To B or not to B...: MGB LE 50

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John Bates is considering the purchase of the two years ago introduced MGB 'evocation' or 'lookalike' if you prefer. The car was developped by Frontline Developments. So why report about it now? Lots have been written in the magazines about it. But now we hope to hear from an owner of one of those.

John wonders: "Just how much of a car can be changed (eg during a rebuild) without compromising the car's 'historic' status? How far are people prepared to push the boundaries before the privilege of a free road fund licence is withdrawn because what is done to a car might be construed as abuse of the system?

Frontline Developments have produced a limited edition of the MGB and fine looking cars they are. They are said to be everything the MGB would/should have been and are advertised in magazines such as Safety Fast, The MG Car Club's magazine and were recently reviewed (November 10th 2013)in The Sunday Times 'Driving' supplement:
- the new shell is probably galvanised;
- the engine is a turbo-charged Mazda four cylinder of 2 litres;
- gearbox is (probably Mazda) 6 speed, probaly Mazda clutch;
- rear axle has to be 'beefier' than standard so possibly from an MGB V8, assuming rear wheel drive, to cope with 212 b.h.p.;
- seats are hand-formed from alloy and covered in Alcantara (or Connolly) leather;
- Dynamat sound insulation;
- air conditioning, electric windows, powersteering and seat belts are optional extras;
- wheels are forged from billetsand are a non-standard size for MGB;
- instruments are modern, having tom cope with higher engine and road speeds than the MGB;
- purpose-designed front and rear suspension;
- altered/adfapted body shell to take the modified engine/gearbox/suspension.

So, a decent and exciting package. I want one. But, is it an MGB? What remains from the original? How does the car become road tax exempt? Are government intentions for historic cars stretched? And above all, HOW does this car retain the original registration from the 'donor' car?"

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