I’m Sorry, You’re Going To Do What <br />With This MGB?!
A Car For The Road. And The Track. And The Nordschleife

I kept asking car owner Jason Shalders and his build partner Chris Isaacs the same question – just to be sure I’d heard properly: you’ve got a classic 1966 MGB GT you’re building to FIA GT3 specification? And you’re aiming for the Nürburgring street-legal car lap record? And sorry to have to ask again, but this car will also be street legal?

Copious cups of coffee did not help keep my brain thinking straight and able to digest these three seemingly disparate goals. This is going to be one very special – and very, very fast – MG.

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This is a build that is definitely led by passion. Its origins came from a simple love of a particular car, and then amped up by the sort of ideas that normally would only come from a very heavy night on the sauce. Yet Jason somehow persuades you that it’s been a perfectly natural evolution of the project that anyone might have come up with. Looking at the MG, sitting purposefully on its jig and already alluding to the sleek racer into which its gradually mutating, they’re well down the path. To either madness or a lap record – or both – only time will tell. Who cares about whether it’s sensible or not.

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Taking just the starting point and one of the goals – a 50-year-old British coupé against the Nürburgring lap record – you’d think that’s aiming pretty high. But at the end of a chat with Jason and Chris, it all seems perfectly logical. And even achievable.

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It all started with an engine – a Rover engine. Before people start dismissing that, remember that this is from a period where Rover still had credibility (I’d argue they did even into the ’80s with the SD1). Jason’s engine of choice was the four-litre aluminium V8, derived from the Buick 215, where his experience stretches back several decades. Back in the ’90s, Jason had been building cars for friends and customers and decided he needed a rolling test bed to help with engine development. An initial foray into putting a V8 into an MG was hampered by budget, and eventually he sold the car – though the concept remained firmly lodged in his mind.

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Fast forward 10 years and the V8 project resurfaced with a vengeance. Jason had always wanted to meld Lotus cylinder heads with the Rover V8, and now circumstances allowed him to actively pursue that idea – with close compatriot Craig Ratcliffe on hand to encourage his return to his original plan. Jason bought a block and heads and started working on how he could bring these two contrasting items together.

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The concept was hardly sensible from the amount of effort that would be required, but it ticked the boxes for both authenticity and power. The Lotus heads are renowned for their performance and strength; the Rover engine equally renowned for its power but poor air flow. Colin Chapman, the innovative design engineer, inventor and founder of Lotus, who always pushed the envelope, would be proud.

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The aim is a high-revving, four-valve-per-cylinder, quad-cam V8, strong enough to take a pair of Owen Developments GT3582 HTA turbos further down the line and 650hp per side. Fitting the two major parts together would be a challenge. The bolt patterns were completely different, the cams in different places, they had different firing orders… the list goes on. Basically only the bore spacing was vaguely similar. Rising to the challenge, Jason just got on with chopping and welding, and got the two elements to work together. Whilst doing so, he also designed custom rods, pistons and a crank, created a billet dry sump system, with plans for pneumonic valves to go into the heads and has bespoke cams being made by Newman.

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Don’t you just love this kind of pushing-the-limits project? Why make life easy when you can make life interesting. With his crazy engine plan in place, the next question was obvious. What was he going to put it in? The memory of his old MG resurfaced. How about reigniting that plan, and then some? How about making it tube-frame? Low-slung. GT racer-style? Thoughts multiplied, a dream became a concrete plan.

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Enter Chris Isaacs Race Cars. With Jason engrossed in the engine side, Chris was the perfect partner to work on developing the chassis and creating the car to contain Jason’s Franken-engine. The Rov-tus V8. Or should that be Lot-ver? Chris is an expert builder who’s specialised in quarter mile machines. His drag cars have won numerous national championships, but it was a more recent project that caught Jason’s attention: a frankly insane Morris Minor circuit racer aimed at the Special Saloons championship in the UK. A featherweight Morris with 430hp from a Chevy small block.

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With Chris enlisted, design work started in earnest around September 2012. The first step was to nail down as much detail as possible. The V8 and handling its potentially enormous output was the starting point, the MGB it was to fit into the second criterion to work from. Those massive Oz wheels were quickly added to the mix, and these three things helped move them towards deciding on the optimum wheelbase, ride height, chassis layout and mechanicals.

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Before any metal was touched, Chris and Jason worked from photos and sketches, batting ideas back and forward. More than just an aesthetic element, this was about deciding a fundamental approach for the car. From the inspiration images Jason was flagging up, it was clear that a GT-style car was his goal – and GT3 seemed the ideal template. This might have started as a pure street car, but things were escalating – rapidly.

