Why The MG MGA is the Classic Car You NEED to Drive | Full Review

Take a step back in time with the iconic MG MGA - a classic car that combines beautiful styling, simple mechanics, racing pedigree, BUT is still relatively affordable.
If you’re looking for the best British Sports Car from the 1950s and 1960s, this is certainly a big contender. I take this beautiful MG out for a drive on some of my favourite roads to get the full experience behind the wheel and talk you through how much you should pay, what you should look out for, and why owning an MG is a truly special experience.
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Photos courtesy of MG Owners Club & MG Car Club
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License code: IAJICCN6GOXFAT9K

[@user-ls2er2ed7m]

Bought mine 49 years ago - and still have it today !

[@bobdadruma]

I have driven a rough specimen of an MGA and I fully understand how interesting this car is. It is so proper.

[@yolandaAlimbau]

Just covered 1500 miles touring England, Ireland and Wales in a exceptionally oroginal 1500cc MGA. The car never missed a beat and the final week the top stayed down all the time was surprised how easy it was to live with the top down and the luck of buffeting. No boot space to talk of, trip felt like a glorified glamping holiday. We can not wait to get it on the road again. Possibly the most underated beautiful British sports car

[@fuelupclassic]

Fantastic! Sounds as though you had a great road trip and what better car to enjoy a British country road than a beautiful MGA. I hope you enjoy yours for many years to come.

[@awalk5177]

I bought an MGA for 90 pounds (nobody wanted them) in about 1979 and it was well past its best. I moved house still with that car waiting for some attention and after the second move house, I bought a second car (Ex California car) mainly because the first car chassis was past repair. Consequently the cars were combined and restored by an MG specialist to give me a good as new fully restored MGA in 1997, which I now drive when the fancy takes me. Even with the total cost at the time in 1997, that restoration investment has almost doubled, in the car value, over the past 20 years.

[@AJuchum]

My first car in 1964 was a '59 MGA. The rocker panels were very rusty but the dealer replaced them. Car cost $895. Lots of fun but lots of electrical starting issues. I found that the jack handle doubles through the front bumper as a crank. I had to use that to start it often. Only had it for 5-6 months as winter in Ohio was not a good idea for this to be my only transportation. Still, I wish I had it back!!!

[@triode1]

Had a friend in the '60s whose dad gave her a MGA (BRG), I drove it frequently-I always thought it was a great little car, and vastly under rated!

[@cynic150]

This is my favourite classic sports car. British, of course! The beautiful curve of the bonnet is so seductive. I had a toy one in white; lovely!

[@majorscope]

Had my first in 68, a 1600 coupe. Now have another one. The complete drivers car. Everything you say is spot on.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you. Great to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@steve_mcdee]

Great review, thanks! You really nailed the delights of the beautiful MGA. I never find the lack of synchro on first a problem either; you can change down into first when stationary, and it easily pulls away from a virtual stop in second.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@jamesmacd]

We hired one of these in the south of France for my wife's birthday... such a lovely car!

[@fuelupclassic]

That sounds like the perfect place to enjoy an MGA.

[@jrockoclock7088]

I had the luxury of driving one of these, in a similar cherry red, very cute car, light as a feather as well. The wire door handles isn't a joke and they are there for a purpose, these cars feel trimmed to the bone but are still very nice to be in.

[@mattmccann8805]

Saw it in the flesh for the first time yesterday. I think it might be the prettiest car ever made.

[@fuelupclassic]

They are great looking cars :)

[@paulhelman2376]

Morgan's are the ultimate Brit sports car and still in business too.

[@fuelupclassic]

I do enjoy a Morgan, we've already featured one on the channel and have a few more different models lined up to feature in the near future.

[@robertscheinost179]

When I was in the Navy in 1971, a shipmate sold me a MGA MK2 (1962) for $ 300. This was the first car I owned. Stationed in Key West, Fla. That "A" and I had a great time exploring the Keys all the way to Key Largo...And back, all in an overnight trip, making it back to the Ship for Morning Roll Call. All good things come to an end as I was transferred to Italy about a year after I bought. I sold it for what I paid. I owned 2 E-Type Jaguars in the late 70's/early 80's and although the Jags were ferocious cars (loved them!), my heart holds the MGA most sacred. My "A" had wires, aluminum doors, hood and trunk, a 6 volt battery under each seat and disc brakes all around (go figure). My understanding is that some twin cam leftovers were used on a few of the 1962 MK2 cars, less than 100, and my car could have been one of these, I am eyeballing my next car to come my way, and it's going to be the best MGA MK2 I can find, reasonably and fairly priced, of course. While you Limey's may have the best knowledge about the "nuts and bolts" on the MG's, keep in mind that 75% were exported to the USA. Wonderful video, Thanks a bunch. Cheers!

