The MGA Twin Cam. The most desirable MG of the post World War Two era? | Collecting Cars
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- Опубліковано 8 кві 2021
- With spring in the air James heads out into the sunshine in the quintessential British sports car the MGA Twin Cam, a limited run racer with drop dead gorgeous classic looks
The MGA Twin Cam was a limited production sports car offered in both roadster and coupe versions and was built between 1958 and the early part of 1960.
Pound for pound is there a more beautiful or exciting classic motor car? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Please, have the wiper blades adjusted so when they are at rest they lie to horizontally along the bottom edge of the windscreen.
The grill above the central horn button is not the heater outlet, but rather a speaker grill for the we option of removing the rectangular plate with the MG badging on the dash and replacing it with a radio.
The cable to operate the door latch is designed, I believe, to be pushed or pulled downward.
Lovely car.
The grille above the horn push is not for hot air! If a radio is fitted in place of the blanking plate in front of the passenger, the speaker would be mounted behind the grille. The toggle switch, as you call it, is actually a self-cancelling turn switch which does not operate the lights but only the left and right turn indicators. There is a separate pull switch to operate the side lights and headlights. Get your facts right!
As the previous owner of a 1959 1489cc pushrod roadster, I would have to say that the Twin Cam version was more hype than substance. I used to rev mine to 6000 rpm until it spun a bearing and I had to rebuild. This rpm translates to 110 mph in fourth gear. This was possible with careful tuning on 91 octane. The four wheel drum brakes were barely adequate and the car had no factory seat belts. The roadster only weighs 1,500 pounds, which is why the underpowered B Series engine can deliver sporting performance. The engine's shortcomings become more obvious when placed in the heavier Farina sedans. BMC's management under Leonard Lord, was keen to reduce overhead costs by placing the same engine in as many models as possible and the Twin Cam was just a hotted up version of a basic pushrod model. The money could have been used more wisely by offering a six cylinder variant of the engine as a more powerful option. However, due to penny pinching, BMC limited development to an engine that in the long run, would be strangled to death by American EPA regulations.
Can't disagree more with this. As the owner of both a 1500 and a properly set up Twin Cam (which had discs all round, so the one referred to above was not a genuine Twin Cam), I have to say that the Twin Cam is at least twice the car. The 1500 starts to feel stressed at 4000, whereas at that point the Twin Cam is only entering the bottom of its sweet spot. A properly sorted engine will sail well past 6000 effortlessly, and stay there all day long if needed. I have just come back from using two tanks on the Silverstone GP circuit and the car, driven to its limits, never had a hint of overheating or oil pressure drop despite regularly touching 6500/7000. Compared on track with properly set up A/H 100, TR3A and Jaguar XK120, I'd pick the Twin Cam for sheer thrills anytime, albeit it would be outpaced at the top end on anything but a twisty track. For the bends, it would win everyday. 91 Octane would be a tough call though. Really needs 99. And a 5 speed box is a no-brainer (keep the original though!)
People always leave out why MG built 2010 of these cars. Short and sweet MGAs were getting their butt kicked by Triumph in F Production car SCCA racing and MGA badly needed to start winning. so they came up with the Twin Cam, a more powerful, better handling version of the MGA, which they raced in E Production. In order to meet SCCA production class rules at least 2,000 cars had to be built. The racing team I worked for in the 1960s bought a Twin Cam and raced it for 2 seasons before putting a rod through the engine block. Turned out that the 3 main bearing crank wasn't up to the Twin Cam's power output. I bought the racing chassis from the team owner and installed a rebuilt 1500 cc MGA engine in it. I owned the car for several years and drove it thousands of miles on the road. Overall I would say it handled and braked significantly better than the standard MGA although the rotors on the Dunlop disk brakes tended to warp and the caliper seals were prone to leaking. But the Twin Cam engine itself was, as the Brits would say, rubbish! If I were to own a Twin Cam I planned to actually drive the first thing I'd do is swap the engine out for the 5 main bearing version of the MGB engine. As to the handbrake...it doesn't actually work...the two tiny pads aren't much bigger than those found on a bicycle. I leanred a trick to pass inspection: when told to set the brake and let out the clutch I would place the shift lever in third rather than first gear and the car would stall as if the hand brake worked.
I have a 60 MGA with the '67 5-main. Nice motor. Not original but oh well. I am thinking of getting one of the 5 speed conversions.
I did the same with the e brake to pass inspection in my 67 B. ;)
No no. Swap an Alfa Romeo engine.
You are correct, the MGA was the best looking MG by far, I restored a MGB but the MGA is much better looking.
