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MG MGA - wire wheels on a delux

Hello all,
I'm looking at buying a 1958 delux. Centre spinners and pressed metal wheels. Can you put wire wheels on these cars?
I dimmy recall reading somewhere that these cars had a different type of spin on. 4 pegs like a Jaguar?
If this is true, can you get wires with 4 pegs?
Or, can you change the hubs over or will I run into splin issues?
Peter Sherman

Hi Peter,

I can't imagine why anyone would want to do this.

If it helps the only 4 wheel disc brake car with wire wheels is LBL 301 with custom alloy wire wheels as normal wire wheels won't clear the dunlop brakes. see attached photo.

It would certainly dramatically reduce the value of a Duluxe too.

What are you trying to achieve?
An MGA with better brakes?

Cheers
Mark




Mark Hester

Thanks Mark,
I just like the wire wheels.
The press metal ones look a little ordinary to me. Are they really that valuable?
Peter Sherman

Peter,
Deluxe wheels are worth considerably more than ordinary stamped wheels. They really are quite rare.
Mike Parker

Please leave the Deluxe for somebody who can appreciate it for what it is.
Del Rawlins

My car is a 1600 mk I and it is fitted with the Racemettle alloy repro of the dunlop centre-lock twincam wheels and I think that they look absolutely fantastic.
I didnt fit the wheels myself and everytime someone compliments me on how well my "twincam" looks, I have to admit that is isnt one but agree that it looks fantastic.

If I were you I would honestly leave the original wheels on the car, the deluxe is really a rare beast and the wheels are what makes it special and they are the "badge" that says "MGA deluxe".

You can fit wire wheels if you really wish to but (to my knowlege) they were never fitted as original equipment.

Your deluxe would then just become a standard MGA which would be a shame.

( I will try upload a pic of my car with the repro twincam wheels to see if I can help change your opinion!)

Colyn
Colyn Firth

I'll try again!

Colyn Firth

Colyn
That certainly is a lovely looking car you have.
Graham M V

Peter,

That car cannot be a 1958 MGA Deluxe. The first Deluxe was in 1960 at the end of Twin Cam production.



Mick
M F Anderson

Lovely car Colyn. I do like the darker colours, blue green, black etc.

Thank you Mick,
You've saved me from a foolish mistake. Or possibly it is infact an origional twin cam. Can anyone tell me what the "twin cam" vehical numbers were?
Or possibly someones pet project and they've bought and fitted twincam gear to it, along with a "twincam" motor.
Del, no one wants this car!
The car has had a Toyota twin cam motor put into it and they've cut back the rear of the engine compartment. A pity, I doubt that there was a need to do so if they had just fitted an electric fan on the other side of the radiator. I'll see if I can attach a photo.
My intention was to repair the rear of the engine compartment and install an MGB motor, with overdrive and supercharger.
I would be interested to hear the opinions of this group about how hard it would be to repair the bulkhead. I was thinking I could repair the goalpost by welding mig'ing in the missing section and welding in a replacment bit of sheet metal for the "heater shelf", if that's what it's called. Alternativly how hard would it be to put in an entire new "heater shelf"
Other than the MGota it is in very good order



Peter Sherman

Oh THAT car!

You will find loads about that car in the archives, especially on here:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?2,1240604

It's an original twin cam and apparently drives very well, but the frame and body mods are practically ireversible. Seems it will be a big job to register outside Queensland too!
Neil McGurk

Peter,

Twin Cam chassis numbers (VIN) went from 501 to 2611.
The Deluxe chassis numbers were mixed in with the other normal pushrod cars.
There is some doubt whether it is really a Twin Cam or a Deluxe. I would not take any notice of any fitted VIN plate.
There are several body and chassis features that can be checked, but I prefer not to list them here, some are quite minor and hard to disguise.
This car should be assessed on a "what you see is what you get basis", not value added because it might be a Twin Cam or a Deluxe.

