Books for your MGA - the mandatory short list

The MGA With An Attitude

MGAguru.com

BOOKS FOR YOUR MGA - page 2
THE SHORT LIST (mandatory reading)

"The MG Series MGA Drivers Handbook"
A BMC Service Publication. Paperback only. These booklets are about 68 pages plus the cover, and should have been included with every MGA when new. A nice introduction for newcomers (then you never look at it again).

In addition to introduction to the car operation, hood and sidescreens, it details General Data, owner serviceable items, periodic maintenence schedule, lubrication, tires and jacking. Good for a concours car show. Right size for the glove box, except the MGA doesn't have one, so it might end up kicking around the boot. If you carry it on the road, keep it in a plastic bag.

"The MG Series MGA 1500 Operation Manual" (1st Edition) (4.3-MB pdf)

"The MG Series MGA 1500 Operation Manual" (2nd Edition) (5.8-MB pdf)

"The MG Series MGA 1500 Driver's Handbook" (8th Edition) (7.3-MB pdf)

"The MG Series MGA 1600 Driver's Handbook" (6.5-MB pdf)

"The MG Series MGA 1600 Supplement to Driver's Handbook" (0.2-MB pdf)

when Road Speed Tyres and disc brakes all round are fitted as optional extras.

"The MG Series MGA 1600-MK-II Driver's Handbook" (7.7-MB pdf)

"The MG Series MGA Twin Cam Driver's Handbook" (8.9-MB pdf)

"Getting The Best from your MGA Twin Cam"
For the MGA Twin Cam owner, MG issued a small pink leaflet entitled "Getting the best from your MGA Twin Cam". It has, in large letters, "PLEASE READ BEFORE DRIVING". No doubt this was because the car was being used by owners who did not understand the requirements of what was essentially a road-going racing car. (BMC publication AKD1412). If anyone has a copy of this publication, please holler. One recently sold on eBay for GBP-75.00 (approximately US $116).

Reprints now available at www.mgcc.co.uk/mga-twin-cam-group/merchandise

"Maintenance Service - M.G. (Series "MGA") and Magnette" (0.9-MB pdf)

Factory Publication Number AKD 7278.
A publication of MG Car Company Ltd. These booklets are 14 to 16 pages including the cover, and would have been included with every MGA when new. It is the owners key to free 500 mile service, and subsequent service schedules at 3,000 mile intervals for 12,000 miles. The final note at end of 12,000 miles service is, "Road test and report".

"The MG Series MGA Workshop Manual"
issued by The M.G. Car Company Ltd
Distributed by Brooklands Books Ltd
(ISBN: 1 86982 6302) 272 pgs. Hard cover version may be green or yellow, depending on printing date. Was originally available in ring binder notebook form. May also be available in soft cover.

I personally recommend that anyone who owns an MGA should own a copy this book. Gives detailed instructions and information for just about everything to do with daily maintenance and mechanical restoration of the MGA. Nothing on rust repair or welded body panel replacement. That stuff is assumed to fall under "general knowledge" (but it does require quite a lot of that sort of general knowledge for the owner to do a proper job of panel replacement). Recommend hard cover if you're keeping the car for a while.

"The MG Series MGA Workshop Manual" - Sectioned

for MGA 1500, MGA 1600, and MGA 1600-Mk-II

A printable copy of scanned pages listed by book section. - 24 separate PDF files.

"The MG Series MGA Workshop Manual" - Searchable

for MGA 1500, MGA 1600, and MGA 1600-Mk-II

A printable copy of scanned so it is a searchable document.

One contiguous PDF, 11.5-MB file size.

Compliments of Dominic Clancy in Zurich, Switzerland.