Fewer than 30 MG K3 Magnettes were built but those handful earned the marque a significant number of racing victories between the wars and plaudits for being a giant-killer in major races. The K3 Magnette was the product of a union between Lord Howe and MG engineer Cecil Kimber and MG owner William Morris. Howe, who had campaigned in Bugattis, Alfas and Mercedes, wanted an English car to use in international events while Kimber wanted a platform for use in developing new technologies and Morris just wanted the free publicity. Howes team campaigned the cars in the 1933 Mille Miglia gaining class honors and the first team prize for a non-Italian manufacturer. The K3 was offered for purchase by MG to anyone with ₤795 and the model was purchased in small numbers by privateer owners who then campaigned the car with great success in the years leading to WW2. This car (owned by C.E.C. Martin) finished a very respectable fourth overall in the 1934 24 Hours of Le Mans (behind an Alfa Romeo and two Rileys) as well as a fine finish in the Brooklands 500-Mile Race. Another K3, with an aerodynamic body, with Goldie Gardner at the wheel reached an impressive 203.54 mph on a running start on the Dessau Autobahn in 1939. Results such as these have led many to believe the Magnettes were the finest small sports cars of the inter-war era. Images from the Collier Collection.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:28:00 +0000
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