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MG MGA - MGA frame width at rear

I'm posting this in a few different places, so please excuse any duplicates.

For those people who may have an MGA chassis or frame with body off, can you measure the inside and outside width of the frame where the rear bumper brackets attach? I would like measurements from two or three different frames to verify consistency (or amount of possible variation). I need this for a wheel chair lift I'm working on that will attach to the frame similar to a trailer hitch bracket.

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude
http://MGAguru.com
Barney Gaylord

Barney,

37 5/8 inches outside.
33 1/4 inches inside.

Measured two frames and both are identical. Measurements are to the frame surface and not to the weld at the end cap.
James Johanski

Barney, The frame in my shed is:

37 3/4"
33 1/8"

It appears to be straight (no obvious damage)

Barry
BM Gannon

Mine is 33-1/4" inside
37-3/4" outside
Chris Velardi

The frame sides are each 2.25" thick with calipers. Inside measurement is 33.25". Hard to eyeball outside with a tape but I measure 37.75"
R J Brown

Barney,
I am admittedly curious. A wheel chair lift seems like an odd accessory for an MGA. Can you tell us why?
Regards,
Gerry
G T Foster

'57 MGA - Ditto Chris and RJ.
AJ Mail

Well, GTF, I had a feeling someone was going to ask that. The simple answer is, someone slightly handicapped really likes to drive their MGA. This is an MGA in Michigan we have been hearing about over the past year or so, gone through a lot of work at UML to be running well now. The subject follows on with some other accessory carriers recently under discussion. If people can use an MGA to carry a surfboard, kayak, canoe, or a go-kart, why not a wheel chair?

The note about "wheel chair" was a convenience, easier than saying "electric handicap scooter" (and I was hoping it wouldn't raise so much curiosity). The 3-wheel scooter is actually larger and heavier than a wheel chair, close to 100 pounds, but lots smaller than many other similar scooters. I have posted a web page about this project, for those with more curiosity. See here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/trailer/th301.htm

The photo is actually my car within days after a repaint in 1998. The carrier design is fairly far along, and mechanical construction is fairly straight forward for me. I'm just not looking forward to making the fiberglass cover. Maybe I'll make the frame and farm out the glass work.
Barney Gaylord

Wouldn't it be easier to do this as a trailer of some sort - wouldn't look much different than the small travel trailers some folks take on trips and you could probably modify an existing design (and save yourself or someone else a lot of fiberglass work!). Another plus is that it would be very easy to either hook it up or not as needed.

If you go with the carrier version shown, would it make sense to tilt it up to a stowed position more over the axle to reduce the effect on handling? I am thinking of where a luggage rack typically is mounted over the boot lid. I guess that modifying the MGA at all is out - so no taking off the boot lid or cutting up the tail section to do something more integrated...

Great project though, and it's great that you're doing a lot of work to help someone else enjoy this hobby - which is what you kinda do all the time anyway!

JIM in NH
AJ Mail

Barney, I just looked at your website and I must say that I am really impressed with this project.
That really is some beautiful technical drawing work you have done there, it would almost be a shame to file it away when you are done.
I hope it works out really well for your friend in Michigan though with such a well thought out design, I just cant see any other outcome.
Let us know how it goes.
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Barney,
You might want to look into Airex if you are going to have to build the cover. It will take multiple curves when heated with a heatlamp. It is fairly easy to work with as well.
http://www.alcanairex.com/alcan/acsites.nsf/pages_accm3_en/index.htm!Open&v=3

David werblow

Barney --

Mine measured at --

37 5/8 inches outside.
33 1/4 inches inside

As accurately as I could take it.

Frank Bruns
F. J. Bruns

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2009 and 09/12/2009

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