MEET THE OWNER – ALEX SINGLETON AND HIS MG MAGNETTE MK 4

We recently featured John Langford’s 1964 Magnetite Mk 4 Farina, and today, we pay tribute to Alex’s 1966 example. His MG is the automatic version – ‘a three-speed column change Borg Warner, and it’s a good strong box. It’s also a very rare option, given the extra cost when new. It’s great for cruising, but perhaps not the fastest off the mark’.

The Mk 4, together with its Austin, Morris, Riley and Wolseley stablemates, made its bow in 1961. The major news was the 1.6-litre B-series engine plus a longer wheelbase, wider tracks, and anti-roll bars fore and aft. Production ended in 1968, three years before the Marina 1.8 replaced the last of the Farinas. Survivors are now inevitably rare and Alex came by his example when:

My wife and I were looking for a bigger classic for family holidays, and our BGT was a bit too small for luggage etc. We both enjoy ‘50s styling and the MG Magnette Mk. IV had it in spades, so I went and had a look at one and decided to take it on. It needed work to make a reliable car, but it was easy enough to work on.

During the 60s, BMC made valiant attempts to convince Abingdon die-hards that the Mk 4 was a car in the tradition of the Octagon badge. One advertisement claimed ‘a pedigree direct from the K3 Magnette’ while another promised ‘The Spirit and Joy of a True MG’. The Corporation also, somewhat misguidedly, tried to promote the Farina as a sports saloon, but as Alex points out

The handling wasn’t what it could have been, and even with twin carburettors, the 1,622cc B series isn’t pulling such a size of car quickly. However, you can do a few things to improve it. Ultimately, it’s more a family car than a sports saloon.

And as a rather handsome, spacious and well-appointed touring car, the Mk 4 has considerable appeal. It was a car for the sort of 1966 motorist who believed that visiting Carnaby Street should be punishable by law, as should listening to The Kinks. Their role models were probably James Robertson-Justice and Fanny Cradock, while their favourite programme would have been The Dales on the Light Programme.

As for the Magnette’s road manners, Mr. Singleton observes, ‘we tend to cruise around 65 mph. That puts a lot of other cars passing us by’. He has also come across mementoes of the MG’s previous owners – ‘pocket change in the seats; 3d or the odd shilling. While fixing the seats, I also discovered a ticket for the Falmouth chain ferry, 1968, and a parking ticket stub from Beverly, Yorkshire, 1971’.

Alex summarises the Magnette Farina as ‘a great blend of styling, mixed with a big practical size. At home on long sunny highways, you can appreciate it for what it is’. Or, as one sales campaign memorably put it – ‘of course it’s superior’.

With Thanks To: Alex Singleton

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