RE: Driven: Frontline Developments MG LE50
Discussion
JaseB said:
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!
Also plenty who didn't have one but wished they did, who can now afford to put that right without any hassle or disappointment. I can see these flying off the books as quickly as they can "make" them to be honest. 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!
This is my idea of the way forward. Classic Styling but with modern technology. Got all the appeal of the retro looks but reliability and performance to increase the "Grin Factor" The Eagle Roadster being the ultimate, E Type Jag looks and sounds and a stunning performer! Just too much dosh for most folk. The Aston Martin DB5, Jensen Interceptor as well and now this, I still think a roadster would be better, cos thats why you would buy one of these, to hear the exhaust roar and see the faces of the onlookers as you sprint away.
Classic Car owners mostly have a "Euro Box" for every day commuting and use the Classic for dry sunny days in summer.
These Frontline Development Creations make it possible to use the "classic" all year round, so you can save by only running one car.
I would question £50k though, I would agree with previous posters on here that £35k would be nearer the mark, still out of my price range but give it a few years and they may be more affordable??
Oh yes and I believe they use tiny air brushes to paint the bodyshells and have to refill the pot every 30 seconds or so. . . . I used to work in a body shop and you can repair most crash damage and re-spray a medium sized car inside 2 weeks. So why 7 weeks to just prep and paint??
Classic Car owners mostly have a "Euro Box" for every day commuting and use the Classic for dry sunny days in summer.
These Frontline Development Creations make it possible to use the "classic" all year round, so you can save by only running one car.
I would question £50k though, I would agree with previous posters on here that £35k would be nearer the mark, still out of my price range but give it a few years and they may be more affordable??
Oh yes and I believe they use tiny air brushes to paint the bodyshells and have to refill the pot every 30 seconds or so. . . . I used to work in a body shop and you can repair most crash damage and re-spray a medium sized car inside 2 weeks. So why 7 weeks to just prep and paint??
Edited by S2Mike on Wednesday 21st December 15:08
I'm guessing 7 weeks prep includes all the seam welding, final panel fit and any mods for rust trap proofing, then a lead time into the paint shop. I would imagine the actual body shop turnaround is a couple of weeks tops?!
Edited to add the front and rear wing deseaming and lead loading!
Edited to add the front and rear wing deseaming and lead loading!
Edited by JaseB on Wednesday 21st December 17:21
I'm guessing 7 weeks prep includes all the seam welding, final panel fit and any mods for rust trap proofing, then a lead time into the paint shop. I would imagine the actual body shop turnaround is a couple of weeks tops?!
Edited to add the front and rear wing deseaming and lead loading!
Edited to add the front and rear wing deseaming and lead loading!
Edited by JaseB on Wednesday 21st December 17:25
Far to costly, the base car was a cheap and cheerful roadster, a MX5 engine does not turn it into a 50K sports car
You can get a 60's Elan or + 2 or Original Europa with modern/uprated running gear for that kind of outlay
It's like in 50 yeas time someone sticking a 2050 2 litre lump in a MX5 of 94 and charging 100k for it
You can get a 60's Elan or + 2 or Original Europa with modern/uprated running gear for that kind of outlay
It's like in 50 yeas time someone sticking a 2050 2 litre lump in a MX5 of 94 and charging 100k for it
doogz said:
varsas said:
doogz said:
I was marshalling at a hillclimb a few months ago, and a guy was towing his MG, with his Bentley.
Sexy.
That silver thing? That's some sort of kit car. Even then the bonnet mascot seems to suggest the owner wants you to think it's a rolls Royce.Sexy.
Good guess though
doogz said:
varsas said:
doogz said:
I was marshalling at a hillclimb a few months ago, and a guy was towing his MG, with his Bentley.
Sexy.
That silver thing? That's some sort of kit car. Even then the bonnet mascot seems to suggest the owner wants you to think it's a rolls Royce.Sexy.
Thats a real car for a big boy !! no poofing around with electronics and aircon etc etc.
Good guess though
XitUp said:
edo said:
kambites said:
To those saying it's too expensive - do you actually think they'll struggle to sell all of them? I certainly don't.
I do.£30k the right price ? That's what a specced Golf GTi goes for........
This is a coincedence, just bought this one this week, wire wheels already fitted, also have a spare 4.2 e type engine and getrag five speed box - they are looking longingly for a home, severe axle tramp here i come. !! p.s. need to get rid of BL 1978 rust first but someone has to think about it.
p.p.s. You dont need to go to the hyped up E Types from e.......le, just make a good job of sorting out an original 4.2, they yield over 300bhp easily and reliably.
urquattro said:
This is a coincedence, just bought this one this week, wire wheels already fitted, also have a spare 4.2 e type engine and getrag five speed box - they are looking longingly for a home, severe axle tramp here i come. !! p.s. need to get rid of BL 1978 rust first but someone has to think about it.
p.p.s. You dont need to go to the hyped up E Types from e.......le, just make a good job of sorting out an original 4.2, they yield over 300bhp easily and reliably.
On subject: I like a lot of things about this LE50, but the engine just doesn't tick the box for me, I'd rather have a V8 or (the sacrilege) an Alfa twin cam or something along those lines...
peter450 said:
Far to costly, the base car was a cheap and cheerful roadster, a MX5 engine does not turn it into a 50K sports car
Err, as previously discussed (and even written in the article) it's a bit more than just an engine swap...Interestingly though the price is so key to many peoples comments, it can only be that the pistonheads public is clearly divided into:
1. Those that want one but (bluntly) can't afford it so therefore it's clearly too expensive in their opinion or
2. Those that don't want one and think MGs are a 1500 quid purchase and therefore again in their opinion it's clearly too expensive.
This is a bespoke sportscar built from scratch into something that rivals Eagle for quality, powered by the same engine that punts Morgans, Caterhams, Ginettas etc about the place without anyone grumbling...
Peter450 - this isn't aimed at you in particularly btw although as a Lotus fan you were never going to 'get' it, let's be honest
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