Everything Gets Bigger, Fast
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Although the GT3 technical regulations would be great reference, particularly in regard to safety, there was also an aesthetic consideration. The best GTs are always the epitome of combining the essence of a base car with over-the-top aero and aggressive appearance. The current Z4 GT was a particular favourite for Jason. So, the MG’s design rapidly got wider and lower, whilst always retaining that classic MG look. No easy task, but one that Chris and his team (Jedd Guy and Anthony Parker) approached with relish.

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An early profile sketch makes it pretty obvious why Jason fell for this look. It must have been a similar thing with a project like the LaSupra, where the heart rate increases as the car gets lower and wider.

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With the goals for the car getting ever more ambitious, the tube-frame became intrinsic rather than aspirational to provide the rigidity and performance. The fixed points of the design took shape, with the addition of the cockpit layout and other important bits of packaging those points in space dictated the layout of the chassis. Then the conversations started about what kind of potential lap time it would be able do. From the off, this wouldn’t be a racer per se, Jason not wanting to risk the car in the cut and thrust of national racing, but instead aimed at Time Attack-style events.

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Chris was using Lydden Hill as a baseline for decision making on suspension and aero, a circuit he knew like the back of his hand and one with a simple layout to work from. But Jason mentioned a larger target to aim for. One in Germany. That starts with Green and ends in Hell. The torque-heavy engine seemed ideal for punching out of the ’Ring’s corners, and the MG’s GT3 concept ripe for the task. Chris’s reply, rather than being dismissive was quite the reverse. Okay, so, what could be possible? A mid seven-minute lap? Maybe faster. Then that’s getting towards record territory. Okay, let’s aim to go for the road-legal lap record. Simple.

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I think there might be something seriously weird with the air in Essex.

But before physical construction could start they needed a donor car. They wanted an early MGB, because of that other aim of keeping the car street legal. Even as I type that, looking at the pictures I again have that bit of doubt creep in that I heard that right… Anyway, as luck would have it a perfect car popped up on a popular online auction site. £300 later, and a rough shell was sitting in Chris’s workshop. Everything that could be unbolted had been, but that was fine: the shell was the important bit, and the roof and surrounds were all in sufficiently good enough condition.

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Even better, a slot opened up in Chris’s schedule in spring of ’13 and the chopping could start. The first thing to do was to get the chassis onto a jig, position the wheels and set the ride height; then the MG’s arches could be chopped out. The poor MGB must have looked almost comedic, sitting down low, dwarfed by the enormous wheels. Everything would be pushed out – the wheelbase would be five inches longer, the wings four inches longer and raised up to accommodate the wheels and suspension, the track increased by six inches.

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Half the donor MG disappeared in the first two days. Chris started work on the frame, which would be constructed from 4130 chromoly. The main six-point cage has been built to full MSA racing standard, 1-3/4×095 tubing, with slightly thinner material used for the subframes to make it as light as possible. Triangulation and bracing have made this one stiff construction, despite only weighing around 70kg, but then Chris’s stock in trade is that most fearsome of environments, drag racing.

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The suspension was planned out using various CAD programmes based on the desired wishbone and crank geometry, with the aim of keeping the roll centres as stable as possible. Originally Chris looked at a cantilever set-up before decided to go inboard, using Penske shocks and custom-made arms and uprights. They’ll incorporate a slight rising rate matched front to rear for maximum stability.

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All that hard work at the design phase pays back during the build – working out the rough packaging should mean avoiding difficult compromises further down the line. The last thing Chris wanted was to be in the position where something like the errant location of a tube prevented the ideal placing of a component, so there’s been a methodical approach taken at every step.

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On my visit about four months into the build process, the chassis had been fully laid down and the bodywork was beginning to take shape, giving a real idea of how awesome this MG is going to look. What is great is how much of the classic MG shape is evident: the roofline, tailgate and doors – but most importantly the nose.

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I think it’s just perfect: a blend of classic shaping with modern, over-the-top GT style. The best thing? The aim is to retain chrome detailing where possible, such as on the grill. The original chrome trim lines will be followed as well, even if they end up being painted on in the final instance. A new valance would be following on once the MG’s radiator is supplied from Pro Alloy; ITG were also creating a bespoke air intake system. The project has been generating a lot of positive support from suppliers, which is hardly surprising.

Hammer The Metal, Forge The Shape
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The car is going to be tightly packaged, meaning the elements of the car are all inter-related. Starting on the bodywork might seem premature, but having the shape defined would allow further internal component positions to be nailed down – everything evolving at the same speed.

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Chris’s biggest concern at the time was the positioning of the water-powered charge coolers (two for the V8, a single unit for the smaller engine). Its fitment in front of the rear wheels would be impacted by bodywork, which would also then need to be balanced against the gearbox and diff radiators, fuel and oil tanks, and so on. A veritable jigsaw puzzle of elements.

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All the bodywork will eventually be formed in carbon, but I just love this raw sheet metal look, especially with the highlight of the red donor car such a contrast against it.

