Jonathan Lamson's 1960 MGA Twin Cam w/ Mazda 12A Rotary Engine
as published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume XV Issue 2, September 2007
Owner: Jonathan Lamson
City: Rosemont, NJ
Model: 1960 MGA Twin Cam
Engine: Mazda 12A Wankel Rotary Engine
Conversion performed by: Previous Owners (unknown)
Engine: | Mazda 12A (late 70's) with street porting, Racing Beat Manifold with four
barrel carb, Racing Beat headers, stock electricals. |
Transmission: | stock Mazda 4-speed (late 70's). Custom driveshaft from "Driveline Service of
Alexandria". |
Brakes: | Dunlop/Ferrari brakes. |
Wheels/Tires: | stock MGA Twin Cam wheels, except with 7" chevy rims welded on to
accommodate wider tires. |
Electrical Mods: | all new wiring. |
Body: | louvered bonnet with leather hold-down straps. All badges removed.
Trunk lid secured with hood pins (see photo). Original plywood
floorboards have been replaced with stainless steel. (This definitely
tightened up the chassis!) A driver's side roll-hoop was installed.
Headlight stone guards were fitted. |
Interior: | completely reupholstered in red leather, with black carpeting and
aluminum scuff plates installed on rocker panels, lower door panel
and floor frame. Leather wrapped steering wheel. |
Electrical: | wiring completely replaced and converted into a 12V negative ground system. |
Completed: | 1986 |
Comments: | Although it's not the quickest off the line, once she's moving and in
her power curve she screams! |
Future plans: |
I will be adding the racing style front apron, with cut-outs for air intake
and for driving and/or fog lamps. Am considering replacing the dashboard
with engine-turned stainless steel, and adding a few gauges (amp-meter,
pyrometer, etc), plus push-button start. |
(earlier pictures)