Chassis # 27638: First car in 1958 (approximate)

KA C 11 32023
Original home market car. Now in germay in the hands of Guido Reinking.

  KA B 11 33768
Built on 1st Sepemeber 1958, owned by Clive Webb

KA JJ 13 36588
For sale on ebay in June 2010

 KABB13 36587

Restored by Richard Willis in 2013, and now owned by David Wass in Yorkshire

KA LL 23 27790
In mid December 2012 a collection of five un-restored Magnettes, in the township of Bargo [about 100km South of Sydney], were in jeopardy of going to the metal recyclers. Not wishing so see these cars lost efforts were made to change the out come. Luckily,with quick foot work, things were averted and reference should be made to Brian Woolmer's 'Bargo' story as submitted to the MGCC Magnette Register WEB site.
Due to the generosity of those involved KALL 23/27790 came into my ownership. I had inspected this car, jammed in with others, under torchlight some time earlier and felt a serious attempt should be made to salvage this car and if possible restore it - although early negotiations, boldly initiated by Paul Vermont, had failed due to different expectations of the then owner [deceased estate] of the five Z types.
The attached picture shows KALL 23/27790 [at a rest stop not far from Gundagai] in transit back to Geelong. Basically its currently being assessed by: Cleaning up all the threads associated with mounting the panels correctly, Using the maintenance manuals reference and a plumb bob check for straightness; and Placing on a hoist to check extent of rust and any damage accrued over its life. At this stage: the plumb bob test indicated the body is straight; rust is significant [I dont believe terminal]; Damage to the body showed up with - tie bar {lower link to body - driver side} is bent with some localised under panel regression, plus the area under the passengers side A pillar has had an argument with something high profile [stump?] For Australia this car is a little unusual. It is a monotone ZBV and must have been originally destined for mainland Europe as the speed - o is calibrated in Kph. More assessment and checks need to be carried out as KALL should be saved.
from Loz Scott [13 Jan 2013]

KA B 23 27929
Jo Reed of Victoria, Australia owns this car.

KA C 23 28463
The car was purchased by the J&T Gunn family (which later became Gunns of pulp mill fame) all the family cars were painted in the company corporate colour as this car is. The car is still owned by this family.

KA TA 23 28661
Loz Scott has commenced restoration using the best of two ZB bodies. Body has obvious rust, while rear had copious amounts of body filler that hid worse corrosion.

KA LD 23 28668
Bought from a fellow member of the MG Owners Club WA. He had owned it for 10 years and traveled 15000 miles. It was restored in 1992 with all body, interior and mechanical work done. A 1622 MGA motor was put in then.
Andrew Leonhardt, Western Australia

KA B 23 28469
Standard except for seat belts ,flashing ind. Restored early '80s present owner 15 years. Ken Dutch, Austalia

KA TA 23 29300
Bought in perth in 1996. Originally from Adelaide, South Australia. Bit by bit as finances allowed, bought allparts required. Stripped off paint but unfortunalety allowed surface rust to build up as I became busy with work.Will sell this car soon to other owner in our Magnette group.
Chris Gray, Perth, Western Australia

KA B 23 29308
Now owned by Helen Farquhar. The car was first registered  25.03.58 and toured over Europe before being shipped to Australia. Previous owner Rod Barrett restored her with a sporting feel, lowered suspension, minilite copy wheels, custom inlet and exhaust and a balanced and blueprinted engine.

KA B 23 29310 
Bought second hand from the original owner May 1970 with 95,000 miles on the clock for $450 car (200 pounds). This ZB was my first car at age 18. I still have it and its now got 197,000 miles on it. Resprayed in BRG in 1984.Some bodywork redone -chrome, new leather seats, rust removed and engine overhauled. Won Concors 1985. Since then used for going to work, weddings and fun with the MG club in South Australia.
Original owner was Mr Crawford of Glenelg SA who bought it to travel from Adelaide to his sheep ranch near Broken Hill 400 miles north east of the city. When I bought it, it had about 2 bucket fulls of red dust through the head lining and seats etc. Thirty years ago I taught my wife, sister in law and my sister, my son and others how to drive in it and its still going. Kevin Dixon, South Australia

KA J 13 29417

 Now owned by John Roker in Victoria, Australia

KA BB 23 29847

You may think this is the wrong car in this gallery, but this car started as a Magnette and is "rebodied". Read the full story...

