Restomods meet: Frontline MGB and Rocketeer MX-5 - Autocar
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Date: 2025-09-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
paulelverstone8677
I'm not sure that if I was Frontline, I'd be too happy with this comparison. While the MGB is perfectly lovely and bespoke and relaxing to drive 'n' all that, it is three times the price of the Rocketeer. Not a little more, not twice more but three times. And the MX5 is a more capable car to start from. I like the idea of restomods - I could think of a dozen cars that would benefit - but it seems to me that the price hike for one is beyond unreasonable.
All imho.
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I'm not sure that if I was Frontline, I'd be too happy with this comparison. While the MGB is perfectly lovely and bespoke and relaxing to drive 'n' all that, it is three times the price of the Rocketeer. Not a little more, not twice more but three times. And the MX5 is a more capable car to start from. I like the idea of restomods - I could think of a dozen cars that would benefit - but it seems to me that the price hike for one is beyond unreasonable.
All imho.
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DustinDriver
I fell in love with the MGB GT and finally had the opportunity to drive a lightly modified one. Uprated suspension, brakes, ignition, carbs. As an experience, it was fantastic. Great sound, fantastic looks, nice overall vintage vibe. But I felt like it drove like a truck, especially after driving something like a Miata or similar-age Honda. Maybe I'm a sissy, but I didn't find it to be enjoyable to drive.
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I fell in love with the MGB GT and finally had the opportunity to drive a lightly modified one. Uprated suspension, brakes, ignition, carbs. As an experience, it was fantastic. Great sound, fantastic looks, nice overall vintage vibe. But I felt like it drove like a truck, especially after driving something like a Miata or similar-age Honda. Maybe I'm a sissy, but I didn't find it to be enjoyable to drive.
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muntedmac
Hmmmm, owned a MGBGT way back and fun wee car, but spending that sort of money seems ludicrous. I now have a BMW Z4 3. 0Si Coupe which has similar performance with the beautiful note of a straight six, and could buy 17 of these for one plain looking MG.
I love the idea of an MG resto-mod, but do something with the styling (sebring look perhaps) to make it zing.
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Hmmmm, owned a MGBGT way back and fun wee car, but spending that sort of money seems ludicrous. I now have a BMW Z4 3. 0Si Coupe which has similar performance with the beautiful note of a straight six, and could buy 17 of these for one plain looking MG.
I love the idea of an MG resto-mod, but do something with the styling (sebring look perhaps) to make it zing.
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jimmyfarley5581
I love the MX5 but how is the 3. 0 V6 as near as makes no difference, the same weight as the original 1. 6/1. 8 The standard engine wasn't exactly made from pig iron so how is an engine that swells by 2 cylinders and 12/1400cc broadly the same weight I was pent up with my nose heavy comment. But it wasn't required. Im stunned. I think it's frigging awesome.
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I love the MX5 but how is the 3. 0 V6 as near as makes no difference, the same weight as the original 1. 6/1. 8 The standard engine wasn't exactly made from pig iron so how is an engine that swells by 2 cylinders and 12/1400cc broadly the same weight I was pent up with my nose heavy comment. But it wasn't required. Im stunned. I think it's frigging awesome.
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ivan747100
Looks like the pre-production & post-production teams STILL haven't sorted out the 1950's 'AM Mono audio' lack of fidelity with the soundtrack issue. Is it really THAT difficult to 1: admit that there's an ongoing unresolved issue with your videos, and also, 2: do you have NO possible solution to resolve & eliminate this problem going forward
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Looks like the pre-production & post-production teams STILL haven't sorted out the 1950's 'AM Mono audio' lack of fidelity with the soundtrack issue. Is it really THAT difficult to 1: admit that there's an ongoing unresolved issue with your videos, and also, 2: do you have NO possible solution to resolve & eliminate this problem going forward
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mrnicktoyou
The thing about 6 cylinders providing smoother power pulses to the gearbox makes sense. I know with motorcycles, the 2 cylinder engines actually send better grip to the tarmac through the tires as the pulses hammer the tire into the road. The 4 cylinder engines have smoother pulses and somehow less grip. It's like an impact driver.
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The thing about 6 cylinders providing smoother power pulses to the gearbox makes sense. I know with motorcycles, the 2 cylinder engines actually send better grip to the tarmac through the tires as the pulses hammer the tire into the road. The 4 cylinder engines have smoother pulses and somehow less grip. It's like an impact driver.
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harryspeakup8452
The MGB GT is an excellent shape and size, I agree. And a very pretty car. If I were getting one I'd be happy with a much less extreme engine, a much lower cost 200hp 2-litre from an MX-5 would be more than enough for me, with the nice 6-speed, good suspension, brakes and a diff.
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The MGB GT is an excellent shape and size, I agree. And a very pretty car. If I were getting one I'd be happy with a much less extreme engine, a much lower cost 200hp 2-litre from an MX-5 would be more than enough for me, with the nice 6-speed, good suspension, brakes and a diff.
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bigalalbig
Love both cars, just what we need in todays SUV / 2 ton EV world. You can also have an MX5 with a derriative of this MGBs engine, the NC. Great value with a sneaky 2. 5 upgrade and supporting mods. More usable, but perhaps not the classic appeal here.
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Love both cars, just what we need in todays SUV / 2 ton EV world. You can also have an MX5 with a derriative of this MGBs engine, the NC. Great value with a sneaky 2. 5 upgrade and supporting mods. More usable, but perhaps not the classic appeal here.
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urbanstrencan
That MGB looks so good, I would definitely go for it if I had this kind of money; )
I would really love to see MGB coming back as a proper British sports car, it would be interesting to see what the 2025 MGB would look like
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That MGB looks so good, I would definitely go for it if I had this kind of money; )
I would really love to see MGB coming back as a proper British sports car, it would be interesting to see what the 2025 MGB would look like
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benmarr352
You are a very good journalist, but seriously, NC MX5 with that engine(gearbox as dtandard) and a bespoke interior and fantastic suspension, and better structural rigidity, and as much sound proof as you want ONLY 30k
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You are a very good journalist, but seriously, NC MX5 with that engine(gearbox as dtandard) and a bespoke interior and fantastic suspension, and better structural rigidity, and as much sound proof as you want ONLY 30k
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danielcobb8886
No complaints about the MG powerplant and the noise it makes.
But that MX5 - ooh just look at it. And that engine!
Jaguar really were the ultimate driver's car brand after BMW lost their way.
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No complaints about the MG powerplant and the noise it makes.
But that MX5 - ooh just look at it. And that engine!
Jaguar really were the ultimate driver's car brand after BMW lost their way.
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jimmyfarley5581
The M3 CSL was mentioned when driving the Mazda. In my crazy world I then imagined the Mazda fitted with the 355bhp CSL engine. Wow! The Mazda being close to 400kg lighter than the BMW.
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The M3 CSL was mentioned when driving the Mazda. In my crazy world I then imagined the Mazda fitted with the 355bhp CSL engine. Wow! The Mazda being close to 400kg lighter than the BMW.
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barneyrubble9309
Im stoked to say i have an NC Rocketeer currently in build. i cannot wait.
Ive driven that NA Rocketeer and its a total blast. think the grin stayed on my face for a good few days.
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Im stoked to say i have an NC Rocketeer currently in build. i cannot wait.
Ive driven that NA Rocketeer and its a total blast. think the grin stayed on my face for a good few days.
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mickwrinkles2318
Lovely cars with nice feel. Would love to see what V6 engine swaps could be done in the ND chassis and maybe swap a hydraulic steering rack in it too. Might be quite costly though.
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Lovely cars with nice feel. Would love to see what V6 engine swaps could be done in the ND chassis and maybe swap a hydraulic steering rack in it too. Might be quite costly though.
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Mike-jm5wt
That jag engine is a Duratec developed under Ford ownership. The NC engine is also a Duratec jointly developed with Mazda. So as far as I'm concerned it's in the family tree.
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That jag engine is a Duratec developed under Ford ownership. The NC engine is also a Duratec jointly developed with Mazda. So as far as I'm concerned it's in the family tree.
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SB-vb8ch
Those 2. 5 4 cylinders are all fairly coarse things, the 2. 0 is much sweeter. They're both a tough sell but if you can't build what you want yourself then you have to buy it.
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Those 2. 5 4 cylinders are all fairly coarse things, the 2. 0 is much sweeter. They're both a tough sell but if you can't build what you want yourself then you have to buy it.
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AlanBlocksidge-d2z
Both great cars, however the price difference is probably due to the MG being brand new including the body shell, I guess the Mazda has shell has been refurbished.
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Both great cars, however the price difference is probably due to the MG being brand new including the body shell, I guess the Mazda has shell has been refurbished.
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mikerichards9196
A jag-derived V6 is an interesting (and unusual) choice for a swap - I'd be interested to know the thinking behind it.
Theres no doubt it works well, though!
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A jag-derived V6 is an interesting (and unusual) choice for a swap - I'd be interested to know the thinking behind it.
Theres no doubt it works well, though!
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MiniEggs1999
It would be interesting to discuss resto. mods used values on the podcast are they going to be worth 50% in three year. Would you buy the MG at 86k used
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It would be interesting to discuss resto. mods used values on the podcast are they going to be worth 50% in three year. Would you buy the MG at 86k used
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Greg-k4j
Looks like the bonnet soundproofing on the MG has a tear in it, probably from touching the engine etc. Think for the money this car should be near concours.
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Looks like the bonnet soundproofing on the MG has a tear in it, probably from touching the engine etc. Think for the money this car should be near concours.
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