1960 MGA 1600

The First Act

1960 MG MGA 1600 restoration project. 1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible in White. A White 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 restoration project. Frame-off restoration of classic car, rebuild of 1960 MGA 1600. Frame and running gear for classic MG. 1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible. MG 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 restoration project. Frame-off restoration of classic car, rebuild of 1960 MGA 1600. Frame and running gear for classic MG. 1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible. MG 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 restoration project. Frame-off restoration of classic car, rebuild of 1960 MGA 1600. Bare sheetmetal 1960 MGA 1600 aluminum body panels. 1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible. MG 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible in Blue. A Blue 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible in Blue. A Blue 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible on race track Road Atlanta for Walter Mitty HSR race. 1960 MGA 1600 Historic Sportscar Racing Road Atlanta Walter Mitty. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible in Blue. A Blue 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG


The MGA was purchased in the early 1980s and spent the following decade and a half awaiting restoration. It was stored outside in the elements and moved with us from house to house until the late 1990s.

At some point in the car's life it had been in a front and rear collision and was in need of a full-body restoration. We removed the body and had the paint chemically stripped while we focused on welding and repairing the frame.

We repaired the damaged body panels, painted the car with primer, and sent it off for paint.

Looking for fast progress, we determined that the engine still ran despite so many years of neglect and decided against a rebuild. Instead we focused on the brakes, steering, and interior, and got the car back on the road!

We drove the car for a number of years, even bringing it to the Walter Mitty event at Road Atlanta on two occasions.

Then the car sat again...

Our focus had shifted to the Mustang, and, due to a lack of driving, many of the rubber seals on the MG began to dry out and weep. This became quite apparent one day when we took the car out for a spin and realized we couldn't get it back into gear due to a leaking clutch master cylinder.

We ultimately got the car home and it hasn't run since (it has gone through another house move!). Stay tuned as we hope to restart the project again soon, re-restoring the MG and giving full attention the parts we previously skipped, like the motor.



1960 MG MGA 1600 Convertible on race track Road Atlanta for Walter Mitty HSR race. 1960 MGA 1600 Historic Sportscar Racing Road Atlanta Walter Mitty. Classic British sports car by MG, the 1960 MGA Convertible in Blue. A Blue 1960 MGA 1600 Convertible by British car company MG