MGA Forum

1960 MGA 1600 Choke Cable dashboard collar chromed. In the process of replacing the choke cable the replacement from MOSS came with a 'dull metal' finish. All the collars on my dashboard are 'chromed'. I called MOSS and also eventually Little British Auto Parts. They both confirmed that all their are 'dull metal'. This is very confusing to me. What the 'chroming' of the collars a purchase option. I don't have proof but I feel when the car was painteed BRG, the dashboard was restored to a BRG color when the car was painting. Is that when the collars got chromed? Original stock color of car was Irish Blue. Does anyone know what the appearance of the dashboard was when the body was painted Irish Blue. Anybody have any idea where I could get a 'chromed' choke cable? Looking forward to any insights? Michael

Iris Blue body would have had an Iris Blue dashboard. As for the chrome collar, no vendors sell them anymore; all are dull metal. If you want chrome, you'll need to find an original cable to use; that's what I did.

Hard to tell from your picture if the dash is painted or vinyl wrapped. If painted should be body color. Wrapped... well its a personal preference... I wrapped mine because I like the look even though it would not have come like that.

Yes, I had some old chrome trim rings that I adapted to the new choke cable.. kinda frustrating that you have a nice new cable and new dash and they sell that piece of junk.

The collars were all chrome from the factory. The replacements have been wrong at least a decade. Moss and others know they are wrong but it seems to all they can find from suppliers.

I still have originals on my cars.

Mike,

Today, as it pertains any component on your dashboard such as the switch gear, cables or anything else on your dash, the best place for original parts is already on your car or alternatively sourcing original replacements from members on the MGA Experience and restoring them yourself.

As you might have already realized, every available cable, knob, switch, bezel or anything else on your MGA being offered today pales in comparison to the OEM parts with many items frankly being junk.

In reality, none of these components are hard or even that challenging to restore to factory new condition. In doing so, your or any MGA will look so much better than using your checkbook as a means for restoration and then being later dissatisfied by the quality or outcome.

I see that you live in Massachusetts. I guess this makes you kind of lucky in that within a hours drive of your home, there are three guys who not only have large stocks of MGA parts, but a vast knowledge of all things MGA.

Don

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Look sharply after your own thoughts. They come unlooked for, like the morning dove upon your window sill, and, if you turn to your usual task, disappear; and you shall never find that perception again; never, I say-but perhaps years, ages, and I know not what events and worlds my lie between you and its return.

Ralph Waldo Emerson



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-17 01:59 PM by Don MGA 1600.

MOSS does sell original type Choke (734-015) (734-190) (331-400) (331-290) and Starter (331-370) (331-400) (331-280) for other cars but can be adapted for MGA.

The outer cable unscrews and pulls out. The inner cable is soldered or crimped. The is molded on the shaft but can be removed but heating the shaft while pulling the knob off the shaft, a new knob can be installed by heating the shaft and pushing the new knob on the shaft.

No clue why MOSS and others, can't use the same vendor to make MGA choke and starter cables.

I cleaned and repaired my origins; easy to do.

I ordered starter cable and choke cable from moss awhile back and got the same dull looking bezels. I sent them back and tried to get my shipping costs back. I told them they didn't represent the originals and looked like crap. I'll let you guess if I got my shipping costs back.

Hi Michael

If you still have the remains of your old choke cable, Barney’s DT-103D has details of an easy repair that you can do.

Cheers
Dave

Don: Thanks for the info -- I imagine one these sources is Cecelia and Kenneth, in Pawtuket RI, at Scarborough Faire -- would you be willing to share the other resources? michael

Dave is there any chance you copy and send me the 'work-around'. -- when searching Barney's DT-103D -- I round into a number 'scam' problems -- I appreciate your help. michael

From Barney's site

Hi Michael

Looks like Bob got there already. Send me a PM if you need further details or encouragement.

Cheers
Dave

Whoa. Michael, I trust my vintage 25-year old simple web site is clean. Did you catch a virus or malware in your browser or email client? I can recommend the free version of Anti Virus Guard (AVG). Been using it for decades with no issues. And maybe the free version of AdBlocker Ultimate while you're at it).

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Barney Gaylord - 1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com - barneymg@mgaguru.com - Ph: 630-946-3841
(Please email me direct, do not leave a PM on the public server).

Michael,

To protect and respect the privacy of others, please send me a PM. BTW: Cecelia was not one of the sources that I was thinking of.

Thanks,

Don

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Look sharply after your own thoughts. They come unlooked for, like the morning dove upon your window sill, and, if you turn to your usual task, disappear; and you shall never find that perception again; never, I say-but perhaps years, ages, and I know not what events and worlds my lie between you and its return.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear ALL MGA Owners.

We feel your pain too!

We are in the process of producing original style MGA Choke & Starter cables with the correct chrome plated bezel housings and correctly molded lettered C & S knobs from our own exclusive tooling. We expect our first production run of these in approx 1 month.

And we've improved the internal adjustment of the choke cable to function as the later MGB cable which were a pull, twist and lock style, as opposed to the 3 ONLY position of the original MGA choke cable design. Outwardly they will look identical to the OE MGA cable.

SEE PROTOTYPE photo below, showing an original OEM Starter Cable and our product.

Regards,
Cecelia
SCARBOROUGH FAIRE