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This is the more creative part of the build, compared to the raw engineering expertise required underneath, and you can see that Chris and the team are passionate about the result. It’s going to be one good looking car for sure.

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Each panel will be removable to make working on the car as easy as possible, especially valuable at a track like the Nürburgring where every second lost on track will count. Fibreglass panels will likely be formed from the sculpted metal patterns initially, and then moulds made for the final items.

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The shapes and intakes aren’t just pretty: they’re functional as well. Aero will be critical on the MG, and all their know-how has been brought to bear, as well as that of external consultants – including Simon McBeath, a well-known aero consultant and regular contributor to Racecar Engineering.

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There’s no attempt to reinvent the wheel, aerodynamically speaking – accepted principals are being applied in their most sensible ways to ensure the MG is as efficient as possible from the off. Air flow, from both the ducting away hot air and channeling in cold points of view, has been throughly examined by Chris to provide the optimum results.

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The rear wing is based on GT3-spec, a huge carbon unit made by DJ Engineering; they’re hill-climb specialists and also supply components to many big race teams. The end plates are temporary and once the wing is mounted a final decision will be taken on the optimum size to keep air flowing to the wing’s underside in the most efficient way.

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A big rear diffuser will rise up at the rear, linked by ancillary side outputs and fed by a venturi in the flat floor.

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The right side of the car was well on the way to being finalised when I saw the car; the next step would be working on things like the exhaust manifolds, and then packaging the steering column, pedals, driver controls and so on.

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The seat positions have already been fixed: so how about a driver? The plan is for sportscar racer Oli Webb to drive the car once its ready for its ultimate test. He’s also a test driver for BAC, and a regular at the Nürburgring.

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With Jason working on the actual block back at his base, the engine in the MGB was just a dummy unit. This meant that Chris could plan out the precise placement and where all its ancillaries would fit – whilst of course trying to fit in all the stuff like suspension and the steering rack.

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Chris likes to use solid motor mounts, so the engine can be used as a stressed member, and he’s left the majority of the plate intact as work progresses. It’ll be trimmed down once work is nearing completion, but having that big slab available gives the option to mount parts to it during the build, rather than starting with a cut-down part and giving yourself less options down the line. One big option – just to make things even more confusing, Jason is also working on a four-cylinder, single-turbo motor as well. This will be a Lotus engine, aiming at producing around 600hp, and another development testbed that will allow them to market parts in the future.

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Taking up a considerable area in the cockpit space is the sequential Elite Racing Transmissions gearbox. This is the seven-speed that’s matched to the V8; there are also mounting points for a six-speed to go with the four-cylinder motor.

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Sitting in perfect isolation – for the time-being at least – is this beautiful billet aluminium diff housing. It’s a beefy unit to handle the projected power of the engine up front, using 8.8-inch Ford internals to send drive via custom 31-spline stub axles bolted to Porsche CV joints. Like the engine up front, it’s also mounted to a solid plate and a stressed part of the chassis.

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The suspension layout was locked off early in the build, to give an accurate view of the ride during the bodywork phase.

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The rear, longitudinal set-up was waiting for the installation of the shocks – which coincidentally arrived whilst I was at the workshop – and are of pushrod bellcrank design with adjustable anti-squat.

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The MG sits on 19×11-inch and 19×12-inch OZ Racing Ultraleggeras: it’s pretty obvious why Jason chose these right at the start… Hiding behind them, the brake are huge HiSpec units: 400mm vented disks with eight-piston callipers at the front and 360mm disks with four-piston callipers at the back.

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Achieving the magical three Rs – racing, road and records – is no easy task. It’s not a short process, and it’s definitely not cheap. The £300 for the shell is a distant memory, but seeing that MG sitting on the jig must be enough to remove any doubts Jason has. The plan is for the car itself to be pretty much complete by early 2015, bodywork finished and painted, wiring in and ready to roll for Jason to finish the engine work. I can’t wait to see the next phase of this car.

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I know I’d rather cheer on a bunch of guys putting together an awesome build to chase the Nürburgring lap record from a modest garage in Essex – instead of a multi-million pound marketing operation where lap times are often insinuated rather than released. My dream racecar grid is getting bigger. KRB’s Audi and Lotus Esprit. The Lancia LaSupraMini Quattro and V12 CobraThe Forge GolfThe Lotus canyon racer and the Nissan 300ZX fighter plane. And now the MGB GT3.

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Stay tuned for the next stage of this build as it edges towards completion. We’ll be catching up with the next major step change towards the end of the year, but in the meantime you can keep an eye on progress here.

Jonathan Moore
Instagram: speedhunters_jonathan
jonathan@speedhunters.com

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1
Speedhunters_Bryn

Hilariously wonderful. The definition of 'because we can', four Lotus heads on a Rover V8? How the hell do you even begin to contemplate that?

