zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
Explain To Me Why I Shouldn't Buy This MGA Like I'm A Toddler
Explain To Me Why I Shouldn't Buy This MGA Like I'm A Toddler-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:31

Image for article titled Explain To Me Why I Shouldn't Buy This MGA Like I'm A Toddler

It hurts me a little bit to admit this, but I’m a big ol’ dummy when it comes to vintage British cars. My first sports car was a Triumph TR-7 fixed head coupe that tried to kill me at least four times, and more recently I picked up a . I usually stick to German sports cars these days, but every once in a while the siren song of something awful from old blighty calls my name.

While cruising Craigslist today and my lizard brain immediately wanted to call the seller and give them 3,500 greenbacks. Given my current lack of storage, time and money, it would be a pretty bad idea for me to buy this thing, but that doesn’t make me want it any less.

Image for article titled Explain To Me Why I Shouldn't Buy This MGA Like I'm A Toddler

The sun out here in the desert has totally wiped the paint, but it appears to be relatively rust free from the limited photographic evidence. Given that the chrome is all still reasonably shiny, and the patina is so so good, I would totally just expend the effort getting this thing to run and drive, and send it out into the streets of Reno as-is. Maybe some alloy wheels to replace those wires, a bit of suspension work, and maybe a high-revving motorcycle motor swap...

I’m a big fan of the look of this car, especially with its awkward hard top installed. It’s got a little bit of a C1 Corvette look to it, but shrunk down a bit and narrowed. It’s a cool look, and maybe one day I’ll have the opportunity to run one of these around for a bit. It would make a pretty cool cruiser, and there are some great roads around here that I could bomb around on to really put this thing through its paces.

Image for article titled Explain To Me Why I Shouldn't Buy This MGA Like I'm A Toddler

In reality, I’m definitely not going to be buying this, but I will probably spend at least the next week daydreaming about it. What kind of engine would you swap into it if it were yours? How hardcore would you go with the suspension and brakes? Would you keep it looking like this, or give it a full restoration?

Anyway, if you’re looking for an MGA project, I’d be happy to go give it a once over for you. . You should probably watch one-time Jalop Sam Smith explain to you why you do or don’t want an MGA in this recent video from Hagerty. They’ve been on my brain ever since I watched it.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $54,900, Could This BMW Be Z1 For You?
For $54,900, Could This BMW Be Z1 For You?
In German, Zukunft means future, and that's what the Z in BMW's sports cars points to. Surprisingly, today's Z1 arrives from the past. Not only that, but it comes with a price that may make the future of its buyer's wallet a lot lighter. Reese's Pieces might be an amazing...
Aug 10, 2025
2012 Volkswagen Golf R: The Jalopnik Review
2012 Volkswagen Golf R: The Jalopnik Review
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has had solid performance credentials for the past 35 years, but it's never been a full-fledged sports car. In 2004, VW decided enough was enough and gave the Golf all-wheel drive, a wider body, and a melodious 3.2 liter VR6. The limited production R32 was born....
Aug 10, 2025
For $9,500, Would You Like A T for Two?
For $9,500, Would You Like A T for Two?
The ‘60s were rife with wacky customized hot rods that flowed from the pens of designers like Dean Jeffries and the self-proclaimed King of Kustomizers, George Barris. Today's VW-Based T is like a page ripped from that era, but is its price also far out man? It seems that, for...
Aug 10, 2025
For $7,500, Is This The Axis Of Awesome?
For $7,500, Is This The Axis Of Awesome?
From the Porsche-designed Kübelsitzwagen to the Baja Bug, the inception of which is generally attributed to Gary Emory of Parts Obsolete, VW has had a storied off-road carrier. Today's '73 Bug resting on a Geo Tracker platform adds to that legacy, but is its price not just off road but...
Aug 10, 2025
For $500, You Could Buy This Hole Jeep
For $500, You Could Buy This Hole Jeep
The price limit for the venerated racing series known as the 24 Heures du LeMons is five Benjamins. That doesn't allow for the accouterments that define a team's theme, however today's Jeep already has that covered. But is that LeMons-worthy price still driller killer? may have been plum full of...
Aug 10, 2025
Camaro 1LE: Around The Block
Camaro 1LE: Around The Block
Michael Phelps was the undisputed king of the torturous 400-meter individual medley, ready to take his record third straight gold in London this week when he reluctantly had to hand over his crown to America's new ruler of spandex, Ryan Lochte, who thoroughly trounced Phelps. The was the undisputed muscle...
Aug 10, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved