Not many people have made themselves comfortable in an MGB and received the instruction: “Wait for the temperature to get to 70ºC, then you’re free to use the full 8000rpm.” But that’s what Frontline’s Ed Braclik just said, because the B in question is its LE50. All is therefore not quite what it seems – something that can also be said about the two cars alongside. The Jaguar E-type is, in fact, an Eagle creation, and the Jensen has been overhauled by JIA, which has made it into an Interceptor R.
Three British classics upgraded for modern use by three British firms. Actually, ‘upgraded’ is perhaps selling them short; re-engineered would be more suitable. These are not simply go-faster conversions, thrown together to give a quick fix of increased performance. They are a result of the realisation that not everyone wants to spend their weekends up to their elbows in EP90, or working their way through a never-ending job list. Some folk want a classic that needs only the sort of routine maintenance that you’d associate with a modern car. The trick is to offer that without losing the charisma of the original.
The LE50 came about when Braclik and colleague Tim Fenna decided that they wanted to do something to celebrate the MGB’s 50th anniversary. Maybe a special set of upgrades, they thought, but one thing led to another and they found themselves settling upon the idea of a limited-edition run of 50 complete cars.
Rather than waste time and effort attempting to bring an original bodyshell up to standard, Frontline instead starts with a brand-new one from British Motor Heritage, based on the 1965 Mk1 GT. Because this uses the factory tooling, it’s classed as an original item. Each LE50 therefore retains the identity of its donor car, rather than having to assume a Q-plate. Frontline worked long and hard with BMH to modify the shell to its needs, removing rust traps such as the exterior seams, and adding strengthening to cope with the additional power.