Parts for the MGA Coupe ARE genereally available, but many such as front and rear glass trim are UNO

$12K 1958 MGA Coupe Project Get the email Submissions Services Vehicle Shipping BaT Garage Project Cars Photos How-To Gear Clothing Decals Hats About RSS June 19, 2014 British / Inspiration / Project / Under $20k 31 comments $12K 1958 MGA Coupe Project
This 1958 MGA Coupe is described as a project and appears to be complete apart from gauges and door cards. The body looks to be solid despite surface rust, but the front quarters and bumper don t fit very well. Though not mentioned we doubt the 1500 lump with twin SU s is in running order, but we d gladly los angeles population be proven wrong. Find the MGA here on Craigslist in Oceanside, California los angeles population for $12k or offer.
In the early 80s, a co-worker had one of these white with a black interior if I remember correctly. Of course that one was in much better shape (as I m sure this looked better 30+ years ago). Back then, in my post Triumph days, I never understood why someone bought an MG coupe instead of a roadster especially living in California. TangoUniform June 19, 2014 at 7:43 am 6 or Flag as not constructive
Why would anyone buy one of these instead of the roadster ? Up there with the XK120/140/150 as one of the ugliest convertibles ruined with a roof that you could buy. John June 19, 2014 at 8:08 am 7 or Flag as not constructive
You buy a coupe because they have beautiful lines and convertibles don t do it for some people. They don t really do it for me. There are some convertibles I would like to own but that is because they are great cars that happen to be convertibles. The convertible part just doesn t work for me. It just never is that great with the top down and it is downright awful on a hot sunny day. Buk June 19, 2014 at 8:09 am 14 or Flag as not constructive
The MGAs are gorgeous cars. What is not to love? They have those great fenders and sloping hood and trunk. They are nearly as gorgeous as an Austin Healy and are less than half the price. I think MGAs are one of the great bargains of the classic car market. ozusa June 19, 2014 at 8:29 am 2 or Flag as not constructive
@John. I agree with your comment on convertibles not just MGA ones. I love looking at convertibles, but I prefer fixed-head coupes. I don t even like the sunroof on my daily driver. Not everyone wants the wind in their hair, and I know I need no more sun on my face. John June 19, 2014 at 8:45 am 2 or Flag as not constructive
Both my cars have sunroofs and I almost never use them. Ironically, convertables are most tolerable when it is cool or brisk than they are when it is warm. You think of a convertible as a summer thing but really they are most fun in the spring or fall or on a cool but not cold winter day. Anywhere outside of the far north and you just bake in a convertible in the summer. Reg June 19, 2014 at 9:04 am 0 or Flag as not constructive
The 1600 and Mk2 are improved versions of the early MGA and a better way to go. Also, it will cost more to restore a coupe but it will not be worth as much when completed. And having spent some time in an MGA coupe in the summer los angeles population in California, they are very warm inside, a real roaster. Reg June 19, 2014 at 9:05 am 0 or Flag as not constructive
ps-I realize the ad says or best offer , so the seller is fishing. I d like to hear/see some of the offers . Hundreds not thousands. billy de hulst June 19, 2014 at 11:01 am 5 or Flag as not constructive
Then, a TOTAL restoration: Call that $22,500 to $25,000, because it needs everything, from wiring to wonky front body work; plus $1250 to convert to wire wheels, which are absolutely necessary on this car, to balance-off the look of the hard-hat style.
If you live in the UK, the rules are different. A dry climate car sells at a substantial premium. Old sports cars are very expensive in comparison to North America. Maybe the seller is fishing for a Brit: Scot, Orangeman, Englishman or Taffy.
If anyone, other than a Brit or European, pays close to the asking los angeles population price for this, they need immediate treatment from a competent los angeles population financial adviser. Call me for an appointment, you need help. John June 19, 2014 at 11:28 am 1 or Flag as not constructive
Exactly right. This care would be a way to learn all of the parts that go into a British sports car as you had to replace every single one of them on the car. Anyone who has ever tried to restore an old car knows it is always going to take three times as long and four times the money that you think it will. There is never just one thing wrong and the things that you know are wrong when you buy the car are always just the tip of the iceberg. This thing is a money pit.
As to the seller s claim that new parts are easily obtainable , he s right. Just call Moss, give em your credit card number and start rattling off part numbers. The ad doesn t claim the parts will be cheaply obtained, just easily. Steve in Orange June 19, 2014 at 12:35 pm 0 or Flag as not constructive
Regarding coupes: having worked on and driven these in sunny So-Cal, I can attest they are like driving in a fish bowl, and a heated one at that. Would be a great car for cooler climates. wtsane June 19, 2014 at 1:36 pm 2 or Flag as not constructive
Hard to justify paying the ask on this when you could get yourself into a very nicely los angeles population restored or fairly well preserved original Sprite or Midget that would be ready to drive as soon as you sign the dotted line, and would likely be more fun to drive.
I think the MGA market is getting drawn upward because of the upwardly climbing values of its Big Healey contemporaries. Still, you re talking Porsche 911 bubble to be in the realm of the ask for this, and the British cars, not even the Big Healeys, are there yet. Irene June 20, 2014 at 5:22 am 0 or Flag as not constructive
I do think the coupes are beautiful but not as beautiful as my roadster. This poor thing needs a new home but at that asking price it probably won t be soon. Car appears to be missing windshield trim and back glass trim which I think are still hard to find. I did not see any shots of the frame and it looked like the passenger door had a serious gap problem.
Parts for the MGA Coupe ARE genereally available, but many such as front and rear glass trim are UNOBTAINIUM! Billy, you nailed it on this one. Run and Hide. sourdough June 20, 2014 at 8:06 am 0 or Flag as not constructive
Had a 58 in 71. Original owner 40,000 mile california car. paid $500.00 Sold it within a few months. TR3 s I d had prior were so much better. Today, one of my cars is a 91 Miata. los angeles population If the MGA is worth $12G, My Miata millions Patrick June 20, 2014 at 9:08 am 1 or Flag as not constructive
As usual, Billy hits the marks, and we hear from those who don t like wind in their hair. Probably los angeles population the only working thing on this example is the tranny and the rear axle, and they both need to be flushed. The valve cover is the freshest item in the pics, so maybe there is a decent head, maybe more below. If only we heard about the eventual sale price. This is clearly trolling for exactly the sort of lost soul Billy offers to counsel. Also endorse the idea that the roadsters are best in Fall through Spring in California, except on rainy days, and only because the side curtains won t really keep you dry. I see a couple los angeles population of MGA coupes putting around year round, but they are exceptionally well finished and probably insulated, and they aren t running full tilt down the road, but getting here and there where the heat issue isn t going to roast anything, much less the driver. An Aussie friend liked to say horses for courses los angeles population and if the coupe A doesn t fit where you run, very well. Somewhere in the four digits, this car will be a well bought project. It has the precious coupe glass. The rest is pretty much elbow grease and being a prudent source hound. Varjak June 20, 2014 at 12:37 pm 0 or Flag as not constructive
I think both the coupe and vert are very nicely designed; but I have to agree with Howard on this one, especially re California. My everyday driver (and most other cars) would have to be convertibles. I always rent a convertible when I go to LA, even if it s a crappy one. First car I ever rented in LA was a Chevy Cavalier Convertible Z24. Crappy but fun nonetheless. Mostly Mustangs after that.
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