A 1956 ZA

MG MAGNETTE becomes a racer...

I had previously fitted an MGB engine with an OD gearbox. The advantage is that there is no modification required but in on the other hand it is also HEAVY and power output is really limited with this pré-cross flow, albeit torquey engine. I suppose the ideal would have been an engine from a MGC - 6 Cyl. but room + expense and even more weight was against. The only reasonable decision was the Rover V8 engine. After all it was fitted to the MGB! (But it had to look right in a 1956 car).
After measuring this - cheap - light (all aluminium) engine, with multiple spares available and plenty of power, it was chosen. It fits low in the chassis, and is short enough to be able to fit the original Magnette radiator ! The engine in question came from a 3.9 TVR (David Gerald) and is coupled to a standard 5 speed SD1 gearbox. The prop-shaft has been shortened and balanced. It will be topped with two HS8 Jaguar SU CARBS and a "hand made" exhaust manifold has been fitted which runs on the inside of the Twin chassis rails. A new bulkhead was made to accommodate the power unit and a special baffled sump was fabricated in order to fit behind the front cross member. The only modification will be an oil-cooler.

BODY AND INTERIOR

The whole car is built round 4 Borrani wheels (6 J) (MGB Splines). The front grill will be lightened with centre mesh and to eliminate the "nose-up" attitude the smart chrome surround will probably be painted thesame colour as the body (cherry red). The top of the bonnet has been "louvered" on both sides (alias JAG MKII). The two front wings have air-intakes for brake ventilation. The rear wings have widened using MK II Jaguar COOMB Spats and grafted on the both rear doors. The Britax sunshine roof will stay unless a sound metal sun-roof can be found. All doors have been lightened and will be fitted with Perspex. A special aluminium petrol tank has been made and fitted above axle (as per original) and is fed with a very elegant pop-up aluminium filler cap ! 
The dashboard has been "French polished" to give it the "original" look and the octagon centre console behind the wooden steering wheel houses ROUND new counter speedometer, etc. All toggle switches are as per original and installed in the centre console with aux. gauges. All gauges are "Magnolia" by Smiths. 
The seats will be as original except the drivers bucket seat in matching beige leather. The seats will be cleaned, degreased and painted.

FONT SUSPENSION

Cut bottom trunnion to fit between lower track rods. Turn top mounting on MGB King Pin back to front to gain upward stub axle "Angle". Shorten top wishbones (ZA) to increase Stub Axle "Angle" and make up a fiat fixing plate and weld into position on ail 4 wishbones. The angle of the stub axle should now be ± parallel with the ground. Reverse the track rod arms LH/RH so bail-joint on rack and pinion faces upwards to keep as much "INLINE" as possible. The main track-rod arm should be cut and a LH/RH adjuster fitted (from Rally Design) so the suspension can be properly set-up later on neg/Pos CAMBER). The rear track rod idem with adjuster LH/RH thread. 
The front "Tie Bar" (chassis to upper wishbone) should be replaced by an equipment from a "Mini" but adjustable in length (mini spares). An anti-roll bar will be fitted later when we make sure there is enough room !
At a later date an adjustable tie bar will be fitted, and rosé jointed, to the top of the spring mount, on the one side and on the top of the bulkhead on the other; this will relieve any strain or torsion on the chassis legs at the base of the bulkhead!