1962 MGA MKII Project Last Updated 06/29/2007

The headboard project is now complete and running smoothly, so it is time for a new project.  I had been looking for a roadster for a while, but never had the right combination of money or space until now. I found a rusty MGA on collectorcartrader.com with potential just outside of Toledo Ohio.  After a 3 hour drive (construction on I-69 was murder), I arrived at the home of a gentleman who had the car offered for sale, Barry.  Barry has a nice house on a nice lot with a small pole barn in the back.  Sitting out front were both Barry and the car.  It looked awesome from a distance and I pretty much knew right then than she "had me at hello".  After an hour or two of inspection, negotiation, and just plain old b.s., we arrived at a price.  For $1,500 she was mine, but what did I get?  She starts right up.... when you add an auxiliary fuel source since the original fuel pipe from the pump to the front flex line had long since rusted through, but more about that later.  The floorboards are long gone, but that is very common in these cars since they were only wood to begin with. Since there are no floorboards and the frame is in poor shape, test driving is out of the question, so I no way of knowing how the rest of the drivetrain operates.  The worst part is that the frame is also rusted and in need of some serious attention, but alas that is also common, if not standard in these cars.  I could somewhat tell at this point what I was getting myself into, but really would not know for sure until I could tear into it.  She has been rustproofed (undercoated) at some point in her life and that's good.... right? (more on this later too).

Some of the obvious things that need repair are:
Frame - serious damage on both driver and passenger sides.
Body - some rusty areas where you would expect that need attention.
Wheels - Wire, but rusty
Headlights - all but rusty buckets and one wiring harness are gone.
Interior - needs complete restoration
Top - frame is solid with surface rust, top is not usable

Here she is sitting in Barry's barn.

mike kiewra (11/21/2007 12:34:17 PM)
what are you going to do about a grille? I'm finding poor options for my Mk2 restoration

Reply: I bought a new grille at Moss Motors quite some time ago. It looks like they are either out of stock now or they don't carry them anymore. A non-MK2 grille would fit, but not be correct if that is what you are going for. You might want to give Moss a call and see if they plan on getting any in the future.

Or HERE

paulm1@bayou.com (7/9/2007 4:20:33 AM)
great looking car. i am looking for a 1622 motor for a 1962 i am restoring. Any ideas were i could find one?

Reply: Not right off the top of my head. The 1622 is difficult to come by as it was the least produced and most sought after engine for the MGA, except for maybe the twin-cam engine. I would sell you mine, but you would have to buy the rest of the car with it.

jack bradley (6/26/2007 8:23:52 AM)
i have 2 mga's been driving mga since 1968

Leigh Davies (5/5/2007 7:37:53 PM)
A great project. Please keep posting progress!

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