to and reduced the time to 18.5 seconds. The similar Wolseley 15/50 now shared the ZB's B-Series engine. A semi-automatic transmission, marketed as Manumatic, was fitted as an option on 496 1957 Magnettes. A Varitone model featured larger rear window and optional two tone paintwork, using a standard Pressed Steel body shell, the rear window opening enlarged in the Morris Motors body shop, Cowley, before painting. 18,524 ZBs were built. Magnette Mark III The Mark III announced 2 February 1959 was nearly identical to the Riley version (the 4/68) of the new Pinin Farina-designed midsize BMC saloon line. They both had truncated tail fins. All versions (including the Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II, Morris Oxford V and Wolseley 15/60) were produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC). The car featured BMC's 1489 cc B type engine but, in the MG Magnette III (and its Riley sibling), performance was enhanced by fitting twin S.U. H.D.4 carburetters. The interior featured a walnut veneer facia panel, door cappings and leather upholstery as well as safety glass windows. A Mark III was tested by The Motor magazine in 1959. They recorded a top speed of , acceleration from 0- in 19.7 seconds and a fuel consumption of . The test car cost £1012 including taxes. 16,676 Mark IIIs were built. Magnette Mark IV The Mark III was updated in 1961 as the Mark IV. A larger 1.6 L (1622 cc) B-Series engine, with capacity increased by increasing the bore to 76.2 mm, was fitted, and the car had a longer wheelbase and wider track. To improve handling anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear. From the outside, the Mark IV was almost identical to the Mark III, apart from the remodelled and slightly less sharply pointed tailfins, a modification shared with its Riley sibling. Automatic transmission was offered as an option. The model continued to be listed through till May 1968 when the manufacturers announced that production had ceased with "no immediate replacement ... contemplated". 14,320 Mark IVs were built. Other cars carrying the Magnette name In 2011, MG Motor confirmed that the saloon version of the MG 6 would carry the Magnette name for the UK, Europe and China. At the media launch held at the historic Goodwood Circuit, MG Motor displayed the MG 6 Magnette alongside examples of the earlier ZA and ZB Magnettes to reinforce the continuity of the brand. References