MGA Forum

A little bit of research . . .

The specs for the MGA are as follows:

Wheelbase—94"
Track width—48" mean average
Body length—156"
Body width—58"

Check on-line for a car that matches the wheelbase. You can make body metal adjustments to match the track width in most cases.

Use this search engine:

http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods-rat-rods/Wheelbase-Cross-Reference-Database.asp?Wheelbase=104#axzz4MLiPjfGb

I just checked for a list of the cars that offer an approximate 95" wheelbase:

http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods-rat-rods/Wheelbase-Cross-Reference-Database.asp?Wheelbase=95&Filter=All#axzz4MLiPjfGb

These cars are pretty much what you have to work with unless you want to shorten the uni-body structure.

If you're willing to shorten the pan, the choices expand considerably, but stick with the smaller cars or sports cars as the body width can only be pushed so far before things start looking awkward. If you want to go all in, shorten up a Porsche 914 and install a V6 or V8 engine in it. Mid-engine terror masquerading as a vintage MGA.

I would suggest a cage or inner bars to support the uni-body skeleton since you're going to cut away outer body metal and partial inner sheet metal.

Look this stuff up on-line, folks are building some really fun projects 'cause nobody told them not to . . .

Edit:

Here are a couple of pics of a uni-body Porsche 914 stripped down to the skeleton waiting for new fiberglass body panels to be installed. Sort of what you're up to, but using fiberglass rather than a metal MGA body.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads12/post+2+11078222991206563705.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads12/post+2+11078221681206563745.jpg

Hope that these help explain what I meant.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-06 06:47 PM by TeamEvil.

"Miata is a few inches shorter wheelbase and a few inches wider body, but something might be done there - it would make a very good foundation for an updated chassis and possibly drivetrain."

I betcha that was exactly what he was thinking about when he posted. I really kinda LOVE the Miata, even the early ones, just do.

You're right about the Miata base as a very good foundation for what I THINK he's planning.