MGA (1955-62)

SEE IT AT TOUR DE TORBAY

More than 60 years have passed since MG replaced the hugely popular but decidedly vintage looking T-Series cars with this rather more modern offering. The MGA retained a separate chassis – the last MG to have one – but the flowing styling was a departure from its predecessors, and with a 1500 B-series engine under the bonnet, it proved an instant hit.

Performance was reasonably sprightly, while the independent front suspension and leafsprung rear axle provided secure handling. But there was plenty of development to come following the car’s launch in 1955. 1958 saw the arrival of the 1600 Twin Cam, although early iterations proved troublesome and it was the rarest of the MGAs with just 2111 made during two years of production.

The 1600 – introduced for 1959 – was far more successful and enabled nigh-on 100mph performance, plus the addition of front disc brakes. A strong seller on both sides of the Atlantic, around 101,000 MGAs would be made in total before the MGB took over.

If you’re a fan, then we can heartily recommend taking a bank holiday trip to the Devon coast. Nothing beats a (hopefully) sunny summer Sunday by the sea and if you head to Teignmouth you’ll discover the delights of the annual Tour de Torbay.

Organised by the Torbay MG Owners’ Club, this sees around 80 cars enjoy a couple of hours driving around the beautiful Devon countryside, with participants understandably tempted by the famous ‘Giant Pasty’ that’s an important part of the run. (The CCW team is rather partial to those, too...) Once the tour is over the drivers return to Teignmouth for a fine display of their Abingdon classics.

Free for visitors, this is a great chance to mingle with other enthusiasts and admire the range of models that always turns out for this popular event. Just don’t forget to treat yourself to a cream tea on the way home…