Frontline has positioned itself at the very forefront of restomodding, deemed by some to be among the originals in the whole sector. The company began more than 30 years ago, in 1991, swapping drivetrains after founder Tim Fenna found out the hard way of MG’s main weak spots.
He transplanted a more sturdy Toyota gearbox into his Spridget and realised he couldn’t stop there. Today that means Bespoke Editions created in tandem with the customer, and Factory Editions standardising various components.
At the Scramble, representing Frontline among the Restomods & Reboots display near Building 123, will be the MGA Factory Edition making only its second public appearance. The more familiar range of MGBs will be found at the firm’s usual pitch close to Café 144. Launched at Goodwood’s Members' Meeting in April, the MGA Factory Edition boasts a reworked Mazda twin-cam, a nod to the hottest original MGA in period, reworked in Abingdon by Frontline. Close to 300bhp is available in the biggest, 2.5-litre, offering, while the 2-litre provides 225bhp. Crucially, the engine is lighter, by some 60kg, and is mated to the brilliant Mazda five-speed gearbox.
The wooden floor is replaced by stiffer metal, aiding handling, and 60mph is clocked up inside five seconds from a standing start – 11 seconds saved from the stock MGA of the 1950s.
It comes at a premium, the upgrades costing around £145,000 on top of a largely-there MGA sound of body – they don't mind the engine or interior. because that's entirely new, anyway.
Pore over the details at the Scramble on Sunday 5 October and meet the team over by Café 144.
