Most books of the marque M.G. only have a small chapter of MAGNETTES. But there are a handful of books, that every MAGNETTE owner should have in his bookshelf.
Should you know any book not listed below, please send a mail to the Webmaster. Thanks.

MG SALOON CARS by Anders Ditlev Clausager ISBN 1 901432 06 8 price £ 24.95.
This is THE book about Magnettes. The author's name should be known by everybody as should his "Original"-series books. 24 pages with b/w and coloured pictures plus 4 pages index of colours, technical data and production figures. The chapters describe very detailed the way to the Magnettes birth and the following evolution. Worth every penny! The other pages cover the early saloons, the SVW range, Y-Type, Farina Magnettes up to the MG 1100 & 1300.

Brooklands Road Test -Limited Edition-Y-TYPE & MAGNETTE ZA/ZB ISBN 1 85520-347-2 price around £ 20.00
This books contains 39 reprinted contemporary road tests from Autocar, Motor, Motor Sport, and others. 19 of these are on magnettes including the very first ZA report from October 16, 1953. All pictures b/w with low quality. 
The book is available from the MGCC Y Register at  £ 9.95 plus p&p. 

Rallying in an M.G. by Len Shaw ISBN 09519423 4 4, price £ 19.95
Len Shaw was works rally driver in Abingdon on Y-Type, and later ZA Magnette. He competed successfully in such major events as the R.A.C. Rally, The Tulip Rally and the Monte Carlo Rally. This book contains a lot of temporary pictures, all b/w. on 95 pages. About 20 pages cover his career on the Magnette.





MGOdyssey by Ken Mc Kimmie ISBN 0646 03455 3, price AUS $ 20.00.
This was the most fascinating book for me. If you have ever been to Australia you will feel the desert heat and smell the red dust!! This book is written like a novel and you can't stop reading. It tells the true story of an Aussie MG enthusiast, who travelled with his Magnette from Perth to Brisbane across Australia. Not that thing? Well he didn't use roads: he went on 4-wheel -tracks. Well worth reading and very amusing.


Auto Architect-The Autobiography of Gerald Palmer published by Magna Press, ISBN 0 9519423 6 0 Price £ 19.95.
Gerald Palmer was always destined to be involved with the motor industry as, whilst still at school, he designed and built a rakish, boat-tailed body for the family‘s redundant Model T Ford. Gerald served his apprenticeship at Scammell under the eye of the brilliant designer O.D. North, and built a Sports car of innovative design as a private venture. Before the war he was put in charge of M.G. design at Cowley, where he worked on what was later to become the Y-type saloon. Moving to Jowett, he was responsible for the technically-advanced Javelin, a successful car that had been intended from the outset to suit world markets. Returning to Nuffield he was first given responsibility for designing future M.G., Riley, and Wolseley rnodels, and then appointed as Technical Director of Morris Motors Limited and a Chief Engineer of the British Motor Corporation. Following this he worked for General Motors at the Luton Vauxhall plant, entailing many visits to the American and German factories. Gerald, being primarily a sports car enthusiast, has owned and restored both a T44 Bugatti and the technically-advanced Mercedes that won the 1924 Targa Florio race.

Z Magnette Modifications Manual  by MG Car Club Z & Farina Magnette Register, price £ 5.00.
Why would anyone want to modify a classic car? Those of you, who use their Magnette daily, know that the Magnette still can be used as everyday transport. There is only one disadvantage: not enough power for today's traffic. This book will help you to find out what you need for your purpose.
You will find helpful tips and drawings for converting your MAGNETTE to bigger engines, or a guide what diff. to choose. Find a selection of tips from other enthusiasts. The book covers the sections engine (incl. carburettor, starter motor, cooling etc.), gearbox, brakes and minor improvements. Look at Regalia how to order. 

MG MAGNETTE ZA & ZB by Colin Pitt, published by Unique Motor Books,  ISBN 1 84155 177 5, price £ 9.95,.
This book contains 20 reprinted articles from period reviews and adverts from Light Car, Autocar, Motor Sport, Practical Classics. It has some inevitable overlap with the Brooklands book but not sufficient to stop you from buying both books. At £ 9.95 (plus £2.25 p&p in UK, other countries please ask Bookspeed) this is an interesting addition to the Magnette Owner's bookshelf. All pictures are in b/w and are of varying quality, but mostly quite acceptable given the price. A good buy and a good read. Available from Bookspeed Books:  www.bookspeed.co.uk/cars/  email:  bookspeed@bookspeed.win-uk.net 

The original Service parts list with detailed drawings and part numbers. Very helpful at restorations. Used  examples can be found on trade stands at events or from the suppliers.  
Prices are around £ 30.00.

 
The original workshop manual. An absolute must for today's Magnette owners. Contains general data and instructions for maintenance and overhaul of  your Magnette.
Used Originals can be found on trade stands at events or from the suppliers. 
Prices are around £ 30.00.

Autobooks 831 
Do-it-yourself Workshop manual covering the Magnette ZA/ZB amoungst some others (Riley, Austtin Cambridge, Morris Oxford)
"Comprehensive ste-by-step instructions and illustrations are given on all dismantling, overhauling and assembling operations."
 

MG Magnette Mark III and IV, by Colin Pitt,  Unique Motor Books ISBN 1 84155 178 3, price £9.95
Another in the Unique Motor Book Series, this time concentrating solely on the MG Magnette Mark III and IV Farinas. This book contains 11 reproduction adverts and 15 reports from period motoring magazines from Sporting Motorist, The Autocar and The Motor Trader dated between 1959 and 1965. A very interesting article compares and contrasts the Mark IV against the Volkswagen 1500S! The book contained many other interesting and well written articles that I had not seen before. It is well laid out and presented: the reproduction of the articles and the pictures are well above average. The book also contains several interesting service articles not confined to engine servicing but also covering other components in exploded format. If you have a Farina Magnette and you do not have this book you have been missing out on a worthwhile addition to your bookcase for too long. Available from Bookspeed (add £2.25 p&p in UK, other countries please ask Bookspeed). Address see above.