MG Magnette Mk III
| Produced: |
1959-1961, 16676 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,4 doors,4 seats |
Dismissed by many MG enthusiasts, the Magnette Mk III signalled the true arrival of the "badge engineering" era for MG when the car was announced in 1959. The Magnette Mk III was part of the new Farina designed A55 / Oxford range of mid-sized BMC saloons all launched within a few months of each other in 1958/59.
The "MG" version of the range shared the same bodyshell design as the Riley, although sporting a wider, less traditionally proportioned MG grille (the Riley grille was a much more elegant design in comparison). Thankfully the MG and Riley Farina shell had more discreet rear "fins" than the rest of the range despite being produced alongside their Morris and Wolseley sisters (both of which had the larger rear fins) at the Cowley factory.
Mechanically the MG Magnette Mk III used a 64bhp, 1489cc, B-Series engine and the same suspension set-up as the rest of the range. The cars suspension design was considered to be far to soft and uninspiring to be worthy of a MG saloon and did little for the cars image and reputation. A slightly better Mk IV version replaced the Mk III in 1961.
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1489cc | S4 OHV | BMC B-Series | 73.025mm x 89mm | 8.3 |
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 mph | 19.5 s | 28 mpg |
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | MG A Mk I 1600 Roadste | Charterhouse | 17 Jul 2011 | £15000.00 | - |
| 32 | MG A 1600 Mk I Roadster | Charterhouse | 17 Jul 2011 | Not sold | |
| 104 | MG A 1600 Mk I Roadster | Coys | 2 Oct 2010 | - | £24701.00 |
| 108 | MG A MK I Coupe | Coys | 14 Aug 2010 | Not sold | |
| 104 | MG A 1600 Mk I Roadster | Coys | 2 Oct 2009 | Not sold | |
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Six of the best...Badge-engineered classics |
11 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart August 2007 | |||
| Six of the best...Badge-engineered classics- Humber Sceptre MKIII, Riley Elf/Wolseley Hornet, MG Magnette MK III & IV, Triumoh Acclaim, Vanden Plas 1500, Bentley T-Series. | ||||
| Article |
Marque Five - The Best MGs! |
35 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart August 2004 | |||
| Marque Five - The Best MGs! - Whatever your thoughts on MG, you can’t deny it’s the archetypal British Sporting marque. Paul Guinness picks five of the best models to buy right now. MGA, MGB, Midget, Magnette MkIII & IV, MGF | ||||
| 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 |
|
|
| 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. | ||||
