MG100 Cavalcade Rally Plaque

The MGB was a great British success story, a product largely conceived, designed and produced by a small team of dedicated people who genuinely cared about their work. Of course, the MGB came from a proud, successful sports car tradition, and the model it replaced – the revolutionary aerodynamic MGA – had been an unprecedented success – so the new car had big shoes to fill. Launching in 1962 and in production for eighteen years, the MGB became one of the most successful sports cars the world has ever known. This book describes how the MGB arose principally from the ideas of one man, MG’s Chief Engineer, Syd Enever, how it was designed and developed, how it survived and thrived, and how it became the classic car still highly regarded today. There have been many previous books about the MGB, and the related MGC and V8 variants, but MGB – The superlative MG reaches a new level of detail together seasoned with fresh insight. David Knowles has been researching and writing about the MGB for more than thirty years. Prepare to be surprised at some of the stories you will have never read before, and new twists on some you possibly thought you knew well.

The MG Magnette ZA was launched in 1953 at the London Motor Show to a mixed reaction. It had obvious similarities to the Wolseley 4/44, on which it was based, but it also had a revolutionary monocoque body and subtle design and styling cues that set it apart as an MG. It was the first MG to be powered by the BMC B-series engine that would later power the MGA and MGB.

In this revealing book, Paul Batho covers the development of the Magnette, going back to the original MG philosophy and examining the advantages, constraints and compromises under the new ownership of BMC, including badge engineering. The book details the model developments over the years – including the Magnette ZB and the Magnette Six – and how it managed to encompass speed, comfort, handling, style and practicality for ordinary owners, foreshadowing the sporting family cars of the future. The author also covers owning and restoring a Magnette in the post-production era, bodywork and mechanical restoration as well as how to cope with typical faults and failings. He includes modifications and upgrades to the engine, gearbox and other parts of the car. The book also describes the factory’s experimental six-cylinder and coupé Magnettes and some modern Magnette specials including V8 conversions and the unique convertible.