The MGA first came into the market in 1955. It was a complete break from the past for MG, a departure from the pre-war look of the company’s sports cars. Straight lines gave way to the obvious benefits of streamlining. The body looked modern, with the fenders blending into the body work to create a beautiful and aerodynamic shape. The MGA’s long curvaceous lines have definitely stood the test of time.

Before the MGA was officially launched, three prototypes – named EX.182 – were entered into the 1955 Le Mans race. The cars did extremely well and finished fifth and sixth in their class. The MGA was introduced in September 1955 with an already proven competition history only adding to its appeal. Despite its controversial styling, the MGA became the best ever selling MG prior to the ceasing of production in 1962 and the launch of the all conquering MGB.

The MGA chassis was a development of the TD Midget’s unit, with wider spaced side rails for a lower seating position to accommodate the new lower bodywork and made from a steel frame with box section main side members, cross braces and scuttle bracing structures. The seating position was not only more suited to the new sports car image but also helped to lower the center of gravity of the car, thus improving its cornering capabilities.

The MGA Twin Cam variation was announced in April 1958 and remained in limited production until April 1960. In total, 2111 Twin Cams were produced, all of which were open two seaters and essentially aimed at competition use. Visually, the Twin Cam did not vary much from the standard MGA model apart from its special steel disc wheels, replacing the previously used wires.

However, under the bonnet there was a world of difference. The cylinder block and bottom end were bored out and strengthened standard ‘B’ series components, but the cylinder head was a new aluminum unit incorporating twin overhead camshafts. Twin SU carburetors were fitted as standard which gave the Twin Cam a power output of 110 bhp, a 0-60 time of 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. With all the additional power available the standard MGA drum brakes were replaced with Dunlop discs.

Producing a twin cam engine version of the MGA had originally been the idea of designer Gerald Palmer. However, the engine was eventually designed by Austin Motor Cars. The main advantage of using a modified version of the regular engine was that it would easily fit with the standard MGA gearbox and into the unmodified engine bay. The redesign proved incredibly successful and greatly improved the engine, although it was prone to damage through over revving.