MG K1/K2 Magnette

Overview
Produced: 1932-1934, 372 produced.
Types: Convertible,2 doors,2 seats
Convertible,2 doors,4 seats
Saloon,2 doors,4 seats

The MG M-type was produced by the MG Car company from April 1929 to 1932. It was sometimes referred to as the 8/33. Launched at the 1928 London Motor Show when the sales of the larger MG saloons was faultering because of the economic climate, the small car brought MG ownership to a new sector of the market and probably saved the company. Early cars were made in the Cowley factory, but from 1930 production had transferred to Abingdon.

This 2 door sports car used an updated version of the four-cylinder bevel-gear driven overhead camshaft engine used in the 1928 Morris Minor and Wolseley 10 with a single SU carburettor giving 20 bhp (15 kW) at 4000 rpm. Drive was to the rear wheels through a three speed non-synchromesh gearbox. The chassis was based on the one used in the 1928 Morris Minor with lowered suspension using half elliptic springs and Hartford friction shock absorbers with rigid front and rear axles and bolt on wire wheels. The car had a wheelbase of 78 inches (1980 mm) and a track of 42 inches (1067 mm).

1930 brought a series of improvements to the car. The Morris rod brake system, with the handbrake working on the transmission, was replaced a cable system with cross shaft coupled to the handbrake and the transmission brake deleted. Engine output was increased to 27 bhp (20 kW) by improving the camshaft and a four speed gearbox was offered as an option. The doors became front hinged. A supercharged version could be ordered from 1932 raising the top speed to 80 mph (130 km/h).

Early bodies were fabric covered using a wood frame, this changed to all metal in 1931. Most cars had bodies made by Carbodies of Coventry and fitted by MG in either open two seat or closed two door "Sportsmans" coupé versions but some chassis were supplied to external coachbuilders such as Jarvis. The factory even made a van version as a service vehicle. The car could reach 65 mph (105 km/h) and return 40 miles per gallon. The open version cost £175 at launch, soon rising to £185, and the coupé cost £245. The 1932 supercharged car cost £250.

The M-type had considerable sporting success both privately and with official teams winning gold medals in the 1929 Land's End Trial and class wins in the 1930 "Double Twelve" race at Brooklands. An entry was also made in the 1930 Le Mans 24 hour but neither of the two cars finished.

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Source: Wikipedia
Engines
CapacityConfigModelBore/StrokeCR
1271ccS6 OHC
1087ccS6 OHC57mm x 71mm
Auction Sales History
Lot
Num
Description Auctioneer Date Hammer Price Hammer Price
(inc premium)
412 MG K2 1,271cc Supercharged Magnette Bonhams 18 Nov 2009 Not sold
36 MG K2 H&H Sales Limited 26 Nov 2008 Not sold
519 MG K1 Magnette (1934) Sothebys 16 Jul 1999 Not sold
080 MG Magnette 3 SuperC (1934) Christies 29 Mar 1999 £177500.00 -
822 MG Magnette KI (1933) Brooks 20 Jun 1997 - £16250.00
036 MG K Type Magnette K3 Replica (1933) Coys 25 Feb 1997 Not sold
356 MG Magna L1 Special (1933) Brooks 21 Sep 1996 Not sold
046 MG Magnette (1934) Coys 21 Mar 1995 Not sold
1678 MG K2/L Type Magna (1932) Sothebys 5 Dec 1994 £13000.00 -
Books
ISBN Title Publisher Buy this book
1855201941 MG Gold Portfolio 1929-39 Brooklands Books Buy View
Magazine Articles
Title Pages Options
Article Classic Cars August 2001 pg 122
122 View
Publication Classic Cars August 2001
MG Magnette ZB. The last MG saloon to wear its badge with honour until the Rover 75-based ZT.
Article Classics January 2002 pg 100
100 View
Publication Classics January 2002
MG Magnette ZA/ZB. Highly praised sporting saloons from the 1950s, but what are the ZA/ZB Magnettes like to maintain? Kim Henson takes a close look.
Article Classic Car Weekly 26 September 2001 pg 8
8 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 26 September 2001
Buying Power. MG Magnette ZA/ZB. MG traditionalists may have disliked them, but ZA/ZB Magnette range has much to offer, says Richard Gunn.
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