KA L 23 30821

KA B 21 32213
Another Australian racer belonging to Adam Davidson, Melbourne Australia

This car now is converted to automatic. Read here about #32213

KA B 21 32214
Totally Original unmoleshed condition. Has been stored since 1969. Has only 50,000 genuine verified miles.
The car was built in 1958 shipped to Australia and delievered toReg Ansett Motorsin Hamilton, Victora for a Mrs. Roberts of Moyne Falls Cattle Station in the Western District. Mrs Roberts drove the car for 10 years. after which it was sold to a collector. From that time  it ahd been in the hands of two collectors and has never been registered since. However it has been driven sparingly on Vic roads permits only
John Hastie, Australia

KA B 21 32495
David Miles, Bribane, Australia

 KAL21/32995

Owned by Stuart Gregory in Australia

KA L 21 34152
This vehice was purchased in the former Republic of Southern Rhodesia by a police officer (ID unknown) based in (the then) Hastings, Rhodesia. It was then bought by a person (name known to me) who took it with him to South Africa at the time of Zimbabwe's independence. I then bought it through an intermediary (in 1989) and imported it into Austalia in 1991 - after driving it for a while and then starting a full restoration.  My understanding is that the car was imported into Rhodesia as a fully built vehicle (as suggested by the car number identification code).  The car was (so far as I know) completely original. I have removed (and had re-built) the original engine and have fitted a 1622cc unit I took from a very sad South African donor car which was then donated to local club members for parts. Although I started restoring the car in South Africa, I (and I have lots of excuses) did not complete the project until, with the hard work of one person in particular and advice, parts and support of a number of others, the car was on the road this month and passed the requirements of the local registration authorities (after a full over-the-pits inspection) this week - on the first try.
It is now fully registered for everyday use! John Monico, Canberra, Australia

KA T 21 35594
Davis Halidays'  ZB in Australia

KA C 21 36082
Rod Smith's ZB

KAA21 36444

Now owned by Brian Braithwaite in Australia

 KAA21/35576

Now owned by Andrew Williams in Australia

 KAT21/32973

Now owned by Rhys Timms in Victoria, Australia

KA PA 33 31016
Was originally imported to the Swiss now in Austria
Jörg Wiefler

KA A 11 33355

First registered 19.08.1958. Now under restoration by Andreas Schweighofer.

  KA LD 13 35479
For sale in June 2004

KA T 13 28067
The ZB of Willy Roomz, Belgium, now in the Netherlands belonging to Marc van Beuningen

KA C 13 30297
This car belongs to Mr. Van Hecke, from Menen,South West-Flanders, on the border to France. The car has been converted to left hand drive, 

KA J 43 29424
This is an early '58 ZB from Canada. The car has been restored very nicely but not to the original colour, plus a newly rebiult 1600cc engine. Wire wheels and white wall tyres give the special touch

KA L 43 30833
Sadly looking Magnette. It  was" rescued" on a scrapyard several years ago just to denie as parts car for another Magnette of Keith Holdsworth in the USA

KA H 41 32279

KA C 41 34177
Richard McKie owned this car some time ago but sold it to finish his MGA Twin Cam restoration. He says: "I should have sold the TC "and tries to relocate his old Magnette.

