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MG MGA - Red Flag, or legit?

I'm haunting the net for an A. I found one that might be worth a closer look, but this caught my eye.

I'm not too familiar with A's but the few I've seen never had a panel like this. If it isn't a legitimate sill plate, it serves only one purpose. It's hiding something. The rest of the car looks very fresh.

What do you think?

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MAndrus

Not original as you say, but likely there to protect shoes from chipping and scratching the paint when getting in or out. I have put similar on mine for just that reason (but i know underneath is fine). Mine are simply held in place with Blu Tack for easy removal and no screw penetration.

Ask the vendor if the panel can be removed and photo taken.

regards
Colin
Colin Manley

These aluminium sill plates seem to be very common on MGAs and I think are mainly decorative. Also frequently seen are triangular aluminium scuff plates on the door corner (the area of the door shown in your photo). These are the areas it's difficult to avoid scraping when you get into and out of the car - especially as you get older!

I think if there was any serious corrosion in the sill it would show up on the outside face first.

Why don't you post more pictures of the car. I'm sure many of us wouldn't pass up the opportunity to comment on it. Your first photo looks promising to me................Mike
m.j. moore

The area of the sill that the plate is covering is not really one of the problem areas, so I wouldn't be to concerned.
John Bray

Is there one on the other side? Could be just decoration! Barry
BM Gannon

Like others I suspect it is just decorative. You could check it in a non intrusive way with a magnet. Its crude but if the magnetic strength varies over the area there is a reason to be suspicious. On the other hand going back to the old days when rust bucket MGAs were common I never remember significant rust here.

Paul
Paul Dean

As others have intimated it is not a structural panel that the kick plate is covering. nor particularly prone to rust faster than any other panel. It is also a relatively easy panel to replace. If there is corrosion around it would probably show first underneath where the long aluminium runner is fixed (not always present on many cars). A careful look underneath at the rest of the bodywork and the chassis should give you a better idea of the condition of many of the panels.

Steve
Steve Gyles

It is the bottom and back of the sill that rusts out.
Bill Haglan

Steve Gyles. "long aluminum runner".

This car is the only one I've seen with that runner. I thought it was also put on this car to hid crummy body work. (I've only seen pics so far).

Is this trim original? Certain years?

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MAndrus

The "long aluminum runner" was not on earlier A's; I believe they became standard in 56 or 57, and should be painted body color.
Nick Kopernik

Thanks Nick. Good to know and look out for.

moss shows these, $68.00/pr. no wonder they don't get replaced.
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MAndrus

Yes, but the Moss repros are very good reproductions of the original, and will hide the lower wing attachment screws to the sill, 2 on the rear wing dogleg, and 3 on the lower front wing.
George G.

I agree with George. Just replaced mine. Good quality and fitted well.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Car sold before I got to see it in person.

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MAndrus

This thread was discussed between 28/06/2015 and 02/07/2015

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