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MG MGA - Where did they all go?

I know that only 5,869 A's were sold in the UK and the other 95,212 (94%) went abroad, which I believe is still a record for the highest proportion of any UK marque exported, but can anyone point me in the direction of a breakdown of where they all went? Just curious.
Robert Sinclair

I'm sure Original MGA by Clausager has all the details.
Gary Lock

This may help a little:
http://MGAguru.com/mgtech/history/hs106.htm
http://MGAguru.com/mgtech/ckd/ckd101.htm
barneymg

Robert, et al: I too checked Barney's website. Of the 101081 cars produced, it seems 81401 were exported to North America as complete units.



Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Barney, in ckd101 you mention both Holland and The Netherlands. The Netherlands is correct, Holland is just the western part of The Netherlands
Rutger Booy

Here are the pages from Clausager's book.

Jim

JL Cheatham

And the next page.

Jim

JL Cheatham

Following on from this I would love to know, how many MGAs, of all models, are still in existence?
Cam Cunningham

Cam
According to this website, in the UK there are 1758 licensed and 294 Sorned
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/mg_a#!tax



Graham V

The North American MGA Register (NAMGAR) states that it has 8,180 registered MGAs. The Holland MGA Register has 6,736 MGAs and the MG CAR Club (MGCC)states it has over 6,000 cars in its archives. Undoubtedly these Registers may have some of the same cars listed, while other cars may only be on one list, and most certainly there are other cars that are not entered into any of the databases.

It would be an interesting exercise for all of these Registers (others as well??) to perform a "compare" to eliminate duplicate records and arrive at a number which may come close to "how many are left".
Nick Kopernik

I wonder how many of the original 5869 MGAs are still in the UK. Many now in the uk, are like mine, reimported from the USA where the weather was perhaps kinder to them.
David
David Marklew

Garry Kemm has worked for years to establish a register of MGA's in Australia. He may be able to enlighten us re the numbers 'down under'!

Barry.
Barry Gannon

It sure would be interesting to find them all
There must be lots unknown
I was just having a little think and came up with 5 roadsters and a coupe within 20klm. of me here that are sitting in sheds and none of them have seen daylight for at least 40 years-One of the roadsters had a very light rollover when almost new and has never been repaired, it just sits there---on the other hand there are only 2 A's that are registered and driven in the same 20klm area
willy
William Revit

I live in a less built up area on the north west periphery of Sydney in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Despite this there are three Twin Cams in my district. None are in use.
One’s the real McCoy late 1600 body model. 15 year restto still slowly, very slowly, progressing. Owner now close to eighty.
One’s a hybrid that a local guy bought after I passed on it, once it became evident it was not the real McCoy.
One is said to be in a shed within 5km of my home but not for sale because of the common “one day I’m going to restore it” story that is already decades old.

The hybrid Twin Cam owner has two other MGAs, a Roadster and a Coupe. The Roadster resto is well under way.

A Coupe has just in the last six weeks gone back onto the road after a two plus decade hibernation.

My Mk II Roadster and the recently recommissioned Coupe are the only ones in use.

I suspect there are others in the endless sheds scattered around my district. For example a Magnette just down the hill from my home has just been returned to the road by a lady who fondly remembers being picked up for church in the Magnette every Sunday. After ten years of asking, the eighty year old original owner just agreed to sell the car to her. After a few weeks with an elderly mechanic, tragically since deceased, the car is back on the road and it drives beautifully.

If there’s so many just around me, this must be the case repeatedly all round Australia. Presumably multiples more lie waiting rediscovery in North America, especially the USA where 80-90% of MGAs were originally exported. I’d imagine the situation in the UK would not be dissimilar to Australia.


T Aczel

Five speed Nissan gearbox and smaller wheel for the very lanky owner are just about the only changes from original.


T Aczel

It never ceases to amaze me that with TwinCams being as rare as they are,just how many there are about still
William Revit

Just to add to William and Tom's threads, I know of 7 MGA's in and around the Gold Coast that are in the same pattern...the owners are not really MG people, or they are going to restore "one day", or it was in the "family" etc.etc. I know for sure that they will rust away! I've "retrieved and revived" 5 of this type from the USA from the USA over the past 7 years, but the ones here in OZ just won't budge!

