View source for MG Magnette

{{for multi|the MG K-type Magnette of 1932–1934|MG K-type|the MG N-type Magnette of 1934–1936|MG N-type}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = MG Magnette
| image = MG (3504704929).jpg
| caption = 1956 ZA
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| manufacturer = [[MG Cars|MG]] ([[British Motor Corporation|BMC]])
| production = 1953–1968
| predecessor = [[MG Y-type|MG YB]]
| successor = 
| class = [[Large family car]]
| body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]
}}

The '''MG Magnette''' is a car that was produced by [[MG Cars|MG]] between 1953 and 1968. The Magnette was manufactured in two build series, the ZA and ZB of 1953 through to 1958 and the Mark III and Mark IV of 1959 through to 1968, both using a modified [[Wolseley Motors|Wolseley]] body and an [[Austin Motor Company|Austin]] engine.

MG Cars had previously used the Magnette name on their [[MG K-type|K-type]] and [[MG N-type|N-type]] models of the 1930s.
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==Magnette ZA==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = MG Magnette ZA
| image        = Mg ZA magnette n.jpg
| caption =
| production   = 1953–1956
| engine       = 1.5&nbsp;L [[BMC B-Series engine|B-Series]] [[Straight-4|I4]]
| length       = {{convert|4267|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=A-Z45to80/>
| width        = {{convert|1600|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2591|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| height       = {{convert|58|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=Motor1955/>
| transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| designer     = [[Gerald Palmer (car designer)|Gerald Palmer]]
}}
The Magnette ZA was announced on 15 October 1953<ref>New M.G.Cars. ''The Times'', Friday,  October 16, 1953; pg. 5; Issue 52754</ref> and debuted at the 1953 [[London Motor Show]]. Deliveries started in March 1954. Production continued until 1956, when 18,076 had been built.<ref name=A-Z45to80>{{cite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A-Z British Cars 1945-1980 |year=2006 |publisher=Herridge & Sons |location=Devon, UK |isbn=0-9541063-9-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/azbritishcars1940000robs }}</ref>  It was the first [[monocoque]] car to bear the MG badge.<ref name=safetyfast>"Safety Fast" MG Car Club. September 2007</ref>

The Magnette was designed by [[Gerald Palmer (car designer)|Gerald Palmer]], designer of the [[Jowett Javelin]]. It was the first appearance of the new [[Straight-4|four cylinder]] {{convert|1489|cc|cid|abbr=on}} [[BMC B-Series engine|B-Series]] [[straight-4|I4]] engine with a pair of {{convert|1+1/4|in|mm|abbr=on}}-bore twin-choke [[SU carburetor|SU]] carburettors, delivering {{convert|60|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}},<ref name=Motor1955/> driving the rear wheels through BMC's new four-speed [[manual transmission|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 {{convert|10|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} drum brakes were fitted to front and rear wheels. When leaving the factory the Magnette ZA optionally fitted the recently developed belted textile-braced, radial-ply [[Pirelli Cinturato]] 145HR15 tyres (CA67) but had 5.5-15 Dunlop tyres as standard.

The car had leather trimmed individual front seats and rear bench seat. The dashboard and door cappings were in polished wood. Although the heater was standard, the radio was still an optional extra. Standard body colours were black, maroon, green, and grey.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}

The similar [[Wolseley 4/44]], first sold one year earlier, used the 1250&nbsp;cc engine from the [[MG T-type#TF|MG TF]].  Although visually similar, the MG has lower suspension and only the front doors, boot lid, and roof panels are shared.<ref name=safetyfast/> The 4/44 was replaced in 1956 by the 15/50.

In 1955, [[The Motor (magazine)|''The Motor'']] tested a Magnette and recorded a top speed of {{convert|79.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} acceleration from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 23.1 seconds and a fuel consumption of {{convert|24.9|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £914 including taxes.<ref name=Motor1955>{{cite magazine |title = The M.G. Magnette|magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]| date = January 5, 1955}}</ref>
[[File:MG Magnette ZA c.1954-6 (14701075842).jpg|thumb|left|1955 ZA showing direction indicators]]
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==Magnette ZB==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = MG Magnette ZB
| image        = MG Magnette first registered March 1957 1489cc.jpg
| caption =
| production   = 1956–1958
| engine       = 1.5&nbsp;L BMC [[BMC B-Series engine|B-Series]] [[Straight-4|I4]]
}}
The ZA was replaced by the Magnette ZB that was announced on 12 October 1956.<ref>"Higher Speed Of Nuffield Cars". ''The Times'', Friday, October 12, 1956 ( Issue 53660), p.7.</ref> Power was increased to {{convert|64|hp|abbr=on}} fitting {{convert|1+1/2|in|mm|abbr=on}}-bore [[Carburetor|carburettor]]s, increasing the [[compression ratio]] from 7.5 to 8.3,<ref name=BritishCars/> and modifying the manifold.<ref name=safetyfast/>{{clarify|date=July 2018}}<!--intake or exhaust?--> The extra power increased the top speed to {{convert|86|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and reduced the {{convert|0|-|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} time to 18.5 seconds.<ref name=A-Z45to80/> The similar [[Wolseley 15/50]] now shared the ZB's ''B-Series'' engine.

