From the bungee cord suspension modification division of the Morris Garages department comes this 1934 MG Magnette, owned and driven by Michael Jacobsen. The car originally came to American shores with a serviceman on his way back from World War II. The bungeee cord front suspension upgrade had already been completed. Michael’s Dad Lars raced, wrecked, and rebuilt the car with the custom body and coach work it still wears. Michael races the car on the vintage circuit, and had run the Special around the bends at the Wine Country Classic at Infineon Raceway prior to heading to downtown Sonoma for the big car show.
The custom 1271cc MG single overhead cam mill kicks out 75 HP through a four speed manual transmission, and gets the ponies down to the track through a solid rear axle suspended by semi-elliptic springs. The bungee cords may seem unusual, but are an improvement over the car’s original front axle setup. As the rubbery suspension has roots in aviation landing gear, Michael says he gets replacement bungee from the vintage aircraft supply store. Once every five years or so is the recommended service interval. A quick run on the internets revealed the stuff is available for four bucks a foot, with a six foot minimum.
4 Responses
I’m not sure why this suspension material is such a surprise to you gasmo guros, or why this lovely little MG Special makes the Clunkbucket list. Every Piper “Cub” and every Aeronca “Champ” that has ever flown relies on these exact elastic cords for extremely hard landings. There is a long list of other cars, motorcycles and planes similarly equipped. Not everything comes with coil-over-shocks…
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I am intrigued by the mere possibility that bungee cords are an improvement, rather than just something that seemed like a good idea after too many beers.
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Lovely car. Examples like this make the death of MG even more tragic.
(Yes, MG is still around but nothing of it’s former self.)
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
When I saw it I was thinking more along the lines of a Sopwith Camel. Keep an eye out for a used Aeronca Champ in case the Clunkbucket CEO has to travel by air.
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm