The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled a historically significant 1933 MG K1/K3 Magnette Expanded Conversion, now part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection. This acquisition represents an important piece of automotive history that demonstrates how modern craftsmanship can preserve and recreate significant racing heritage for contemporary audiences.
Originally launched in 1932, the MG K-series Magnette marked a crucial evolution for the British marque, featuring a 1,086cc inline-six engine with advanced crossflow cylinder head technology. The K1 and K2 models brought enhanced power and refinement to MG's lineup, but it was the supercharged K3 racing variant that secured MG's racing legacy with a remarkable 1-2 class finish at the 1933 Mille Miglia. This racing success established MG's reputation in international motorsport and demonstrated British engineering capability against European competitors.
Chassis K0359 began its life as a K1 pillarless saloon, leaving MG's Abingdon factory on December 7, 1933, finished in black with red interior and matching wheels. The car's transformation into a K3 specification was undertaken by renowned UK MG specialist Blanton Jones, representing a meticulous conversion process that required extensive technical knowledge and period-correct components. This type of professional conversion preserves automotive heritage while making historically significant racing specifications accessible beyond the limited number of original factory-built examples.
The comprehensive conversion included chassis shortening to the correct 7'10 3/16" wheelbase, installation of Andre Hartford duplex friction dampers, 19-inch Rudge Whitworth knock-off wire wheels, Blockley tires, Rotax headlamps, and Brooklands-style aero windscreens. The mechanical heart of the car features its signature supercharged straight-six engine, fed by a single SU carburetor and exhaling through a six-branch exhaust manifold that delivers the authentic soundtrack of vintage performance. The car utilizes an ENV 75 four-speed Wilson pre-selector transmission, providing the unique driving experience characteristic of the golden age of motorsport.
Inside the two-seat cabin, enthusiasts will find a Bluemels Brooklands sprung steering wheel, comprehensive instrumentation, and a prominent six-inch Jaeger tachometer. These period-correct details contribute to an authentic driving experience that connects modern enthusiasts with 1930s racing technology. The car's extensive racing history in Europe and subsequent immaculate restoration means it represents both competition heritage and preservation excellence.
Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the significance of this acquisition, noting that the car represents an extraordinary fusion of racing heritage, engineering craftsmanship, and driving exhilaration. The museum's location at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth provides public access to this significant piece of automotive history, with free admission and parking available. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and additional information can be found at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This MG Magnette conversion offers automotive enthusiasts and historians an opportunity to experience the spirit of the Mille Miglia without the seven-figure price tag typically associated with factory-original K3 models. The preservation and display of such historically significant vehicles ensures that important chapters of automotive and technological history remain accessible to future generations, while demonstrating the continuing relevance of 1930s engineering innovation in contemporary automotive appreciation.
