This section covers the weatherstrip seal that fits around the boot aperture on the MGA, together with the fixing hardware used to mount and operate the boot lid, hinges, stay rod clip, split pins, and the various UNF fasteners required for complete boot lid assembly.
MGA boot seal, the rubber weatherstrip
The MGA boot seal is the rubber weatherstrip that fits around the perimeter of the boot aperture, providing a sealed closure between the boot lid and the rear body panels when the lid is shut. The seal sits on a flange around the aperture, compressing against the underside of the boot lid to prevent rainwater, dust and road spray from entering the boot space. On classic MGAs, the boot seal is one of the most important weather seals on the car. The MGA's spare wheel is stored in the boot (on all models, protruding through the floor on 1500 roadsters and early coupés, or mounted fully inside the boot on Mk II and later coupés), along with tools, battery maintenance equipment, and any luggage.
A leaking boot seal allows water to collect in the boot floor, rusting the floor itself and any items stored inside, particularly damaging the spare wheel's rim, the tools, and any paperwork kept in the boot. The original rubber seal perishes over time, becoming hard and cracked and losing its ability to compress and recover. A perished seal may appear to close the boot correctly but allows water ingress under any significant pressure difference (sitting in rain, driving at speed, or during pressure washing).
Replacement is a straightforward fit, the new seal presses into the factory retention channel around the boot aperture, and should be part of any restoration or of routine service on a car being used regularly.
Boot lid hinges
MGA bonnet hinges (pair) are listed here as boot-assembly hardware. The original MGA boot lid is hinged at the front of the boot aperture to allow the lid to pivot upward and forward during opening. Confirm fitment of hinges ordered from this section against the specific boot lid design being rebuilt.
Boot lid stay rod and retention
Like the bonnet, the MGA boot lid uses a stay rod to hold the lid in the open position for access to the boot space. A spring clip retains the stay rod against the boot lid underside when it is stowed (boot closed), preventing the rod from rattling against the boot lid and marking the paintwork. The spring clip for the boot lid stay rod is a specific retention item that frequently corrodes or fatigues over time; replacement restores correct stay rod stowage. A small split pin is used at the stay rod's pivot point to secure the rod to its mounting bracket on the boot lid.
UNF fastener range
Complete UNF fastener hardware for boot lid assembly: 10-32 UNF includes No. 10 hex-head screws (1/2" length), plain large washers (No. 10 / 5/16"), locking spring washers, plain zinc nuts, and recessed pan-head screws in 1/2" length, for smaller boot-hardware fixings. 5/16 UNF plain washers are used at larger stay rod and hinge pivot points. 1/4 UNF nyloc (self-locking) nuts are stocked for fixings that must not work loose under vibration, the nylon insert grips the bolt thread and resists vibration-induced loosening, making nyloc the correct choice for safety-critical fixings such as stay rod pivot points and lid retention. Self-tapping screws (No. 5 × 3/8") cover sheet-metal attachments within the boot-assembly area. Small split pins (for 1/16" and 5/64" holes) are used for securing stay rods and similar pivot-pin applications.
Boot seal fitting tips
When fitting a new boot seal, the factory retention channel should be clean and dust-free; any old seal residue and debris should be removed before the new seal is pressed into place. The seal is typically supplied as a single length cut to fit the aperture perimeter; the ends should be butt-joined at the front of the aperture (where water ingress is least critical) rather than at the rear or sides where sealing loads are higher. Avoid stretching the seal during installation, as this reduces its cross-sectional profile and compromises the sealing function.
Ordering considerations
For boot lid restoration, the complete boot seal, stay rod spring clip, and the nyloc nut set are the critical wear items. For strip-down assembly of a refurbished boot lid, the full UNF fastener range provides the complete hardware. Confirm the car's variant before ordering, the boot seal is consistent across MGA roadster and coupé variants, as the boot aperture geometry is shared. Coupé-specific differences on the MGA are at the scuttle and door areas, not at the boot.