MG will always be known for their convertible sports cars, but they also tried their hand at a few sedans. Underneath this pickup topper you will find one such example. It is a 1955 Magnette ZA and according to the craigslist ad, there are two included in the sale. The cars are located in the San Francisco Bay area and the seller is asking $2,500. Thanks goes to Robert J. for the submission.
Many people have fond memories of MG’s T-series, MGBs, and Midgets, but for those of us who could not justify the impracticality of a sports car, the Magnette made perfect sense. It offered full fenders, a back seat, and even a roof! The 1.5 liter four-cylinder which would wind up in the MGA came standard in the ZA and it was attached to a four-speed gearbox.
They were far from fast, but a few Magnettes did compete in rallies around Europe including the Monte Carlo. Here is a book which offers more insight on their competitive history. It is hard to determine the condition of the aforementioned project cars, but if we were going to all the work to restore them we would grab some inspiration from the works rally cars in hopes of adding some excitement to these otherwise mundane British sedans.
The presentation in the ad and the color match of the various panels are terrific, but I would only be interested in this deal if the seller throws in the truck topper.
That’s the replacement sunroof so it’s included.
If the car in the ad is the ‘mostly complete’ one, forget a trailer and bring a lot of large boxes for the parts car!!
~ in the late ’60s i nearly bought a Magnette from a friend in Iowa. we struck a handshake deal on a Wednesday or Thursday and then i didn’t see him for several days. when we met up on Sunday evening he informed me he had an accident and the MG was totaled. i was so disappointed because i had fallen in love with the semaphore trafficators.
That ad definitely could use a few more pictures!