I’ve been looking for a genuine CC MGA for years. There’s a few in town that meet that criteria, and come out to play in the summer, but I can never seem to find one at rest, which I suppose is a good thing. I saw this new prospect in traffic ahead of me, and thought I’d follow for a while. And then I see an orange MGB further ahead. And sure enough, they finally pull up side-by-side, as the B gets ready to make a right turn. In that brief moment, the two drivers naturally check each others rides out. Which would you prefer?
I followed the A a bit further, to get a side view. Wires, check. And just a bit rough enough to make it look like it was suddenly 1962 or so. I gave thought to a genuine pursuit, but I had (way too many) things to do. Another time. Needless to say, my heart always beats a bit faster at the sight of an A, as I have happy memories of riding on summer days in my brother’s MGA. Oh, what a feeling…
Given that my brother got his MGA in 1968, it’s only appropriate that my camera decided to make one of the shots period-correct. How obliging!
That MG B looks identical to the one I purchased a month ago after my Datsun bit the dust.
I love it… it’s like a small piece of summer vacation every time I get to drive it.
@chris –
If you have not already done so, you might want to stop by http://www.mgexperience.net/. It is a great resource for MG owners.
Will do.
My turn signals and brake lights have stopped working. Nice to meet you, Mr. Lucas.
The curving lines of the MGA are so beautiful. Out of style by the 60s but in the long run they’re much more compelling to my eye.
What a rare shot!
I’ve told this before, but my first air force room mate in California owned a 1958 MGA. While he was on Okinawa for a few months, he let me keep the key and drive it around. As I didn’t have a car at the time (early 1970), and no insurance, I drove it on base a total of twice. That thing was quite an experience. How he drove multiple trips to Lake Tahoe/Reno I’ll never figure out, as it never broke down!
I drove it out to his now-wife’s place and parked it in the garage. I did a bit of body work on it, but didn’t have the tools, so she had the work completed and when he got back, proceeded to have it repainted. It was red, like in the photo.
He had it painted “Big Bad Green”!
Seriously. Really. Honestly.
I was appalled, to say the least, but held my tongue.
Years later, back in Missouri, a friend bought a mustard-yellow/beige 1974 MGB. Nice car, but Lucas, the “Prince of Darkness”, lit it up one day and it burnt. Gonzo.
Zackman, I can imagine how bad that would look, my uncle painted his 47 Mercury sedan project “Big Bad Green” in the 1970’s. It was indescribably eye-searing, even he admitted it was a terrible mistake and sold the car without completing it. The new owner hastily painted it white.
Big Bad green only works on AMX’s with black racing stripes…
If I had the choice between two examples that were of the same general condition, and if I had the cashola to maintain one, I would choose the MGA. Even though the basic design of the A owes much to the T series Midgets and the B, being monocoque and all was pretty cutting edge for the time, I’ve always like the look of the A. My dad bought a new 1500 in 1957 – he worked part time at a BMC dealership owned by his buddies to pay for it. Before the A he drove a ’52 TD and after the A he drove a drop top Morris Minor (more family friendly). My brother just this past fall bought a ’70 split bumper B like the one he drove in college – this one is an Arizona car with dealer installed factory approved air conditioning. Back in the day I drove a ’72 split bumper round arch Midget.
The answer to your question: The first one that crosses my path at an attractive price. I would happily make room for either of them, though all else being equal, I would prefer the A.
This is even better than my Life On Mars day a few weeks ago!
I checked out that show on your recommendation. It was good. The US version was interesting and pretty well done, but the acting in the UK version was a little better. I got a chuckle every time that same black Mercedes drove by.
I would take the A. Being prior to 1968 in most states it shouldn’t need anything smog. I understand that might not be the case in some states. Here in Texas neither needs smog checks but they will check to make sure anything that came on the B is still there. You should be able to do anything you want to do to the A including just drive it.
B every time. The orange helps though. If only it was a GT.
The A i just don’t find as pleasing to the eye – sort of like someone taking an XK120, stretching it lengthways, squashing it flat, and then shrinking it in a washing machine.
Gimme an “A”! Much cooler lines.
Bs are fairly common here but As not so much so to stand out Id take the MGA.
My choice- the MGA. It’s lighter & more “sporty”. MGB was more of an all-weather car, with such frillies as rollup windows & insulation + other fru-fru thangs.
Neither was any sort of powerhouse, but the MGA was a lot lighter & felt it. MGB was nicely balanced, but obviously a lot more heavy.
It doesn’t take much to update the MGA with MGB mechanicals. Purists may look askance, but if you own it, do what you like to enjoy it.
If it was a summer toy I’d be highly tempted by the MGA, for obvious reasons, but if it was to be any serious form of transport the proper weather gear of the MGB (or better yet a GT model) would have to win, plus much easier to source body & trim for ongoing maintenance.
I’d get more enjoyment out of the white van in pic #1.
I’ve lusted after As (missed one in college that sold before my finances were ready) and owned a B. It’s moot for me now, but I’d take either. Actually, I’d pass on both and hope that they went to good homes, er garages. No money, no space, not enough time to do one justice.
My 1962 MGA was my first new car. I traded a 1959 Bug Eye in on it. My toy now is a 1991 Miata BRG. A worthy successor to them. Small underpowered cars that are a blast to drive.
Disclosue – I am the long term owner of an MGB of about the same vintage as the one in these pictures.
While I really like the swoopy lines on the MGA, I think the MGB is somewhat more useable. These cars are pretty easy to live with when they are well sorted out. Parts availability is excellent, and the weak spots are well understood.
It’s surprising how many survive, and are driven at least occasionally. I saw ‘Bs on the way to and from work this morning, that looked like they were being used for commuting. We had nice weather today after what seems like a month of rain, so all kinds of convertibles new and old came out of their garages…
I like both. MGA does have better lines though. A friend had one while I was working on my TR4, his car actually ran though, and I had a few rides in it. Nice car. He sold it when he married, which I thought at the time was a mistake. The marriage didn’t last and I’ll bet the MGA did.
My favorite Road and Track article ever was about a father and son who put a Ferrari-esque nose on their MGA. They went to a Ferrari event and were waved onto the green. Everyone thought it was a real Monza, and so nice to see one that wasn’t over-restored.