Bought a Twin Cam back in 1968 just before entering the Air Force. In 1969 drove it from California to Virginia, well most of the way. Burnt a piston in Oklahoma, limped on three cylinders to West Virginia. Rented a truck and retrieved it. My Dad sent me two pistons from a spare engine and I installed them in the parking lot of the radio shop on base. Fun car and very much a sleeper. Used to blitz MGB's with it. Put a pair of 40DCOE2 Weber's on it, using a home made manifold. The SU's went back on when I sold it around 1973 or so. Chassis number YD31780.
Burnt pistons was the engine's achilles heel, unfortunately. At first it was thought the relatively high compression ratio was the culprit. Some time later, it was found that the air fuel mixture was leaning out due to engine resonance affecting the SU carbs. Or so I read.
Let's put 2 Weber 45 DCOE carbs on the B and we'll start in San Francisco and head for New York.
Any bets who will be there first, and get there in prime running condition.
Speed is useless without reliability.
@@iangeorge6409 Interesting.
Had a 59 twin cam. Found it in a field abandoned in Mashpee, Cape Cod 1970. It was black, it had under 30k miles. Got it running 100 percent. It was repainted navy blue laquor. A valve broke and ended the twin cams life! We put an 1800 in. But it just wasn't the same. It was a fun drive while it lasted. Wish I never sold it now!
The Twin Cam is two cars. Driven below 4,000 revs it's similar to a standard MGA, a nice polite 50's cruiser. But between 4000 and 7000 revs (on a properly set up engine) it becomes a roaring beast, with delightfully predicable handling. It's the second car that you are paying the money for and if you look after the engine it's an experience that is very difficult to beat (yes, you can go as fast with the MX-5 power train in it, with less maintenance, but the soundtrack just doesn't compare). It's a contender for the most spine tingling ride of the 1950s. This gives a slightly windblown hint of it: TWN 900 Silverstone October 2020 - UA-cam
ua-cam.com/video/ymnYK1f2jck/v-deo.html If you want a flavour of a well set-up, if slightly tweaked Twin Cam, look at the late Mark Benson's masterpiece here.
Not to forget the late and very great Mark Benson - ua-cam.com/video/ymnYK1f2jck/v-deo.html
Those wipers can be adjusted to set a little lower on the windshield
THE prettiest car ever made.
I’ve been watching this channel ever since you posted asking for a new host on social media. I’m still waiting for my invite for a guest spot to present an episode alongside James as you suggested 😉 let’s get it done!!
i didn't know that the twincam engine had pretty much the same short block as the standard engine.
The Twin Cam Dunlop wheels are steel not alloy.
More:
There were 82 DELUXE MGAs built with the 1600 Engine.
There were 313 MGA MK II Deluxe models built with the 1622.
Both superior cars to the Twin Cam and far more rare.
it's no wonder that my friend's '62 mga deluxe was stolen in 1971. i suspect they were the same bunch that stole the fiberglass hardtop off my '61 not long after.
He needs to fix the wipers so they aren't blocking the view!
I disagree, while I love the MGA Twin Cam... there is the MG Arnoldt.. Arnoldt MG. Far more engaging and rarer than a Twin Cam.
The Twin Cam was a massive failure. The Deluxe that followed extracted the Twin Cam engine and installed a 1622...
far superior and as rare.
When I worked at a BMC dealership in the 60s.. the MGA Twin Cam service and repairs were a significant part of our income.
My 1956 MGA with a 5 main MGB engine would blow the doors off a Twin Cam without the typical Twin Cam failures.
The Twin Cam wheels were Dunlop steel disc knockoffs.
Its saving grace is the body design, not much more.
Pausing a second between shifts will give the gear synchronizers time to match up and make a smooth, quiet shift. Double clutching and rev matching on downshifts is a learned skill, and will really extend the life of the gearbox. First gear is a straight cut sliding non synchro gear that is easily damaged by improper operation. Never downshift into first while the vehicle is in motion.
Or reverse.
I noticed the wiper blades need to be lowered and adjusted. I have a 1967 Triumph TR4A. My car goes about as fast as am MGA twim cam. My Triumph also uses Jager gauges. All British sports cars used Lucas for their electric. Lucas was not the best but a little WD-40 always helped. My fathers 1958 MGA was Glacier Blue and as a kid in the 60's I always loved riding in the car to my Little League games. I think my fahter had the coolest car in the neighborhood.
A friend of mine is in the process of restoring a twin cam roadster, one of two A's he owns. The colour is dove grey which is in my opinion a much better colour.
Built when MG's were instantly identifiable as an MG. This model was much maligned due to Yanks & others having absolutely no idea of what it was when compared to other sports cars of the time.Now,with far greater knowledge & care the MG TWIN CAM is a wonderful car with the unadulterated heritage of MG......a REAL MG
What's up with the wiper blades? Nicely upgraded interior, but? ps: I still have my key fob for my 1960 MGA.