KA TT 43 34839
Built in Oct. of '58 now belonging to John Park from Canada."The car was owned by s.o. in the US Air Force in the state of Washington. It was then sold to an air man in the RCAF in British Columbia. From there it made its way east to Nova Scotia where it was sold to a fellow in the Canadian Army. When he retired he brought it west to Ontario. He ran a restaurant and needed money for startup and I became the owner. I've finally finished all the mechanical restoration (in between putting 15000 miles over 13 years-did a bit at a time-although I had to redo the engine twice).I've put a 3.9 rear end in.  The car was originally all Island Green  and someone painted it its present colors of fine metallic maroon and metallic silver.

KA AA 33 35983
First registrated in Sweden March 10, 1959. Since then 8 Swedish owners. Imported to Denmark 2008.
Now in the hands of Rikke Nissen, Denmark

KA L 33 36773

Original car found in Sweden. First registered in '58

KA J 23 30622
A rhd ZB in France.

KA AA 33 34075
Another Magnette in France belonging to Thomas Reiss, Charbonnières

KA J 13 28134
Seen on ebay in 04/2005: said to be complete but in need of restoration

Now in Koblenz and undergoing restoration.

KA BB 43 29850
This was the first Magnette I have seen and now I own two. I am the third owner. The car has undergone 100 plus hours of rust repair and metal fabrication. The car is now at the paint shop. The engine was rebuilt by Rich Medcraft as well as the carbs. Tobias Robinson, Oregon, USA. The car was sold in 2011 to Carsten Bange in Germany.

KA A 11 31106
This ZB is in Germany since 20 years.

KA J 13 31317
Another Magnette that found Asylum in Germany. This time a ZB. Not much known about this car.  

KA LL 13 31454
Date built: 14-16 May 1958
Date despatched: 21. May 1958
The original Registration Mark 930 EBH, dated to the 1st June 1958, was issued in Buckinghamshire. Now since the '80s in Germany and awaiting restoration.

 KA LL 13 32637
This RHD Varitone was purchased new in Bournemouth by Lady Burroughs and was her chauffeur driven transport until she died in 1970. Her chauffeur inherited the car, then it passed through the hands of 4 UK owners before Dietrich Krahn brought it to Germany in the 1990s. It was deregistered from 2010, but then a new owner restored and reregistered it in 2021, after which it was again sold

The car is fitted with 4.5x15 inch wire wheels

KA BJ 13 33273
RHD Varitone build 23.07.-12.08.58 in birch grey/twilight grey with maroon interior. When dispatched on 18.08.58 she was fitted with a Manumatic Clutch, but converted back to normal clutch like most others. She's now staying in Germany, where she had several owners.

KA B 41 33755
This Magnette was first sold in 1959 and is a California car, imported to Germany in 2000. After a lengthy restoration by Simon Beyertt, it's seen here in the new colour, Damask Red 

KA LA 13 33813
RHD Varitone in black/blue driving since several years in East Germany. Has wire wheels and an MGA boot rack! One of the previous owners made suicide in this car when inhalating the exhaust fumes.

KA L 11 34782
This RHD ZB was imported to the Netherlands where it was used for rallying. Now in the hands of Dietrich Krahn in Germany.

KA FC 13 35140
This car belonged to Ray Cain after whom the Trophy for the best car at the continental Z-Day was named after his sudden death. After a dismantling and restoratian this car now belongs to a Porsche-enthusiast in southern Germany.

KA BJ 33 36364
Your webmaster with his Varitone. I bought this car when we started as a family and the MGA was too small. Since then it's in daily use and we all enjoy driving in the airsmoothed style!

KA LD 13 37044
A late Varitone imported from England to Germany in 2000, where she had several owners. She's now staying in Northern Germany with Jens and Helga Evers in the outskirts of Hamburg. Jens is going to bring her back to her former glory.

KA LA 33 27973
I bougt the car in Sweden 12/04/05. Second owner have had it for 20 years. The MG was total restored from 1982-1984 and is in a very good condition.
Johann Emil Björnsson, Iceland

KA C 13 29272
Original 1500cc engine now fitted with overdrive gearbox from early MGB
Martin O'Brien.

