Built 1955

Magnettes from chassis 4332 to 13256 built

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  Chassis no. Description
4332

First car in 1955 (approximate)

4531a
4531

KA E 23 4531
Seen on ebay Australia in 11/2007

4538a
4538

KA E 31 4538
Picture from the Swedish archive

4552
4552

  KA E 33 4552
First registered 01.01.1955, it spent some years in Sweden, but is now owned by Marc Spens in Belgium

4660a
4660

KA A 13 4660
First reg. 26.01.1955

4678a
4678

KA E 23 4678
Car bought maybe for spares but too good to pull apart. Current colour maroon but was midgreen. I'm going to restore this in prpbably ivory colour with red interior.
Nick Baker, Australia

4742a
4742

KA J 13 4742

4767a
4767

KA C 23 4767
Ron Jillard brought his car out of the garage on a reasonable day in a Canberra winter.(Well looks much better than many of Europe's summer days). The car has an MGA engine, MG B MK 1 gearbox & overdrive No 4, and MG A 4.3 diff.

4776a
4776

KA _ 13 4776
Supplied and used around North Devon now based in Cornwall. The printed body no. excludes a colour reference (supplied in primer?) and was purchased by the current owners in the original cream paint, now re-sprayed twilight grey

4793
4793

 KAC 23 4793

Now owned by Stephen Barry in Queensland

4843a
4843

KA A 43 4843
This car was owned until mib 2010 by the first owner. Read the story....

4930a
4930

  KA C 33 4930
A Swedish Car spotted by Göron Jonsson.

4936a
4936

KA C 33 4936
Per Malmros spotted this car for sale on the internet in May 2010

4981a
4981

KA A 23 4981
Acquired recently on generous terms from a club member , car is complete but requires a complete restoration, although corrosion is in check and these repairs are reasonably straightforward. Purchased by the previous owner six years previously with engine BP15GA5875. Now very faded Maroon, traces of the original gloss black may be evident around the ventilator box. Inner wing bears a P&R Williams, Sydney & Newcastle lubrication plate. Body stamp may be a typographical @ says: BMGA 4931. Has a full wooden dash rather than the expected tin-top. Andrew Bailey, NSW, Australia

4994a
4994

KA A 43 4994
'55 ZA rusting away in Loch Sheldrake N.Y.

5079a
5079

KA A 23 5079
Restoration project of Davies Digger, Queensland

5137a
5137

KA J 23 5137
This ZA is undergoing a full restoration as a drivers car rather than original. These pictures are of the car as it was prior to disassembly. It was previously a parts car for another restoration.
Justin Greenwood, South Australia

5283a
5283

KA A 33 5283
This '55 ZA was registered in Austria. Whereabouts unknown.

5307a
5307

KA E 23 5307
'55 ZA with 1622 motor, 4.3 MGA differential
Restored in 1996/97 by Leigh Wallace of Greensborough, VIC. Owned by Peter Daley from Canberra, Australia since March 1998

5327a
5327

KA _ __ 5327
1955 ZA (veritoned) with Tin Top dash Owner - Paul and Stephie Rollins, Vancouver Washington, USA
Car has led a hard life, but is still very solid, and Paul will slowly bring it around as he's had another ZBV in the past.
Update: Installed MGB, 5-main, 1800 cc engine; Datsun 280ZX five-speed; 4.3:1 diff. Car is now a fabulous highway cruiser -- 70 mph is a breeze.

5367a
5367

KA A 23 5367
Des Barker's ZA in Western Australia

5405
5405

KA C 33 5405

Standing in a barn since 1977, now under restoration.

5510a
5510

KA A 13 5510
Was for sale on ebay in September 2003. The owner inherited the car from his late brother and has decided it really wasn't what he wanted and therefore decided to sell it.