Mick
M F Anderson

Arr, I'll definitly pass on this one.
Thanks of the link Neil. I wouln't have bought the car without looking over the alterations, but i would have bought a plane ticket to go look at it. I work away from home two weeks out of 4 and my work internet can't see the MG experience properly. But I can see enough. I thought it would be a simple goal post fix, but no, the chassis members forward of the goal posts have been cut out and tubular steel put in. Apparently the engine was moved back to get the gear lever in the right spot!. Why not extend the gear lever?
I've asked the seller for photos of the engine compartment and frame etc which he's going to do tonight. I guess he dosen't know how cut about it is. I'll tell him not to bother I think.
thanks every one
Peter Sherman

Peter you can fit a standard 1600 rear hub (and therefore wires or standard discs) to a twincam brake setup, my old race car I am restoring after 30 years use has such a setup. If you like I can send you some photos, it wasnt hard and I did it years ago before I was told it wasn't possible by the experts. My car runs mags with standard 4 studs but concept is same for wire wheel car
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Peter I have a spare front chassis half from goal posts forward if your worried about those curved bits
regards
mark
Mark Mathiesen

Thanks Mark,
But he wants 20K, and there's just too much work for that price. Body off, lots of welding, engineers certificates new motor, gearbox. If it was 15K then it'd probably be worth it.
Peter Sherman

Peter,
What is an "engineers certificate"? I don't recall seeing that term before.
Tx
Gerry
G T Foster

It might never be an issue for your Gerry. In Australia any significant modification to a car requires an Automotive Engineer to look it over and give it the thumbs up. Any major structural change, or a change in motor or suspension. They usually charge around 500, not counting any tests that they do. It is by no means guaranteed that they will OK it. Welds must not be done across structural sections etc. And they pretty much have absolute power with no recourse on their decision. Our regulations are needlessly strict. And they do vary from state to state. For example you can't put a 3.9 V8 in an MGB in NSW (limited to 3.5), but you can in Victoria. Usually, as long as a modification pre-dates a new regulation you are OK selling inter state, but the Mod' date needs to be for the state that you are selling to, not where the mod' was done. Bureaucratic nightmare! So essentially you need your certificate before you buy. Crazy things like the brake hoses. They've got to be the original ones, rubber. Not allowed to put superior braided stainless ones on. Unless they've got an "ADR" number on them. In other words if someone wants to make and sell these they've got to apply for the number and get lots of tests done. You can imagine how much they cost after that! Of course anyone can make the rubber ones without an ADR number, which makes a whole lot of sense.
I'm not going to get into altering MGA's, other than a B motor. Too many hassels. Besides, I like them the way they are! So I'm still looking for a 1961 MGA
Peter Sherman

Peter, having worked in the inspection pits of Queensland Transport for a number of years, and having seen what some idiots do you get a better perception of what is out there. Would you want a 454 V8 chevy powered morris minor with original drum brakes on the same road as your family? or how about a V8 falcon with no rear brakes ( as in nothing no drums anything), or a steering rack bolted in with hardware grade (not high tensile) bolts. It happened on a regular basis. So for years each State introduced its own codes and laws and this was further supported by the ADRs (Australian Design Rules)set down by the Federal Government. These laws/tandards set limits and minimum standards to builders of cars (both manufacturers such as Ford and backyard builders). Now we have a fairly standardised regulatory standard operated by licensed private automotive engineers who issue "blue plates" for modifications. Everything from seat belt fitment to engine/structural mods. Yes some things sound crazy like the brake line issue you raise, but when some boagan uses a braided line made in China or wherever in some backyard factory, sold on ebay and not safe for a car then its dead dangerous! Hence the ADR codes. What they charge is up to the engineer, some are over the top others quite reasonable. An engine swap approval in my Scimitar cost $100, no big deal as I was getting a structural engineer to review my work. Having played with MGAs, Lotuses and other similar cars for over 35 years continually it worries me when I see well meaning persons set out to "restore or modify a car" for the first time with little or no mechanical experience in some very major sections of restoration such as braking, steering and welding. Many of you will know the danger of incorrectly rebuilding the master cylinder of an MGA were the restorer to replicate the seal/parts order on both the brake and clutch cylinders, or incorrectly weld structural chassis parts but unless they ask and get shown what to do they are making a death trap that could run into your family and injure or worse. It would be interesting to hear "horror stories" from some of the dealer members here on repairs they have had to do to so-called restored cars presented to them. Getting the brakes right in my opinion is mor important than getting the correct shade of colour on the fan blade!! I would rather be safe than sorry, but thats my thoughts
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Well Mark I've the greatest respect for your posts (Hold onto your hat!) , and you are a generous person, front frame & all, learned allot from your posts. But the problem is that the self-righteous work safe gang won't stop there. Give them an inch and they will soon try to tell you how to live every part of your life. Including what you do in your home. They will take your children from you. It's on historic record. Literally. The thin end of the wedge. I'd rather be free than safe, it's point of view. Freedom is expensive. I'll pay that price and I won't be part of the nanny state. People must be free, not bound about with bureaucracy, god-damn worksafe. “ It's for your own good.. .” NOT
Please tell me you are not part of the problem.
Peter Sherman

