Target Audience:
DIY owners, classic car restorers, and independent British sports car specialists
Vehicle Class:
Small affordable two-seat sports car
Key Advantages:
Lightweight construction, simple mechanicals, inexpensive parts, easy home servicing
Competitors:
Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healey Sprite, Fiat 124 Spider
Design:
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster with fully independent front suspension
Ease of Maintenance:
Minimal electronics and straightforward mechanical layout ideal for owner repair
Coverage Areas:
Engine, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, electrical, body, and general maintenance
Page Count:
Hundreds of pages (exact count per edition varies)
Manual Type:
Factory-style service repair workshop manual
Delivery Method:
Instant digital download
Table of Contents:
Superb, fully linked table of contents included
Printing:
Print individual pages or entire sections as needed
Engine:
Complete overhaul, rebuild, tuning, and specifications
Fuel System:
Carburetor service, fuel pump, tank, and lines
Cooling System:
Radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hoses
Lubrication:
Oil pump, filtration, and lubrication points
Ignition System:
Distributor, timing, plugs, and coil
Clutch:
Removal, inspection, adjustment, and overhaul
Gearbox / Transmission:
Removal, disassembly, rebuild, and reassembly
Rear Axle and Driveshaft:
Differential service and universal joints
Front Suspension:
Independent suspension, kingpins, springs, and shock absorbers
Rear Suspension:
Semi-elliptic leaf springs and dampers
Steering:
Rack-and-pinion steering gear and linkage
Brakes:
Disc and drum brakes, master cylinder, hydraulics, and handbrake
Wheels and Tires:
Specifications and fitment
Electrical System:
Wiring diagrams, lighting, gauges, starter, alternator/generator, and wipers
Body and Fittings:
Panel removal, hood fitment, trim, and weather seals
Maintenance:
Scheduled service procedures and adjustment specs
Diagnostics:
Fault finding and troubleshooting charts
Repair:
Step-by-step removal, disassembly, and installation instructions
Overhaul / Rebuild:
Complete engine, gearbox, and component rebuild procedures
Torque Specifications:
Fastener torque values throughout
Special Tools:
Required tools identified for each procedure
Level:
Full workshop-level detail for professional and home use
Illustrations:
Exploded views, diagrams, and photographs
Wiring Diagrams:
Complete schematic diagrams by model year
Parts Data:
Component specifications, tolerances, and wear limits
Part Numbers:
Referenced where applicable in factory-style listings
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary Engines:
948cc A-Series (1961-66), 1098cc A-Series (1962-74), 1275cc A-Series (1966-74), 1493cc B-Series (1974-79)
Configuration:
Inline 4-cylinder, overhead valve
Engine Location:
Front-mounted, longitudinal
Power Range:
Approximately 46-65 bhp depending on year and displacement
Type:
Twin SU carburetors (HS2 on early models, HS4 on later)
Fuel Pump:
Mechanical (SU)
Fuel Grade:
Regular unleaded (later models); consult manual for timing settings
Standard Transmission:
4-speed manual gearbox
Optional Transmission:
Optional close-ratio gearsets and competition internals; automatic not offered
Clutch:
Single dry-plate diaphragm-spring clutch
Synchromesh:
On 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears (early boxes); all-forward syncro on later units
Final Drive:
Live rear axle with hypoid spiral-bevel differential
Service:
Full rebuild and adjustment procedures covered in manual
Ratings:
N/A - pre-modern-era vehicle, no official crash test ratings available
Brakes:
Front disc brakes (from 1962), rear drums; dual-circuit hydraulics on later models
Steering:
Rack-and-pinion steering
Seat Belts:
Three-point inertia-reel belts (later models); lap belts early on
Padded Surfaces:
Padded dash top and sun visors
Structure:
Steel unitary body construction
Oil Change:
Approximately every 3,000 miles or 6 months
Routine Service:
Lubrication and inspection every 3,000 miles
Major Service:
Comprehensive checks and adjustments at 6,000-mile intervals
Engine Oil:
SAE 20W-50 multigrade recommended (API SF or better); approx. 7-9 pints by engine
Gearbox Oil:
EP 80/90 gear oil
Rear Axle Oil:
Hypoid EP 90
Coolant:
50/50 ethylene glycol antifreeze mixture
Known Issues / Common Wear Items
Common Wear:
Kingpin wear, SU carburetor dashpot wear, kingpin and bushing play
Watch Points:
Rear spring sag, sills and floor rust, radiator and heater core corrosion, oil leaks from gearbox and diff
Electrical:
Lucas wiring connector corrosion; check grounds before diagnosing faults
Manufacturer:
MG, part of the British Motor Corporation (later British Leyland); name traces to Morris Garages
Heritage:
MG built affordable sports cars from the 1920s onward
Mk I (1961-64):
948cc and 1098cc A-Series engines, based on Austin-Healey Sprite Mk II
Mk II (1964-66):
Wind-up windows, improved interior
Mk III (1966-74):
1275cc engine, fold-down roof, matte-black grille
Mk IV / 1500 (1974-79):
1493cc B-Series engine, rubber bumpers for US market
Factory:
Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England (production ended 1979)
