1968 Frontline MGB GT LE50

The donor car was built in 1968.

Frontline completed their reimagining of the car in 2014, and the vendor has owned it since 2019.

This particular MGB GT LE50 is built to Frontline’s ‘PLUS’ build specification which, among other things, means that it comes with a limited slip differential, uprated cams and around 240bhp at the command of your right foot.

The ‘ordinary’ LE50 goes like a stabbed rat.

The ‘PLUS’ spec model goes like a stabbed rat who’s running late for his own wedding.

We have driven this car, which is the 18th out of a total of 50 (hence the LE50), and can confirm that it feels like it’s been milled from billet aluminium, is optimally fettled and tweaked and, in terms of performance, has about as much in common with an original MGB GT as a Lamborghini Revuelto SV has in common with one of Ferrucio’s 1960s tractors.

It is blistering quick, sticks to the road like a squashed hedgehog, and is a thoroughly magnificent showcase for the best of British automotive engineering.

Anyone who drives this car and fails to return home grinning from ear to ear should make an appointment to see a doctor, or possibly a priest, as soon as possible.

The car’s overall condition is a decent reflection of its low mileage, although some nascent cosmetic issues are beginning to make themselves known on the bodywork.

Dynamically and mechanically, it is simply outstanding.

The car sits low and has a squat, purposeful stance that sets it apart from the Abingdon originals.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are machined to tight, consistent tolerances that simply weren’t available to the artisans and engineers of 1968, and the whole structure feels solid and reassuringly exact.

The doors close with levels of heft and certainty usually more associated with cars from Zuffenhausen than Abingdon.

Another variation from 1968 is the quality of the paintwork, which on this example (and everything else that leaves Frontline’s workshops) has a depth of lustre and a standard of finish you’ll look for in vain on MG’s original creations.

If you’re thinking that the paint looks unusually opulent for an MG, you’re right.

It is, in fact, ‘Rolls-Royce Midnight Blue’.

This car retained its original shell and panels when it was restored by Frontline, so it’s more ‘original’ than it would be if it had been rebodied with panels by British Motor Heritage.

That originality, though, is now the source of a few outbreaks of corrosion here and there.

There is some bubbling at the forward bases of both rear wheel-arches, in the sills just beyond them, at the rearward base of the o/s/f wheel-arch, and on the n/s/f wing adjacent to the indicator unit.

The wheels are in very good condition and, with their two-eared spinners, are a visual treat.

They are shod in matching Bridgestone Turanza T005 rubber that looks to have a decent amount of life left in it.

The chrome-work is broadly decent aside from a couple of spots of foxing and tarnishing on the rear bumper and its over-riders, and some surface corrosion around the rivet heads on the front bumper.

Apart from that, we found just an entirely standard number and distribution of small stone chips around the ‘nose’ of the car, a small scratch at the centre of the driver’s door, and one or two light swirly scratches here and there on the paintwork.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all looks good to us.

If Frontline’s special touch is subtly apparent on the outside, then it’s screamingly obvious on the inside, where the quantum leap in the quality of materials and finish is plain for all to see.

The vibrant colour of the seats, door cards and luggage bay is the evocatively named ‘Bentley Hotspur’ red.

The secondary trim is charcoal grey Alcantara, with contrasting ‘Hotspur’ stitching.

The carpets are, of course, by Wilton.

The seats have barely earned a crease worthy of the name and their condition fully reflects the fact that the car has covered just 24,000 miles since the Frontline build in 2014.

They are as comfortable as they are supportive.

The door cards are in fine fettle, as are the carpets, headlining and mats.

The black crackle-paint finish on the dashboard is free of any scuffs or marks of note and, as far as we’re aware, all buttons, knobs, levers, dials and switches do what they’re told obediently and promptly.

The wood-rimmed steering is a delight to hold and behold, and the gear lever and handbrake are beyond reproach.

Faults are very few and far between inside this car.

All we could find were a couple of scuffs to the red trim in the driver’s footwell and a touch of looseness in the central storage cubby lid.

The luggage bay is as classy as anything you’d find in the back of an E Type, never mind an MG, and the Hotspur red trim is in excellent order.

Concealed beneath the forward section of the storage compartment is a very meaty-looking JL Audio sound system, complete with sub-woofer.

My word, there’s a lot of engine in there – and all of it looks present, correct, clean, dry and orderly from what we can see.

It’s pretty obvious from the quality of the ancillaries on and adjacent to the Mazda unit that this is a serious bit of kit.

As our American cousins would say, this car is built to the hilt - mechanically and dynamically.

The car’s undersides have given us no cause to frown, tut or otherwise question the car’s integrity, character, motives or personal hygiene.

It all look pretty solid to us and tends to confirm our belief that any nascent corrosion is limited to a few places on the body panels.

This car comes with a thick wad of invoices, bills and receipts for routine servicing, maintenance and repairs carried out exclusively by Frontline – the firm that built it.

History files don’t come much better than that.

There are numerous letters detailing the evolution of the car’s specification and build (plus accompanying photographs of the build in progress), together with full sets of keys, a V5C, and a recent HPI report.

The car doesn’t currently have an MoT certificate (it doesn’t need one by dint of its age), but from 2014 when it was built anew by Frontline to 2023 when the last MoT certificate expired, it earned no advisories whatsoever.

MG got a lot right when they built the MGB GT.

It looked good, went well and was a proper, well-engineered driver’s car.

This car builds on that solid blueprint and takes it to another level altogether.

This Frontline marvel is a hand-built engineering masterclass that can hit 60mph in 5 seconds on its way to 160mph.

It uses the best materials, inside and out, and is as finely detailed and exquisitely executed as the best offerings from far more exalted and famous marques.

Yes, this one needs some bodywork issues addressing sooner rather than later.

That seems to us to be a pretty small price to pay for the chance of owning something quite so extraordinary, rare and special.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.