5650a
5650

KA A 13 5650
David Graham from Quebec, Canada sent us a picture of his early ZA, first registered March 1955:
"The ZA was purchased in Plymouth, Devon.  In April 1981 it was shipped from Liverpool to Montreal, Canada.  The car was driven to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the East coast and then in the fall of 1981 towed to Victoria, British Columbia, on the West coast of Canada.  In 1984 I rebuilt the engine, fixed a few (maybe quite a few) other small problems and then drove across Canada, first to Kingston, Ontario and then on to Montreal.  The ZA has lived in Montreal since 1986.

5684a
5684

KA A 13 5684
Seen on ebay in 8/2004

5794a
5794

KAE 13 5794
First registered 29.03.55 now belonging to Ronald Faulkner, living in Germany. The most special on this car is it's engine: it's a Diesel! Read more about it...

5911
5911

KA J 13 5911

5911 was registered in March 1955 and is an early ZA still with its metal top dashboard. This car has a 1622 gold seal engine with an MGA diff and is otherwise original including plate UHU59. Owned by Stephen Gell

6048a
6048

KA A 13 6048
Owned by Trevor Morris virtually one owner car and very original

6175a
6175

KA E 33 6175
The car has always been danish since 1955 when it was built. It has run 117.000 kilometres from new. First reg. 27 April 1955 We use the car in daily use in the spring, summer and autumn. The registration numberstill is the original from the first day. Gert Jakobsen, Denmark,www.bordercollies.dk

policea.1
6423

KA A 13 6423
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

6443a
6443

Netherlands KA A 33 6443
This ZA has only done 70,000 km so far (about 50,000 mls). It's an original LHD Dutch car and has had only 3 owners from new : It now belongs sine many years to Hans and Monique Evers, who only use her rarely. It still has the original tin-top dash and all the papaers are still with the car.

6456a
6456

Austria KA C 23 6456
Maroon homemarket RHD ZA. Was brought to Germany, where she went through several hands. Now sold to Thomas Nebauer in Austria.

6501

'From chassis # 6501 the 'Tintop' dash was replaced by wood

6537a
6537

KA J 43 6537
"Ziggy" belongs to Rich Mooers in the USA on Long Island/New York City. This picture was taken at the Limerock Vintage Festival 2001. The car was adopted from Mike Sarvas, who has the largst collection of MG models in the world.

6538a
6538

KA J 33 6538
This wonderful left hand drive ZA Magnette was produced in 1955 and originally sold to North America. Since 1999, she was completely restored by Peter Herbst of Cologne, Germany, in a four years period. The grey leather interior matches to the dark blue outside colour in harmony. This beauty is quick and comfortable. I aquired her in February 2008 and our first journey was to the Magnette Meeting in Kassel. I will keep her forever. Wolf Juchem, Germany.

6628a
6628

KA A 23 6628
Car was purchased from Des Newham of Sydney Australia in May 2004. The car seems to be original. I am unsure of the original date of registration, but the rego label on the car shows that it was last registered in September 1979 and has been garaged since September 1980, when that registration expired. The car is in beautiful condition for its age and the only work needed is new rubber seals all round the body, refurbishment of the woodwork and new electrical wiring to replace the existing old and frayed wires. Finally, I have realised a childhood dream of  owning an MG!
Fred and Jan Schaap

6836
6836

KA J 43 6836
One of six Magnettes on a scrapyard in Arizona that were to be crushed at the end of July 2004

6956a
6956

KA C 23 6956
Purchased on ebay by John Cuneen.
Now sold to be used to repair a ZA racer which hit the wall at Eastern Creek Raceway. It is now owned by Bruce Smith.

6960a
6960

KA C 23 6960
Bruce Bramhill from Victoria, Australia bought this Magnette in need of full restoration. The result after 5,5 yrs restoration:

6990
6990

KA J 43 6990

Ken Beisser purchased her in 2010

7081a
7081

KA A 23 7081
on ebay 02/2008:
I am offering my ZA Magnette for sale. I bought the car locally in 1984 and have used it on/off as a regular driver since then.

Please Note: The car is fitted with a 2 L Mitsubishi motor (Sirius motor as fitted to Cordia, Starion) This is coupled to a 5 speed box.I know this is sacrilege to MG fans but it was a very successful conversion making it a great car to drive.
Read more about this car....

