paulmaul2186 makes you want to weep, I love MG/Sprites so much and that is just tragic

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

looks like an excellent candidate for restoration. very nice.

[@mickspencer4171]

Great car Steve, hope you will be keeping that one.

[@graemelliott3942]

Good vid Steve! Yes make more like this one!

[@Hernik_der_Herzhaft]

Great Video... I really want to see what this one will be all cleaned up and tuned up

[@riderxl]

Good job

[@johnster1964]

great video

[@bobmanzi7712]

good stuff steve

[@clivewinters7479]

Really good video 🇬🇧

[@darrylyoes414]

Ah, MG valvetrain tappet clatter. The sound of victory!

[@Tigerfan50]

She's a beauty!

[@julianneale6128]

Love it!

[@simoncampbell-smith6745]

such a pretty car

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

3:44 A Delco Freedom Battery--I haven't seen one of those in the wild in over forty years! I imagine the pilot light is dark....LOL

[@donelmore2540]

I just found a 1960 MGA hardtop at a lot just out of New Braunfels, TX on Hwy 46. Supposedly 1 owner and stock, but I saw that the steering wheel looked aftermarket. They said that they had done the brakes and done a tuneup. It looked in “fair” shape to me, but they are asking $24,000 if I remember correctly. I checked prices on line and it seemed to be priced at a “restored” price which it is not.

[@Rob-fx2dw]

Keep checking the electrics - Particularly the engine earth connection which was a woven wire connector on these cars and it often got weaker when it wore out by continued movement which caused it to gradually self destruct. It often was interpreted as a faulty starter when it was not so.

[@eggy1962]

Plenty to do on this and yes we do want to see it all.

[@antonbruce1241]

Remember this one thing about British cars: If there's no oil under it - there's no oil in it. Also...you MIGHT want to take those twin SU's off and rebuild them. And I DO hope you have a carb sync meter. Still...nice to see she runs.

[@johngrace199]

And to think, I was excited when I was finally able to get my weed trimmer started this past weekend. LOL

[@fredbuhl]

Great (revised) video! I'm wondering how you figure out a purchase price for these barn finds...or even where you find out about them.

[@SB-vb8ch]

Not sure where you find these cars but I'm very jealous! That battery looked very 1980s so lucky that it hadn't split it's case & leaked in the car.

[@dbernius]

I started watching and I am like I have seen this video before than I realized you had updated and edited it. :) Want come and fix my MGB her in Metamora, IL. It runs and I drive it, but the question is SHOULD I?

[@micheltebraake7915]

The engine runs well.

[@grayfool]

Love watching get theses great old cars running again. How many new cars will be running in fifty or sixty years time, assuming fuel is still available?

[@jeremyclarke4883]

Great informative videos! Thank you Steve. I noticed you often install new master cylinders in the cars but no mention of bench bleeding them first ( a lesson I learned the hard way on my BJ8). Do you do that? - and if so, maybe show folks how to do it. Thanks again.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

No I usually do not bleed them first that is a good way to spill brake fluid onto the car and ruin the paint. There are other ways to overcome the problem if needed but usually not required on a British car.

[@warrenp2022]

I bought my 1958 MGA roadster on April 1, 1967, drove it until 1974 when I started taking it apart for repairs. Sadly it is still in pieces and after being 'stored' outside is in sad shape. I had wanted a TC or TD but at 6' 4" and having big feet I didn't fit in them so the A was the next choice. Presently trying to make room in the garage to work on it, rusty frame and lower body will be a challenge at 73 yrs old. At my age I'm not planning a fancy restoration, just make it safe, presentable and fun to drive again. In 1970 in NJ while playing Army, if I had a bad tire I would drive to the local junk yard, pull off my wire wheel and exchange it for another with a good tire for $5.00, youthful mistakes.

[@georgerrust4087]

Had a 61' only 2 fuses, one for the headlights the other for everything else. A Lucas system that actually worked! Should be an easy fix to start.

[@charlesmoore3321]

Not long after acquiring an MGB, it was a MGA I really wanted, problem is they drove them directly behind salt trucks here in the midwest.

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

When I was a teenager, I bought an MGA, "something was wrong with the engine.: (Broken crankshaft) I cleaned it up, etc, it sat in the garage all summer, until my Parents discovered what car insurance would be for a teenager with a sports car! My mother's boss had a brother who was a car mechanic, she bought it and he got it running. The one that got away.... Bob

[@regunter6599]

One of my favorite cars, unfortunately they are a bit small for a 6'4" guy, I never found one in decent enough shape to buy.

[@larrysorenson4789]

The heater blower motor is inside the housing on the firewall.

[@davidjones332]

Quite takes me back to the days of having to put the spark plugs in the oven to get my old Morris to start in winter. And they called them the good old days......

[@walterhluchyj3721]

would like to see restoration of that car!

[@mikey9030]

I had a mga as my only driver for 5 years.

[@testacorsa150]

Cars you can fix with a hammer, are my kind of cars :)

[@robertoferrari5397]

..i miss the old "fuel and spark" days.😃

[@cjwl1]

I owned an MGA1600 Mk.2 in the mid '60's - as did my brother; we both live in Great Britain. the best little sports car i ever had! Luckily mine was not a twin cam - they were always going out of tune!

[@like2view]

Where are you with this car? The MGA does have beautiful lines and when it ran , right before the oil leak.. it sounded quite good!! . How 'bouh getting some parts to move it around safely, give it a wash ..and if nothing is terribly wrong, a new video on tuning SU carbs?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

New video coming soon.

[@parrotraiser6541]

The step-by-step procedure is logical and thorough, but with two curious omissions; a coolant and oil check. Removing the radiator cap and pulling the dipstick so simple and potentially instructive I'm surprised they aren't the first 2 steps before any other. (Or are they so obvious that they were done but not shown?) If nothing else, you want to ensure that neither fluid appears to contain the other. The motor can be started and run briefly with no coolant and little oil without damage, but it still feels wrong.

[@rafibenor7981]

Is there any update on the Datsun 280z?

[@robertoferrari5397]

..i've been kind of thinking about getting one of these...i'm learning a lot from the video...(never even imagined two six volt batteries.)....ps,..why whitworth wrenches.. how are they different?

[@thirdcargarage2951]

Love two seaters.