1936 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupe

The Oldenburg Family Automobile Collection, which features more than 30 prominent models of automobiles, would be born out of the family's involvement in prominent breeding of horsepower, just of the more natural nature. Comprised of Italian, American and British marques, the collection boasts of Ferraris and Shelby Coupes. However, the collection also boasts of an especially rare breed of British 'Morris Garages'. And this, perhaps the car with the least amount of distinction or notoriety within the group, would have to be considered one of the most inestimable and exclusive.

Following the First World War, in which the airplane would come to play a role in wartime activities, a new world of science would begin to come to the fore. Time after time, the airplane would be tested and proven as a tactical wartime instrument. Therefore, investment in aircraft, particularly the science involved, would greatly increase.

One particular science that governs the whole of aviation is the science of aerodynamics. And as nations, companies and individuals came to better understand the science involved the applications came to be much more widespread, precisely because aerodynamics reaches well beyond the realm of aviation.

Any object that passes through a fluid, of which air is included, is affected by aerodynamics. Therefore, the automotive industry would begin to take a vested interest in the science and the effects soon came to be seen in car design.

Initially, coachbuilders designed grand coachworks for automobiles that would place much more emphasis on comfort and luxury than on creating the most aerodynamically-efficient automobile. However, when it was realized that sweeping, contoured lines were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also, aerodynamic, a whole new form of automotive artistry was created. All of a sudden, coachbuilders went from creating luxurious and audaciously-appointed boxes to creating wonderfully flowing pieces of automotive artwork.

One of those coachbuilders to embrace the influence of aerodynamics into his designs would be H.W. Allingham. Allingham had started out working with Chalmer and Hoyer and Hoyal. However, after a decade of working with these companies Allingham would strike out on his own creating his own independent design company.

Then, in the mid-1930s, Allingham would be one of a very few contracted by MG to create a coupe body for their Magnette chassis. Creating his own rendition of what would become known as the Magnette Airline Coupe, Allingham's design would be widely argued to be, perhaps, the most beautiful of all the Airline Coupes fitted on a MG body.

Boasting of 'cathedral' style lighting panels on a sliding sunroof and a spare tire that blended beautifully and neatly into the swept back bodywork, Allingham's Airline Coupe design would be as inspiring and elegant as it would be simple.

Completed with tastefully flowing fenders and a lower profile achieved by dropping the body over the outside of the chassis, the MG Magnette Airline Coupe seemed to seamlessly blend art with speed.

In total, Allingham, which would contract the building of the actual bodies out to such companies as Carbodies and Whittingham & Mitchel, would design just a mere 51 Airline Coupe bodies. The vast majority of these to be built would be placed on MG PA and PB series chassis. Only 7 would end up on MG's NA/NB chassis that had the six-cylinder engine. In its own right, the Allingham Airline Coupes would be a remarkably select company. However, the NB Magnette Airline Coupe, boasting of the six-cylinder engine variant, would be such a rarified collection that the MG would have to be remembered amongst some of the most exceptional automobiles ever created.

Over the years, the clique would become more and more extraordinary as just three of the original MG NA/NB Magnette Airline Coupes would retain their original Airline bodies. One such example to be amongst the remaining three is chassis NA/0848.

At the Bonhams auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2013 the Oldenburg Family Collection would be one of the features. And one of the highlights of the collection would be a 1936 NB Magnette Airline Coupe.

Though its early history may yet be something of a mystery, NA/0848 would come to be owned by the MG enthusiast and collector Gene Ponder in 2000. While reports indicated the car was still in good condition at the time of Ponder coming to own it, he would immediately set about having the car restored to exact condition.

The work, which would include the difficult task of tracking down original Borrani wire wheels, would be exacting just as Mr. Ponder desired. One of the changes Mr. Ponder would introduce to the car would be the change in the car's finish. He would determine to change the two-tone paint scheme from two-tone green to a preferred red and black.

When the car was completed, Mr. Ponder had the Airline Coupe of his dreams. Mr. Oldenburg would also come to be enamored by the Airline Coupe, and, when it became available at the Ponder dispersal auction a couple of years ago, Mr. Oldenburg would snap the car up for his own.

Mr. Oldenburg had his long coveted Airline Coupe, and one of the most collectable MGs available. To further enjoy the experience of owning the car, Mr. Oldenburg would have hydraulic brakes added to the car to improve the car's stopping ability. Otherwise, the car remains highly original, displaying many of the touches Allingham incorporated into his Airline Coupes.

Sporting a 4-speed transmission, its 1.3-liter OHV inline six-cylinder engine and an antiquity of especially rarified station in MG tradition, its future owner will be the proud owner of an automotive treasure deserving of a place of great significance in any collection.

Estimates prior to the auction had the MG NB Magnette Airline Coupe selling for between $200,000 and $300,000.

Sources:
'Lot 358: 1936 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupe', (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/358/). Bonhams 1793. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20582/lot/358/. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

'1935 MG NB News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/z18624/MG-NB.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/z18624/MG-NB.aspx. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

'Bonhams to Offer the Renowned Oldenburg Family Collection of Classic Automobiles', (http://www.finecars.cc/en/editorial/article/news/bonhams-to-offer-the-renowned-oldenburg-family-collection-of-classic-automobiles/index.html). Anamera: My Premium Portal. http://www.finecars.cc/en/editorial/article/news/bonhams-to-offer-the-renowned-oldenburg-family-collection-of-classic-automobiles/index.html. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

Wikipedia contributors, 'MG Cars', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 January 2013, 11:07 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MG_Cars&oldid=531069733 accessed 8 January 2013

By Jeremy McMullen