I'm Japanese so I can only understand English a little. Sorry for the poor English. I also had 1957 MG Magnette ZB before,I saw it very nostalgic. Thank you very much.
My Dad had a black one just the same when I was 12 years old ime now 76 years I brought an identical car when I was about 30 that had only eight hundred miles on it I then showed it to a very knowledgeable friend who said it’s been restored look at the door rubbers still covered in powder !
I also have a fully restored 1958 ZB Magnette. I have had for over 32 years. As Alastair says they are lovely cars to drive. I disagree with him on the fitting of flashing amber indicators though. In modern traffic the trafficators are next to useless. As the parking/side lights are very rarely used I have fitted amber Mini glasses in them on the front and fitted the complete amber light units near the corners of the boot lid as it is flat there. The flashers are operated by the original switch on the steering wheel. I think it is very important that other drivers know where you are going! My original trafficators still operate by a small switch near the steering wheel. Most members of the public have never seen trafficators before and the are very amused by them, especially the kids when I flick the switch! Ken Dutch, Adelaide, Australia
Thank you for this drive down memory lane. My first car was a 1956 Magnette, a hand me down from my parents on my 16th birthday in 1964. I drove it for four years in Santa Cruz., California, loved the wood dashboard, leather seats, fold-down back seat armrest, and a huge trunk. And as Alistair Clements said, it rode smoothly.
Thank you for a heart-warming story. I had a Magnette, an early 60s model in Johannesburg and it was a nightmare - traded up from my 1960 Cambridge but that was a mistake. Glad you are enjoying yours that much, a beautiful looking car.
Love the old ZA/ZB Magnettes, I had one fifty years ago, a '56 ZA, you did well going for the ZB Alastair, a bit more oomph than the ZA, (11/2" stokers as opposed to the 11/4s in the ZA) great handling, waaaay better than the Farina barges, being a Somerset lad, I liked the Bristol tag, mine was Bath registered, (FGL 876), there's some more Zs on RU-vid, a couple with V8s installed and a very tidy Somerset registered '54 Tin Dash.
Stumbling around RU-vid looking at classic cars I had to take a look at your own fine example of this marque. I was taken back to a girl I once dated whose father owned an MG Magnette ZB, which was deep red in colour with spoke wire wheels fitted. We'd go literally every Sunday evening over to her nan's house in Rugby as back seat passengers, revelling in that interior with the smell you mention and the old radio-like glow of the half-octagon speedo and instruments.. Loved going in the Magnette which her father kept immaculate, especially as he drove it 'safety fast!' I think he still has this car along with a British racing green MGA Twin Cam he built up, would love to know it's still going as they are indeed a rare sight. Hope you run yours for as long as it gives you joy!
Excellent video, these are great cars. Coincidentally I am looking at one tomorrow, a 1958. It is in the hands of a flipper who bought it 60 days ago from the widow of the previous owner. He had it for 48 years. 38K original miles. I'll come back and make a report whether I buy it or not. Jeff in Oregon USA.
Thank you! A nice piece of filming, and a nice story. I owned a 1956 ZA and learned to drive on one. It was, as you say, such a comfortable drive; and in my experience offered the most relaxed drive of any car I owned until I bought a 1987 Volvo 240 GLT estate. But the MG remains my fondest memory. You are absolutely right about the need for a fifth gear . . . . But I'm pretty certain that five-speed gearboxes were unknown in UK-built cars until the late 1960s. But it was still a great drive. I'm sure it still is. Cheers!
Lovely car Alastair, you can get ' flashing ' LED festoon bulbs for the trafficators now, I see yours is not glowing !.They do help make the arm seem more noticeable on the ' B ' pillar .I have them on my pre-war Austin 18 York and have fitted discreet indicators to the original lamps in tandem so you could do that easily with the ZB. ]
I have a French blue 1958 MG Magnette ZB here in the U.S. Mine has left hand drive, a later MGB engine and MGB front disc brakes. I really enjoy driving this car---but I wish it had a 5 speed gear box. My car had been restored to show condition before I bought it. My first old car was a 1953 MG TD. But now I'm 85 years old--and I call my Magnette "an old man's sports car"--and it's easy for me to get in and out of it!
Hi Alistair, I am going to see an MG Magnette next week a ZB in fact. So before I head off to see one. What are the like to own and drive? I am a classic car owner so I understand the work needed to keep them on the road. Many thanks
