The MGA at 70

On the 22nd of September 1955, MG unveiled a sports car that can genuinely said to have made automotive history. The example sold by Godwyn Scudamore is a reminder of its importance to MG, so here are 30 facts to celebrate its 70th anniversary:

1) The MGA was the world’s first sports car to sell more than 100,000 units. 

2) In 1951 MG’s Abingdon factory created a streamline-bodied TD works racer which George Phillips, Autosport's chief photographer, drove at Le Mans.

3) By 1952 Project EX175 combined the eye-catching styling with a widened chassis and the familiar 1,250cc XPAG engine. 

4) However, the 1952 Austin/Nuffield Group merger to create the British Motor Corporation resulted in a delay of the MGA’s launch. BMC’s MD Leonard Lord though it would clash with the new Austin-Healey.

5) MG claimed: “Prototypes of the MGA first appeared in public at Le Mans 1955. This was but part of an extensive proving programme which included high speed running on the M.I.R.A track at Nuneaton, at Montlhery, on the Nürburgring and extensive testing in the Alps”,

6) Abingdon staged the MGA’s launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the factory flew their red display car to Germany by a Lockheed Constellation.

7) The press launch copy stated:

The new streamlined MGA 2-seater, developed from the EX 182 prototypes which ran with success at Le Mans this year. Exhaustively tested in a high speed aircraft wind tunnel, the body shape ensures greatly reduced wind resistance and the 1,489cc twin carburettor engine gives the car a sparkling performance. Apart from the new shape, this is the first MG open 2-seater provided with a luggage boot.

8) The price of the MGA was £844 10d when the Austin-Healey 100 cost £1,063 12 6d. 

9) The MGA’s top speed was 98 mph.

10) Acceleration was 0-60: 15.6 seconds

11) Extras included a heater, windscreen washers, an alternative axle ratio, wire wheels, fog lamps, a radiator blind, a telescopic steering column, white wall tyres, a tonneau cover, and an external luggage rack. Plus, for the Leslie Phillips/Terry-Thomas style motorist, a badge bar.

12) Visitors to the 1955 London Motor Show were informed the MGA was ‘the first of a New Line – to meet the challenge of tomorrow on road and track.’

13) Colour choices were Black, Glacier Blue, Old English White, Orient Red or Tyrolite Green.

14) MG tempted buyers with: “a unique box section chassis, specially developed and the toughest of its kind”.

15) The Motor raved: That the modern styling is generally approved there can be no doubt, but far more important is the introduction of a small car with a degree of roadworthiness high by any standards. The famous slogan of the factory has indeed never been better applied. MG’s famous ‘Safety Fast’ slogan “has indeed never been better applied”.

16) The reviewer from Auto Sport found “One tends to drive fast because the riding comfort is so good”.

17) Motor Sport believed the MGA possessed “an eye-stopping appearance”.

18) Autocar said “Fast cornering was a joy, the driver being able to position the car exactly where he wanted, and exit from a corner is also very satisfactory”.

19) The MGA proved so popular that Abingdon built more than 13,000 in its first year of production - exceeding the total output of the TC.

20) Three MGAs won the Team Prize at the 1956 12 Hours of Sebring.

21) On the 16th of May of that year, an MGA became the 100,000th MG car,

22) The latest MG was so important to the marque that it earned $500 per Abingdon factory worker per week, with export sales amounting to 99% of MGA production in 1957 and 83% of total MG production.

23) Keen US motorists were promised “The safest, fastest MG ever engineered!”.

24) Not to mention, “You’ll gasp with admiration when you see the sleek new lines and brilliant new colors of the entirely new MG A”.

25) Motor Life assured MG enthusiasts “all the characteristics have been improved, nothing has been sacrificed in moving from the old to the new”.

26) Road  & Track of November 1955 thought ‘Now, with the 1956 MG ‘A’, the break with tradition is complete. The car is indeed “all new”, and we feel that early enthusiasm for its appearance can now be augmented by the knowledge of its very surprising performance.’

27) Car & Driver wrote “We'd be much surprised if the ‘A’ sales situation were anything but what it is: demand fantastically ahead of supply”.

28) MG promised the buyer a car “TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF TOMORROW ON ROAD AND TRACK”.

29) Wheels magazine told its readers: “No doubt the appearance of the new 1-1/2 litre M.G. sports car will create a storm among the diehards.  Until they drive it, that is. For, having tried the new M.G. on behalf of ’Wheels’ readers, I find it hard to see how anyone could hanker after the old car”.

30) Or, as MG put it: “The 'MGA' is surely the loveliest sports car on the road today. Her graceful, sweeping lines will have won your heart long before you touch the starter button”.

With thanks to Godwyn Scudamore for his time and permission to use the images in this blog.