7115a
7115

KA C 23 7115
ZA Magnette which is undergoing a slow restoration. The picture shows the car when it arrived back in 2009.
Les Hall, Victoria

7116a
7116

KA C 23 7116
After owning a 1969 MGB for ten years, it was time for a change. I purchased the 1955 MGZA from P. Ramsden (Perth WA) on 29/3/06.After having it transporting it back to Bendigo,it was of to the workshop, replacing the brake hoses and a few other worn pins and bushes etc and fitting a reconditioned tailshaft and yokes, the car is now ready to be a daily driver. Being fitted with the MGA engine and Diff it cruises nicely down the road at 110Kph (70mph). The car
has been re-named "Lizzie" by my wife in honour of my late sister who was born in the same year. Both my wife and I have been members of MGCC's in Sydney and Brisbane and will be joining the Victorian MGCC and look forward to many years of touring and meeting others with like intrests in MG's.

7214
7214

KA E 13 7214

 

7227
7227

KA E 13 7227
Now owned by Murray Cowley in Devon, this ZA has been rebuilt and painted Rosso Brunello Metallic Red. Fitted with a 5-speed gearbox, 4.3 rear axle and disc brakes

7360
7360

KA J 23 7360

One of Andy Knigths Magnettes in Australia

 

7415a
7415

KA E 23 7415
The picture was taken at a Motorist Appreciation Day rally. We received the perpetual, " Restorers Award " at our club presentation recently which was very exciting.
Lyle Constable, NSW, Australia

7472a
7472

KA A 43 7472
ebay USA 9/2006

7477a
7477

KA A 43 7477
"Ginty" spent most of his life in Sunny Southern California coming to BC in 2006. Ginty is equipped with a Roots type Supercharger, front disc brakes,  an alternator, and an MGA rear axle to cope with modern traffic conditions,  and he does so very well.....In Airsmoothed Style! Rich McKie
Update 07/2008: Ginty has now been fitted with 4 wheel disc brakes and MGA Twin-Cam wheels to resemble the development car that John Thornley drove as his personal car. I think it looks quite good!
More pictures...

7558
7558

KA C 43 7558

7580
7580

KA E 13 7580

I have just acquired a 1955 ZA Magnette.It was on ebay described as an abandoned restoration project and whilst not quite a bare rolling shell it came with most parts detached - even the (MGB) engine and gearbox were just sitting on the cross members.I doubt that it has been driven for years.I must now audit the components and try and find any missing items - back to ebay !
The current (UK) registration plate is OSK 686, but this is not its original one.
 
The total mileage is recorded as 17546, but of course this could be 117546.  However the seats are hardly worn (the best preserved part of the car) so it just might be true.
policea.2
7627

KA A 13 7627
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

policea.3
7628

KA A 13 7628
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

7652a
7652

KA A 23 7652
First reg. Sept. 1955. Delivered by Lane's Motors Ltd of Melborne with serial numbered plaque in passenger side footwell. In dry storage from 1976 to Dec 1999 by original owner. Purchased by myself as a proud second owner, and carefully restored. The car now has flashing indicators for safety reasons. Engine upgraded to 1622cc plus a 4:3 Diff ratio and with ZB carbs / air inlet equipment
John Russell, Melbourne, Australia.

7660a
7660

KA A 23 7660
Warren Marsh handing over the key to Robert Schmitz from Bamberg/Germany. He bought th car in 2000 and imported it to Germany.

7670
7670

KA A 43 7670

Located a a dutch classic car dealer in 3/2016

7723a
7723

KA C 23 7723
My newly acquired MG Magnette ZA 1955.I am the fourth owner of this vehicle which has spent  it life up to now in the Australian country city of Goulburn  south of Sydney. Purchased in August 2004  and relocated to Canberra. Only modification is the installation of a 1622cc motor by an unknown previous owner. Member of the MG CC Canberra.
Graham Gittins, Australia

7672
7672

KA A 33 7672

 

7760a
7760

KA J 43 7760
The remains of a Magnette on Hawaii. Will start a new life as show car with frame and Chevy V8. More...

