MG Magnette ZA
| Produced: |
1953-1956, 18076 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,4 doors,4 seats |
Designed by ex-Jowet Javelin designer Gerald Palmer the low slung MG Magnette ZA debuted in 1953 to an eager band of MG saloon enthusiasts. The new Magnette shared its Palmer designed bodyshell with the Wolseley 4/44 which appeared at the same time. The Magnette made good use of the BMC soured, 1489cc, B-Series engine which gave this mid-sized family car good performance for its day.
The Magnette had a graceful four door body style that looked almost Italian from some angels, it featured the traditional MG front grille which was raked to give it an aerodynamic shape to match the rest of the cars design. Inside the Magnette was well equipped and came complete with a semi-octaginal speedo as normally found in MG saloons.
The Magnette ZA was replaced by the improved ZB in 1956.
Buyers Guide MG Magnette ZA/ZB 1953-1958) featured in Practical Classics Spring 2003 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1489cc | S4 OHV | BMC B-Series | 73.025mm x 89mm | 7.5 |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 mph | 18.5 s | 25 mpg |
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1855203472 | MG Y-Type & Magnette ZA/ZB Limited Edition | Brooklands Books |
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Good sports |
70 |
 |
|
| Publication | Classic Cars February 2011 | |||
| Good sports - These sporting tin-tops earned rally and race accolades in their late-Fifties and early-Sixties heyday. Time to discover which stirs the emotions best today. MG Magnette vs Riley One-Point-Five vs Sunbeam Rapier. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Guide - 1953-58 Magnette ZA/ZB |
90 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars March 2010 | |||
| Buying Guide - 1953-58 Magnette ZA/ZB - MG's sporting Magnette ZA and ZB are two of the most usable and affordable Fifties British classic saloons - if you find the right example. | ||||
| Article |
Magnette Restoration - Magnette Makeover |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics Spring 2005 | |||
| Magnette Restoration - Magnette Makeover - John Arnold thought he’d got a sound car when he bough this MG Magnette but nothing is ever that simple is it... | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - MG Magnette ZA/ZB 1953-1958 |
132 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics Spring 2003 | |||
|
Buyers Guide - MG Magnette ZA/ZB 1953-1958 - Fast, luxurious and a great handler, the Magnette has loads to offer. The trick, as ever, is finding a good one. |
||||
| Article |
Classic Cars August 2001 pg 122 |
122 |
|
|
| 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 |
Buyer's Guide - Magnetic Attraction |
88 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart May 2011 | |||
| Buyer's Guide - Magnetic Attraction - It may be a badge-engineered Wolseley under the skin but the Magnette offers surprisingly modern performance and a supremely practical way to enjoy MG ownership. Here's what you need to know before taking the plunge. | ||||
| Article |
How to buy an...MG Magnette |
110 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly June 2010 | |||
| How to buy an...MG Magnette - After a difficult birth, the Magnette has grown into a practical and tempting choice of luxurious 1950s sporting saloon. | ||||
| Article |
Buying power - MG Magnette ZA/ZB |
28 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 14 December 2006 | |||
| Buying power - MG Magnette ZA/ZB - They may have been the first badge-engineered BMC MGs, but in their day, the ZA/ZB Magnette sports saloon were highly regarded cars, offering those MG aficionados who preferred a little more sophistication and civilisation a lot for their money. RICHARD GUNN is your guide to buying one. | ||||
| Article |
Road Test - MG Magnette |
34 |
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| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 20 January 2005 | |||
| Road Test - MG Magnette - Built 1953-58, four-door saloons. Front-engined, rear-wheel-drive. 1489cc 4-cyl OHV engine. | ||||
| Article |
Classics January 2002 pg 100 |
100 |
|
|
| 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 |
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| 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. | ||||
