MG Magnette | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | MG (BMC) |
Production | 1953-1968 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Large family car |
Body style | 4-door saloon |
Layout | FR layout |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | MG YB |
The MG Magnette is a car that was produced by 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 body and an Austin engine.
MG Cars had previously used the Magnette name on their K-type and N-type models of the 1930s.
MG Magnette ZA | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1953-1956 |
Designer | Gerald Palmer |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.5 L B-Series I4 |
Transmission | 4-speed manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,591 mm (102.0 in) [1] |
Length | 4,267 mm (168.0 in) [2] |
Width | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) [1] |
Height | 58 in (1,473 mm) [3] |
The Magnette ZA was announced on 15 October 1953 [4] and debuted at the 1953 London Motor Show. Deliveries started in March 1954. Production continued until 1956, when 18,076 had been built. [2] It was the first monocoque car to bear the MG badge. [5]
The Magnette was designed by Gerald Palmer, designer of the Jowett Javelin. It was the first appearance of the new four cylinder 1,489 cc (90.9 cu in) B-Series I4 engine with a pair of 1+1⁄4 in (32 mm)-bore twin-choke SU carburettors, delivering 60 bhp (45 kW), [3] driving the rear wheels through BMC's new 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 in (254 mm) 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 ]
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. [5] The 4/44 was replaced in 1956 by the 15/50.
In 1955, The Motor tested a Magnette and recorded a top speed of 79.7 mph (128.3 km/h) acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 23.1 seconds and a fuel consumption of 24.9 miles per imperial gallon (11.3 L/100 km; 20.7 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £914 including taxes. [3]
MG Magnette ZB | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1956-1958 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.5 L BMC B-Series I4 |
The ZA was replaced by the Magnette ZB that was announced on 12 October 1956. [6] Power was increased to 64 hp (48 kW) fitting 1+1⁄2 in (38 mm)-bore carburettors, increasing the compression ratio from 7.5 to 8.3, [1] and modifying the manifold. [5] [ clarification needed ] The extra power increased the top speed to 86 mph (138 km/h) and reduced the 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time to 18.5 seconds. [2] 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. [7]
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. [8] 18,524 ZBs were built. [2]
MG Magnette Mark III | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1959-1961 |
Designer | Pinin Farina |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Morris Oxford V Riley 4/68 Austin A55 Cambridge Wolseley 15/60 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.5 L B-Series I4 |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,521 mm (99.3 in) [1] |
Length | 4,521 mm (178.0 in) [2] |
Width | 1,613 mm (63.5 in) [1] |
The Mark III announced 2 February 1959 [9] was nearly identical to the Riley version (the 4/68) of the new Pinin Farina-designed midsize BMC saloon line. They both had truncated tail fins.
All versions (including the Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II, 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. [10]
The interior featured a walnut veneer facia panel, door cappings and leather upholstery as well as safety glass windows. [10]
A Mark III was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959. They recorded a top speed of 85.5 mph (137.6 km/h), acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.7 seconds and a fuel consumption of 31.4 miles per imperial gallon (9.0 L/100 km; 26.1 mpg‑US). The test car cost £1012 including taxes. [11] 16,676 Mark IIIs were built. [2]
MG Magnette Mark IV | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1961-1969 |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Morris Oxford VI Riley 4/72 Austin A60 Cambridge Wolseley 16/60 Siam Magnette 1622 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.6 L B-Series I4 |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,546 mm (100.2 in) [1] |
The Mark III was updated in 1961 as the Mark IV. A larger 1.6 L (1622 cc) B-Series engine, with capacity increased by increasing the bore to 76.2 mm, was fitted, and the car had a longer wheelbase and wider track. To improve handling anti-roll bars 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 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". [12] 14,320 Mark IVs were built. [2]
In 2011, MG Motor confirmed that the saloon version of the MG 6 would carry the Magnette name for the UK, [13] 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.
The British Motor Corporation Limited (BMC) was a UK-based vehicle manufacturer, formed in early 1952 to give effect to an agreed merger of the Morris and Austin businesses.
The Austin Princess is a series of large luxury cars that were made by Austin and its subsidiary Vanden Plas from 1947 to 1968. The cars were also marketed under the Princess and Vanden Plas marque names.
The Morris Minor is an economy car produced by British marque Morris Motors between 1948 and 1971. It made its debut at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, in October 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.6 million were manufactured in three series: the Series MM, the Series II, and the 1000 series.
The BMC ADO16 is a range of small family cars built by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, later, British Leyland. Launched in 1962, it was Britain's best-selling car from 1963 to 1966 and from 1968 to 1971. The ADO16 was marketed under various make and model names; however, the Austin 1100 and Morris 1100 were the most prolific of all the ADO16 variants. The car's ubiquity at the height of its popularity led to it simply being known as the 1100 (eleven-hundred) in its home market. Also made with a 1275cc engine, it was then typically called 1300.
The BMC B series was a line of straight-4 & straight-6 internal combustion engine mostly used in motor cars, created by British automotive manufacturer Austin Motor Company.
The MGA is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1955 until 1962.
