Chrome and stainless replacement parts cover the smaller bright items inside the MGA cabin, the cigar lighter assembly, window winder handles for coupé doors, and certain bonnet and engine bay chrome that bridges the interior and engine-side of the bulkhead. Replacement is typically driven by corrosion or wear of the original chrome, with stainless steel offering a longer-lasting alternative for cars used regularly in damp UK conditions. This category covers three sub-sections through the dedicated child pages.
Cigar Lighter
The MGA cigar lighter was a factory optional extra, supplied by Casco Tex. It was fitted into the dashboard panel as part of the standard instrument layout, taking its place alongside the gauges, switches and choke and starter pulls.
Replacement cigar lighter assemblies and individual components are covered in the dedicated sub-section.
Engine Bay
Chrome and stainless items relating to the bonnet underside, the engine bay perimeter and the bonnet-to-bulkhead area are grouped here. Although filed under the Interior category, these are items that bridge the cabin and engine bay, typically bonnet release components or bonnet underside trim, that are accessed from the cockpit but visible primarily in the engine bay.
Winder Handles
The MGA coupé was fitted with wind-down windows in the doors, operated by chrome-plated winder handles of the standardised Nuffield/BMC type also fitted across other BMC saloons of the period. Reproduction handles in chrome and stainless are available for replacement of corroded or pitted originals. The interior door handles fitted on coupés are similarly Nuffield/BMC standardised chrome-plated types. The roadster does not use winder handles, its sidescreens are slid manually using perspex blocks for finger purchase, so this section applies to coupé fitment only.
Originality and Material Choice
Original specification across all of these items is chrome plate over a brass or steel base. Modern reproduction parts are typically offered in either traditional chrome plate (closest to the original look but with the same long-term susceptibility to pitting in damp conditions) or stainless steel (a brighter finish that is more durable but does not exactly match the original chrome appearance under close inspection). For concours work, traditional chrome plate is the right choice; for road-driven cars, stainless offers practical longevity.
Ordering Considerations
Each child sub-section covers its own ordering specifics. Across the category as a whole, two general points apply: identify whether the car is a roadster (no door winder handles required) or a coupé (wind-down windows with chrome winder handles), and choose between traditional chrome plate or stainless steel finish based on intended use of the car.