Gary Lock

Yeah it's crazy
There are MG people and then there are people with MGs---two very different lots
I guess it's always been that way
I pulled my Y type out from under a house where it had been since 1959 and further back in the same cave was a Morris Minor that you couldn't see what colour it was for the built up dust, it must have been there from nearly new and the remains of a TF which had been pulled apart for some reason--If I'd been a day earlier I would have owned the lot---but
The people who were clearing the place out didn't know anything about cars at all, which was a bit strange in itself as they were the children of the old guy that had passed away,an obvious car man
They didn't know what a Morris Minor was at all and had given it to a bloke who was there mowing the grass--A mate put his hand up for the TF and gave me a call to go get the Y

I had to do a little chassis repair on the Y and when I cut it it was like new, still painted grey inside after 70 years
How many other classics are sitting away like that
willy


William Revit

If you guys come across a Twin Cam, let me know 😀
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave
What's a Twin Cam worth over there--

There's a possibility that there could be one
It's not a matching numbers car but is genuine T/C chassis and engine from another car
There were a few here and somehow none had the correct engines, but one guy's engine was correct for another and then his for another and everyone except this one ended up matched up with their original engines this car sat with no engine for years,but somehow an engine was found and the car was restored but unfortunately not matching numbers,still a good genuine T/C car though
You would need to really check up on importing into the UK though
There's an MGC for sale here at the moment that someone in the UK owns-for sale
Apparently he bought it, shipped it to the UK and it was going to cost him heaps to get it all legally done and he's shipped it back here and has it for sale for half of what he originally paid for it--Don't really know what happened but there must be a issue importing or something
willy
I can check up on the A for you if you want,but they're getting good money for them here---it won't be cheap
William Revit

Willy

Yes, I would be interested.

Is it a coupe or a roadster?

daveo138 at yahoo co uk
Dave O'Neill 2



William---from way down in cold Tasmania--comments--
"There are MG people and there are people with MG's.'
I have wondered over time--as to the back grounds of present day enthusiasts .-- My back-ground enables me to make some comparisons.
I was part of the Industery for 17 years-from 1950 having "Served a 5 year Auto. Apprenticeship" and then advanced to admin. within the Dealership.
So I have an Automotive background .
Who owned these great cars back then---and years later-- who now?.
From the new car franchise--I on- sold a number of English sports cars being trade-ins- on new Fords. This was very profitable business, indeed.
It was interesting that the G.M. Dealer would not trade sports cars. It was seen as a speciallist market. There were" Sports car traders", in the Capital Cities, dealing only in these cars-- in those times.
Who were the buyers of these nice used cars, in the late 50's and 60's--- A TC Basket Case sold to a fitter/machineist---a second TC traded on an R M Riley-this owner was an engineer fitter/machinist.
This TC went to a student who became a Coal Mine Manager. He retains his affection for British sports cars- The TC came back after 3 years --traded in on an B N Healey.
A -Bug Eyed Sprite trade-n, was sold to a male Hair dresser!!---
So in the main, engineering types ran these cars. Or--guys out to impress!! I wonder so, now?
My present group of MG A enthusiast/friends are not "trade related", but professional Guys.
They are a diverse group of successful middle/late aged gentlemen.
One outstanding restoration guy has a fleet of 5 imported MG A's ----He is an ex-Banker--with no mechanical training back ground. Just truck loads of enthusiasm. He is an amazing spanners man. His cars are most reliable.
Two other enthusiasts are very senior medical surgeons---who also get their finger nails dirty. They just so enjoy the diverse interests/ fiddling.
Another--a retired Uni-Lecturer prof. --a perfectionist--of outstanding talent.
And a retired Air Port Manager/Tourist organiser--MG A Roadster and Harley punter---always with finger nails!
And I ---the elder of them all-just cannot save myself from the relaxing challenges. The Auto. thing remains in the blood!! A fast revving-- high compression/ratio Iron lung!
There is a 400 mile--2 nights away-- Club Run planned for the end of the month--
This will be a ripper!!
The little cars were ment to run and enjoy.
By-Standers comment and admire the car--its gratifying that others get to appreciate the cars, too.


I.W. Cowen.

