Eclectic Cars

• our vehicles
• Lancia Delta Integrale 16v
• 3.2 Cabriolet Supersport
• Triumph GT6 Convertible
• TVR Vixen
• TVR V8 S
• BMW 2002tii
• Jaguar XJS Convertible
• BMW E30 M3 Convertible
• Fiat 850 Spider
• Triumph TR6
• Morris Mini Mk1
• Fiat X1/9 Bertone
• Jaguar XJC Coupe
• Renault Alpine GTA
• BMW Isetta 300
• Land Rover Series III
• Citroen D Super
• Porsche 356B T5
• Porsche 968 Clubsport
• Ariel Atom 2
• Sold to Richard
• Sold to John
• Sold to Barry
• Sold to Ruth

Standard Equipment

Green Leather Seats, Wooden Dash and Door Cappings, Larger Rear Window, Vairitone Green Paintwork, 4 Speed Manual Transmission, Fresh Air Heater.

Additional Equipment

5 Chrome Wire Wheels with MG Spinners, Disc Brake Conversion, SPAX Shock Absorbers, Modern Sound Insulation and West Island Cloth Headlining.

Model history

There were two distinct series of MG Magnettes through the 50's known as the ZA and ZB. The Magnette ZA was launched in 1953 at the London Motor Show and deliveries started in March 1954. Production continued until 1956. It was the first monocoque car to bear the MG badge and was designed by Gerald Palmer. Power came from the then new, four cylinder 1489cc B-Series engine with twin 1¼ inch SU carburettors delivering 60 bhp, driving the rear wheels through a four speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios. Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs and had a live axle with half elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The steering was by rack and pinion. Hydraulically operated Lockheed 10 inch drum brakes were fitted to front and rear wheels to stop it. Magnettes had leather trimmed individual front seats and rear bench seat and the dashboard and door cappings were in polished wood. The similar Wolseley 4/44, first sold one year earlier, used the 1250 cc engine from the MG TF. Although visually similar, the MG has lower suspension and only the front doors, boot lid and roof panels are shared. In 1955 The Motor magazine tested a Magnette and recorded a top speed of 79.7 MPH, acceleration from 0-60 MPH in 23.1 seconds and a fuel consumption of 24.9 miles per imperial gallon was recorded.

The ZA was replaced by the Magnette ZB in 1956. Power was increased to 64 BHP by fitting 1½ inch carburettors, increasing the compression ratio from 7.5 to 8.3 and modifying the manifold. The interior was improved and there was also a Varitone model with a larger rear window and optional two tone paintwork. The extra power increased the top speed to 86 MPH and reduced the 0-60 mph time to 18.5 seconds.

Exterior

This car has been the subject of a massive ground up restoration by marque specialist J  Shorten, with the body completely stripped of all trim and mechanical components and all the rusted metal removed and replaced with good metal.  The restoration has been fully documented over 5 rolls of film showing the true extent and quality of the work completed.  The work took over 6 months to compete with 848 hours of work clocked on the job in labour alone.  The car was painted in two tone green with the underneath being protected with black stone chipping before all the exterior trim was put back on the car (most of which was new).  The paintwork was applied in June 1999, and 10 years on is in very good condition.  Just a few short hours in the valet bay restored the shine to the car for the photo shoot.

Wheels Tyres and Brakes

The car runs on a (new in 1999) set of chrome wire wheels fitted with a set of MG branded spinners.  They are clothed in a matching good quality set of tyres which all have over 6mm of tread.  The car has been upgraded to disc brakes and stops all the better for them.  With the modern rubber SPAX shock absorbers all round and good stopping power this Magnette is easy and sure footed to drive. 

Engine and Transmission

During the body restoration the running gear and suspension was all removed and either replaced with new (as in the case of the engine) or reconditioned by Precision Engineering in Inverness.  All was detailed and painted before it was reinstalled in the body shell.  As you can see from the under bonnet shots no detail has been missed and the car even has a period glass washer bottle which looks lovely sat behind the polished and painted engine.  The car starts on the button and quickly settles into an even idle and revs freely when underway.  Although it may never win a drag race, the car feels sprightly and cruses happily at 65 to 70 MPH.

Interior and Equipment

The inside of this car is beautifully appointed.  During the restoration the seats and door cards were re-trimmed in very good quality, soft leather ,piped ivory and a complete carpet set was installed.  All the dials, gauges and switch gear work, as they should ,including the charming steering wheel mounted, indicator switch.  The wood is in good condition and free from cracks or marks.  The headlining has been done in West Island cloth and does wonders to keep out the road noise.

Road Test

I adore Magnettes. My very first boss in the motor trade, had a hard campaigned ZB rally car ,called Emma, that almost every Monday morning after a race, would have to be rebuilt after some accident or other.  I was amazed at how indestructible she was.  I am happy to report that our better  car is in much better condition and drives every bit as well as you would hope.  The 1500cc engine has plenty of low down torque and it seems to accelerate to its terminal velocity with plenty of urge.  As you would expect there is quite a bit of body roll, but this Magnette is not for hustling, rather  better suited to being packed  with a good sized hamper and popping down to Goodwood for the Festival of Speed, which is exactly where she will be going on Sunday!  See you there.

History File

There is a good sized history file with this car fully documenting the rebuild including a charming letter from the son of the gentleman who restored it.  Sadly he died from Leukaemia just before the project was finished and it fell to the next owner to finish his much loved project.  There is also a good selection of bills, MOT's and magazine articles relating to the car.  We have given the car a full fluids service and will be sold with a years MOT.