Automotive technology is ever-evolving, as are the limits of engine and tire performance. Yet, one aspect remains timeless: the fascination with putting substantial power into a compact car.
This principle birthed the Shelby Cobra and inspired enthusiasts to fit LS engines into Mazda Miatas. British automaker MG also embraced this ethos, equipping some of their cars with V8 engines right at the factory.
However, as Jay Leno recently discovered, Frontline Cars of England has taken this concept to a new level with their reimagined 1970 MGB GT.
Tim Fenna, the founder and owner of Frontline Cars, explained to Leno how the company modified the car. They widened both the front and rear fenders, along with the tracks, to accommodate wider tires on the 16-inch knock-off wheels.
While retaining the live rear axle, they made significant enhancements, including the addition of coilovers and a six-link rear suspension.
Electric power steering was also integrated into the design. Fenna described their vision, saying, “What we wanted to create was an analog driving experience, where you get all the feedback, but a car that allows you to drive without fighting it all the time.”
Frontline’s creation, much like the original MGB GT V8, features a Rover V8 engine. However, this version has been expanded to 4.8 liters and upgraded with new heads, roller rockers, a bespoke induction system designed in-house, and a custom exhaust.
These modifications result in an impressive 375 horsepower, all in a car weighing just 2,495 pounds. A TREMEC TKO five-speed manual gearbox channels this power to the wheels.
The finished car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about four seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 mph.
When Leno took the Frontline MGB for a test drive with Fenna, he didn’t push it to its limits, but he did open up the throttle enough to unleash the roar of the upgraded V8. As Leno playfully remarked during his drive, “Horsepower cures all problems.”
