1934 MG Magnette ND Supercharged Sports

• One of only 24 ND models made
• Pre- and post-war competition history
• Competed at Brooklands in 1936
• Well known in MG circles
• Last restored in the 1980s

"It is not surprising that with the makers' knowledge of racing... it should be capable of giving as high a speed as 80mph. What comes as a revelation is the ease with which on Brooklands that speed is reached and held. The rev needle hovering between the 5,000 and 5,500 marks, the whole mechanism feeling as one, and with no sense of adventure attached to such speeds." – The Autocar on the N-type Magnette.

Small-capacity six-cylinder cars were much in vogue in the early 1930s, and MG had duly climbed aboard the bandwagon in 1931 with launch of the Magna 'F'. Maximum output of the Magna's 1,271cc Wolseley Hornet-based overhead-camshaft engine was later raised from a modest 37bhp to a much healthier 47 horsepower, while an extensively revised and improved version of this 'KD' engine, tuned to produce 56.6bhp, was carried over to the new N-type Magnette of 1934. The chassis too had come in for revision, being lighter than hitherto, while the body was now supported by rubber-mounted outriggers, an arrangement that gave a more comfortable ride. Although built on the new N-type chassis, the two-seater ND model used the now redundant K2 bodies.

The NDs were built for the trials fraternity, as they found that the standard N-type body's rear overhang was vulnerable to damage on trials. This car is one of a batch (NA 0509-0513) built just before the run of NEs and intended to be used for the (unblown) 1934 Ulster TT. However, it was found that the bodywork did not conform to the race regulations so the narrower-bodied NEs were used instead.

'BKL 265' is one of only 24 ND Magnettes built out of a total of 738 N-types, excluding the racing NE. It is featured as representing the ND Magnette in Richards Monk's book, The MG Collection – The Pre-War Models (pages 139-142). 'BKL 265' is also one of the most successful ND Magnettes, winning awards in the Gloucester, Exeter, and Colmore Trials, and also collecting the Kentish Border Car Club's Alexander Trophy and Stafford Clark Cup in 1935.

The Magnette was first registered on 7th September 1934 by H B Shaw of Boundary Garage in Orpington, Kent, and made its competition debut some six weeks later in the North West London Motor Club's Inter Club Team Trial on 29th October. Shaw continued to campaign 'BKL 265' throughout 1935, and in May 1936 its new owner F W Carr drove the car at the Brooklands opening meeting, which appears to have been its last known competitive outing prior to the outbreak of WW2.

Bought in 1963 by one of its previous owners, Philip Bayne-Powell, and restored in 1965, the MG was raced and sprinted for many years and was part of the 2nd place team in the 750 Motor Club's 6-hour relay race in 1975. Restored for a second time by subsequent owner Len Goff in the 1980s, it was bought back by Mr Bayne-Powell in May 1990 and again used for sprints and hill climbs. 'BKL 265' also won its class in the 2012 Brooklands 12/12. The car has remained in the Bayne-Powell family's possession since 1990. A full list of competitive events entered and all known owners is on file together with two Brighton Speed Trials certificates and a selection of action photographs.

The Magnette is fitted with an original Marshall 87 side-mounted supercharger; a twin-plate competition clutch; 8/39 straight-cut CWP; competition half-shafts; and a fully counterbalanced Phoenix crankshaft and con-rods. Other notable features include a period-correct horn and FT27 spotlight, and a rare MG Midge mascot by the MG Car Co.

The engine has been tuned by Tom Airey and produces a maximum of 85bhp, as tested on a rolling road, giving a top speed of 90mph. A recent engine overhaul involved fitting new piston rings, big-end bearings, and clutch thrust lining, and overhauled starter and dynamo. We are advised by our vendor that the Magnette is ready to race after running in the new bearings. A wonderful opportunity to own an ultra-rare MG sports car with pre-war Brooklands and other competition history.