Finally, I've got myself another MG...

[boxwellm]

Last time I owned an MG was in 1988. In November 1988 I bought myself a black MG Metro. It was a great car to own, with lots of pose value for me at the tender age of eighteen...

Since then, I've owned a large number of cars, including an Austin and a number of Rovers, but despite driving a few MGs, I've not managed to own another one, until now.

I took it for a test drive earlier this evening and was completely smitten. I've paid my deposit and will be picking it up later in the week.

What is it? Well, its a four door executive saloon, leather seats and all the trimmings. British Racing Green and surprisingly good performance from its 1500cc twin carb engine. Oh, and its 54 years old.

Want more clues? I'll post some pictures when I pick her up...

[Stu]

Is it a MG Magnette ZA or ZB?

ZB was later than 54 though wasn't it, so ZA.

[Cap'n ZS]

Ohhhh I love ZAs and ZBs Friend of mine had a convertable one, but it was destroyed (I think!) in those floods we had a few months back

[boxwellm]

Correct - its an MG Magnette ZA.

This is one of the very early ones. Its not in wonderful condition, but its pretty solid with very little rust, so its something I can use and improve over time.

They're pretty roomy on the inside - so lots of room for the kids - and are a superb car to drive.

The Magnette was the first of the 'modern' MGs, and one of the best looking cars of the 1950s. Roll on Saturday!

[Bob S]

The Magnette was such a classy car, modern and traditional, luxurious and sporty, all at the same time. Very much a 1950's ZT. Extremely rare in these parts, I think I've seen maybe two ZBs in person in my lifetime, and I don't think I've ever seen a ZA.

Anyway, another fantastic addition to Mr. Boxwell's collection.

[MGJohn]

Originally Posted by boxwellm

Correct - its an MG Magnette ZA.

This is one of the very early ones. Its not in wonderful condition, but its pretty solid with very little rust, so its something I can use and improve over time.

They're pretty roomy on the inside - so lots of room for the kids - and are a superb car to drive.

The Magnette was the first of the 'modern' MGs, and one of the best looking cars of the 1950s. Roll on Saturday!

Good choice!

The MG ZA Magnette Saloon was the car that first really attracted me to the marque. A well off neighbour and family friend had one in the mid-1950s and schoolboy me used to love having the occasional ride in it. He had tuned it's 1489cc (IIRC) B-series engine which really shifted with a superb exhaust note ~ I could hear that car approaching up the hill where we lived every time and enjoyed seeing and hearing it pass by.

A few years later, I moved back to London and soon had my first MG. A pull handle MGB Tourer in Tartan Red. Bit of a waste in the Metrollops though. However, those derestricted signs on the North Circular meant just that .... No speed restrictions .. ..Can still remember its reg no: 210 FBD. In London bit of a flash g** cousin also had MG Zed Magnettes ~ three altogether ~ ZA followed by two ZB Varitones ... his Variatone green over green was superb looking car. However, I still prefer the monotone ZAs.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures....

[Cirian75]

Brilliant, pic needed


Get the bugger waxoyled though so she lasts another 54 years.

[Greg]

Do you know, Mike... I just knew you wouldn't have bought anything 'normal' like a MOTR ZS.

Good one - looking forward to the pics.

[AndrewPorter]

What an interesting garage you have - carefull you don't park the bus on it

[boxwellm]

Well, apologies for the delay in getting the pictures, but I only got to pick up the car this afternoon, during my lunchbreak.

So I turned up this afternoon at work in my new Magnette, which very quickly attracted a crowd...

So here are the first piccies:



As you can see, it's British Racing Green. Not in marvelous condition, but not bad - and very solid.



The interior is reasonably good as well. There is a huge glove compartment and a hidden space for the radio, so plenty of space to kit it out with sat nav and the alike and keep it all totally hidden away.



Ah yes, trafficators. Just the thing to whack passing cyclists in the eye when they undercut you. They've been disabled on this car, but not for long!

[ZRsteve]

Is that a finger holding the trafficator up? Spot of work required there then

Nice car. And a very nice colour. I bet you're well chuffed.

[empsburna]

I'd love to detail that

[NPW]

That is fantastic, & I know just the bloke for the bodywork, should you wish to go that far

If you don't mind me asking, what does a car like that cost these days (if you do mind, just tell me to bog off)

[MGJohn]

Excellent ... as previously stated, above all it was the MG ZA and ZB Magnettes which influenced me way back in my teenager years when these fine cars were such a familiar sight and sound on our roads.... they sewed the seeds of a lifetime's interest and enthusiasm for the MG marque .... Nice one.

[boxwellm]

Well, the car needs some bodywork doing on it - when you get up close you can see there is plenty to do. But the good news is that it isn't rust - it's just old paint and poor touching up carried out over the years.

The car cost me £1,700 - complete with a years MoT, which I thought was a bit of a bargain, as most of them cost a lot more than that.

Mechanically it is a dream, and is the best of all the Magnettes I looked at - including cars costing three times as much: it handles far better than you would imagine for such an old car and it drives beautifully - just take time getting into first gear and everything else is great.

[MalcolmBrown]

Great choice there. My Dad bought one nearly new and he kept it longer than almost any other car he owned. It was black and I think the leatherwork was redish. There was a rather nice example at Gaydon but I suppose Ford have sold it off now.

My Dad was not 'a rich bloke down the road' but a miner with a passion for cars. He sold one car to the pit manager, possibly the Magnette. He always wanted to own a Jag but he decided that he couldn't drive into the pit yard with one.

Malcolm

[Bob S]

Mike, is it original or an older restoration? Either way, it looks pretty good, especially for about $3400. Those cars just have a stateliness about them, almost looks like it should be chauffeur driven, even though it is a drivers car.

A real bargin too, for that money, its either a used Toyota Camry or an MG Magnette ZA - easy choice really.

[boxwellm]

Originally Posted by Bob S

Mike, is it original or an older restoration? Either way, it looks pretty good, especially for about $3400.

Neither, actually Bob. I guess the best way to describe it is patched and steadily maintained over the years. Some of the paintwork is original, and much of the interior is original, although it had new carpets about four years ago and the headlining is an old brown curtain material that absolutely has to go!

The photographs actually flatter the car - the body finish is in no way perfect - the paint is dull, and 'hidden' bits like the sills and inside the door shuts have been brush painted, and a lot of the chrome work needs working on: but despite that it still looks pretty good for a 53 year old car.

Originally Posted by Bob S

A real bargin too, for that money, its either a used Toyota Camry or an MG Magnette ZA - easy choice really.

Absolutely. I didn't quite bite the sellers hand off, but pretty close! I offered him the asking price because I felt the car was worth more and I know the money is going to a good cause - the restoration of a Messerschmitt KR200 bubble car!

So tomorrow, its off to get some T-cut and an electric polisher and see what happens with a good clean. Then I'll start planning the enhancements...