1953-1958: MG TF and MG ZB Magnette

MG TF - 1953-55

• Number produced: 9,600
• Price new/now: £780/£18,000
• Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 63bhp 0-60mph/top speed: 16.3 secs/88mph

Today, the TF is one of the most desirable MGs among collectors, as it combines pre-war ‘square rig’ styling with post-war comfort and reliability. However, it was only ever developed to fill a gap in production ahead of the arrival of the T-Series’ replacement, the MGA. Even so, 9,600 TFs were sold during its two-year life – most found homes in the US, where it enjoyed unprecedented success.

In 1952, MG was absorbed into the British Motor Corporation as part of the Morris and Austin merger. Leonard Lord took charge, and he favoured the new Austin Healey 100 sports car over the MGA, which he saw as too similar. But as sales of the ageing TD dwindled, Lord swiftly approved production of the facelift model, the TF.

The car was launched at the 1953 London Motor Show, and was derided by the motoring press for its dated looks, which didn’t compare well with more streamlined newcomers like the Triumph TR2 and Healey 100. Plus, the TF’s 1,250cc engine was identical to the TD’s, and it only had the same 75mph top speed as 1939’s TA.

The TF is marked out from other T-Series cars by a reclined grille that hides a separate radiator. Its front wings are also different, to accommodate faired in headlamps instead of the traditional bolt-on fixings, which in turn blend into the sides of the bonnet.

After sitting in the MG TC, the TF’s adjustable bucket seats are much more comfortable. The cockpit layout is quite different, too, with parts taken from Y-Series saloons and T-Series roadsters, plus unique octagonal dials mounted in a central position on the dash.

The roadster is much more responsive than its predecessors, holds the road well and feels lighter to steer – although it’s still not exactly fast. This is why, in 1955, MG released the TF 1500, with over 10 per cent more power, at 63bhp, and an 88mph top speed.

MG ZB Magnette - 1953-58

• Number produced: 36,600
• Price new/now: £713/£14,000
• Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 68bhp 0-60/top spd: 18.5 secs/86mph

The Z series Magnette represented the new face of MG when its first incarnation, the ZA, debuted alongside the TF at 1953’s London Motor Show. Compared to the traditional roadster, this four-door sports saloon cut a modern figure with its streamlined body and monocoque construction – it was the first car made at Abingdon to use this method, and it would later spread to the rest of the range.

Although the ZA was indeed an all-new model for MG, it was also part of BMC’s policy in the fifties of ‘badge engineering’ under the direction of Leonard Lord. This saw BMC produce basic shells, which were then adapted with different lights, grilles and trim to fit the Morris, Wolseley, Riley, Austin and MG marques.

The ZA was designed by Gerald Palmer, and shared its DNA with the Wolseley 4/44. But the MG was much sportier, featuring the new ‘B’ series engine. This 1,489cc twin-carburettor unit was based on the 1,200cc Austin A40 engine, and produced 60bhp.

In 1956 things were taken a step further, and the ZA was replaced by the ZB Magnette, which used bigger carbs and a modified manifold to deliver 68bhp. The extra power translated to 0-60mph in 18.5 seconds and a top speed of 86mph. This second incarnation of the Magnette was a hit, outselling the ZA by nearly two to one – in total, more than 36,000 were produced, making the Z-series the most popular MG at the time.

By modern standards, the ZB feels rather sluggish when getting up to speed, but this is cancelled out by the comfortable ride, excellent handling and relatively quiet cabin. And as the complete bodyshell carries mountings for the engine, gearbox and suspension, the ZB is relatively light, yet strong and rigid.

This method of construction dramatically reduced costs and made the car very affordable. As a result of this, plus the large production numbers, the Z-series Magnette remains a relatively cheap classic car purchase today – £14,000 buys a tidy runner.