Moss Motors, Ltd

Hi all,  I've been working on and off on the 'restoration' of a 59 MGA  that we bought for my wife back in 1976, she drove for a while and then it sat...... it's now ready for final prep and paint before reassembly. Despite our being only the third owner, it had at least nine different layers of paint in various colors when we bought it. She's like to take it back to the original color which appears to have been white. What I would like is some direction in just what white that is. I know it's a 'warm' white but just how off is it? Any help, or direction, would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

The MGA register web site lists the color as Old English White. They don't give a paint code, but the MGB OEW is listed in this web site  http://www.teglerizer.com/mgcolors/index.html   along with a paint code. I would expect it to be very close if not the same as the MGA color as the same code is also listed for Midgets that were produced at the same time the MGAs were being built.

---

'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Just my opinion, of course, but if it's going to be white then Old English White is the way to go. You don't get all that glare.

Just what you need. Another opinion. Olde English White looks quite nice on these cars. I'd go as "warm" as you dare. Really white whites look AWFUL on MGAs. They cause the shape to be lost and the character to drain away. What I really like is the Olde English White and red upholstery with white piping. That takes me back...

---

Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Thanks all, the old english white is what i was thinking of I guess, sounds familiar anyway. We had it painted once after a minor finder bender but they went with a refrigerator white Imron and it wasn't the best look.....

 

She's undecided on the upholstery, it was originally black but since I didn't get the thing done when I had hoped I bought her a 1:24 scale model of it that is white with red interior as you describe and she's rethinking the interior color now.....

 

Thanks for the feedback!! now who want's to reassemble it.........

You did not say if your MGA is a 1500 or a 1600.  The early ’59 MGAs are 1500s—low starter motor. The late ‘59s are 1600s. If your car is a 1500 then the VIN will tell the original color. The third letter of the VIN is the color—a OEW 1500’s VIN would start with HDR_-------------_

trust,

Oh, we'll assemble it for you, that's what we do for a living here!

---

Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Hey that's great info! it is an early 59, 1500 and the vin is indeed HDR something or other so It must have ben OEW to start

 Thanks!!!

LOL

I may have to look into that if it gets to far out of control! where in Colo are you anyway? I'm in New Mexico now and am from CO originally and still have family in the Colorado Springs area.

I pulled it out of the garage tonight after work and was disappointed to find I wasn't nearly as close as I thought....... but most of the real work left is interior stuff and reassembly so it'll be a pita but not terrible (I hope)

Hi

  the PPG/Ditzler paint code for Old English White is 8177. Any competent auto paint center should be able to sort out  the mix for you. I have found it looks better without a clear coat, softer and richer. But that is just a personal opinion.

 

Regards

   Mark

---

1958 MGA coupe ( under restoration
1972 MGB GT
1995 Ford Bronco
2004 Pontiac GTO

Thanks Mark, as it turns out I will be picking up paint in the next week or two! so this is very timely info to have.