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MG MGB Technical - MGA Convertible Conversion

I would like to convert a 58 MGA coupe into a convertible roadster and was wondering what the differences were. Would the chassis have to be reinforced? Would it be as simple as cutting off the roof and removing the windshield and adding the convertible hardware? Any advice is appreciated.


DH Dwayne Hardin

Why on earth would you want to destroy a relatively rare vehicle? Wouldn't it be better to sell it and buy a roadster?

Regards,
David
David Overington

Dwayne - I agree with David, buy roadster instead of converting not only a relatively rare vehicle, but one of the prettiest ones that MG ever made. Cheers - Dave

PS. Perhaps that is why you posted this on the MGB BBS - to keep from being flamed by the MGA owners on the MGA BBS ;)
David DuBois

I agree. DON'T DO IT. Maybe there is a MGA roadster owner who will swap.
Lee

You should ask this on the MGA board.

This was a common mod for the racing crowd. There are major differences in the body between roadster and coupe, it's not just the presence / absence of a fixed roof. The chassis is identical for roadster and coupe.

The differences in short:
Doors are completely different
Windscreen mounting for a roadster is missing from coupe
The front section by the windscreen / door pillars is different, and the point at the tops of the doors / bottom of windscreen doesn't allow fitting roadster doors to a coupe as far as I know.
Section of body behind the seats is very different (coupe has shelf, roadster not)
B pillar is different, again down to door differences

If you want a racer, it works but isn't pretty
If you want a street car, go find a roadster.

You can find the differences pictured here http://www.clancy.ch/Owners_Pack.html - download the 1500 parts book file and then look at the section on bodywork. You will see a lot of the parts in the door areas are not common.....
dominic clancy

What shape is the coupe in? Trade for a roadster, save the coupe!
Russ
Russ Carnes

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2009 and 28/06/2009

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