1959 MGA Twin Cam Roadster

The MGA represented a real break with tradition for MG when it was announced in 1955, replacing the pre-war styling of the T-Series with a superbly streamlined and thoroughly modern looking body on a sturdy box-section chassis. The MGA brought a new generation of fans to the marque and was soon selling in vast numbers on both sides of the Atlantic, initially in 1500 guise and later with a 1.6-litre version of the robust B-Series engine. To further enhance the performance of the model, MG developed a twin-overhead camshaft engine for the MGA and the new variant appeared in July 1958, with Dunlop disc brakes all round and centre-lock disc wheels similar to the Dunlop items found on the racing D-Type Jaguars. The Twin Cam had a new alloy cross-flow cylinder head to improve breathing, larger SU carburettors and developed a healthy 108bhp at 6700rpm to significantly enhance both acceleration and top speed over the pushrod version. The MGA could be found competing at every level of motor sport, from dusty tracks in far-flung colonies like Australia and Africa, to punishing international endurance races. Indeed, Ted Lund and Colin Escott won the 2-litre class at Le Mans in 1960 at the wheel of a Twin Cam. The Twin Cam is something of a rarity, with just 1,788 open cars made between 1958 and 1960, accounting for a tiny fraction of total MGA production and consequently have become the most sought after variants today, highly prized not only for their rarity but gutsy performance and stronger brakes.