14 01 13 Errata the original photo’s posted in this blog were of an MG KN and will be re posted on 22nd January 2013 on this link, meanwhile the photo’s on this link are of an MG NA as originally intended, sincerest and humble apologies for any confusion caused.
The MG N-type Magnette open tourers were manufactured from 1934 to 1936 and replaced the K-Type built from 1932 to 1934. N-Types came in two distinct forms the 1934/35 NA as seen here with a honeycomb radiator grill and the 1935/36 NB which featured vertical slats in the radiator grill.
The 56 hp six cylinder 1271 cc / 77.56 KD motor, derived from the Wolseley Hornet was first seen on four of the twenty K2 models built and features twin carburettors.
In the photo above the bicycle style cables which operate the front drum brakes can be clearly seen emerging from the chassis on their route toward the top leading edge of the brake drum.
N-Types have a more sophisticated chassis, that is wider at the rear, than the earlier simple ladder frame seen on the K-Type.
The body of the N-Type is insulated from the chassis by the use of rubber pads which minimise the transmission of vibrations from the suspension and the engine through the chassis.
Note the NA has rear hinged ‘suicide doors’ while the later NB had front hinged doors.
Ergonomics was still in it’s infancy when the N-Type was designed.
For example the ignition key is conveniently placed in front of the passenger in case he or she needs to turn off the ignition if the driver is going too fast.
The gearbox has four forward gears and a reverse but no synchromesh which means the engine revolutions must be carefully matched with that of the speed of the car in order to avoid painful graunching when changing gear.
From the rear N-Types can easily be distinguished from the earlier K-Types by the fuel tank which is hidden by the rear body work.
Some readers may remember the ‘Bellvue Special‘ was based on an N-Type chassis.
In all 745 N-types were manufactured in total from 1934 to 1936 which included a handful of closed Airline Coupé’s.
Thanks for joining me on this ‘Hidden Tank’ edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow to welcome a new photographer to GALPOT. Don’t forget to come back now !