KA C 13 29886
This is my 1958 M.G. MAGNETTE with 42,000 miles from new. Original and unrestored. 
Henry Marcus Gort, County Galway, Ireland

KA PA 13 30791

Previous Owners in Cambridge, Colchester, Cleveleys, Stafford, Newry,Wicklow and Dublin
Patrick Kiely

KA LL __ 27793
The first car on our website from Italy: a 1958 Varitone with upper and lower colour in black from new.
Mauro Annoni , Como, Italy

KA BJ 13 31723
This was a very original car with only 35,000 miles in the hands of John Monkman. Sold in the 90's to Mr. Itoh Tsuneo from Tokyo, Japan and still in concours condition.

KA LL 23 32630
This car belonged to an US embassy employee in Japan until 1960, then to a Shell agent young owner and several other owners. Now it belongs to Masahiro Sato a friend of one of the earlier owners! 
Read here more about this car

KA BA 13 34049
This Varitone was exported to Japan in 1997 and bought by Mr. Hideo Ohba from Tokyo, who uses his car every Sunday. In 1950's, new Magnettes were imported from England by a Japanese car dealer. I think about 20-30 cars were imported. These cars were mainly LHD for US soldiers and some of these are now available to buy. After 1980's British Car Shop imported Magnettes mainly from England, I think also about 20-30 cars. Read more...

KA B 41 32982
Originally delievered to USA. Imported to Germany 1962. Stored for over 20 years in a Garage. Sold to Luxembourg in 2002 to Sonia & Yves Rommes. They want to rebuilt it with a V8 motor as a fun car. New Panels and parts already bought but no motivation to start and finish work.

KA C 41 31119
Richard Comfort's Magnette in Stanardsville, Virginia, USA. Now for sale in Texas.
Sold to Mexico in 2011.

KA A 41 34739
On December 2002, I bought a second car in San Diego California, this car was working on the roads of California, I brought her to La Paz for to take the parts for the 1956 (#12441), because this it's only have the legal imported to México. Now I want repair the two cars, and get the imported the 1959. It's a big project for my life.
Luis Benito, La Paz, Baja California Sur state, México

KA H 5 27740
Here is a picture of a 1958 ZB currently for sale on "Trademe" (Kiwi equivalent of e-bay). The car is located in Helensville, about one hour north of Auckland. It also carries a plate "MGM 511 Motor Assemblies Ltd., Durban South Africa" . The chassis no. declares this Magnette as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) car. It looks as it was assembled in SA, then between 1958 and 1965 reimported to UK and then in 1965 imported to NZ from the UK. The car looks OK from a distance, but closer inspection reveals patches on the chassis and heaps of body filler in all the usual places.

KA A 43 28177
I bought the car off an elderly gentleman of 82 yrs who had owned the car for 28 years. As far I understand the car had never been out of Auckland NZ all it's life and been used every day for 52 years. I bought it and drove home a distance of 552kms without a hitch, only ran out of fuel as fuel gage is not accurate. It's a very tired old car needing some TLC which I intend giving it.
Rachel Dean

KA AA 33495

Exported on sale (11th Sept 1958) on a ship called Nevasa, possibly to Singapore where the purchaser (Major Everson) was stationed. Then shipped to Mombasa 28th Oct 1960. Kenyan rego KGU112. Then shipped to Auckland NZ on the 26th June 1964.Sold in 1968 to an owner who kept it until 1994 and only did 55,000 mls in it.Sold to a man who never used it, I bought it in 1995 & sold it in 1996. I then bought it back of that owner in Dec 2012. Has only covered 106000 mls. Still original and great to drive!
Tony Don

KA BJ 13 35929
Imported from England to Portugal in March 2005 by Alberto Cruz, who restored her to a high standard and converted her to LHD.