Following on with the -Where did they go-
Had a visit from an old friend today, holidaying down from Brisbane--He was after info on MGBs--His elderly Aunty had just 'given' him her B that had been sitting in the garage for years, but religiously started and warmed up monthly
It's a 66 Mk1 B red with red interior which is a bit unusual here, chrome wires and a black hardtop, compete with a rear seat cushion-genuine one owner with a genuine 25,000 miles on it
The wheels, seat and hardtop were ordered with it new
I'd never seen a red/red B before but it looks great

They're still out there, it'll be my turn to find one one day won't it---??

willy
William Revit

Dave
You have mail
William Revit

Cheers Willy
Dave O'Neill 2

Willy, did anyone happen to note the chassis number of the TF under the house?
I keep a national register of the approx 1,100 TF's known to have come to Australia. I think that if all the surviving Australian TF's (including basket cases) were put in a line, then there would be over 700 in that line. At least once or twice a year a TF thought to be lost re-emerges.

Matthew, MGCC Vic.
M Magilton

Hi Mathew
There was very little of the TF there, grille dash ,rear half of body tub,salt and pepper tonn. cover,rear bumper, I believe, I didn't see it myself as it had already been 'saved'
But I did get the ton.cover, a gasket set and a box full of new bits like pedals, pedal rubbers number plate light, globes and bits and pieces
There was no chassis or mechanicals or other body parts, just leftovers
I have no idea what ended up happening to it
I believe the car was green and I have a plate that was amongst my Y type stuff that has a number onit

1.25 MG 3148

It's not from the Y so I take it it's from the TF if TFs have a plate like this

On another TF, There is a TF under a house up the road from me here that would have sat there for at least 40 years that I know of.It's metalic green with tan trim and in fairly good nick---I can send you his contact details if you want but he probably won't respond--I've worn my welcome out trying to get inside, he has another car(not MG) that needs me owning it, but that doesn't look promising at all at this stage

willy



William Revit

Thank you Willy.
Your plate is not T type but it very much reminds me of a plate that was on the Y type we owned a long time ago.
If the owner of the TF up the road is non-responsive to a neighbour then I doubt that I would have a chance. Let me know if you spot a number plate on the car as I keep an index of these. These cars will move ... one day.
M Magilton

Hi Willy, I'm pretty sure the plate is the same as I had on my MG YA.
Don
Donald J Walker

Hmm-----Hi Don
This sort of confirms the thought that the Y type I have is just parts from 2 or more cars as my car should have been maroon originally going by the chassis no, but the body parts I scored with it were blue/grey but with green trim, none of which match the chassis no

The chassis no on that plate is the same as a well documented YT on the register though, so it's all a bit weird , which was what made me think it could have been off the TF

There's not much chance of me seeing the green car Mathew, but I'll see if I can talk someone into paying him a visit and have a look at the car, I'll definately let you know if I get some info
Cheers
willy
William Revit

I can remember back in the 1970's when the value of MGA's was negligible and spare parts were acquired via adverts in Exchange and Mart, visiting a place near Hitchin (Hertfordshire) where the owner after taking a few parts of the cars had buried the remains of at leat 6 MGA's.
John Bray

Further to my comments and photos of the black MGA Coupe I posted above, I was speaking to the owner and restorer of the car on the weekend. He told me his Coupe had been parked since 1976 !!
The first owner had the car from 1961 to 1964, when he sold it to the second owner/family who used the car for 12 years and then parked it. It then sat undisturbed (and mercifully unmolested) till it was bought and carefully restored by the present owner, and put back on the road a mere 42 years later!

There must be something about MGAs and 1976 because that is when my own Mk II Roadster was taken off the road. It had three owners and a laboured and highly flawed restoration between these owners, and was finally returned to the road in 2007, after "just" thirty years.
It was then, after a single drive parked again, unused, till I discovered it, unadvertised and bought it in 2009.
Since then it has been my absorbing and rewarding, if rather expensive mission to progressively correct the myriad faults and oversights of the previous work. I'm just about there now.

But these types of stories must have occurred repeatedly across the world, especially in the USA. I believe in the USA in the booming post war years of the fifties, sixties and seventies, it was frequently the case that a sports car, or motorcycle, was bought, used for one, or possibly two seasons, and then parked in a barn somewhere, and the owner went out to buy the latest model. While it is rather less common now, Triumph and Norton motorcycles from these years were often rediscovered in a corner of a shed, covered in dust, with often just 6,000-10,000 miles on the odometer. If I remember correctly, the gold "100,000" model MGA was used for just one , or perhaps two years before it too was put to one side and forgotten about.
T Aczel

This thread was discussed between 03/12/2018 and 21/01/2019

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