The Mighty MG Magnettes of 33
By Graeme Cocks
Comprehensive is the first word that comes to mind when perusing this history of the supercharged MG Magnette known as the K3, a trio of which swept to class and team prize honors at the 1933 Mille Miglia. Though that conquest may be central to the book, it is hardly all there is as author Cocks digs deep into a global selection of archives to discover the full story of how these fresh, lightweight cars were designed, built and developed.
He then tells that tale for his audience, supplementing the story with historic photographs of not only the cars in action, but also the men who built and raced them. We see the machines stripped down to the basic frame and running gear, their innards clearly labeled to identify the essential elements. Engineering drawings provide even more information and understanding, so that when one finishes this 460-page epic the feeling is one of definite accomplishment.
The period photography alone makes this a worthwhile venture, yet that is less than half the value, as the accompanying text leaves no doubt about the story behind these nifty little packages of performance. Like we said, “comprehensive.”
Available for AU$120 / US$105 (plus shipping) direct from Motoring Past Vintage Publishing at www.motoringpast.com.au
