The original 1600 type side curtains were also fabric covered, but eliminated the bottom lift up panel. These have a fixed thin Isinglass panel in the front half (often turned yellow), and a sliding Plexiglas panel in the back half. For the early 1600 model cars the side curtains had a wide margin fabric edge (outside flap) at top and back (photos below). In August 1960 the wide flap was deleted or made very narrow (photo above).

In August 1960 there was also a matching change in design of the rag top with an overhanging drip area. The later design supersedes the earlier type for replacement parts. The fabric covered 1600 type were a bit expensive, but there were alternatives (see following pages).

See additional information for side curtains used with bolt-on hardtops in the Hardtop section.

The following pictures are provided by Rob Mackenzie. They are survivor side curtains from his 1600-MK-II (after the perimiter flap was reduced in size).






Per Confidential Service Memrandum MG/338 dated 22 Nov, 1960, all of the fabric covered side curtains were ultimately superseded by the aluminum frame units. As a result, any MGA roadster sold after that date would have been delivered with aluminum frame side curtains, same as were fitted along with bolt on hardtops.

Addendum April 28, 2022:
It has been brought to my attention that the paragraph above may not be strictly correct, and may be open to some "interpretation". Apparently there were cars produced after November 1960 still being supplied new from the factory with fabric covered side curtains. In particular, two MGA 1600-MK-II produced in November and December 1961, Black with Grey rag top and matching Grey fabric covered side curtains. So maybe this depends on when certain side curtain colors ran out of stock. Perhaps the CSM was an advisory to dealers only needing to stock two types with bare aluminum frames in inventory to service as replacement parts for all MGA.