MG MGA 1959–1960 car dimensions: 3962 mm long, 1473 mm wide and 1270 mm high. Unladen weight is 955 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 160 litres.
The two-seat cabin has leather on seat faces with Vynide elsewhere, vinyl-covered dash and cowl, wind-up windows, lockable doors and a cloth headliner. Gauges include speedo, tacho, oil pressure, water temperature and fuel. A heater with fan and demist is a factory option, as is a radio. Door pulls and map pockets feature on the scuttle. No electronic driver aids appear in period equipment lists.
Boot space is limited. The spare wheel sits horizontally and takes most of the volume, leaving room for a small suitcase or soft bag at best. Access is via the rear lid.
The two-seat cabin has leather on the seat wearing surfaces and Vynide leathercloth elsewhere, with horizontal pleats on the coupe seats and a center armrest. Seats slide via a front lever. The fixed steel roof includes a headliner, full rear carpeting over the wheel arches and bulkhead, and a rear parcel shelf. Wind-up glass side windows, exterior door handles, and locks are fitted. A vinyl-covered dash and wrap-around front and rear glass complete the layout. An optional heater and demister unit ducts warm air to the toeboard or windscreen vents, with a separate cold-air ventilation kit also available.
Fuel tank capacity is 10 imperial gallons.
Front Lockheed disc brakes and rear drums are standard.
Engine oil change is specified every 3,000 miles.
Chassis grease points need attention every 1,000 miles.
Optional seat belt kits with anchorage fittings are available.
The fuel tank holds 10 imperial gallons and sits under the boot floor. Twin SU carburettors feed the 1588 cc engine. Approximate fuel use is listed at 24 mpg under mixed conditions.
Routine service calls for engine oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles, with gearbox and rear axle oil checked or changed at similar intervals. Chassis lubrication nipples require grease every 1,000 miles. Brake pads are inspected every 6,000 miles. Valve clearances and carburettor dampers need periodic checks.
Safety equipment centres on Lockheed front disc brakes of 11-inch diameter with rear drums. four-wheel discs were an option on De Luxe versions. Seat belts were not factory fitted but kits with frame-mounted anchor points could be installed. The body includes lockable doors and wind-up windows. No official crash-test ratings appear in the records of the period.
Keeping the car means regular greasing of suspension and driveline points plus attention to the leather seat surfaces and carpets. The fixed-roof coupe body reduces weather exposure compared with the roadster. Spare parts for brakes, engine and trim remain widely available through specialist suppliers.
Length 3962 mm, Width 1473 mm, Height 1270 mm, Wheelbase 2388 mm (MGA 1959–1960)
Sources: manufacturer data, Official MGA Workshop Manual and handbook, period specs and club profiles.