1961 MGA 1600 Roadster
Syd Enever’s aerodynamic design had proven successful since the 1955 introduction, when prototype MGAs finished 12th and 17th at Le Mans before production models arrived that September. The wind-cheating bodywork concealed familiar T-series underpinnings beneath its flowing lines.
For 1959, displacement increased from 1,489cc to 1,588cc, raising output to nearly 80 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and boosting torque by roughly 17 percent. Girling front disc brakes replaced the earlier quad-drum arrangement, transforming the 1600 into a genuine 100 mph sports car capable of validating claims from Bonneville Salt Flats record runs.
Twin SU carburetors fed the enlarged B-series four-cylinder, while rack-and-pinion steering maintained the direct feel of earlier models at just under three turns lock-to-lock. Independent front suspension combined with a live rear axle provided handling characteristics familiar to MG TF owners.
The rigid chassis and Austin-designed engine proved immediately popular, selling about 13,000 units during the first full production year. The 1600 variant delivered enhanced performance while preserving the sporting character and straightforward mechanicals that defined MG’s sports car heritage.
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