[@fuelupclassic]

That's a great story and I am so pleased you enjoyed the video. I hope you manage to find a great MGA and enjoy it as much as possible.

[@robertscheinost179]

@@fuelupclassic I really appreciate that! I had no place to ship and store the car due to a broken family so I was forced to sell. I am really looking hard for a good MGA MK 2 and your post to me offers encouragement that I will Get one before the year is out! Then this old man can say "Hello 1971 again!".

[@robertscheinost179]

@@hueyhoolihan582 When MG realized that '62 was the last year of the "A", they went into the spares bin and used up their leftover Twin Cam parts. My "A" was baby blue also. I can restore a car or bike as well as the next wrench and I am presently looking for a no rust, dry stored "A" deluxe to go through and restore to a driver. Concours? Close but I want to drive the shit out of it. I almost pulled the trigger on an "A" a few months ago but figured it was too modified, with a "B" engine and weber carb. For me, stock is where it's at. Good luck with your TD, that was the year I was born. The thing that I have a problem with are the "speculators", middlemen who have junk and try to pass it off as something worth money so they can enrich themselves at the expense of somebody just starting out in the hobby. I see this as a negative for the future of the hobby. Cheers!

[@robertscheinost179]

@@hueyhoolihan582 You're right about comfort in bad weather but what a way to experience it! Good luck on your cross country trip. You will enjoy the hell out of it! I'll never forget when I drove my E-type Jaguar from Boulder, CO. to CT. There was a wicked snow storm with -60 degree wind chills about 3 hours behind me, averaging 145 mph across Nebraska! It chased me all the way back but I beat it. Such are the things that make the ride memorable. Drive safe and please take the time to talk with the people that ask questions about your car. They are the future of the enthusiast market. Cheers!

[@harrietpope5601]

Stunning car! Really enjoyed this video - well said

[@SKOVDEPETE]

Really nice presentation. of My ALL TIME Favorite Car... even growing up as a child in the 50s. I owned a ´59 MGA Coupe for a couple years in the early 70s, but was forced to sell it when I moved abroad. I miss that car something terrible... but value so much the short love affair We had together 🙂

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for watching. Matt

[@calsurflance5598]

A beautiful example of a true classic sports car. Well done ! I’m enjoying your channel! What you said about the twin cam having a poor reputation due to needing a specialist ( someone who knows what they are doing), can be said for the Jaguar XK engine here in the states as well. Too many XK engines were removed in favor of Chevy or Ford V8s, simply because the local garage didn’t know how to work on them. In the late 60s, 70s and 80s even Ferraris we’re being bastardized. I knew a gentleman who bought a 1957 pontoon fender Testa Rossa ( serial number 718 )for $1200, ( in 1970) with a Chevy in it, and no transmission. He found another TR engine and restored it over 12 years. When he was done he took 1st in class at Pebble Beach. He eventually sold the car for 4 other cars and enough money to put his daughter through college. This car is listed in the book, Ferrari Testa Rossa V12, by Joel Finn. It is my understanding that this car has been reunited with its original matching number engine, and is now worth north of $30,000,000! Moral of the story; keep them original!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for you kind words and it is great to hear you are enjoying the channel. I have always wondered what a Chevy/Ford V8 engine in a Jaguar XJ is like. I can understand why people did the swaps, due to the XK and v12 engines being somewhat daunting to work on if you are not familiar with them. Certainly originality is key to value, certainly with vintage Ferraris etc..

[@calsurflance5598]

@@jeffhildreth9244 Early 80s I believe. It has been 30 plus years since I knew this man. The exact year escapes me. That car competed at the 1958 24 hours of Lemans with a Belgium team, according to the book mentioned above.

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Apologies just viewed that classic MK2 jaguar car chase in the 67 film robbery again and paused it I thought we caught a brief glimpse of a red MGA roadster travelling in the opposite direction but on further inspection it appears to be a big AUSTIN HEALEY... Still pretty cool guys.... Love the MGA...

[@richardbatty6520]

Hi, I seen all of your videos and have subscribed. It looks to be a very good channel. It would be nice to know your first name though, or did I miss that? Keep them coming!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for the really kind comment and for subscribing and watching all the videos. My name is Matt and as the channel is very new, I’m yet to put out a proper introductory video explaining a little about myself, my passion for classics, and the cars I have owned/currently own etc… but I will as soon as possible. Thank again, and I hope you continue to enjoy the videos.

