TECH-REF & COFFEE TABLE BOOKS: 
"Original MGA: The Restorer's Guide" by Anders Ditlev Clausager (0760314500) - paperback, 128 pgs, 250 glossy color pictures. Reissue of original 1993 hardcover book. Previous ISBN 1-870979-31-1. May be available either hard cover or softbound.  Highly recommended reference book. The definitive guide to one of Britain's best-loved sports cars. Indispensable for owners, restorers, buyers and enthusiasts. Drawing from factory records, parts lists and catalogs, as well as the accumulated knowledge of respected restorers and dedicated enthusiasts, this book provides the most comprehensive survey of the MGA ever published. Guide to maintaining 100% originality. Superb color photographs show body, interior, and mechanical details in factory-original condition. Includes serial and engine numbers, paint, trim, options, technical features, and production changes by car number and date. Not only solid information, but also a great coffee table book for when friends drop in. Available in multiple languages, including German with "Das Original MGA". 
"Call It MGA" by Roger Martin and Piers Hubbard, 2004 Published by The MGA Register, The M.G. Car Club Limited Hardbound, 8-1/4" x 11-3/4", 112 pgs, 250+ ill. A comprehensive following of 50 years of the history and character of the model from pre-production concepts and prototypes through modern day activities. This includes many stories of special cars and special people and the way the cars have been used (and abused) over the decades. At times the cars were near orphans with low value, so it is a wonder how so many of them have survived and are still with us today. The book pays tribute to the unique character of this particular model and the reasons why people find them so endearing. It covers variants and modified cars, the motor sport efforts of works cars and privateers, a myriad of speed records and competition titles, and distribution of the cars around the world.
 Second edition, on sale June 15, 2015, for the 60th anniverary of the model. Many newly discovered facts together with the evolving stories from the past 10 years. Now in a larger full colour format, three new chapters. 297 x 240mm. A limited run of 251 to be numbered and signed by the authors www.mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/merchandise-shop
A great period marketing film transferred to DVD. David "Mr. MG" Ash puts a brand new MGA Twin Cam (the first from the factory) through its paces at the famous Lime Rock race track in Spring 1959. Competition driving tips and a neat little piece of history. One of 150 copies made (and this one is signed by David Ash). 30 copies left, as of 26-Jul-05. Contact: Michael Eaton Also see article TC-107-505 about the car that was used for this filimg exercise.
Hardbound 8.5" x 10.75", 340 pages, color/B&W, pub Apr 2009 (first 100 copies were softbound no longer available).  A 16-year employee of the Los Angeles BMC distributorship as well as only American race mechanic for BMC's 1950s record speed runs at Bonneville Salt Flats, Gordon Whitby gives an overview of the motor industry of that era with loads of pictures. The book contains copies of letters and technical information between Syd Enever and the author not found elsewhere.
Hard cover, 160 pgs, 10-3/4" x 11-3/4", 180 color and 45 b/w photos - Motorbooks International - ISBN: 0760320039. Covering the complete history of the MG marque – from its formation in 1922 to present day. Includes developments in style, increases in power, and its history in racing and speed trials. Full engineering and performance specifications - Competition success and production statistics. |
Not specifically about MGA but written by the man who owned and drove the car on the cover. This book is an impression of MG personalities and MG cars by an MG enthusiast par excellence who has known them all and driven most of them. Read about early MG development and racing from the beginning up to the early 80's. It includes over 200 black and white photographs most of which have never been published before. The book is posted here because the cover car is a notable works development car. It was recently offered for sale at a rather high asking price, but the author of this book seems to have a different opinion about the value of the car (at time of writing).
Launched to commemorate the Twin Cam’s Golden anniversary, this 96 page publication focuses on experiences of well known MG personnel. The meticulously researched book includes previously unseen factory documentation and leading Twin Cam specialists are also featured. Contributions have come in from all parts of the World covering engineering aspects, owners’ experiences, famous competition cars and the history of the Twin Cam in far flung locations. Available from MG Car Club, UK
Issue 2005 - A4 softbound 16 pages with photos. Story of the MG EX-182 cars being built and raced at Le Mans in 1955. These are the direct predecessors to production MGA. They were intended to run in the production class until production was delayed, then switched to run in the prototype class. Available direct from Brian Moylan, 29 Abingdon Road, Drayton, Oxon, OX14 4HW. Email brianmoylan(at)waitrose.com or telephone 077813 553683. He only produced 250 copies, so it is unlikely that any remain available. You may find a scanned image copy here (11.3-MB pdf).
