This hand-built special is in fact larger than it looks on the photo. Compare it with the chair in the background. I saw it at the Interclassics and Topmobiel classic car show in Maastricht in 2006, but unfortunately I don't know who the owner/builder is.

This model was advertised on eBay in September 2005 as an MGA. And yes, I didn't know what to make of it either until I looked more closely and saw the rear side. According to the seller it's a die cast MGA/MG TF made in England by TW, ca. 1990, dark green, 1/43 scale, ca. 3 1/2 inch long. Does someone have more information about this model maker?

Randy Brown sends this report of his 1958 MGA with a Mazda Rotary power, a 1982 RX7 12 A engine that delivers about 200 HP. It rests on stock MGA motor mounts, has a Delorto carburetor, handmade header, a RX7 4 speed transmission, MGB front suspension and disc brakes, a custom driveshaft with RX7 front u-joint and Datsun 280Z rear u-joint and yoke. The only permanent changes to the car are at the rear transmission mount where the tower was cut out and a stock RX7 trans mount used. The floorboard on the drivers side was narrowed to clear the starter. The only outward appearance is the grill badge to hint at the beast within. According to Randy the MGA is very fast feels more like a motorcycle than a car.

In an old issue of “1001 Custom & Rod Ideas” I found this picture of “von Dutch” giving an MGA the Dutch treatment. No, of course I don’t mean the clothing. I’m talking about the real “von Dutch”, the master of pin-striping. Few other painters have ever shown such remarkable skill. Does someone have an idea what happened to this MGA? Is it still around?

Update: When I asked this question I never realized that I would have an answer within a week! It's a 1959 MGA Twin Cam that was then owned by Gene DeRuelle. Originally this Twin Cam was white but Gene didn't like the color and had it painted Royal Metallic blue at the Competition Body Shop on Ventura Blvd. in Encino, where von Dutch was working at the time. After the paint job von Dutch talked Gene into the striping job. Could this be the only MGA von Dutch he ever did? Gene sold his Twin Cam after the second engine failure and doesn't not know if this Twin Cam is still around.








Photo taken from “1001 Custom & Rod Ideas”, spring 1967

A 1962 MGA 1600 Mk II with very period looking fender skirts and a Parish Hardtop was sold in 2003 by McLean’s Brit Bits

MG ZA Magnette Coupé with coachwork by “Hackit and Weld”  (I wonder where that company comes from???)













Photo from “The Motor” dated December 22, 1954

Another Magnette Convertible, this time a ZB
Like one of your own? Then read the book by Peter Bonthrone on how to build it

Very much an Art Deco work of art

More information, anyone?




















click on thumbnails to enlarge the photos

Wow! Believe it or not, but this a real work of art! This MGA was owned by Charles Wilp, but in May 1963 Arman, a French artist, created an explosion inside this MGA after which the remains were exhibited in several museums