Built 1958

Magnettes from chassis 27637 to 37101 built

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  Chassis no. Description
35478a
35478

KA LD 13 35478
Illes Anthony's Varitone built in September 1958 now with 5-speed-gearbox

35479a
35479

  KA LD 13 35479
For sale in June 2004

35486a
35486

KA LA 13 35486
After years of admiring Magnettes I finally found the right one. A deal was struck and she was shipped from England to Oklahoma where she shares a garage with a ‘63 MGB. The Magnette is in excellent shape for its age and runs great. There is a restoration plan in the future, but for now my wife and I just enjoy traveling in style.
Lann Mauck, Oklahoma, USA

35535a
35535

 

KA BB 43 35535
Dispatch date: 10/21/58. Now painted OEW over Light Grey
Mike Jacobsen, USA

 

35539a
35539

 

KA BB 43 35539
Yesterday  a nephew (Alex), my brother in law and I travelled to Chaparal, New Mexico (from Arizona - 500 mile round trip) and purchased one rough '59 (late 58) ZB and the last remaining parts from 2 other '57 and '58 ZB's. I haven't decided yet, but I may attempt to restore the complete car and I will make available parts that I don't need to other enthusiasts at affordable prices to keep everyone rolling. Paid $1,800 US for the whole mess from one Louis Wolf.  Phil White, Arizona

 

35594a
35594

 

Australia KA T 21 35594
Davis Halidays'  ZB in Australia

 

35644a
35644

  KA J 41 35644
Ebay 02/2008: Some history and clarification after talking with my sister-in-law. She bought it when she lived in Southern California from her boss in 1967. The engine is original and has been rebuilt when she had it (she remembered it was a 'valve job' but couldn't remember what else was done). Was reupholstered, restored and repainted close to 17 years ago and has been sitting in their garage til I bought it because the idiot painter "lost" alot of the chrome he took off. All receipts come with it including all the stuff she bought on her two trips to England to replace what had gone missing and receipts for stuff ordered from England. All the stuff was there and never put together. That's what I thought I would do but didn't get it finished. Now my house is on the market as of two weeks ago so that's why I decided to let it go…

35770a
35770

KA CC 33 35770
Single-coloured Varitone owend by Ingela and Ulf Edström from Gotenburg.

35796a
35796

KA A 11 35796
A former black Magnette freshly restored in winter 2010. Herre visiting the youngest known Magnette and second last that left the factory.

35891a
35891

KA TA 13 35891
Island/Cedar Green Varitone owned and extensively restored by Lawrence & Val Miller from Plymouth.

35895a
35895

KA UU 13 35895
Seen on ebay in 5/2009

35906
35906

 

KA LL 43 35906
A picture of Phil White's 59 ZBV from Arizona that he acquired in California. The PO had an accident and had been unable to care for her (like many, I call her Maggie). I do all my own work (half the fun of being an owner) and there has been a lot of it. She's back on the road now and running nicely. Originally blue, then racing green -- her PO painted her the varitone grey. I also have a '62 MGA MKll that she shares time with. Magnettes are wonderful personable autos!

 

35923a
35923

KA J 13 35923
Tony Brinsden

35929a
35929

KA BJ 13 35929
Imported from England to Portugal in March 2005 by Alberto Cruz, who restored her to a high standard and converted her to LHD.

35934a
35934

KA BJ 13 35934
This Maggie was offered to Gobby of Cornwall to buy, but the car is too badly corroded to save and will ,he's sure, be broken for spares. Supplied by Mumfords garage in Plymouth ,Devon. Owned by Mr John Ashton who lives in Landrake, Cornwall. Spookey that it is supplied by the same dealer as my Wolseley 4/44 and is only a few cars from my 'unusual varitone' ! being either 35963 or 35863 ! Purchased in July 2005 by Mike Hearn. Now the  car is a real jem. What happened?

35947a
35947

KA BJ 13 35947
John Weston-Smith sent me this picture from 1987 some time ago. He found the car in London, parked on the street. The owner had not used it for some time and the clutch was seized. They managed to free it though and it was a really nice driving car as he said. It's was fitted with wire wheels, MGB engine and Jaguar Mk2 rear lights. It was sold around 1989 to someone living on the south coast of England. Is it still around?

35963a
35963

KA FC 13 35963
A Mystery! An ordinary ZB with Varitone chassis no. This is an old picture. Meanwhile the car needs a restoration which she will get in Cornwall.

