Unfortunately you can’t buy a brand new Heritage shell for the MG Magnette ZA or ZB which is a great shame for restorers and the many fans of this elegant and innovative range of 1950s sports saloons.

When a sound but rather scruffy ZA arrived at the MG and classic car restoration specialists West London Classics, they looked it over and made out a comprehensive report. Carl Robson’s restoration workshop is tucked away in Ravenscourt Square and over the years Carl has built up a reputation for servicing and restoring classic British marques. They evaluated the Magnette and detailed all the work required to put the car back into first class condition. Although photographs taken of the ZA at this pre-restoration stage show a car apparently in reasonable order a closer inspection revealed that the black paint and old underseal was barely concealing areas of corrosion bubbling beneath the surface in all the usual trouble spots. As well as the corrosion the inspection also revealed a number of typical bodge repairs. The report advised the Magnette’s owner that the most effective course of action would be to go for a complete strip down of the monocoque body, have it shot blasted and then carry out all the necessary welding work, to effectively create a completely sound body-shell. The owner had specified that they should carry out a really thorough job and this is exactly what was undertaken.

Front wing after blasting with all its weak spots revealed

Restored monocoque showing the repairs carried out to the front wings

The rear end, extensive work to lower body panels

In the Magnette’s favour, the car was complete, in original condition and possessed a particularly good interior trim with full leather seating which was in excellent order. Carl and Paul set about dismantling the Magnette and stripping it right down to its bare shell. The shell was then sent away to a specialist for blasting and re-coating. On its return from the blasting process the shell was in an ideal state for all the necessary body repair work as all the imperfections were revealed and could be dealt with properly. The shell had corroded in all the typical Magnette places, lower front wings, sills, windscreen surrounds, lower rear body panels and bootlid. Blasting away all the paint revealed even more rust damage than anticipated as more areas of filler had been carefully concealed beneath the paint. Had the shell not been blasted back to bare metal much of this concealed corrosion, however expertly filled, would still continue to eat away at the steel beneath. Exposing the shell back to the metal is the only way to ensure that all the hidden rust damage and expertly applied filler can be disclosed.

Underside view of Magnette’s near side rear wing showing repairs

Primmed underside of the restored shell

Front inner wing repairs

Although the sill sections and a few small repair panels can be sourced for the Magnette most panels are now unavailable, so the major sections such as wings, doors, bonnet and bootlid had to be repaired. The shot blasted front wings revealed the typical rust damage, around the headlight rims and around the front sidelights, all of these areas had to be replaced with hand-made sections. The front wings had also disintegrated along their lower edges so this damage had to be addressed. Similarly the lower edges of the rear wings, inside the inner rear wings and the rear valence had also crumbled away below the bootlid. In fact the lower eight inches of most of the rear bodywork had to be replaced all the way around on both sides. A task which required the purchase of a specialist metal folder to complete the ‘returned edges’ of these complex repair sections. The sills were replaced on both sides but much of the floor was found to be sound. Despite the complexity of making and fitting all the different repair sections Carl and Paul persisted and the final restored shell is a very neat job and must be the nearest thing possible to a completely new Magnette bodyshell.

Un-restored rear axle and underside before work commenced

Offside rear suspension after restoration

Handsome and imposing

Carl has recently acquired some extra workshop space, which is no mean feat in the densely populated and highly developed part of West London where his business is located and it was here that the Magnette was housed while the final fettling work was being carried out.

When he invited me over to look at the Magnette Carl was able raise it right up on an inspection ramp so that I could walk underneath and take a much closer look. The underside is finished in gloss black to match the bodyshell and the result looks wonderful. However, it was rather difficult to photograph the underside as the contours tended to blend together because they are all finished in black. Overall the appearance of the Magnette was very much like looking up at the underside of a brand new car straight off the production line. The Magnette’s front suspension had been fully dismantled, repainted and rebuilt with all new bushes and shockers while the rear axle has also been overhauled and fitted with new springs and shockers. Brake lines and fuel lines were all replaced and the brakes overhauled. A new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted along with a new wiring loom.

Opening the driver’s door revealed an interior that is both impressive and inviting. Much of the Magnette’s appeal is due to the design of the well appointed cabin which is decidedly up-market with its high quality walnut faced dashboard, walnut door cappings, leather seat trim, and thick carpet. Admittedly the green carpet is now a little faded in places but this prevents the car from appearing over restored. The door opens easily with a nice action and shuts with a really satisfying clunk. Once you are seated behind the large flat wire spoked wheel the aroma of leather and polish pervades the interior, the seats are supportive and the gear lever is well positioned. This Magnette is fitted with static seat belts, both in the front and the rear; Carl went to considerable trouble to find woven seat belts that would appear contemporary. The walnut dash and door cappings have been re-varnished and really sparkle, while the seats are firm and comfortable. Sitting behind the wheel of this Magnette gives the impression of being in car that is not more than a few years old, a sensation re-inforced by the view down the gleaming bonnet.

Front wing note chrome in very good order

Flawless and distinctive Magnette grille

On the outside the new finish is really excellent, the black paint is deep and lustrous, and nicely offset by the contrasting chrome-work which is now in excellent order. Gloss black paint will betray any surface imperfections and is notoriously difficult to get right, but all the Magnette’s panels looked straight, the shut lines were spot on, while the panels were ripple free and flawless. Some of the original bright-work such as the hockey-stick front wing trims were found to be sound but much of the exterior trim had to be re-chromed, in particular the distinctive MG radiator grille and surround.

Presentable engine bay. Note all new fuel lines and wiring loom

Interior is in excellent order. Unmarked leather seats and trim while all the woodwork panels have been re-varnished

Excellent leather trim. Note rear seat belts

Carl Robson of West London Classics would particularly like to mention John & Lou Shorten MG Magnette Specialists of Lenwade in Norfolk (01603 872436) because in Carl’s words ‘Without their hand made panels, help and advice, the job would have become an epic of biblical proportions’.

Well fitted out boot

Electric clock

Flawless black paintwork sets off the sleek lines of Gerald Palmer’s timeless design

Richard Ladds