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The MG marque produced cars that were suitable for both track and road use. The Model NB followed this tradition and had unique performance and styling features that were foreign to many other models. The NB was the final derivation of the pre-war racing 'K' Series MGs to compete, and in many cases record class victories, at Brooklands, the Mille Miglia, and the 24 Hours of LeMans. They were also the final MG models to be fitted with an overhead cam engine prior to the adoption of push-rod engines. Production lasted from 1935 through 1936 with just ninety-eight NM models built.
This MB roadster was originally powered by a straight-six cylinder engine with an overhead cam, twin SU carburetors and a displacement size of 1271cc. It offered seventy horsepower which was rather impressive for a car of this era. It has forward-hinged doors, a vertical slat radiator, and a neatly enclosed gas tank.
When new, the car was sent to the United States and to the Collier Brothers Agency in New York. Mr. Benjamin Franklin was the car's first owner, who raced the car on a limited basis. It was purchased by West Coast racer Lars Jacobsen in 1951. Mr. Jacobsen immediately raced the car in stock form, but over the next five years made several significant changes to improve the car's handling and performance. The changes included larger bore cylinders which raised displacement to 1454cc; Carrillo connecting rods; billet crankshaft; Aries pistons; solid copper head gasket; addition of a Marshall Drew belt-driven supercharger fed by dual Rochester carburetors; Bendix hydraulic airplane brakes on the front (replacing cable operated brakes); removal of the stock fenders and running boards (replaced by cycle type fiberglass fenders installed on the front); 16' Dunlop racing tires front and rear mounted on wire wheels; a Wilson pre-selector gearbox. At the conclusion of this work, the car produced between 140 - 150 horsepower.
The car was raced by Jacobsen over the next six years at many West Coast events including famous venues such as Pebble Beach, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Torrey Pines. Along with road races, the car was used in hill climbs (Sandberg Hill, Saugus, Willow Springs, Arrowhead Springs), drag races (Costa Mesa Time Trials, Saugus - Cal Club Drag, Orange Empire Drags, San Fernando Drags) and additional road races at Reno (Stead AFB), Chino, Terminal Island and Pomona.
Jacobsen rebuilt the car in the 1970s and used it occasionally on the street and as a show car. The car was sold by the Jacobsen family in 1995 to its current owner. The new owner retained all the Jacobsen installed updates with the exception of replacing the Rochester carburetors with a single 1 7/8' SU for reliability, and readily available Cosworth Pistons. The car has a factory-correct paint scheme. The current owner has raced the NB in numerous vintage events including Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake, Coronado and Hallett (OK).
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams Auction. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000 but was unable to find a buyer willing to satisfy its reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
This MB roadster was originally powered by a straight-six cylinder engine with an overhead cam, twin SU carburetors and a displacement size of 1271cc. It offered seventy horsepower which was rather impressive for a car of this era. It has forward-hinged doors, a vertical slat radiator, and a neatly enclosed gas tank.
When new, the car was sent to the United States and to the Collier Brothers Agency in New York. Mr. Benjamin Franklin was the car's first owner, who raced the car on a limited basis. It was purchased by West Coast racer Lars Jacobsen in 1951. Mr. Jacobsen immediately raced the car in stock form, but over the next five years made several significant changes to improve the car's handling and performance. The changes included larger bore cylinders which raised displacement to 1454cc; Carrillo connecting rods; billet crankshaft; Aries pistons; solid copper head gasket; addition of a Marshall Drew belt-driven supercharger fed by dual Rochester carburetors; Bendix hydraulic airplane brakes on the front (replacing cable operated brakes); removal of the stock fenders and running boards (replaced by cycle type fiberglass fenders installed on the front); 16' Dunlop racing tires front and rear mounted on wire wheels; a Wilson pre-selector gearbox. At the conclusion of this work, the car produced between 140 - 150 horsepower.
The car was raced by Jacobsen over the next six years at many West Coast events including famous venues such as Pebble Beach, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Torrey Pines. Along with road races, the car was used in hill climbs (Sandberg Hill, Saugus, Willow Springs, Arrowhead Springs), drag races (Costa Mesa Time Trials, Saugus - Cal Club Drag, Orange Empire Drags, San Fernando Drags) and additional road races at Reno (Stead AFB), Chino, Terminal Island and Pomona.
Jacobsen rebuilt the car in the 1970s and used it occasionally on the street and as a show car. The car was sold by the Jacobsen family in 1995 to its current owner. The new owner retained all the Jacobsen installed updates with the exception of replacing the Rochester carburetors with a single 1 7/8' SU for reliability, and readily available Cosworth Pistons. The car has a factory-correct paint scheme. The current owner has raced the NB in numerous vintage events including Watkins Glen, Elkhart Lake, Coronado and Hallett (OK).
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams Auction. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000 but was unable to find a buyer willing to satisfy its reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction
Sale Price :
USD $186,500
2012 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $100,000-USD $140,000
Lot was not sold
1936 MG NB Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the MG NB
(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 MG NB Magnette Two-Seater Chassis#: NA0858 Sold for USD$78,400 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Two-Seater Chassis#: NA0957 Sold for USD$71,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection | |
1936 MG NB Chassis#: NA/ 0947 Sold for USD$71,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Two-Seater Chassis#: NA0858 Sold for USD$56,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Sold for USD$35,863 2016 Anglia Auction - 27th August | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Sold for USD$35,863 2016 Anglia Auction - 27th August | |
1936 MG NB MAGNETTE TOURER Chassis#: NA/0933 Sold for USD$88,000 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupe Chassis#: NA/0848 Sold for USD$186,500 2013 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1936 MG NB 2-Seater Chassis#: NA 0957 Sold for USD$60,591 2011 Silverstone : The Walter Hayes Sale | |
1936 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupé Chassis#: NA0848 Sold for USD$230,456 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London |
MG NBs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1936 MG NB's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1936 MG NB Magnette | NA 0950 | 2015 Historics at Brookland | $45,000 | $55,000 | |
1936 MG NB | NA/0878 | 2012 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale | $100,000 | $140,000 |
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1936 MG NB
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