Car & Classic Dealer

Martin Howey Classics

Thirsk Yorkshire

1959 MG MAGNETTE ZB - 19K MILES, WHAT AN AMAZING FIND! For Sale


HERE is my 1959 MG Magnette ZB and, before we go any further, I have never come across a ZB registered as late as 1959 and so it could be one of the youngest - if not the youngest - example out there! Magnette ZB production ceased in 1958 and in February the following year it was replaced by the Farina shape version. This lovely old girl was registered on January 1, 1959 by the dealership of Duthie and Sons Ltd of Montrose, Scotland. The original dealer dashboard plaque is still with the car!

Now to its incredibly low mileage of 19, 770. This Magnette comes interesting bits of history including correspondence between a previous owner and the MG Owners Club. Cutting it short, the then new owner in 2016 writes: "I am trying to establish the authenticity of its current mileage of 19, 572) and from the information you have given me regarding one owners sparse use of the vehicle, this figure in all probability is correct."

So, we know that three years ago the mileage was 19, 572. As I write, it is now approaching 19, 800 Old MoTs dating back to 1980 follow the miles as follows:

In 1980, it had covered just 14, 200 in 20 years. Fair enough, nothing overly remarkable in a cherished top marque car being used sparingly. Had it continued at that rate then today's mileage would have been something like 43, 000. Again, many cars of this age have such mileages.

However:

In the 20-year period between 1980 and 2000, she covered just 5, 200 miles. During the next 20-year period until now, just 400 miles have been covered. And there's your total mileage. 19, 800.

I certainly believe that this figure is almost certainly correct. Just starting her from cold and listening to that beautiful 1500cc twin-carb engine and watching the oil pressure shoot straight up to 80 psi and beyond does nothing to disprove things. She idles when warm at 75 psi. On the road the whole car feels tight and fresh. Even the steering wheel, the wooden dash and the headlining help with the evidence. As I have mentioned, there is also the original dealer's dashboard badge. The car's leather fob key ring carries a chrome badge advertising National Benzole Mixture petrol. Delightful.

She's a very sound and very pretty car. Good panels with nothing that grabs you as having any inherent rust or rot. The paintwork is bright enough, despite having a bit of a faded patch on the boot lid and some almost inevitable chips and scars here and there. But all, in all, my pictures do tell the story.

Her leather seats are also very good with just some small and neat stitching on one seam of the driver's base.

So, there you go. That's my take on this 1959 (the only one from that year I have come across) Magnette ZB. Grab yourself a beauty!

She is not a new car, nor is she a three-year-old used car. She is a piece of antique motoring history and, as such will have quirks and maybe even the odd fault. Anyway, she is what she is. These old gems - in this case 60-years-old - are sold as seen. Should you buy without viewing, then she is sold on the basis of the advertisement you have read the photos, or extra photos, you have seen as well with the assistance of any answers to questions you have received from me. Treat these classics with the respect they deserve and make sure they have love, time and effort lavished on them. Even the very best need permanent on going care. Practically all will have undergone a degree of restoration work or improvement at some stage. If it's a three-year-old car dating from the 1960s or 70s that you are after, then you are out of luck. Short of acquiring a Tardis that is.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I am here to answer any questions you may have and, remember, that I also provide a delivery service. Martin the details below)

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
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