ISBN 10: 0951942379, ISBN 13: 9780951942376 - First edition, 1999, MGA on cover, hard cover, 80 pages, Magna Press, long out of print, very expensive used. ISBN 10: 0954312120, ISBN 13: 9780954312121 - Second (revised) edition, MGB on the cover. Paper-back, 150 pages, Magna Press, published 7 July 2011, containing many additional pictures. Covering the history of MG cars used by U.K. pliice forces from the 18/80 Tourer bought by Brighton Borough Police in June 1930 to end of production at Abingdon in 1980, as well as touching on the MG Maestros and Montegos of the 1980s. Andrea notes the reasons and the roles, listing all MGs known to have been used by the police in this time. 
"No. 52: Restoring A Sebring Icon" - A two part full length DVD. Part 1 (1 hour) covers the entire restoration of the 1962 MGA Sebring Coupe "From British Racing Rust to British Racing Green" in four months. Part 2 (1/2 hour) covers the return of No.52 to Sebring. The crew prepares the car for it's first race in forty years. The DVD is $15.00 + $3.85 shipping ($18.85 total). If you are interested, e-mail Hugh Burruss III
Two curious grandkids take a whimsical look at old car collecting. The grandkids have questions about Papa’s little blue car. They don’t know if they believe his stories about shrinking cars or how his little blue car (nicknamed LBJ) got its name. If you enjoy working on and driving antique cars, this is great book to introduce your kids or grandkids to your hobby.
|
ISBN: 0-87349-757-0 -- Library of Congress: 2004100741 Soft cover, 224pp, lots of glossy pictures. 21 pages on MGs 1945-1980 plus the 1994-2003 MGR(V8), but no MGF. This appears to be all post war, sports cars only, no sedans. As usual, there will be a few you haven't seen before. John Gunnell extends this special offer to visitors to this web site. "This book is normally $25 plus shipping. I will sell it to any of your website users for $20 plus $3 shipping. They can email me at gunnellj@athenet.net and just say "MGA Guru sent me." Or they can send a check or money order to:
Advice on choosing the right model and condition, and discussion about potential ownership costs. Practicality and comfort are considered, allowing you to assess suitability for touring, and issues of legality, originality and roadworthiness are also raised. Key checks, how to spot a bad car quickly, comprehensive inspection guide With 100 pictures in only 64 pages, I wonder how much text information can be included. Must be better than a magazine article. On 9/30/2013 -0600, Jeff Allen in Chesterfield, Mo wrote: "It is written for folks new to the old car hobby and the MGA. It is a good starter book for that group. It contains generic old-car buying advice and useful info on MGA cars. However, there is a glaring error on page 8 where they state that the 1600 model was the most numerous model produced. I would say if you want a book to help you determine how original a car is, Clausager"s "Original MGA" is more useful. But, if you want a basic introduction to the old car hobby and MGAs, this little book will be of help".
Hardcover, 168 pages - First Edition 1960 Hardcover, 176 pages - Second Edition 1965 (revised) (The second edition should contain some details of early MGB) Pub: Stanley Paul; (ASIN: B0000CKT3B)
Softback, 160 pgs, color & B/W, pub July 2002 This new book is the definitive study, for the author has gone back to factory records and to the people who worked on the car in the 'fifties, to find out how it was conceived, manufactured and marketed. Here is the real story of the MGA's engineering, body styling and every aspect of the car's development and production - including MG's strategy to beat its competitors. In seven years of production, there were major successes and sad disappointments. The MGA was the car that was "right first time" and though the Twin Cam variant was a nightmare for the factory, it is now the most sought after model. CHAPTERS: The fight to put the MGA on the road; the Le Mans prototypes; the body and chassis engineering; the engine development; making the MGA; how it was received; performance comparisons; the coupé; the Twin Cam - trials and tribulations; the 1600 and the 1600 MkII models; competition history; "secret MGAs"; the North American success story; restoration notes, and more.
|