[@kenphillips5221]

lovely

[@markchodroff250]

My first car was a 1961 MGA Mark 2 with wire wheels , disk brakes , side curtains, new top, and all the factory covers , this was back in 1966 , to this day I am so sorry I sold that car , but back than cars were inexpensive, $700 ? Today the car would be $25-30,000 ? Who would know ? 😢

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Absolutely love the MGA but my budget only stretches to tatty MGB Roadsters unfortunately.... Incidentally if you watch a vidio of the classic MK2 jaguar car chase in the 1967 film robbery starring Stanley Baker the car chase is filmed live & on location in London.... You get a very brief glimpse of a red MGA ROADSTER travelling in the opposite direction this MGA just happened to be there as the filming was going on but I suppose in 67 MGAs where a fairly common sight around London.... MGA are just ultra cool guys 👍👌

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Apologies just paused the vidio it's a big AUSTIN HEALEY and not an MGA still pretty cool though....

[@slottibarfast5402]

Small car full of pep easy on gas and cool looking. It was always good to say a little prayer before starting it up. The electrical system is notoriously bad.

[@michaeljoesmith3977]

50 years ago I found a 1959 MGA abandoned in a weed.patch. I traded an 8 track tape player for the MGA. Restored it and eventually sold in ten years later. Big mistake.

[@fuelupclassic]

Sounds like you got an incredible deal :). Also acts as a reminder just how times and prices have significantly changed.

[@gregandroly9129]

Where are you filming, near Newmarket by chance?

[@sisamarketing5204]

My car during my college days

[@laiceystone9202]

'A wonderful tourer'? I've owned one for 30 years and it's never been that. The car has it's faults and the main one for me is the wind buffeting. An MX5 has much better aerodynamic design and you don't get any buffeting in one of those. I have toured in it. It's not my first choice for driving to Scotland these days but I did have a girlfriend in Scotland in the 1990s and there was a summer when my daily driver was broken and I went up there every weekend in the MG. The best reason to own an MGA is because it's beautiful. Simple to maintain and mine has been perfectly reliable for 30 years. I'll be driving it to work tomorrow because the forecast is a nice day. Despite it's faults I still enjoy driving it.

[@fuelupclassic]

Great to hear you're still using and enjoying your MGA after 30 years. You can purchase a windblocker and wind wings for the MGA which dramatically helps with buffeting, although they aren't the prettiest of additions. Considering the MX5 was launched a full 35 years after the MGA, it's no surprise it fairs much better in that department. For a near 70 year old design, it's still remarkably capable and there's plenty of owners who use them regularly on continental touring holidays etc with no complaints. The help of a 5-speed gearbox conversion, disc brake upgrade (on the early models) and the near endless tuning capabilities of the B series engine transforms the usability for modern day driving.

[@laiceystone9202]

@@fuelupclassic Thanks - a wind deflector is a good idea. I'll look into that as it would increase my use of the car. Apart from the buffeting the car is quite comfortable. Mine has a 1950cc MGB engine with overdrive gearbox (the floor rails and tunnel cover needed to be altered for space and gearbox cooling). I pivoted the seats backwards (by cutting and welding a spacer in the front of the seat base frame) before a trip to the Alps which hugely improved knee and lower back support.

[@richardjensen2769]

Owned a Mark II here in "Latter Day Saint country" for about a decade. One of those morons (I mean "Mormons") turned left in front of me in a Ford Galaxy 500. I thought I'd killed the little girl in the front seat, because the brakes weren't Quite what we are Used To, in these Latter Ones. The bloody (I apologize to you Subjects of the King, but I must've looked a bit like a Stuck Pig), steering wheel went right into the dashboard, under the impetus of two tightly clutched hands, and my big ol' Shnozzola. If the "MG" label in the center had been Raised, I'd have had it tattooed on my chest, as well. (Liked it Well Enough that I bought it's Twin as a replacement - but I painted it Red, out of "an Abundance of Caution.")

[@fuelupclassic]

Gosh! Hopefully all involved were not hurt.

[@tirebiter1680]

What you really NEED to drives is a Jaguar XKE.

[@fuelupclassic]

Watch this space! You may also be interested in my Jaguar XK 150S video or the Daimler Double Six.

[@slkfjariao]

YOU ARE DRIVING A TWIN CAM WITHOUT KNOWING IT!

[@fuelupclassic]

This one was not a Twin Cam but a standard 1600cc B series that had been recently rebuilt and lightly modified for a bit more power than standard.

[@tirebiter1680]

If you are trying to pick up women you need a jaguar.