Registry: 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe

Now here is a curly one. The astute among you will have noted that this 1600 has pressed front wheels for drum brakes, which indeed it has. Thing is, it shouldnt have front drums, should it?

Hi Rod, a great looking coupe. The coupes had a foam sound deadening pad behind the dash which wasn't on the roadsters. It tends to deteriorate over the years and ends up as a crumbly mess. This is on the firewall behind the dash and under the heater shelf. Perhaps yours was replaced?

It'd be great to have a few more pics.

Cheers, David

Hi Rod, a great looking coupe. The coupes had a foam sound deadening pad behind the dash which wasn't on the roadsters. It tends to deteriorate over the years and ends up as a crumbly mess. This is on the firewall behind the dash and under the heater shelf. Perhaps yours was replaced?

It'd be great to have a few more pics.

Cheers, David

No idea why my posting went twice! 1600s have pressed wheels as standard. However, the ones on your car are indeed the earlier style. They weren't actually changed for the brake change, more to make them stronger to overcome the cracking issues that had been seen with the earlier wheels. There is a lot of information on Barney Gaylord's site http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/wheels/wl100.htm It wouldn't be too unusual for wheels to be changed during restoration or getting rid of some more modern alloys. Most people would just think that all MGA bolt-on disc wheels are the same.

Are you saying that the car has drum brakes as well?!! It should not have those. They were definitely 1500 only. Is there any chance that your car is a 1500 made to look like a 1600?


Almost 4,000 revs at around 100kmh is not too far off. Your diff would have been a 4.3 but a factory option was the 4.55 as found in the ZB Magnette. This would give you 100kmh at almost 3,800 rpm and allowing for a bit of error in the gauges,

Hi David, thankyou for your imput.I didn't describe the sound deadening padding very well and will soon post a closeup of how it looks. It is in the engine bay, above the heater shelf and up against the firewall, behind the master cyl. etc.It is about 20mm thick, presumably foam sandwiched between 2 layers of vinyl.Drum brakes a mystery, Car has all the hallmarks of a late 1960 1600,including Chassia GHD94998,Body19853.Has 1600 pedals, dipswitch bracket etc. Master cyl doesnt have the raised tank as with disc brake cars!It has a 3.909:1 diff, MGA Gbox, MGB 18GB engine in good order.I am getting some jobs done now-luckily zero rust so I have thrown loads of Lanol at it.Will convert to one 12v battery and to neg earth. Have located 2 correct original Lucas spots to install.
Chhers for now! Rod.