35976a
35976

KA PA 13 35976

35983a
35983

KA AA 33 35983
First registrated in Sweden March 10, 1959. Since then 8 Swedish owners. Imported to Denmark 2008.
Now in the hands of Rikke Nissen, Denmark

36078a
36078

KA _ 11 36078
This is when I got it after spending the last 6years in a garage now under restoration
Christopher Sharpe, UK

36079a
36079

 

KA C 11 36079
I have owned it since Sept 2000, and have completed a few cosmetic jobs - recarpeted, rechromed, resealed underneath, added correct headlamps, renewed boot lining, added brake servo, added flashing indicators with hazard warning, had leather repaired and recoloured. Now in very nice condition to original spec (it had been structurally and mechanically rebuilt and resprayed damask red in late 1990s by previous owner). It won 2nd prize Pride of Ownership at Norwich 2001.
Bob Hough, Dorset, England

 

36082a
36082

Australia KA C 21 36082
Rod Smith's ZB

36145a
36145

KA __ 15 36145
First reg. 02.12.1958. Identification number says it was delievred "primed".

36219a
36219

KA T 11 36219
Seen on ebay in 11/2007

36225a
36225

KA T 11 36225
Finished in rare and very attractive 'Island Green' this example retains its carefully refurbished original bottle green leather interior and dark green wheels. The interior wooden dash and headlining are also in good condition. According to the vendor, the car has been the subject of a sympathetic restoration by the last two owners, using new parts from world-renowned ZB specialists John and Lou Shorten. It is understood (but not warranted that) over £10,000 has been spent returning this car to it's prime - money well spent judging by it's crisp handling. The vendor also states that “a complete doors off, windows out re-spray, new screen rubbers and Waxoyling making this the ideal car for classic rallying - Nancy Mitchell was very successful in a ZB back in the 1950s – or continental touring.

36278a
36278

KA J 21 36278
The last ZB to be imported to Sri Lanka.  Dr.Vickum Senanayake is going to restore her to her former glory. 
Here are more pictures

36349a
36349

KA BJ 13 36349
This picture is from 1964 when I acquired the car. 100,000 miles and 40 years storage later I still own her and start to restore now.
John Clark

36364
36364

KA BJ 33 36364
Your webmaster with his Varitone. I bought this car when we started as a family and the MGA was too small. Since then it's in daily use and we all enjoy driving in the airsmoothed style!

36374a
36374

KA __ 43 36374
Belonged to Jim Arps, Texas, now to John Shoemaker ,Pennsylvania, USA

36439a
36439

KA T 11 36439
Paul Gray's future project.

36517a
36517

KA TU 13 36517
Dutch  ZBV of John Kusters. A lovely example in green/green.

36534a
36534

KA LL 43 36534
ebay 01/2008: all original, garage kept, not running, Motor disassembled

36588a
36588

KA JJ 13 36588
For sale on ebay in June 2010

36601a
36601

KA PC 13 36601
John Murphy's '58 Varitone 

36658a
36658

KA T 11 36658
I believe it was first registered Jan 59.  Original colour island green, original owner had it for 26 years, lived in Charlton, London. I'm using it as my daily driver at present and loving every mile. 
Mark Gray, Kent, UK

36735a
36735

 

KA TT 43 36735
Ebay 1/2012: This one still has its original singular 'Island green' cellulose paint ..This is a 'project'..unused for many decades ..and will consequentlky need fiull restoration..The car is very sound and solid with the exception of the floors ..all of which are thin (and have some holes) due to beinmg left outside for decades with the carpets and jute underlay in place ..the trunk floor also needs some metal work ..The lower front fenders and doors like rest for car have original paint and are free of corrosion ..the chromework is bright and solid..the interior is original and in very poor condition..all the leather cracked and dry..no attempt has been made to start the car, but the engine turns freely  ..recorded mileage (under 100,000) believed original

 

36756a
36756

KA LL 43 36756
California Veritone last registered 1993. Lee Brannen was looking for an engine for his ZB when heI came accross this car.He restored it and it's now in the hands of Ray Andruk of Hanson MA U.S.A.
The car was shipped accross the US on an open 18 wheel truck and the driver said she got more attention than any other car he has ever shipped. Ray and his father are old MGB guys and this will be Ray's first 'family' MG.

36820a
36820

KA AA 43 36820
Purchased in 6/02 after 21 years of non use, it now runs and drives. Hope to have total restoration complete by sometime in 2007.
Jim Barcley, Oregon, USA

36918a
36918

KA TT 43 36918
This restoration project belongs to John Swyers from USA. He wrotes:
The current (original?) motor is rusting in the trunk.  I will put a different motor in it until I make some headway on the restoration.