7790
7790

KA E 23 7790

Bought new by Mr Lim of Penang on 5th Sept 1955, sold to a Mr. Kelly on 2nd July 1977 who was stationed at the Butterfield AirForce Base. Arrived in Melbourne Australia on 7th January 1980. It turned up in Sydney for sale in 1986 as a restoration project. It was bought by Mr. Baker from Ulladulla NSW, restored over the next couple of years. Was issued "Club Plate 007" in 1990 and sold locally in 1994 to a Mr. Walpole . I purchased the car in 2012 and was issued the plates as pictured. The car is original, is in need of a little work. The hockey strips are still in Penang next to a gate post.

7814a
7814

KA A 13 7814
Andy Brocks ZA.

7832a
7832

KA E 23 7832
This Magnette was originally delivered to France, where it still remains.

7846a
7846

KA A 13 7846
I purchased this car on the 4th December 201. The car is unbelievably solid underneath and all round and has escaped the ravages of time. Leather interior is all original and there are just 40800 genuine miles on the clock. Previous owner had a wire wheel conversion in the 80's and mounted a wood rimmed steering wheel ...no forgiveness for the steering wheel and I am in the process of converting back to an original wheel. Trafficators all work superbly and there are no flashing indicator lights. There has also been an alternator and negative earth conversion to which I will be reversing back to dynamo and positive earth.
David Holland

7876a
7876

KA A 33 7876
An early ZA with an interesting history: It was owned for several years by nons in Portugal. The car is owned by a Porrtugiese Doctor who works in Germany. But the car still resists in Portugal.

7889
7889

KA A 13 7889
The car has been extensively rebuilt over the years prior to me buying it and is fitted with an MGB engine, Ford gearbox and MGA front discs as well as being retrimmed and repainted. Derek Harris, Kent

8008a
8008

KA E 43 8008
Seen on ebay in 9/2005

8020
8020

KA A 13 8020

Very original car owned by Steven Trovato.

8062a
8062

KA A 43 8062
I just bought it from the second owner, where it was sitting in a southern California driveway for  the last 18 years. No rust, and with a virtually perfect body. The soft parts are completely shot, but the original engine turns (it was supposedly parked for overheating). 99% complete. It is my intention to restore it to completely original, as this was the same year and type that my wife learned to drive as a teenager in the '60's. I do need a few parts and conversation with other ZA-ZB friends... leedavisone@comcast.net. Lee Davis, Albuquerque, New Mexico

8072

From chassis #8072 the radiator grille changed from 8 slats per side to 7

8078a
8078

KA C 23 8078
This Magnette is so far gone it''s going to join most of the other Magnettes in M.G. heaven. It has stood under some trees for the best part of 15 years  and was rescued for parts for my MGA and the hockey sticks for a friends '54 ZA The car was taken off the road because the petrol pump failed. So the owner E.J.SANGSTER eent out and bought an MGBGT...
Anthony Bushell, NZ

8130a
8130

KA J 13 8130
The car was re built in 1998, it got a replacement body from South Africa. It also got a lager engine from 1422cc to 1622cc.

8178
8178

KA A 13 8178

Imported to Finland from Britain in 1973 and used daily after that up to 1977. Featured many years in a local Car Museum and has carefully garaged 30 years after that. A restoration started last summer and hopefully is finished in 2014. Needs some welding, brake overhaul, door seals and new paint.
Marjo Korhonen

8278a
8278

Ireland KA J 13 8278
ebay 8/2011 in Limerick, Ireland

8327a
8327

KA J 13 8327
This ZA belangs to Grant Howlett  It was his grandfathers original car from new! First registered 18.06.1955 and like many others cars in twilight grey. The car spent most of it's life in England but also some years with Grant in Virginia, USA. More...