The Riley RM is a series of executive cars and compact executive cars that were made by Riley Motors from 1945 until 1955. They were the last models developed independently by Riley before its parent company, Nuffield, merged with Austin to form BMC. The RM series was produced in Coventry until 1949, when production moved to the MG works at Abingdon. Until 1952, models were marketed as the Riley 1½ Litre and the Riley 2½ Litre. the term RM has been used retrospectively to encompass models produced before 1952.
The Riley One-Point-Five and similar Wolseley 1500 are cars produced by Riley and Wolseley respectively from 1957 until 1965. They utilised the Morris Minor floorpan, suspension and steering but were fitted with the larger 1,489 cc (90.9 cu in) B-Series engine and MG Magnette gearbox.
The Riley 4 / Sixty Eight and Riley 4 / Seventy Two are cars produced by BMC from 1959 to 1969, under the Riley marque. They are closely related to the Pinin Farina-designed MG Magnette Mark III and Wolseley 15/60 and the simpler Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II, Morris Oxford V pair, sharing the MG's rear styling and engine. This Riley was the most expensive car in that series.
The Austin A40 Farina is a small, economy car introduced by Austin in saloon (1958) and A40 Countryman (1959) estate versions. It has a two-box body configuration. It was badged, like many before it, as an A40, consistent with Austin's naming scheme at the time, based on the approximate engine output in horsepower; and to distinguish it from other A40 models, it was also given a suffix name – this one being the Farina, reflecting the all-new design by Italian Battista Farina's Pinin Farina Turin studio.
The Austin Cambridge is a medium-sized motor car range produced by the Austin Motor Company, in several generations, from September 1954 through to 1971 as cars and to 1973 as light commercials. It replaced the A40 Somerset and was entirely new, with modern unibody construction. The range had two basic body styles with the A40, A50, and early A55 using a traditional rounded shape and later A55 Mark IIs and A60s using Pininfarina styling.
The Wolseley 4/44 is an automobile that was introduced by the British Motor Corporation in 1952 and manufactured from 1953 until 1956. It was designed under the Nuffield Organization, but by the time it was released, Wolseley was part of BMC. Much of the design was shared with the MG Magnette ZA, which was released later in the same year.
The Wolseley 15/50 was an updated version of the Wolseley 4/44. The main change was the engine; the 4/44 used a pre BMC Morris XPA unit and after the MG TF stopped production it was the only car still fitted with it. To rationalise production the 15/50 was launched with the BMC B-series engine fitted. Much of the design was shared with the MG Magnette, although some of the panels of the MG Magnette ZA/ZB are not interchangeable with those of the Wolseley 15/50, as stated in Practical Classics.
The Wolseley 15/60 is an automobile which was produced from 1958 to 1961, and then, as the Wolseley 16/60, from 1961 to 1971. The 15/60 was the first of the mid-sized Pinin Farina-styled automobiles manufactured by the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Launched in December 1958 as part of BMC's Wolseley brand, the design would eventually be shared with seven other marques. All of the cars were updated in 1961 with a larger engine and new model designations. The Wolseley 16/60 was the last, in production until 24 April 1971.
The Wolseley 6/99 and 6/110 were the final large Wolseley cars. Styled by Pininfarina with additions by BMC staff stylists, the basic vehicle was also sold under two of BMC's other marques as the Austin A99 Westminster and Vanden Plas Princess 3-Litre. Production began in 1959 and the cars were updated and renamed for 1961. The Wolseley remained in production as the Wolseley 6/110 through to 1968.
The MG Y-Type is an automobile produced by MG in England from 1947 to 1953. It was offered in four-door saloon and limited production open four-seat tourer versions.
The MG P-type is a sports car that was produced by MG from 1934 to 1936. This 2-door sports car used an updated version of the Wolseley Motors-designed and made overhead camshaft, crossflow engine, used in the 1928 Morris Minor and previously fitted in the J-type Midget of 1932 to 1934, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was a strengthened and slightly longer version of that used in the J-type with suspension by half-elliptic springs all round with rigid front and rear axles. Steering was initially by a Marles Weller and later a Bishop Cam system. The two-seat car had a wheelbase of 87 inches (2210 mm) and a track of 42 in (1,100 mm). Most cars were open two-seaters, but streamlined Airline coupé bodies were also made. The P-type was also available as a four-seater, a car that suffered from a lack of power and poor rear ground clearance. Whereas J, K and L-type MGs differentiated between versions with the use of numbers, with 1 indicating a four-seater and 2 a two-seater, this was not the case with the P-type, and there is no clue to the type in the name.
The MG K-type Magnette is a motor car produced in the United Kingdom by MG from October 1932 to 1934.
The MG VA, or MG 1½-litre as it was originally marketed, is a motor car that was produced by MG between February 1937 and September 1939 and was the smallest of the three sports saloons they produced in the late 1930s, the others being the SA and WA.
The Morris Oxford Farina is a series of motor car models that were produced by Morris of the United Kingdom from 1959 to 1971. The Farina name coming from the Italian design studio employed for styling.