36939a
36939

KA LL 43 36939
This much loved 1958 Red on Maroon Varitone is cared for and driven by Sue and Pockets Knipe of Camano Island, WA, USA.  Our Magnette was originally a monotone Varitone painted a pale blue-grey.  The previous owners include Mickey Harnett (SD) who restored her engine and electronics and G. W. Hardy (TX).  Sue & Pockets bought her in June 2009 and now enjoy taking her on the back roads of the Pacific Northwest.
Sue & Pockets Knipe

36970a
36970

KA JJ 13 36970
90% complete and running, but the restoration will presumably take some time.
Trevor Panter from Gloucestershire

36997a
36997

 

KA AA 43 36997
The previous owner inherited the car from his father-in-law  who was a professor of American Studies at the University of California in Santa Cruz and bought the car in 1962.
Now in the hands of Mark Hoyer, CA, USA

 

37002a
37002

 

KA A 33 37002
This car was delievers to Sweden originally in black, repainted brown/beige by Björn-Eric Lindh in the early 7o's. It was his everyday car for many years, named "MariGold". This picture was taken in 1976!
Now owned by a man in Skane who will restore it and repaint it black.

 

37017a
37017

 

KA TU 13 37017
Geof Hartland's ZBV YEL 411  fitted with brake servo and disc brakes. Has overcome heater problems by fitting a Rover 216 heater

 

37037a
37037

 

KA LD 13 37037
Blue Varitone first registered 2 Jan 1959, and still with original interior and period-accessory 'Ace Mercury' wheel trims. It was repainted in 2006, but has never required full restoration due to the care lavished by its second owner, Tony Sanger. He kept the car for 32 years until I bought it in 2003, after it appeared as the main photo subject in a Practical Classics article.  Stephen Tickell, Surrey UK

 

37044a
37044

KA LD 13 37044
A late Varitone imported from England to Germany in 2000, where she had several owners. She's now staying in Northern Germany with Jens and Helga Evers in the outskirts of Hamburg. Jens is going to bring her back to her former glory.

37061a
37061

  KA BJ 13 37061
Owned by David Watson

37085a
37085

KA FC 13 37085
A nice ZB Varitone

37093a
37093

KA FC 33 37093
Picture found somewhere on the web. If you recognize your car, please contact the webmaster.

policea.31
37098

KA A 13 37098
Lancashire Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

policea.32
37099

KA A 13 37099
Lancashire Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

37100a
37100

KA CC 13 37100
This is proboably the youngest excisting Magnette, built during the week 18th-24th December 1958. It left the factory on 1st January 1959.
Last chassis no. build was 37101.

36622
36622

KA CC 33 36622

This car was first regitered in Sweden on 11.03.1959. Photo taken during Skandinaviskt MG Meeting in Lundsbrunn 1998. Ingrid and Anders Bäcklund with family.

image3
29847

KA BB 23 29847

You may think this is the wrong car in this gallery, but this car started as a Magnette and is "rebodied". Read the full story...

33043
33043

KA TT 43 33043

1958 Magnette ZBV, came from factory to US July 1958 Island Green/Island green with Whitewall Tyres --restoration finished in 2010.

Wayne and Dee Johnson

33495
33495

KA AA 33495

Exported on sale (11th Sept 1958) on a ship called Nevasa, possibly to Singapore where the purchaser (Major Everson) was stationed. Then shipped to Mombasa 28th Oct 1960. Kenyan rego KGU112. Then shipped to Auckland NZ on the 26th June 1964.Sold in 1968 to an owner who kept it until 1994 and only did 55,000 mls in it.Sold to a man who never used it, I bought it in 1995 & sold it in 1996. I then bought it back of that owner in Dec 2012. Has only covered 106000 mls. Still original and great to drive!
Tony Don

27743
27743

KA H 5 27743

Another CKD car assambled in Durban South Africa. The Motor Assemblies No. is MGM 514.
Owner is Keith Burton

 

 

27958
27958

KA L  13 27958

A nice restored car witk sliding roof!

31655
31655

KA J 21 31655

I have been in correspondence with Peter Martin who together with Lou Shorten a lady I have known for over 20 years and has helped me immensely to restore a MG Magnette ZB that was in a sad state of repair at the time I came into possession odf it 29 years ago. ..
Dr Ifthikar Ismail

33049
33049

KA LD 13 33049

1800 Engine & Sierra Gearbox Conversion, servo unit, seperate indicators, kenlow fan, alternator/negative earth conversion.

kat41_34972
34972

KA T 41 34972
For sale in 1/2014

katu13_35260
35260

  KA TU 13 35260
Now owned by Gary Costello

27948
27948

KA L 43 27948

Michael Mitchell in California owns this car.

28249
28249

  KA BB 33 28249

Tomas Jaksch from Sweden owns this one.

37004
37004

KA AA 33 37004

Tomas Jaksch from Sweden owns this one.