8387a
8387

KA E 23 8387
Registered to Nuffield Exports at Piccadilly first, then went through several hands, before I bought it a couple of years ago.
Has been standing for 10 Yrs.+ ( garaged ) Its in a poor condition, but about to start restoring. I think its going to be a while before I can get it back on the road.
John Robinson, North Nottinghamshire

8399a
8399

KA E 23 8399
Seen on ebay in 01/2008 unfinished restoration
Glasgow, Scotand

8420a
8420

KA E 33 8420
This 1955 ZA was bought in 1989 by the current owner Peter & Dorthe Beck from Denmark. This car was delieverd new to denmark and had only two owners before.

8426
8426

KA E 33 8426

Henk Wieldraaijer owns this car, which was first registered  on 26.01.1956. It now has a 3brg 1800 engine.

policea.4
8430

KA A 13 8430
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

policea.5
8431

KA A 13 8431
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped
picture taken from M.G.'s on patrol by Andrea Green, photo: Laurence McNally

8476a
8476

KA J 13 8476
This was a twilight grey with grey leather interior and red carpets Magnette of Trevor Jones. Scrapped.

8495a
8495

KA C 11 8495
This car once belonged to Malcolm Garret. After he passed away the car was bought by his friend Paul Hill, who names the car
 '''Malcolm Magnette''.

8530a
8530

KA J 13  8530
Seen on ebay in 9/2005

8533a
8533

KA C 13 8533
First registered 14 June 1955, now belonging to  John Weston-Smith, Stafford, UK

8595a
8595

KA E 13 8595
Peter Wallis just purchased this car. 559 FMH had not appear to have covered many miles since 1982. Just completed 500 miles from MG Motorsport to Lichfield and Goodwood Revival Meeting!!   9/2005

policea.6
8611

KA A 13 8611
Police car black/maroon prop. scrapped

8628a
8628

KA A 13 8628
Udo Barthels from Germany owns this rhd ZA since 1990.

8632a
8632

KA E 13 8632
Andrew Fuller took this car over from his father.

8660a
8660

KA     8660

Seen on ebay in 03/2006

8727a
8727

KA E 33 8727
First reg. 03.01.1955

KAA13/8734
8734

 KAA13/8734

Now owned by Nobuhiro Sawanhoi in Japan (2017)

8770

From chassis # 8770: Front seat mounting rails and revised seats

8778
8778

KA J 13 8778

Bought new from Mebes and Mebes Mill Hill by Mr Turnbull. Fitted with optional HMV valve radio at a cost of £39 5s 5d (which still works) and driven back to his home in Newcastle. He kept the car for the rest of his life, I believe it has covered less than 30000 miles and had some restoration work done in the late 80s, he sadly passed away in the mid 90s when his wife covered the car up in the garage and was not used again. I bought the car in May '14 and it is undergoing recommissioning work by me which is now nearly complete.
Ian Wastell

8780a
8780

KA J 13 8780
The car was bare shell restored in 1999.

8791a
8791

KA J 13 8791
Last MOT'd 2000. Not used since 2001. Has ZB power unit. Very well restored at some point (ie inner wing skins intact, front wings not welded to sills) but lost jacking pts & all chrome. Log lists it as a 1954 car with 1800 cc engine (both untrue) and the MSV registration does not make sense. Should be back on the road sometime in some guise later this year. Jeremy Woolley

8914
8914

KA J 13 8914

 The car has been off the road since 1974, but is very sound, currently being restored.
Michael Green.

8986a
8986

  KA A 13 8986
I have just purchased a black Magnette Registration number VMB149. The car is currently at the Shorten's works near Norwich, and they have confirmed that they are sure that the mileage is correct at 14,000!

9031a
9031

KA J 13 9031

1955 ZA Magnette owned (and restored) by Adrian Pinnock for over 20 years then owned by Peter Beresford who did extensive work on the engine now owned by myself, John Barringer, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

9078
9078

KA C 23 9078

I was given the car by a Bundaberg owner who was to restore it but it is to far gone in the bodywork. Now with T. Cumpston of Park Ridge South as a parts/doner car. G. Diggles

9131
9131

Netherlands KA A 33 9131
An original Dutch car in very good condition. Harry Hilgerdenaar was the second owner and it's now owned by Pim Janus, who has previously had two other Magnettes