MGA, Full Specifications

Key Specifications, Model Comparison

Spec	MGA 1500	MGA 1600	MGA 1600 Mk II	MGA Twin Cam
Production Years	1955-1959	1959-1961	1961-1962	1958-1960
Engine	BMC B-series	BMC B-series	BMC B-series	DOHC B-series
Displacement	1,489 cc	1,588 cc	1,622 cc	1,588 cc
Power	68 bhp @ 5,500 rpm	80 bhp @ 5,600 rpm	86 bhp @ 5,500 rpm	108 bhp @ 6,700 rpm
Torque	110 Nm @ 3,500 rpm	119 Nm @ 3,800 rpm	122 Nm @ 3,500 rpm	136 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Kerb Weight (roadster)	934 kg	949 kg	949 kg	966 kg
Top Speed	155 km/h	163 km/h	168 km/h	180 km/h
0-100 km/h	~16 s	~14 s	~13 s	~11 s

Engine, BMC B-Series (Pushrod)

1489cc (MGA 1500)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,489 cc
Bore x Stroke	73.0 mm x 89.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Power	68 bhp (50.7 kW) @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	110 Nm (81 lb-ft) @ 3,500 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU H4 (1.5”)
Ignition	Coil and points, Lucas distributor
Valvetrain	Pushrod OHV, rocker arms
Crankshaft	3-bearing
Oil Capacity	4.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	20W-50 mineral
Redline	~6,000 rpm

1588cc (MGA 1600)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,588 cc
Bore x Stroke	75.4 mm x 89.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Power	80 bhp (59.7 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	119 Nm (87 lb-ft) @ 3,800 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU H4 (1.5”)

1622cc (MGA 1600 Mark II)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, OHV, 8-valve, pushrod
Displacement	1,622 cc
Bore x Stroke	76.2 mm x 89.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.9:1
Power	86 bhp (64.1 kW) @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	122 Nm (90 lb-ft) @ 3,500 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU HS4 (1.5”)

Engine, Twin Cam (DOHC)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, DOHC, 8-valve, cast iron block with alloy head
Displacement	1,588 cc
Bore x Stroke	75.39 mm x 88.9 mm
Compression Ratio	9.9:1 (early); 8.3:1 (late — revised due to piston problems)
Main Bearings	3
Power	108 bhp (80.5 kW) @ 6,700 rpm
Torque	141 Nm (104 lb-ft) @ 4,500 rpm
Carburettors	Twin SU H6 (1.75”) semi-downdraught
Valvetrain	Twin overhead camshafts, shim-adjusted bucket tappets
Recommended Fuel	98 RON minimum
Price New (1958)	£843 (Roadster), £904 (Coupe)

Transmission

Spec	MGA 1500	MGA 1600/Mk II	Twin Cam
Type	Manual	Manual	Manual
Gears	4-speed	4-speed	4-speed
Synchromesh	2nd, 3rd, 4th	All (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)	All
Clutch	8” single dry plate	8” single dry plate	8” single dry plate

Gear Ratios

Gear	Ratio
1st	3.64
2nd	2.21
3rd	1.37
4th	1.00
Reverse	4.76

Final Drive

Model	Ratio
MGA 1500	4.30:1
MGA 1600	4.30:1
MGA 1600 Mk II	4.10:1
MGA Twin Cam	4.30:1

Chassis and Suspension

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, coil springs, double wishbones	Live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs
Dampers	Lever-arm (Armstrong)	Lever-arm (Armstrong)
Anti-roll Bar	Yes (front only)	No

Brakes

Component	MGA 1500	MGA 1600/Mk II	Twin Cam
Front	Drum, 254 mm	Disc, 279 mm (Lockheed)	Disc, 279 mm (Dunlop)
Rear	Drum, 254 mm	Drum, 254 mm	Disc, 254 mm (Dunlop)

Steering

Spec	Value
Type	Rack and pinion
Turns Lock-to-Lock	2.75
Turning Circle	9.75 m

Dimensions

Spec	Roadster	Coupe
Wheelbase	2,388 mm	2,388 mm
Overall Length	3,962 mm	3,962 mm
Overall Width	1,473 mm	1,473 mm
Overall Height	1,270 mm	1,295 mm
Track (front)	1,194 mm	1,194 mm
Track (rear)	1,211 mm	1,211 mm
Ground Clearance	152 mm	152 mm
Kerb Weight	934 kg (1500) / 949 kg (1600)	966 kg (approx.)

Capacities

Spec	Value
Fuel Tank	45.5 L (10 imp. gallons)
Engine Oil	4.5 L (with filter)
Gearbox Oil	1.0 L (SAE 30)
Rear Axle	1.0 L (SAE 90 hypoid)
Cooling System	9.1 L

Wheels and Tyres

Spec	Standard	Twin Cam / De Luxe
Wheels	Pressed steel disc or wire spoke	Centre-lock Dunlop disc (“pepperpot”)
Wheel Size	15” x 4”	15” x 4.5”
Tyre Size	5.60 x 15	5.90 x 15
Bolt Pattern	4 x 4” PCD (disc) / Centre-lock (wire)	Centre-lock

Electrical

Spec	Value
System Voltage	12V positive earth
Battery	12V, 51 Ah
Charging	Dynamo (Lucas C39PV)
Starter Motor	Lucas M35G
Headlights	7” Lucas sealed beam or P700

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-60 mph	0-100 km/h	Standing 1/4 Mile	Top Speed
MGA 1500	15.6 s	~16 s	20.0 s	155 km/h
MGA 1600	13.3 s	~14 s	19.0 s	163 km/h
MGA 1600 Mk II	12.5 s	~13 s	18.5 s	168 km/h
MGA Twin Cam	10.5 s	~11 s	17.5 s	180 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate)

Model	L/100 km
MGA 1500	9.0
MGA 1600	9.5
MGA 1600 Mk II	10.0
MGA Twin Cam	11.0

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine Oil and Filter	5,000 km or 6 months
Valve Clearance	5,000 km
Contact Points	10,000 km
Spark Plugs	10,000 km
Greasing (chassis points)	1,600 km (1,000 miles)
Brake Fluid	24 months
Coolant	24 months
Gearbox Oil	10,000 km
Rear Axle Oil	10,000 km
Carburettor Tune	10,000 km

Production Numbers

Model	Years	Roadster	Coupe	Total
MGA 1500	1955-1959	49,351	9,032	58,383
MGA 1600	1959-1961	26,542	5,031	31,573
MGA 1600 Mk II	1961-1962	7,588	1,148	8,736
MGA Twin Cam	1958-1960	1,801	310	2,111
MGA 1600 De Luxe	1960-1962	395	82	477
Total MGA	1955-1962	85,677	15,603	101,081

Identification

Feature	1500	1600	1600 Mk II	Twin Cam
Chassis Prefix	HDR (RHD) / GHN (LHD)	GHN2 / GHD2	GHN2 / GHD2	YD
Front Indicators	In headlamp housings	Separate amber lamps	Separate amber lamps	Separate amber lamps
Front Brakes	Drum	Disc	Disc	Disc
Wheels	Disc/wire	Disc/wire	Disc/wire	Centre-lock Dunlop
Grille	Protruding	Protruding	Recessed	Protruding