32910
32910

KA PP 13 32910

Restoration completed 2020 by Kevin Skuce

30267
30267

KA J 13 30267

This vehicle was extensively rebuilt in 1991/2 cannabalising a ZA to do so. It has MGA front disc brakes, electronic ignition, negative earth conversion and vacuum brake booster. It is in excellent body and structural condition although engine, gearbox and rear axle are beginning to sound their age! It now belongs to Richard Jordan in West Sussex. The engine serial number is interesting: BP15N/1213; where in the Magnette scheme of things does the 'N' come in unless it is from a Manumatic equipped car?

28690
28690

KA T 43 28690

Laid in a chicken coup for 40 years, 1800 3 main bearing, 3:9:1 differential
Phil Rossi

 

30065
30065

KA AH 5 30065

South African ckd car assembled in Durban nowbelonging to Richard Smailes

31067
31067

KA 31067

With Borg Warner T 35 Automatic!

27915
27915

KA H 5 27915

One of the CKD cars assambled in Durban, SA

30791
30791

KA PA 13 30791

Previous Owners in Cambridge, Colchester, Cleveleys, Stafford, Newry,Wicklow and Dublin
Patrick Kiely

29778
29778

KA H 5 29778

 

28241
28241

KA BJ 13 28241

A nice shiny car in the then common colour of Birch grey/Twilight grey.

35522
35522

KA BJ 13 35522

 

35474
35474

KA L D 13 35474

A University Motors Car. Shown when competing in the 1990 Monte Carlo Rally. Currently under restoration

29618
29618

KA A 13

This car belonged to my grandfather for many years he was in the Motor trade all his life and when he gave up driving it was sold.
This picture is displayed in our Service Reception At Browne And Sons (Loddon) Ltd and i get asked by many of our customers if i know where it is now.

28428
28428

KA BJ 23 28428

Needs some work...

30439
30439

KA A 1330439

35298a
35298

KA BJ 13 35298

Last used in the Notts area for many years before being passed to a gentleman in Northamptonshire and stored for a few years. I purchased the car in 2015 for a "project" with one floor/sill removed, but otherwise complete.
I am currently rebuilding PFY 433  hoping to return it  to a roadworthy condition.

 

29163
29163

KA L 13 29163

36420
36420

KA A 11 36420

Now owned by Michael Pender-Cudlip, who had it fully restored at MG Mecca 2018-19 (it had been stored outside by a previous owner). The colour was changed from black to green, engine bored out to 1640cc and a, 5 speed gearbox installed
 
28296
28296

KA T 13 28296

This car was probably the worst of the bunch with more bubbling rust apparent all round. Only suitable for spares in my view but again, some enthusiast might need to get away from his family and responsibilities and spend a lot of time in the garage. The underside and floor panels were in poor state where it would be easy to punch through, but I didn't want to inflict any other damage by doing so. Upholstery was poor and carpets were so wet they'd need to dry out before you could burn them! Two of the doors didn't close properly because the mechanisms were siezed up so everything will just get wetter with time.

28228a
28228

KA LA 13 28228

Condition seemed really quite good. Stored for many years.

32710
32710

KA AA 13 32710

Seen on ebay: The car was imported from the UK in 1988, and kept by the same owner until recently, He brought the car to Tampa Florida and used the car up until 1994, when he took the car off the road to restore the vehicle to its former glory, it has been dry stored over the last 22 years and has had the interior completely redone to a very good standard, all though he never got round to the body work, Car starts on the button, and Chrome is excellent.

31946
31946

KA A 41 31946

As far as I can tell I am the 3rd owner. I know that the car was originally deliverd to a dealership in Conneticut. 

32976
32976

KA B 21 32976

35476
35476
31931
31931

KA L 41 31931

5M supercharged 1800. T9 5 speed

36830
36830

KA AA 43 36830

Now owned by Frank Kennedy in Maryland (was previously in California for many years)

36791
36791

KA BB 43 36791

Recently bought this car in Pennsylvania, originally registered in Washington State. Last on the road in 2002, suffered from poor storage since. Will bring it back to its original monotone grey. Fifth Magnette I have owned, including #23463 in this Gallery.
JIm Basque

33003
33003

KA J 41 33003

Originaly sold by Montclair Motors in Montclair, NJ

32279
32279

KA H 41 32279

 

29790
29790

KA BJ __ 29790

 

30737
30737

KA BJ 13 30737

First registered 19/05/1958.Now in Scotland

30271
30271

KA J 13 30271

 First reg. 15/04/1958

34125
34125

KA T 11 34125

 

30821
30821

KA L 23 30821

36773
36773

KA L 33 36773

Original car found in Sweden. First registered in '58

7919556
28508

 KAJ13 28508

Purchased in 2016 by Tony Alden