Thomas Ross' 1961 MGA with Chevy 350 V8

Thomas Ross' 1961 MGA with Chevy 350 V8

as published in British V8 Magazine, Volume XVI Issue 1, May 2008

New Owner: Ralph Scarfogliero
City: North Bergen, NJ
Model: 1961 MGA
Engine: Chevy 350 V8
Conversion by: previous owner, Thomas Ross of Corbett OR.

Engine: lightly built 350cid small-block Chevrolet. Delco distributor with Crane Cams "Fireball PS91" epoxy-core coil. Delco alternator. K&N X-Stream polished 14" air cleaner.
Cooling: aluminum crossflow radiator and electric fan.
Exhaust: dual exhaust, with crossover pipe. Iron manifolds.
Transmission: TH-350 automatic, with dual transmission coolers.
Rear Axle: custom narrowed Corvette rear end.
Front Susp.: Fat Man Fabrications independent front suspension, complete with fabricated crossmember, tubular control arms, steering rack, and Camaro uprights and hubs.
Rear Susp.: (custom narrowed Corvette rear end) with transverse leaf spring.
Brakes: GM master cylinder with remote-mounted booster. Four wheel disc brakes - Camaro (front) / Corvette (rear).
Wheels/Tires: 16" Dayton radial well-lace knockoff wheels (2-ear caps). 225/60-16 tires
Chassis: reinforced, but stock MGA frame.
Body: aluminum floor boards. Pearl white urethane paint, inside and out.
Completed: about 800 miles on it since the build
Note: this car recently sold at auction for $28,250.

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bead-rolled aluminum radiator surround

polished aluminum firewall

K&N X-Stream polished 14-inch air cleaner top

GM master cylinder with booster

Delco-Remy alternator

custom modified MGA bonnet

Crane Cams Fireball PS91 epoxy-core coil

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aluminum crossflow radiator and electric fan

Fat Man Fabrications independent front suspension

Chevrolet Camaro brake calipers, rotors, and hubs

exhaust crossover... gives a mellower tone
Aluminum floorboards... and an exhaust crossover, for both more torque and a mellower tone.

Custom narrowed Corvette rear suspension.
Dual remote oil filters (in series) and an oil cooler are located far outside the engine bay.

original MGA fuel tank
Custom narrowed Corvette rear suspension.

custom narrowed Corvette rear end.
Notice how the original MGA fuel tank was modified to make room for the Corvette rear-end carrier.

Chevrolet Corvette brake calipers, rotors and hubs
Chevrolet Corvette brake calipers, rotors and hubs.


custom solid wood dashboard for an MGA
Solid wood dashboard.

a custom gear selector mains the look of a manual transmission
The custom gear selector is designed to look like a stick-shift lever.

black vinyl seats

picnic basket
The red bar with two rubber-padded fingers you see here is a custom tool for loosening hub spinners.

16 inch Dayton radial well-lace knockoff wheels (2-ear caps)
16" Dayton radial well-lace knockoff wheels.

no fender flares required

MGA windshield

MGA grille

pearl white urethane paint, inside and out


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