KA H 5 27743

Another CKD car assambled in Durban South Africa. The Motor Assemblies No. is MGM 514.
Owner is Keith Burton

KA H 5 27915

One of the CKD cars assambled in Durban, SA

KA H 5 29778

KA AH 5 30065

South African ckd car assembled in Durban nowbelonging to Richard Smailes

KA B 13 31027
I have just read your article on CKD Magnettes. Just wanted to let you know that I have one that was manufactured in 1958 and first registered on 30 August 1958 in South Africa. It was assembled at Motor Assemblies in Durban and bears the nameplate with number 741 on it.

KA BJ 23 32852
It must have been a Manumatic car originally as I was wondering why the clutch slave cylinder unit was not in the correct place. Its on the side of the gearbox ( a la MGA) and not on top.
Rod Paxton, East London, South Africa

KA J 21 31655

I have been in correspondence with Peter Martin who together with Lou Shorten a lady I have known for over 20 years and has helped me immensely to restore a MG Magnette ZB that was in a sad state of repair at the time I came into possession odf it 29 years ago. ..
Dr Ifthikar Ismail

KA J 21 36278
The last ZB to be imported to Sri Lanka.  Dr.Vickum Senanayake is going to restore her to her former glory. 
Here are more pictures

  KA BB 33 28249

Tomas Jaksch from Sweden owns this one.

KA BJ __ 29790

KA LL 33 29800
An old photograph from the Swedish register archiv.

KA BB 33 29848
A Swedish single-coloured Varitone owned by Gilbert Falkenstrom since the 1970s. After acquiring the car he painted it maroon but has now repainted in Birch grey. Fitted with 1622 engine, 3.9 diff and towbar

KA LL 33 30926
An old photograph from the Swedish register archiv.

KA CC 33 31303
Picture from the old Swedish register archive.

KA LL 33 31714
A Swedish blue/blue Varitone belonging to Karl Gustav Zackrisson.

KA CC 33 35770
Single-coloured Varitone owend by Ingela and Ulf Edström from Gotenburg.

KA CC 33 36622

This car was first regitered in Sweden on 11.03.1959. Photo taken during Skandinaviskt MG Meeting in Lundsbrunn 1998. Ingrid and Anders Bäcklund with family.

KA A 33 37002
This car was delievers to Sweden originally in black, repainted brown/beige by Björn-Eric Lindh in the early 7o's. It was his everyday car for many years, named "MariGold". This picture was taken in 1976!
Now owned by a man in Skane who will restore it and repaint it black.

KA AA 33 37004

Tomas Jaksch from Sweden owns this one.

KA BJ 13 28600
Was for sale on the internet in Dezmeber 2007: Much money invested but probably not concours condition.

KA BJ 13 31503
A very nice Varitone from Switzerland. It belongs to Daniel Ingold. Those who know im, know how tidy his cars are...

KA AA 23 33134
This car belonged to my uncle who was a Thai embassador in Cambodia. After he came back to Thailand he brought her along and I found her sat in his garage in 1980 in good running condition unfortunately this car has a modified engine (1500 cc Mitsubishi Saturn) and a Mitsubishi transmission.  Read more...
Chatdhana Bhimonpun, Thailand

KA BU 33 28601
Was for sale on the Inter-Classica in Maastricht, NL.

Now in Belgium in the hands of Pascal Deviane

Orig. reg. date was 05.06.1958 

KA LD 13 28878
Under restoration by Roland van den Eijnden, The Netherlands

KA A 1330439

KA A 13 31631
Gerrit de Graaf's ZB from the Netherlands.

KA J 11 34591
A very nice Dutch ZB owned by Jos Meyers.

KA TU 13 36517
Dutch  ZBV of John Kusters. A lovely example in green/green.

KA BJ 13 27652
First registered on 17 Jan 1958. Still in regular use by Greg Thornton, UK

KA L 13 27770
Very standard ZB car, still with trafficators and engine just round the clock for the first time. Major components still original, ususal body restorations over the years. In our ownership since 1989, used for the school run when bringing up the kids and now earning its keep on 12 car historic regularity rallys.
Graham Mayes, Kent

KA BA 13 27847
One of Trevor Jones' cars