Special

MG K3 Magnette Special

First registration 06.1933

FIVA Identity Card

Swiss road registration with veteran entry

The MG K-Type Magnette is a motor car produced by MG from October 1932 to 1934. The K-Type was introduced at the London Motor Show in 1932, replacing the F-Type Magna, but with a slightly smaller engine, it was initially given the Magnette name.
The engines were based on a Wolseley overhead camshaft design first used in the 1930 Wolseley Hornet and later by MG in the F-Type, but underwent a major redesign. The stroke was reduced from 83 mm to 71 mm to reduce the displacement from 1272 cc to 1087 cc and a cross-flow cylinder head was fitted. Initially equipped with triple SU carburetors, it produced 39 hp (29 kW) at 5500 rpm. In early 1933, a modified version of the engine was announced, which had improved valve timing and only two carburetors, but increased power to 41 hp (31 kW).
This was joined by the KC engine for the racing cars. This retained the displacement of 1087 cm3, but with the help of a supercharger the power was increased to 120 hp (89 kW) at 6500 rpm.
Drive was to the rear wheels via either a non-synchronized four-speed gearbox or an ENV-manufactured preselector. All road cars reached a speed of 121 km/h. The K3 was the racing variant and used the short chassis.

The MG K3 is a legendary and extremely successful pre-war racing car. Only 33 examples were built. The K3 racing cars made MG world famous – those who had heard little or even nothing about MG until then, could no longer claim that after the first race entry at the Mille Miglia in 1933 at the latest. Because in 1933 MG achieved a sensation at the Mille Miglia and they were the first non-Italian racing team to win the team prize and the class victory!
The MG K3 not only contributed significantly to MG’s reputation, it also helped England cement its reputation as a car racing nation in the 1930s. For the MG K3s won a great many important races in 1933 and the years that followed.

The MG K3 Special offered here was built up by Peter Gregory with many original parts. 6 cylinder engine with a bevel camshaft and supercharger, 120 HP power, Wilson pre-selector gearbox.
The car was bought in 2010 by a Swiss collector directly from the very well known collection of Gene Ponder* via Bonhams in the USA. This MG K3 Special has been continuously improved and perfected without regard to cost. In the last two years alone, more than CHF 30’000.- have been invested. The car is technically and visually in absolutely excellent collector condition.

*Gene Ponder owned a very considerable car collection with heavy weight MG, which was only recently completely liquidated from 22-24.09.2022 via RM Sotheby’s. At this very auction, another MG K3 Special “Peter Gregory” from Ponder’s collection sold for a whopping USD 264,000.

Errors, mistakes and prior sale reserved.