RE: Driven: Frontline Developments MG LE50
Discussion
Lovely.
Price may seem high but for a new shell, new engine and drivetrain plus all the bespoke work it probably reflects what is being done and I doubt there is a huge profit margin in that price.
Some of the comments on the price are a bit, er, odd. This is a bespoke recreation and they are only trying to sell 50. So they are not pricing it so it competes with mass-produced cars nor second hand, used examples of other sportscars.
The market determines the price i.e. what people are prepared to pay. So if they sell all 50 then the price was either okay (or maybe too low).
If the quality of the engineering and driving experience is good enough, I suspect they will sell all 50 but only time will tell.
Price may seem high but for a new shell, new engine and drivetrain plus all the bespoke work it probably reflects what is being done and I doubt there is a huge profit margin in that price.
Some of the comments on the price are a bit, er, odd. This is a bespoke recreation and they are only trying to sell 50. So they are not pricing it so it competes with mass-produced cars nor second hand, used examples of other sportscars.
The market determines the price i.e. what people are prepared to pay. So if they sell all 50 then the price was either okay (or maybe too low).
If the quality of the engineering and driving experience is good enough, I suspect they will sell all 50 but only time will tell.
bernhund said:
I don't quite get the figures. My old GTV8 was pushing out 200BHP and had all the bumpers removed etc and there was no way it'd be any less than 6-6.5secs. Is it the gearbox that makes the difference?
I can only think so, I guess a 6 speed box with a quick revvy engine must be the key. Having driven the car in question it certainly feels that quick. Thinking about the max speed, whether it'll do 158 or not I'm not sure but I did some maths and using a standard BGT Cd figure and a 900 kg weight (which might be a bit wishful I admit), gives 240bhp/tonne compared to a Cayman at 185bhp/tonne which will hit 160, it has such a tiny frontal area compared to a Cayman that the worse Cd figure gets lost in the noise. 150 plus might have been a better figure to quote.
On the plus side I can confirm the MG is still pulling strongly at 140 albeit get a bit light on the steering... Private land obviously.;)
Edited by JaseB on Tuesday 20th December 08:38
bernhund said:
I don't quite get the figures. My old GTV8 was pushing out 200BHP and had all the bumpers removed etc and there was no way it'd be any less than 6-6.5secs. Is it the gearbox that makes the difference?
You wont get the figures as they're all computer calculated and I'd bet 50p that they're a way off. Even though the rear end has been improved they couldn't make it a full IRS rear end as it'd affect the legal side of registering the cars.As in the other thread, its a nice car but maybe at 20k.
jason61c said:
bernhund said:
they couldn't make it a full IRS rear end as it'd affect the legal side of registering the cars.
The Hoyle engineering conversion uses the original mounting points to fit an IRS with a diff' from either a Ford or GM donor. They also do complete front crossmember with engine mounts for a small block Ford V8. I had a look at the Hoyle set up before making a subframe for the 200SX rear suspension and diff' when I did my conversion. The subframe was bolted to the original mounting points of the MGB floor and didn't require an IVA/SVA test (at the time, they've tightened up legislation now so I doubt it would be as easy now). Liquid Knight said:
D-reg?
Brand new shell, brand new engine, brand new running gear, brand new brakes, etc, etc; 1966 registration? Would love to know how the chrome bumpers that were removed for the US impact safety standards in 1974 qualify in the new Euro-n-cap tests for a brand new car today
As the cars are being produced by volume (albeit a limited run of fifty) they should be 61-reg shouldn't they?
I would guess they are donor cars being used (or donor log books Brand new shell, brand new engine, brand new running gear, brand new brakes, etc, etc; 1966 registration? Would love to know how the chrome bumpers that were removed for the US impact safety standards in 1974 qualify in the new Euro-n-cap tests for a brand new car today
As the cars are being produced by volume (albeit a limited run of fifty) they should be 61-reg shouldn't they?
). You can then change 'x' number of parts and with an SVA/IVA still retain the vehicles identity. Hence why they are still live axle and not IRS. That one more change would mean they'd lose the identity.Although it shows how bloody stupid the regs are, as even retaining the live axle in this case, I doubt there is actually a single part used from the original vehicle.
It is unless you want one and have the money and probably another minter that's too original and shiney to take out on the road, just a thought...
As for the price, what's a heritage shell £10k maybe, crated uprated engine and box plus ECU, loom and other fittings maybe another £10k, there's £20k gone in the blink of an eye.
As for the price, what's a heritage shell £10k maybe, crated uprated engine and box plus ECU, loom and other fittings maybe another £10k, there's £20k gone in the blink of an eye.
bernhund said:
I don't quite get the figures. My old GTV8 was pushing out 200BHP and had all the bumpers removed etc and there was no way it'd be any less than 6-6.5secs. Is it the gearbox that makes the difference?
I'm guessing you can't get to 60 in second though. With a rev limit as high as this it's likely possible with some margin.And it's got a LSD, so more traction?
Mind you, the old RV8 had the Rover lump in it, and an LSD, and that managed the dash in (an official) 5.9 secs.
vdubbin said:
Given the phenomenal appeal of the MG in classics circles worldwide, I doubt they'll have any trouble at all selling this run.
I think that's the key - the worldwide bit - plenty of folks out there who had an MG when they were young and are now financially secure and want another one but with all the bugs ironed out or maybe in other parts of the world where the old skool Brit thing is just cool in itself.That and it's bloody good fun to drive, a right hoot even at sensible speeds, that has to be a plus on our camera filled roads!
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