Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

red72b · Joined: 02 Jul 2018 Posts: 1 Location: Texas, USA

Greetings from very warm Texas. Just joined the forum this week and looking forward to linking up with knowledgeable people concerning any English autos and motorcycles. My wife and I currently have a 1960 TR3A, owned since 1974 and just now back on the road. Also a 1972 MGB, since 1983. We also ride BMW motorcycles, 2013 & 2014 R1200R and 1988 R100RT owned since new.
In our little town there is an MG Magnette that has been in storage for quite some time. I only know of it through a random meeting with its owner and have not even seen it. If he is willing to part with it, I would like to know what areas to pay particular attention to when inspecting it besides the obvious metal decay. Any wooden structural member or mechanical weak point to really look into? Any other guidance would be greatly appreciated as I am not familiar with this model.
Thanks in advance!
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Anglophile in Texas
1960 TR3A - Trevor
1972 MGB - Ms. B

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

Welcome to the forum.

The Magnette sounds interesting, do you know roughly which era it comes from? There was the Farina-designed Magnette which came along in the late 1950s and was built into the 60s, the earlier ZA/ZB from the 1950s, and there was also a car of this name produced pre-war.

RJ
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Rick - Admin
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Rootes75 · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:16 am Post subject:

I have always thought the ZA / ZB Magnette's are super looking cars, not so keen on the Farina styled ones though.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

The mechanical bits of the Magnette are pretty robust, new and used parts readily available as they were fitted to many BMC models over quite a long period.

Agree the earlier version is more attractive imho.

Dave

jp928 · Joined: 07 Jun 2016 Posts: 249 Location: Australia

The ZA and ZB are certainly good looking! Probably nothing exceptionally bad outside the norm for BMC cars of the period. An 1800cc engine out of a B would go well in it, if it needed replacing. The later Farina models are not very inspiring. Lets hope its the right model!
jp 26 Rover 9

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Whats the difference between a ZA and a ZB?

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7117 Location: Edinburgh