Ohh Twin Cam speziale ! 9/2022...
They are quite beautiful cars. Unfortunately, the prices aren't quite as desirable. 😁 It is a shame that very few modern sports cars look as pretty or desirable, thanks to all the safety regulations. The Alfa 4C, Lotus Elise and a couple of the JDM Kei cars perhaps. The latest MX5 isn't bad looking.
Why do I do this to myself? Watching these vids. It was 21 yrs ago that I was forced to sell my MGA. Feels like just yesterday. Sigh....
Ich habe 2 MGA's besessen! Den ersten habe ich im Jahr 1970 überfordert und mich nahezu totgefahren.
Den zweiten besaß ich von 1988 - 2000.......
Ich habe ihn geliebt und mußte ihn aus finanziellen Gründen leider verkaufen. Ich trauere immer noch!!!!
47 years ago for me. I had a move to Europe and couldn't afford long term storage.
@@ronaldjohnson1474 I feel your sadness.
This encourages me to envision the prime lifestyle where I have no limits on choosing cars. Further knowledge may be needed to deal with environmental regulations.
Get rid of the wiper blade in you eye view
Anybody else move the ignition switch so the key fob doesn't cover the heat gauge?
surely the 6R4 is the most desirable post war MG ?
Not for me it isn't. For me it's the MGA with the MGBGT V8 as a close second.
Why are you driving around with the wipers up ,that’s crazy would drive me nuts.
id love a mg magnette with this engine
No you wouldn't..
@@jeffhildreth9244 why not its my dream car. now you have ruined it for me
@@paulhunter123
The Magnette is heavy. The brakes are inadequate for the power of the Twin Cam.
The Twin Cam motor will be expensive and give you grief.
For a practical an dbetter performing and more reliable engine swap....
Buy a Magnette and install a 3 Main MGB engine.
@@jeffhildreth9244 ill buy a lotus cortina then but its over rated and over priced
Would a Jag XK straight six fit in there?
i think not. it barely fit in the 60's jag two-door sedan!
Simple answer, NO!
The twin cam is not that much faster than a MarkII But much more unreliable. Maybe that's why they didn't make that many
Still had a piece of rope as the inside door opener. Still had those crap side curtains. Still had that wonky top.
Put a Miata Twin Cam in and you have a beautiful great car that’s reliable with great performance.
NO, you have a butchered classic.
ha! :) in general, i care not a whit about drivetrain originality in vintage cars, but i must draw the line somewhere...
Made in the days when a car such as that cost as much as a house, yet didn't need locking door handles. How our nation has changed!
An MGA Twin Cam in 1961 was $3069 USD. The average house was approximately $15K.
@@jeffhildreth9244 In the UK the average house price was £2,400 in 1961. More than I thought but all relative
@@aib0160 The exchange rate for the Dollar to the pound in 1961 was $2.185 Dollars to the pound.
FYI.
@@jeffhildreth9244 The point I'm making is that a car like that represented a significant investment. It was also at a time when, in the UK at least, most families didn't have a car so the desire was much higher than it is now. Yet this car and others like it didn't have door locks and not because they didn't exist, but because they were far less necessary.
@@aib0160 Just posting facts.
A new Brough Superior cost more than a house.
I agree about a changing nation.
I am well aware of the history of the MGA.
I owned a first month production 1956.
I worked at British Motors of Monterey (Calif) for 4 years 1968-1972. We were the official MG dealer as well as Morris, Mini, Austin, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lotus, Jensen, etc.
I have owned 30 Plus Brit cars currently a 63 B.
I worked on the Twin Cams. They are expensive and collectible because they are iconic , not because they are "better". There are other MGA models that are far more rare and reliable.
Were I to buy a rare (but reliable) British roadster, I would search out and buy my long lost 1959 Fairthorpe Electron Climax. Or maybe an Arnoldt (sp) MG.
You look 3 inches shorter with that hat on...!!!
Wipers ruined the overall look.
It’s really only a 2 door Z Magnette.
Also you nearly pulled the whole dash off whilst starting the car...!!!
that choke is keyed and needs to be twisted slightly before it can be pulled out easily, and then twisted back again for it to return properly. the starter knob is not and no matter how hard it is pulled has no effect on the dash.
I had a 59 Twin Cam it was always leaked, my 61 was great the TC is overrated and overpriced.
Is this guy a used car salesman?
Absolutely not! In green and gold livery with stylish massive rubber impact bumpers, comical ride height and 30 BHP with incredible single stromberg CD175 carbureted induction, The 1980 limited commemorative edition MGB is the most desirable MG of the post war or any era.