sorry for the rant, just hate bureaucracy.
Peter Sherman

No worries Mate, having been in the bureaucracy I have since learnt to make it work for me and generally find ways around it(and try and help here when I can)....Intrestingly enough, the chef safety engineer in QLD in the 1980s when I was working there was an old guy keen on MGs (he used to drive a modified MGTC in his young days apparently). It was he who helped me write then get approved my MGA Special after it ended its racing days, I didnt fight him I just asked him to help...it worked in my case. I find however if you make it hard enough for them or keep it just below their radar they ( the govt) generally dont try too hard to interfere. I suppose the biggest threat to our society and the reason for these rules is litigation and the costs to society, The idiots like I mentioned in my previous email would in all likelyhood have not had any assets to pay for damages so the government (yours and my taxes)the has to carry the medical/damages bill and cop the flack for letting the idiots on the road. Dont know if you saw Today Tonight or ACA tonight but if you did you will see the type of idiot we were trying to get off the roads. Believe me they are out there and in growing numbers. Anyway we drive MGs and drive as the MG slogan goes "Safety Fast"
regards
Mark
Mark Mathiesen

Hi guys,
Just to let you know that in this month Safety fast there's in the MGA a short mention of the first de luxe. It has chassisnr. GHN 91240. The nice part of it all is that I'm the lucky person who bought it earlier this year. It has the beautifull twin cam dunlop wheels. Tecnically it's ok now but cosmetically there is still à lot of work to do. Discussions are going on to leave it in it's present condition or to respray it.
A. Feenstra

Are you a member of the MGA Twin Cam and Deluxe web group?
John Barrett has a lot of information on the Deluxe cars, including a CD with photos of all the known Deluxes. The CD has 17 photos of your car, all taken at the same time. One photo attached. A bit dusty!!
Is it still RHD?

Join web group at:

http://www.mgatwincam.homestead.com


Mick


M F Anderson

Thanks Mick!

Love the picture. No I'm not à member yet but I'll join!
Arno
A. Feenstra

Mick,

A little over a week ago I received a v-mail from a fellow A owner. He found me through our the MG Car Club Northwest Centre member listings and was looking for the weight of an A so he could get it registered.

He went on to explain that is is a 62 Mark II that he purchased slightly used in 1963. He has spent the past 6 years restoring the car. Oh, and by the way it is a Deluxe!

He lives on the other side of Puget Sound so I will have a good reason for a ferry ride and road trip to go see his car. I will let him know about the twincam/deluxe site.

Cheers, John
jjb Backman

John,

Do you have the chassis number of your friend's Deluxe? Could you ask him?
I would like to see if we have a photo of it.

Mick
M F Anderson

Mick,
Will do, probably later in August or September.
Peter, sorry for getting off topic.

John
jjb Backman

GHN2102817 the dove grey MKII on the pic above..

Bought the car in April from the UK
Rebuilt starts a couple of weeks ago

Please have a look to my blog http://octagon.posterous.com

Looking for old picture and more about the history of this car. Thanks to the register !

Actual I have to decide either to rebuilt the old DUNLOP break cylinder or by "new" one's from China.

Any hints?

Regards

Karsten

@ Mick Anderson; do you have more information about the red MGA? Would be great to kown more about the storage where the photo has been taken ...
There were yellow MARCHAL Headlamp ont the dove grey MKII... maybe the car has been located in France?
Just minor rust on the car. I will use the original wooden floor boards after cleaning.. just to get an idea about the condition of this car..
Karsten Gaertner

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2010 and 30/08/2010

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