Car Profile – MG Magnette ZA and ZB

The Magnette offered good performance for its class and marked the debut of the B-Series engine

Produced from 1953 to 1958, the MG Magnette ZA and ZB made its debut at the 1953 London Motor Show at Earls Court. Designed by Jerry Palmer – who had earlier designed the Jowett Jupiter – the MG saloon marked the first appearance of the near legendary B-Series four-cylinder engine and was the first monocoque to wear the Sacred Octagon.

1957 MG Magnette Varitone with special two-tone paint and larger rear window opening

The B-Series engine in the MG Magnette developed 60 horsepower and was fitted with a four-speed transmission (with an unsynchronized first gear). Rack-and-pinion steering was a desirable feature (especially for a saloon) and the car had an independent front suspension with a live axle rear end using half-elliptic leaf springs. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted to all four corners and the Magnette was one of the first cars to offer radial tires as part of the factory kit. The interior was luxurious with leather trim and polished wood on the door caps and dashboard.

1955 MG Magnette ZA Saloon

Although adapted from the Wolseley 4/44, the Magnette had a distinctive, sportier appearance with performance that was more than acceptable for its class. Its top speed was 79.7 mph and the run to 60 mph occurred in 23.1 seconds.

The ZA gave way to the ZB in late 1956 and featured a slightly more powerful engine with larger carburetors and a higher compression ratio. A semi-automatic transmission made it debut as a factory option and was fitted to 496 Magnettes in 1957. The ZB was also offered in a Varitone model with two-tone paint and a larger rear window and is one of the most prized Magnettes on the collector market.

The ZA upheld the sporting tradition of the MG line

The Mark III Magnette debuted in 1959 with Pininfarina styled bodywork and was part of the same range as the Riley 4/68, Wolseley 15/60, Morris Oxford V and Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II.