Classic British sports car with a surprising heart...
Ah, the MGB. Pleasant-looking olde worlde sportster, but not the sort of thing you would want, in standard form at least, to take to a track day, right?
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Not in the case of the car you see here. Because this is the Frontline MG LE50, a car that's been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of MG's classic sports car next year. And underneath the bonnet lies a 2.0-litre 212hp, 175lb ft engine derived from a Mazda MX-5.
And handling that power is a six-speed Mazda gearbox and bespoke multi-link suspension. It's a combination that will no doubt upset some purists, but we're willing to bet that it's a hoot.
Something we'll find out for certain when we drive it next week...
I do like the idea of modernised classics. Top Gear showed the E-type and Aston a few series ago. I have long fancied rebuilding a Lotus Elan +2 with the help from Spyder and a modern Ford engine.
I would ask though, regarding the comment about upsetting purists, do people get wound up by this? I can understand if the original had some value but Elan +2s and MGBs can be had for shed money these days.
Looks great! I couldn't help looking for a rival from a similar era, also with an engine transplant. I found this LS1 powered Porsche 914, now i feel sad that this car will never be in my life.....
On a slightly more modern note, a Jag V12 in an MX5.
Edited by thewheelman on Friday 16th December 12:52
Is it the wheels perhaps? Bit surprised by just how 'right' that seems to look. I'm nodding in agreement with the comment about not being an MG 'type' but I really like that.
Looks great! I couldn't help looking for a rival from a similar era, also with an engine transplant. I found this LS1 powered Porsche 914, now i feel sad that this car will never be in my life.....
On a slightly more modern note, a Jag V12 in an MX5.
Edited by thewheelman on Friday 16th December 12:52
Saw this being unveiled at the Classic Car Show at the NEC, and instantly liked it. It really is a lovely thing, and the quality of finish is simply stunning. The interior is especially lovely.
Looks great! I couldn't help looking for a rival from a similar era, also with an engine transplant. I found this LS1 powered Porsche 914, now i feel sad that this car will never be in my life.....
On a slightly more modern note, a Jag V12 in an MX5.
Edited by thewheelman on Friday 16th December 12:52
V12 MX5 - hmmmm a challenging drive I imagine !
I was just thinking that, it'd cahange the balance of weight in a huge way.
I do like the idea of modernised classics. Top Gear showed the E-type and Aston a few series ago. I have long fancied rebuilding a Lotus Elan +2 with the help from Spyder and a modern Ford engine.
I would ask though, regarding the comment about upsetting purists, do people get wound up by this? I can understand if the original had some value but Elan +2s and MGBs can be had for shed money these days.
I like the idea of modernising classics. I've never been a fan of the MG and wouldn't choose that as a starting point. I do like the idea of those old 911's with modern bits that the likes of Autofarm do. Need a bigger wallet than mine though.
I saw that one at the NEC in November, looks a decent little car. I prefer it looking like this, which were the first magazine pictures of it. I originally thought they were all going to be this colour scheme.
I'd also like one assuming it can still be registered as a classic and doesn't have to have DRLs. Modern cars look like a bowl of flubber so I can see this being increasingly popular.
