How To Spot: An Original MG A...BONUS, IT'S A "DELUXE"!

Welcome to our second installment investigating the original nature of classic vehicles. This time we will be taking a look at a very special 1962 MG A MKII "Deluxe" Roadster. Join LBI Limited co-founder Andrew Mastin as he dives into what makes this car so special, both from a rarity standpoint and the outstanding original condition.
As always we may not have all the facts, so if you have something you think may be beneficial to other interested viewers, please comment down below. We are always excited to learn something new and we hope that any information either us, or you the viewer can provide everyone else out there, will be useful to someone in the future.
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[@user-id8ev3lb7g]

Nicely done video on one of my favourite cars, having owned and restored five of them since 1973. The Original MGA by Anders Ditlev Clausanger is the definitive restorers guide in my opinion. The deluxe was a compilation of parts left over before the production of the MGB, ie the Dunlop centre lock wheels. Some of the deluxe models came with the competition seats. There were no MGA’s built with a rubber seal around the bonnet opening, just the rubber blocks. One of the greatest all time sports cars and very dependable and affordable and a blast to drive.

[@sheilalucas9154]

Excellent video covering an amazing car, Well done !

[@classicperformance]

As a former MGA "deluxe" owner, I can add one more option you did not mention, all "deluxe" cars came with a remote oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator. excellent example and well done!!

[@LBILimited]

Great point! Completely forgot about that. Thank you for watching.

[@jrarsenault1937]

Andrew, I had a red 1962 MGA 1600 Mark 2 as my first car in 1970 so was familiar with the subject. I was amazed by all of the details you highlighted like the key on the firewall. Rubber bits that should be there, along with a hidden chassis number under the carpeting. Many MGA vids posted, yours gets kudos for comprensive MGA profile.

[@anjdog2003]

I have a 1962 Chariot Red. Love the car.

[@tkreitler]

That is a beautiful MGA. Cars were meant to be driven but, in this case, I think it should stay off the road as much as possible and become a reference vehicle. It has some extremely delicate old original parts that could easily be gone forever.

[@brucejordan7129]

If anyone hasn't read GREG LONG they should. GREG LONG wrote below as to the origin of the MGA 1600 DELUXE, and he is correct. One item to add to GREG'S history is that the engines didn't exactly blow up. What happened was the engine vibration at certain rpm would cause the carbs to fail and after a few moments would come back to life. So after building 2111 examples of the TWIN CAM they pulled the motors out and replaced them.

[@LBILimited]

Excellent points, thank you for this!

[@williambailey2053]

Wow..excellent insight into a deluxe....brilliant ! Bill Bailey Australia.

[@themanontheroad]

Going with a friend to day to look at a restored MG A - this was very educational - thanks👍

[@LBILimited]

Glad we could help! Good luck with car, please feel free to reach out if you ever need any advice.

[@lukesmith8413]

Amazing video. Thanks for sharing. The MGA is quickly becoming my favourite. The condition, that understand is a personal thing, personally I am not a fan of a car that has never been enjoyed enough. Buy an example like this would not make me want to rally it, take it on tours.. just to think of it as an investment, that to me is a shame. But each to their own.

[@franklibutti6590]

You have been so happy

[@greglong3435]

What a well done video! Super impressed with the car and the presenter. Can't wait to check out more videos... My understanding is that because the Twin-Cam engines had a tendency to blowup and they were worried about bringing MG down because of it, they stopped production on the Twin-Cam after only 2111 cars being built (versus 100,000 'regular' MGA's) rather abruptly but had a lot of chassis's ready so they just put the pushrod engine in the Twin-Cam chassis's. So it wasn't really a car you could 'option' with Twin-Cam features... you just got them! Incidentally, I have an 'almost all' original '59 Twin-Cam so it was fun to watch your video and check mine. Mine has all original paint, and was ordered to race at Lime Rock so it has all the factory competition options including the seats, steering wheel, rear-end, and transmission--- and the cut-down factory windshield. Even has its original Road Speed Dunlop tires (I found another set of the Dunlop wheels and put new tires on it so I could enjoy it on nice days). I bought it from the original owner who kept it on blocks in his garage from 1970 and it had just 29,213 miles. Check it out on my site: www.FoundMotorcars.com .

[@LBILimited]

Incredible! Just browsed your website- Love the cars, you have great taste. Check out our comprehensive video in this same playlist highlighting a 7,400 mile original paint 1976 Ferrari 308 Vetroresina

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

The mk2 had a 1622cc motor,4 wheel disc brakes &,usually,Dunlop knock on wheels & oil cooler.Basically it was a Twin Cam with a pushrod motor.

[@davidphantom8163]

I almost bought one of these the other day I was about an hour too late somebody else got it I could cry

[@Quinntheeskimo99]

This is without doubt the best video of its kind. Thank you.

[@thomasmiller1650]

I had to zip through it because the background music was annoying. Also, shouldn't one inspect the underside?

[@RichardMichaelOwen]

Andrew a wonderful MGA no doubt, and your passion for selling originality really shines, but your softtop hood and frame did a real disappearing act.

[@douglasmclay9134]

You are right to say that there was never a catalogued De Luxe MGA. However the original batch were not dealer options packages but had all the standard Twin Cam features without the engine which was replaced by a 1588 MGA 1600 pushrod unit. They were built after Twin Cam production was abruptly stopped by the BMC board because their unreliability was affecting the reputation of the whole MGA range, especially in the US. Abingdon was left with stocks of the Twin Cam components, such as chassis, seats, bodies and of course the Dunlop braking system with its steel centre lock wheels. These were built up into complete cars fitted with the pushrod motors and pushed out to the dealer network to sell. They are super rare, I believe only 16 were sold in the UK.As you say it was the dealers who coined the term De Luxe to describe them. They must have been popular because the various components were added to the MGA 1600 mk2 option list. Those who ordered a car with 4 wheel disc brakes helped themselves to the De Luxe monica! But they were infact built on 1600 mk2 chassis with 1600 mk 2 bodies. I have owned my 1600 De Luxe since 1973. At that time the term De Luxe was unknown in the MGA community. Mine was described by the seller as a Twin Cam with a pushrod engine.....

[@johnrussell5245]

There was no difference in suspension between any of the MGA models-other than the Twin Cam had stiffer front springs in order to support the heavier TC engine. This is an amazingly original car.

[@LBILimited]

Ah yes, thank you for your input! This really is a special car. We sold it to a local gentleman who stores it with us now. Get to look at it every day!

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

my high school friend in 1970 bought a '62 mga with a twin cam chassis. it had disc brakes on all four corners.

[@sirodnek4437]

A few oddities jump out - MGA's never had a rubber seal around the engine compartment and the seats are "normal" MGA seats, not those of a Deluxe.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

I had a 1060 MGA 1600. J C Whitney used to offer high quality replacement parts (esp. soft tops) a little cheaper than BMC. Never knew about the spare key!

[@polygamous1]

As soon as the video finished i clicked subscribe n the bell never seen any of your videos B4 But this is excellent, specially talking about 1 of my ALL times favourite sports cars maybe one for the Healey 3000? these are cars design other than British n Italian cars of that era its not much else that I really love, design by real engineers who loved what they where doing these cars have souls n personalities they are all individual n all perfectly designed for beauty n driving pleasures, as I really hate today's speed machines designed in the wind tunnel, that all look similar

[@robertbrungraber1641]

was this car ever owned by doctor in Ithaca? i saw a wonderful one at the Morris Garage, in Unadilla, while i was stripping a Morris Minor for parts, in 1968.

[@LBILimited]

YES! This is the car!

[@MrRobster1234]

Great video. I would go out on a limb and say the fender piping has been changed. No matter how well these cars are taken care of that original silver piping soon changes to a grey/brown colour .

[@sirodnek4437]

I agree - restored our '62 in 2005, needed replacement within 8 yrs

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

First sign of re-paint is the fender piping.

[@ianrussell9179]

I have a mlk11 love it

[@yodaddamilkman8422]

Stopped caring after your recommendation to not change the tires or EVER drive the car. That’s a downright shame. Give it to a real enthusiast.

[@paulhelman2376]

To have a useful car for sporting and even modern road conditions why would someone not modify. Most older Morgan Owners enjoy modifications so they can drive their machines not trailer them. My series V 4/4 came over in 63 and shared some MGA components like the 48 spoke Dunlops. I got it in 96 and took it down to the frame in my garage for what amounted to a five year rebuild. Over the years I have added a number of modifications such as to make it a reasonably reliable machine capable for the demands of contemporary conditions. However it's essence remains a series V 4/4

[@christophercumings6827]

Didn’t look like the original gearshift knob. Couldn’t tell if it still had 2 6volt batteries behind the seats. What does the trunk sorry boot interior look like. Does it still have the original knockoff hammer for the wheels and the original scissor jack? Is the trunk carpeted?

[@VorWWek]

Great video ! PS: Please, what's the model of the car on your left (the grey one on the left of the MGA)

[@beckhamsinger4120]

It’s an Austin Healey 3000

[@David_P132]

@@beckhamsinger4120 I want it! And the Alfa Giulia behind it too>

[@michaelnaisbitt1590]

The DELUXE version is Sep c I am it came with a crate full of spare parts and a full team of mechanics to keep it going

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Very nice car. However, some of your information does not jive with that from other sources. "Highly" original. There is no such thing as "highly original". Something is either original or it is not. Not intended to "pick" at one particular item but considering other factors, this fortifies a "sales pitch". I was around and worked at an official BMC/ MG, Jag, Rolls, Bentley, Aston Martin, Austin, Morris, Lotus, Jensen, MINI dealership in the sixties and seventies. We kept MGA twin cam heads in stock, an indicator or their mechanical reliability. Incidentally the dealership was owned and operated by Jack Flaherty, one of the drivers of number 46 , one of the three MGBs at Sebring 1965. DNF Diff. I owned a first month production 1956 MGA in which I slammed a 3 main B motor. I worked on many MGAs over the years. Fine cars and the Deluxe models were my favorites. Far more rare than the Twin Cams, and more reliable.

