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[email protected].http://www.mgenthusiast.com MGEAUGUST 2019
Modified 1960 MGA
47to the central propshaft tunnel. I also
had to centralise the MGA’s fuel tank to
allow for narrow, oval mufflers either
side. I fabricated a new filler neck to
reach the original body location and,
while the tank was out, a new and larger
diameter fuel pick-up was installed to
feed the electric fuel pump, and a fuel
return. The filter system (from British
Car Conversions) is located in the void
behind the driver’s seat. One bonus to
this plan was that no exhaust crossover
pipe was needed in the minimal
clearance under the bellhousing. To
get from the 2” BCC manifolds to the
dual oval Walker silencers, I made a
1¾”-wide stick template that my local,
thinks-outside-of-the-box muffler
shop was able to replicate in pipe.
While at the rear, Morris’s underside
(including the original MGA springs and
the previously-loved MGB differential)
was treated to a vigorous power wire-
brushing, cleaned and painted with
POR-15 brush-on paint. New rear wheel
cylinders, hydraulic lines and shoes
were installed, and handbrake cables
modified for the wider differential.
Reluctantly I gave up looking for
someone to widen two MGA steel wheels
to allow me to fit meatier tyres on the
rear. I think these skills are being lost
now that most people have aluminium
wheels and the few people who are
qualified to do the work were worried
about liability. So, instead, Bill supplied
me with a pair of TR6 wheels that are
an inch wider and, conveniently, have
the correct MGA/MGB spacing and the
larger MGB stud diameter. Crucially
they have a similar punched-out
pattern. The MGA 15” trim rings fit too!
All I had to do was weld on three tabs
to hold the MGA hubcaps in place.
At the front, heeding Bill’s advice,
I fitted the recommended 1960s
Mustang copper radiator mated to
a very efficient two-speed Volvo fan,
powered through two relays switched
by the ECU. All new headlight wiring
whether that is on the daily commute to
work or when driving like a teenager on
a road trip with my friends. I have now
led our club to three British car event
weekends in three different directions,
each one 400km away, and I
can honestly say that I was no
longer struggling to keep up!Stacy Metcalf would like to thank: “I’d like to
thank my friends and acknowledge the value of
car clubs for the wealth of knowledge, inspiration
and assistance that fellow members give so freely.
Thanks to my parents who instilled in me the
confidence to try doing things myself and that
trial and error is an acceptable learning method. If
they only knew how many errors. Most of all,
though, thanks to Lori for her support and
patience. She never wanted me to get another
project but she never complained when I
disappeared into the garage for hours at a stretch
after uttering those immortal words: ‘I’m just
going into the garage for a few minutes...’”was also done at this convenient time,
along with dual-filament sockets to
pair side-lights not permitted by the
original signal-only bulbs. A Chevy
alternator on BCC mounts feeds two
universal fuse boxes (four for the ECU
and 10 for the car). New under-dash
wiring still utilises the original MGA
ignition key and pull-start, while a
retro-looking electronic-pulse speedo,
and matching six-cylinder tachometer,
hopefully, look at home in the original
holes. Bonus electronics include door
activated footwell, door pocket and boot
lighting. For Lori’s comfort, I also added
dual-range aftermarket seat heaters
and a hidden socket for a 12v blanket.
There is plenty of room for a stereo
but I’m still enjoying the bark of the
motor too much to bother fitting one.
I know modified cars are not to all
tastes but all my rides get personalised.
I think life’s too short to drive your
mom’s cookie-cutter car (translation:
dull standard car). Though, in hindsight,
it would have been more economical
to start with a bare shell rather than
a complete and running MGA.
Morris is now a delight to drive,ABOVE: Stacy and Lori love their MGA.
RIGHT: OBCC’s Longest Day Run.ABOVE: Keeping up with MG buddy
Chris Dehart on the way to World Of
Wheels, Peachland, British Columbia.
Stacy and Lori love their MGA.