Twinky: ’59 MGA Twin Cam Roadster
The MGA was introduced in 1955 as a replacement for the MG TF. It was a worthy competitor to the TR3 and Austin-Healey although they had the advantage of larger displacement engines. Even with a mere 1489 cc engine, the aerodynamic MGA sold over 13,000 cars in its first year. BMC engineers were at their wits end trying to get more ponies in the stable from that motor so development began on a twin-overhead-camshaft cylinder head. The Twin-Cam – aka Twink – introduced in 1958, produced an impressive 108 hp @ 6,700 rpm. But all was not rosy in the Cotswolds. There was a problem with the engine at sustained hi-speed leading to a succession of catastrophic engine failures. The Twink was discontinued in favor of a larger displacement motor. Well, there is good news and more good news for any Twin-Cam owner. They are very rare and desirable with approximately 2100 cars built. And these cars were specially equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes and real knock off wheels. The other good news is they found out why the engines blew. It was a problem with how they mounted the twin carbs. The engine vibration caused one of the carbs to starve a few cylinders with nasty results. Adding some vibration dampers seems to have solved the problem. This eBay auction candidate looks very nice and has some special racing fairings to boot. It reportedly has some early race history but doesn’t come with a log book. The owner has kept up maintenance and cosmetically it looks pretty good although the seller states the paint is a weak spot. So what. Buy this car right and you have plenty of room for paint should you so desire. But this shouldn’t be some concours car anyway. It needs to be an event car properly exercised in the manner it was designed. Read the details here on eBay.