[@Dentropolis]

Once a very rare care is in excellent original condition there is no problem to put it in a museum forever. There will always others for those to alter, drive, fix up and alter as they have a.ready been. Once a virgin, only once a virgin.

[@LBILimited]

Yes exactly! Glad people are sharing our mutual love for original cars.

[@JoeGuzzetta]

What is the other silver car in the video at 0:42 to the right of the MG?

[@LBILimited]

That is a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MK III

[@film_magician]

What's that silver car on the right?

[@Olscotia1]

THAT BEAUTIFUL CAR FOR SALE?

[@Chicago611]

I have one that has been parked for over twenty years, not a twin cam, not sure what year it is. I'm guessing it's a 60 or 61. Please contact me if you are interested.

[@LBILimited]

We would be interested! Please send us an e-mail [e-mail]

[@davidshepherd7750]

What is the present-day value of this car, or one very much like it?

[@LBILimited]

I'd say about $45,000-$50,000

[@davidfisher268]

Good video but you are missing so many close-ups.

[@michaelnaisbitt1590]

You can tell if its an original if you look on the inner skin's of front fenders and there is a YELLOW DEFECT STICKER there then you know its as built

[@dawnfletcher3892]

How much?

[@geoffmower8729]

Excellent car but those tyres should be changed at least every five years even it the tread is still good after five years they get fine cracks and can cause a blow out and it is compulsory in some country's.

[@seanm2511]

Actually it's a "de Luxe" as somebody at MG actually spoke French.

[@hueyhoolihan582]

all too easy to spot, which is probably how my friend's '62 deluxe got stolen. and BTW, back in the 60's these (the 1962 models like this) were known by MG service people and enthusiasts as "mgas with a twin cam chassis". which pretty much explains everything about them. IOW it was the pre-62 twincam model without the twincam engine, but instead with the standard 1962 body and engine. which was pretty much the same standard engine that mga had from the git-go, but bored out to 1622cc, rather than the earlier ~1500cc and ~1600cc versions.

[@davidphantom8163]

I can't watch this anymore I'm dying

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

It's easy to spot, look behind the barn for the rusty spot, that was your MG. these things were a joke when they were new! Smiths Gage's....yikes......

[@LBILimited]

Then our time-capsule original car must be even more special!

[@MrGaryGG48]

In the era from the end of WWII through the later 1960's and 70's, rust in nearly every car was alive and well. The European cars and our own in the northern states had to contend with salt and occasionally, other anti-icing treatments. They were extremely harsh on car bodies. Most of the English cars had to fend off the Lucas reputation and the rust jokes. The common joke through the '50s & 60's regarding the Germans and rust, was that Karmen (Body Builder for VW & Porsche) invented rust and leased it to the Italians. The metal treatment technologies had just not evolved to the level we enjoy today. Another thing that was a "mixed blessing" was when extensive use of plastic panels became more common. The car guy purists hated plastic and wanted everything in steel, like the "old days." The advantages included being impervious to rust, in spite of looking cheap. It's so easy to remember the "good old days"... but some of those uglier old details tend to fade away until somebody has to restore one of these relics from those "good old days!"

[@awalk5177]

@@MrGaryGG48 Lucas reputation is only in North America. In UK we don't have problems with Lucas. Maybe it is the USA climate and temperature swings Lucas bullet connectors provided a problem ? These MGA cars were famous for the Le Mans 24 hour race and various European rallies where they had much success , but they were undervalued until recently where now they are quite valuable in UK BUT an original would be ( as you say) a block of rust. They need to be restored and looked after in UK climate and I'm not sure that the car featured here is actually original as there are a number of items which give it away as a clever restoration. Every nut bolt, panel and screw is available for these cars in UK.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Typical troll response! Get a life!

[@johnholzhey8149]

Easy way to tell. Do the electronics work? Yes? Its not a real MG.

[@LBILimited]

Haha!

[@douglasmclay9134]

There are no electronics in an MGA. Its all good old fashioned electrical wiring and switches. Unless you added a radio!

[@johnholzhey8149]

@@douglasmclay9134 Lucas had a tendency to go blank if there was any humidity. No US built cars had these problems. Come to think of it, the German and Italian built cars didn't either.

[@douglasmclay9134]

@@johnholzhey8149 yes but the Lucas electrical system and Jaeger instruments have no electronics in them. They are just wire, switches and mechanical instruments. And generally they work fine over here, if they are in good condition. ...

[@johnholzhey8149]

@@douglasmclay9134 It must be the trip over. They have a bad rep here.

[@danielharrison7308]

too much

[@LBILimited]

We appreciate the feedback, thank you.