Description
This is Maggie. She's a very rare MG magnette mk 4 auto, one of the hardest to find of the 4 cylinder farina family. This car is believed to be one of just 3 automatic mk4 cars currently on the road. Finished in Farina grey, this 1965 example has covered approximately 105, 000 miles in its lifetime. Originally registered in Hereford, the car has lived in a few locations over its near 60 years. During recommissioning work, a number of Beverly parking tickets and a Falmouth chain ferry ticket were found, along with several shillings and old penny's, in the seats and dashboard.
Further investigation found an ownership in Hampshire, where the previous restoration had been made, as well as the previous owner to me, in Lincolnshire.
Sadly, there is little history before my ownership that remains with the car. Just a few odd receipts.
I purchased the car in July 2018 from a garage in Lincolnshire, and began a full recommissioning, which despite its recent MOT pass, it really needed, to become a safe and reliable classic.
During my ownership, the following have been replaced for new or reconditioned parts, where available:
Cylinder head, all gaskets and seals
Plugs, leads, points, cap
Brake hoses
All wheel cylinders, shoes and fluid
Oil and filter
Battery
dynamo
All four tyres
voltage regulator
Front suspension Drop links
Front Shocks
Spring pan
Rear Suspension bushes
Rear springs (7 leaf estate upgrade)
Radiator, hoses, thermostat
7 blade fan
Electric back up fan
Carburettors rebuilt
Fuel line hoses
Front Wheel bearings
reverse lamp shade and housing.
In addition some rewiring work, and all manner of defect repairs and servicing.
The result is an original, recommissioned car that can be driven and used. Everything, even the heater, works. It's cost a lot of money to get this far, however its also gone far with me as a result.
Highlights in this ownership include wedding use (three weddings including ours), a classic car tour to Belgium in summer 2019, and many shows and trips. This of course, along with some commuting and shopping trips. Might as well make use of that big old boot space. This car was also featured in Practical Classics under "Classics to buy now" in February 2020, and as predicted there has been a steady rise in BMC Farina values since.
With this car, the drive is a smooth, laid back and sedate cruise with a refined feel under load. The 1622cc B series and twin SU HD4 carburettors are smooth under foot and 3 speed column change Borg Warner 35 automatic transmission changes up effortlessly.
This aside it must be said that with 72bhp (at the flywheel, in 1965) it's no racing car. In reality speed was never on the Magnette agenda. However, she's comfortable at 60mph and will overtake at 70mph without trouble. Not bad for a car with a book top speed of 82mph, not that you would want to go that fast. This is very much 1950s motoring: four drum, leaf sprung technic.
Being an original, near 60 year old vehicle, there are some parts that could be made better. The paintwork is flat and tired in places, and a bit thin on a few edges, with a few blisters on the rear doors, but still presentable. The glass is all matching number, but is scratched and screen is chipped in places. The old seats are showing their age and have split on drivers side base and a small split on passenger bolster.
And just like an old B series engine, it's usually sweating oil out somewhere. Not a perfect example, but not priced as one either. Just a rare old survivor.
So why buy one of these? Well it's a very striking car. The ADO 9 was styled by Turin design house Pinninfarina, which styled many BMC Leyland cars of the era. In Magnette trim, the looks get better with the MG grille and brightwork. The design is still eye catching today and you will draw a crowd with it, wherever you go. Just be mindful of other drives as they drift around in their lane, while trying to catching a glimpse of her.
It makes a great classic cruiser and is good for a long trip or tour.
If you attend a show with it, you will most likely be the only Farina example at the classic car show, if not then the only Magnette version. I've only seen two other magnette cars at shows since I've owned it and never any on the road.
This car comes with 12 Months MOT as of 3/ 09/ 21 and a number of spares and trim parts that I have collected over my time with her. They go with her, as my gift to her. No negotiation will take place on this. There is even a new old stock Smith's rear heated screen kit to replace the current version.
Finally, the boring part. The car is available for viewings by appointment only due to my current working commitments. I am open to offers however please keep in mind that I'm already pricing this fairly, with a loss already against my buying price and cost of replacement parts.
You can drive it when you own it, I'm not messing about with other people's insurance etc, it's too much trouble if it goes wrong.
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read my advert and I hope to hear from you soon.
Regards
Alex
