Project MGA: Part 7 – Final Assembly & Unveil

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With the body painted, the chassis ready and engine and gearbox fitted, it’s now time for the final assembly.

It was decided by public vote at the November 2016 Classic Car Show that Mike Brewer’s MGA would be restored, but encompass sensible mods to improve the car and make it more suitable for today’s modern traffic, particularly as now the car is complete it will be regularly used, attending shows up and down the country, many in the aid of charities.

One of the improvements was the fitting of a Revotec electric cooling fan which will be used in addition to the standard fan. This will be operated by a switch as and when needed.

An oil cooler has also been fitted, and this was placed on top of the intake panel, MGB style, as opposed to the optional cooler for the ‘A’ that was placed underneath the panel. The oil filter was converted to a canister type and accessed from above the engine, making it easier to replace during an oil change.

A heater box has also been fitted to the car, to help make the long winter journeys more comfortable.

The brakes, although standard discs at the front and drums at the rear, now have a brake servo fitted to help take the effort out of braking. Knock on Minilite style wheels are fitted and shod in Blockley period treaded tyres. The standard diff is retained although the suspension has been upgraded by the fitting of telescopic shock absorbers.

Whilst the car was stripped down to the bare chassis, it was decided to uprate the electrics to negative earth and fit an alternator and a single 12V battery. This meant doing away with one of the six-volt battery carriers and enlarging the other to take the slightly bigger 12V battery. Ben had to make up a spacer for the alternator to get the pulleys to line up.

A high torque starter motor was also specified and fitted. The wiring loom is generally standard, using the original fuse box and indicator relay. The wiper motor is original but has been stripped, cleaned and painted. Standard fuel pump is used but converted to negative earth. The instruments have all been stripped and cleaned with new bezels fitted, and the rev counter converted to negative earth. New gauges will be fitted when available, as the originals are looking a little tired after 59 years.

An original-style steel petrol tank is used with a later fuel tank sender. The exhaust is stainless with new mounts and all rubber fittings replaced. The steering wheel is a wood-rimmed aftermarket item. The interior carpeting will either be in tan or black, both of which will work well with the Pewter metallic silver of the body colour.

The car debuted at the NEC November Classic Car Show, on the Discovery stand, and was unveiled to a large crowd, and a very pleased Mike Brewer who commented: “It’s absolutely stunning”. With a large crowd gathered around, Mike spoke to Simon Ayris (Founder) and Ben Harris (Project leader) from RPS about the scale of the restoration project.