A [[semi-automatic transmission]], marketed as ''Manumatic'', was fitted as an option on 496 1957 Magnettes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clausager |first=Anders |title=MG Saloon Cars From the 1920s to the 1970s |publisher=Bay View Books |isbn=1-901432--06-8 |page=132}}</ref>

A Varitone model featured larger rear window and optional two tone paintwork, using a standard Pressed Steel body shell, the rear window opening enlarged in the Morris Motors body shop, Cowley, before painting.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clausager |first=Anders |title=MG Saloon Cars From the 1920s to the 1970s |publisher=Bay View Books |isbn=1-901432--06-8 |page=131}}</ref> 18,524 ZBs were built.<ref name=A-Z45to80/>
<Gallery>
MHV MG ZB 1958 01.jpg|1958 ZB monochrome
MHV MG ZB 1958 02.jpg|1958 ZB monochrome
</gallery>
<gallery>
MG Magnette interior (7501486998).jpg|ZB Varitone instruments
MG Magnette (3653330607).jpg|ZB Varitone wraparound
1959 MG Magnette ZB Varitone - TT gray - int2.jpg|ZB Varitone instruments
</gallery>

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==Magnette Mark III==
{{further-text|[[British Motor Corporation#BMC Farina|BMC Farina models]]}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = MG Magnette Mark III
| image        = MG Magnette MkIII 1960.jpg
| production   = 1959–1961
| engine       = 1.5&nbsp;L [[BMC B-Series engine|B-Series]] [[Straight-4|I4]]
| length       = {{convert|4521|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=A-Z45to80/>
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2521|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars>{{cite book |last=Culshaw |author2=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |isbn=0-333-16689-2}}</ref>
| width        = {{convert|1613|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| designer     = [[Pinin Farina]]
| related      = [[Morris Oxford Farina#Oxford series V (1959–1961)|Morris Oxford V]]<br />[[Riley 4|Riley 4/68]]<br />[[Austin Cambridge|Austin A55 Cambridge]]<br />[[Wolseley 15/60]]

}}
The '''Mark III''' announced 2 February 1959<ref>M.G. Introduce New Model. ''The Times'', Tuesday, February 3, 1959; pg. 5; Issue 54375</ref> was nearly identical to the [[Riley (automobile)|Riley]] version (the [[Riley 4|4/68]]) of the new [[Pinin Farina]]-designed midsize BMC saloon line. They both had truncated tail fins.

All versions (including the [[Austin Cambridge#A55 Cambridge Mark II|Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II]], [[Morris Oxford Farina#Oxford series V (1959–1961)|Morris Oxford V]] and [[Wolseley 15/60]]) were produced by the [[British Motor Corporation]] (BMC).

The car featured BMC's  1489 cc B type engine but, in the MG Magnette III (and its Riley sibling), performance was enhanced by fitting twin S.U. H.D.4 carburetters.<ref name=PracticalMotorist1959>{{cite magazine| title = News summary|magazine= Practical Motorist and Motor Cyclist| volume =  5  (nbr 58)|page=943 |date = April 1959}}</ref>

The interior featured a walnut veneer facia panel, door cappings and leather upholstery as well as safety glass windows.<ref name=PracticalMotorist1959/>

A Mark III was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959. They recorded a top speed of {{convert|85.5|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, acceleration from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 19.7 seconds and a fuel consumption of {{convert|31.4|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus}}. The test car cost £1012 including taxes.<ref name=Motor1959>{{cite magazine |title = The M.G. Magnette Mark III|magazine=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]| date = June 3, 1959}}</ref>  16,676 Mark IIIs were built.<ref name=A-Z45to80/>
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==Magnette Mark IV==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = MG Magnette Mark IV
| image        = MG Magnette Mk IV ca 1966.jpg
| production   = 1961–1969
| engine       = 1.6&nbsp;L [[BMC B-Series engine|B-Series]] [[Straight-4|I4]]
| wheelbase    = {{convert|2546|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=BritishCars/>
| related      = [[Morris Oxford Farina#Oxford series VI (1961–1971)|Morris Oxford VI]]<br />[[Riley 4|Riley 4/72]]<br />[[Austin Cambridge|Austin A60 Cambridge]]<br />[[Wolseley 16/60]]<br />[[Siam Di Tella#Automobile production|Siam Magnette 1622]]
}}
The Mark III was updated in 1961 as the '''Mark IV'''.  A larger 1.6&nbsp;L (1622&nbsp;cc) ''B-Series'' engine, with capacity increased by increasing the bore to 76.2&nbsp;mm, was fitted, and the car had a longer wheelbase and wider track.  To improve handling [[Sway bar|anti-roll bar]]s were fitted front and rear. From the outside, the Mark IV was almost identical to the Mark III, apart from the remodelled and slightly less sharply pointed [[tailfins]], a modification shared with its [[Riley 4|Riley]] sibling.

[[Automatic transmission]] was offered as an option.

The model continued to be listed through till May 1968 when the manufacturers announced that production had ceased with "no immediate replacement ... contemplated".<ref name=Autocar196805>{{cite magazine |title = News and views: Out of production|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume =  128 nbr 3770|page=61| date = 16 May 1968}}</ref> 14,320 Mark IVs were built.<ref name=A-Z45to80/>
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==Other cars carrying the Magnette name==

In 2011, [[MG Motor]] confirmed that the saloon version of the [[MG 6]] 
would carry the Magnette name for the UK,<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/268759/mg_mg6_magnette_18_tse_review.html | title = MG MG6 Magnette 1.8 TSE review | last = Simister | first = John | date = June 2011 | journal = [[Evo (magazine)|Evo]] | access-date = 12 July 2021 }}</ref> Europe and China.

At the media launch held at the historic [[Goodwood Circuit]], MG Motor displayed the  MG 6 Magnette alongside examples of the earlier ZA and ZB Magnettes to reinforce the continuity of the brand.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|MG Magnette}}
*[http://www.magnette.org/ MG Magnette Register of the MG Car Club]
*[http://www.mgmagnette.com/ Farina Magnette Register]

{{Automobiles made by BMC, BL and Rover Group companies, post-1945}}
{{British Motor Holdings and British Leyland cars, 1966-1986}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:MG vehicles|Magnette]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1953]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1968]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Compact executive cars]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]