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Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Lempert Replica Special Factory Steering Wheel

For those out there that might be in the market for a new steering wheel, my recommendation would be to consider a custom replica by Mike Lempert (http://www.pbase.com/mdlempert/wheels). This summer I added a Lempert replica MGA special factory steering wheel to my 62' 1600 MkII (see accompanying photo) and am very pleased with the look, feel, construction, attention to detail, fit and finish, customer service, and price. Steve


Steve K

Steve, I couldn't agree more. I also bought a Lempert wheel last year. Mike makes the best wheels out there for many makes of cars.
Could you tell me where you purchased your interior, the red appears to be the correct bright red--looks great! I need to source a red interior.
James Johanski

James,
Thanks. Yes, the bright red of the replacment interior matched the original quite well and is an excellent complement to the Old English White. Not sure this will be of much help to you though - I bought and installed the leather interior from Moss Motors in 1980.
On a separate note I had the wheels trued and painted in a contemporary silver and clearcoat by Wheel Collision two years ago. It brought out the structure of the steel disc wheels so well I haven't wanted to put the hub caps on it. (See accompanying photo.)
Steve


Steve K

Steve, The wheels look great! I would add the hubcaps and the rimbellishers. Just my opinion but I think the two together really make the wheel look good.
Thank you for the information on the interior. Moss now supplies a darker red. It is attractive but not correct. At least I don't think it is. I have a small piece of the interior from a panel that was covered over in black. The red is bright and not dark--like yours is. Anyone care to comment or add information, as I am not the expert?
James Johanski

Would either of you like to comment on the type of wood rim you chose? Mike Lempert appears to offer both bent and segmented saying that they were both original methods of construction. Assuming that Ellman-Brown's last twin cam (mid 1960) still had the original segmented rim wheel(in Clausager)then the factory must have changed from the bent rim for some reason and at some point. I was just wondering if I got one which I should go for. Many thanks Mike
m.j. moore

Mike,
I chose the Bolivian Rosewood with bent spiral construction. My choice was based on appeal to me without regard to considerations of originality. Mike Lempert had indicated that some woods are only done in segmented construction, while some others are only done in bent spiral, while for some there is an option. I didn't get a sense that there was any tradeoff with durability. It could be that the segmented construction was easier for the factory's shop/supplier to produce - suggest you check with Mike L on this question.

Some woods, like the rosewood, tend to bleed the natural oils and make finishing more difficult. However, Mike did his own R&D, selected a two-part finish, and conquered that challenge. It is very clear to me that Mike stands behind the quality of the materials he chooses and his workmanship, as well as the details of the design and replication, so I don't think you can go wrong no matter which combination you choose ... Mike's wheels are likely to become collectible in their own right.
Steve K

Segmented vs bent construction method probably has a lot to do with the type of wood used. As an acoustic guitar builder (my other hobby), I can attest to the fact that some spieces of wood become surprisingly pliable with the application of heat/steam, while other species are less so and more prone to breakage.
Andy Bounsall

Looks nice and 2/3 the price of Moss/Mota Lita!
Really tempting!
Neil
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2007 and 24/11/2007

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.