1958 MG MGA Home market car

Brand-new restoration | One-off build | Original home-market car

1958 MGA – EX182 Le Mans Homage

This MGA was rebuilt over a four-year period as an EX182 Le Mans-style homage, with extensive mechanical, chassis and body modifications while retaining its period appearance and original 1958 home-market identity.

Engine

The engine is based on a late-series 1622 block, chosen for its compatibility with MGB ancillaries. It accepts an MGB oil pump, water pump, sump and alternator bracket directly, while also allowing the block to be bored beyond 1800cc.

The block was chemically cleaned throughout the water jacket and fitted with cup-type core plugs. It was bored to 1820cc and fitted with NOS Powermax flat-top pistons. The bores were glaze-busted and plateau-honed.

Rotating Assembly

* Pauter steel connecting rods with ARP 625 Plus bolts

* Precision-ground crankshaft at . 010/. 010 with heavy-duty bearings

* NOS crank damper

* Lightened aluminium flywheel

* Crankshaft, flywheel and clutch cover independently and dynamically balanced to ISO Grade 6. 30

* Four balancing certificates included

Valvetrain & Cylinder Head

The engine uses a Piper BBP285 Ultimate Road camshaft, timed at 107° with full vernier adjustment.

The valvetrain also includes short tuftrided followers, long pushrods and a duplex timing chain.

The Peter Burgess cylinder head is fitted with 1. 625-inch inlet valves and bronze valve guides.

A black powder-coated alloy rocker cover is fitted.

Induction & Ignition

The engine uses rebuilt 1¾-inch H6 SU carburettors fitted to a homologated FIA-correct manifold.

Ignition is electronic, using an Accuspark 45D distributor and performance coil.

The RVC tachometer has been converted for compatibility with the ignition system and accurate readings throughout the engine-speed range.

Exhaust

A custom stainless-steel 3-2-1 tubular exhaust manifold feeds into a large-bore twin-cam stainless-steel exhaust system.

The exhaust is wrapped in gold heat wrap to help control temperatures.

Cooling

The cooling and lubrication systems include:

* Baffled sump

* Magnetic sump drain plug

* NOS AP water pump with large impeller

* Front-mounted oil cooler

* Uprated radiator

* Full radiator shroud

Gearbox & Clutch

The gearbox uses MGB internals modified to operate within an MGA casing.

It is paired with a performance MGB clutch providing increased clamping force and improved heat tolerance.

Exterior

The car is finished in deep British Racing Green by Steve Cato Restorations.

The chassis and body were fully epoxy-primed and treated with stone-chip protection before painting.

The car retains its original 1958 home-market identity and original green colour heritage.

Exterior modifications include:

* Louvred bonnet

* Sebring-style front valance

* Racing windscreen

* Period-style grille

* American-market rear light clusters modified to incorporate indicators

The wheels are English-made, 48-spoke P. J. Hallewell wire wheels finished in gloss black and fitted with new tyres and tubes.

A custom magnetic number-plate mounting system allows the plates to be fitted and removed without permanent visible fixings.

Suspension & Brakes

The front suspension and braking system include:

* Front disc brakes

* Upgraded brake servo

* Rebuilt front brake callipers finished in gold

* Performance suspension bushes

* New dampers

* Lowered sports suspension

* Anti-roll bar

Interior

The original-style floors have been replaced with marine-grade plywood finished in specialist varnish for increased durability while retaining the original appearance.

The cockpit and boot have both been fitted with sound-deadening material.

A wooden gear knob and original Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel are fitted. Both were sourced from a former racing set and their existing patina has been retained.

The starting procedure uses the ignition key, a separate racing-style ignition switch and the original-style pull starter.

The heater has been upgraded with a higher-powered fan.

The car combines the 1820cc engine with uprated brakes, a balanced drivetrain, performance suspension bushes, lowered suspension and an anti-roll bar.

It was built with the intention of combining the appearance and character of an MGA with increased performance, inspired by the performance of a Healey.

The restoration and modification project took four years and involved thousands of hours of work and extensive expenditure.