2

damn

3

Oh god yes...this is too awesome for words! Moar, MOOAARR!!

4

This is simply amazing.
And as awesome as it is that they're creating what is essentially a bespoke engine that's never been made before I can't help but feel that it'd give them far fewer headaches if they went with something established where parts are plentiful and reliability is proven.
For a street car, sure, go nuts but for something that's being raced I personally would rather it be something I don't have to worry about. Looking what the car they're actually building though I don't think "the easy way" is what they're striving for.
However I am more than happy to be proven wrong about that engine :)

5

OMG! That is awesome!

6

Good Luck with the project

7

Cool project. Love to see the use of the Rover V8!!!!!!!!!!!!

8

Mental. Mental. Mental... not Rov-tus but LoVer surely? Proper Brit-bonkers, made-as-a-fish awesomeness!

9

I need at least 5 people to do three things:Confirm that the beautiful yellow drawing is the final look of the car,Give 5 likes as part of Step One, andDo an operation to fix my jaw.If you saw Step Three, you know why you're reading this.

10

It looks like a TVR somehow... English genes are apparent, I guess. Looks like a really interesting build, hope to see a full feature when finished.

11

Awesome, can't wait for the next update!

12

Front looks like it was inspired by Cerbera Speed Twelve ;D

13

MichaelKN ..and the Morgan Aero 8 GT3

14

MichaelKN how's that? This one has 2 round headlights. The Speed 12 has the "spider-eyes" lights. And for the rest of the nose...it looks nothing like a Speed 12. It does look like a TVR like this, I agree. But not like a Cerbera at all.

15

This is rad. There's a local MGBGT for sale here that's modded and it really made me look at them different. This only further heightens my curiosity in the car.

16

This just might inspire me to keep mine and build something more with it.

17

Wow, very ambitious. I'd be heartbroken if that bespoke engine took a dump whilst running the time attack. I'm hoping for the best 'cause it looks great.

18

Fab gods

19

Undeniably awesome, I hope we get a look at the finished project, and really looking forward to seeing it at time attack events.
"I think there might be something seriously weird with the air in Essex." There certainly must be when you look at all the crazyness the ford plant there produced in the 70s/80s/90s...
It's probably caused by the mix of aftershave, jellied eels, fake tan aerosol and hair spray in concentrated areas across the county.

20

TjChannon that engine .. both the block and the heads are very well known, been raced a lot, just never screwed together ;)

I'm very dubious for that production car record tho, 8 minutes full lap may be possible, but I'm very sceptical.

21

apriliamike pretty cool!

22

Can't wait until it's done.

23

Awesome build.  Can't wait to see this finished.

The back of the render (last pic) looks almost exactly like the back of a Renault 5 Turbo.

24

I can't wait to see that engine. Claiming some crazy awesome power numbers.

25

Acc TjChannon "Production car" as well - as amazing as it is I wouldn't say it's a production car

26

RobAnzutron  That's stunning dude, what have you done to it?

27

Mad-as-a-turbot surely?

28
Speedhunters_Bryn

@Ed RobAnzutron Aha! I've seen this on Instagram, I built this one a few years ago...

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Bryn-Musselwhite-2012-review-4.jpg

29

Words cannot describe how cool this is, please keep us updated on its progress!  It reminds me of the old & wonderful Marcos LeMans GT cars, especially in yellow. Improbable & amazing in equal measure.

30
Speedhunters_Bryn

@T Fritch I think your last line sums it up for me, improbable but amazing. We're all sat here thinking, 'Surely it won't do it?' but at the same time there's this itching desire inside me that wants to see it work so gloriously well that I literally can't stop shouting YES at the top of my voice!

31

Two thumbs way up!

32

I love that this has ended up on here. Read about it a few months back in Practical Classics, they did a two part special. The engine is a stroke of genious.

33

Hi guys.. It took most of it's look from GT3 circuit cars. What we've ended up with, is a body shape, styled around the dimensions of a modern GT3 car. Some of the looks aren't really based on anything, we need the wheel arches that size to cover the wheel and tyres, but we've tried to keep as much of the main character of the original MG.. Jase...

34

Hi there, the Yellow rendering, is indeed what we're aiming at.. The colour is Renault Liquid Yellow..

35

She is Mental... But her name is Avaline... Lol

36

Cheers... :-)

37

Thank you..

38

Glad you like it... She's getting there...

39

We've out a lot of research in to the car.. Working out what it takes to get around the ring, looking at lots of cars, there widths and lengths, overall dimensions, weights, opposer, gearbox style, aero.. We have assembled a fantastic team, with lots of experience. Plus, we have an outstanding young British driver with Oli Webb, so we give it our best shot..

40

I think Jonathan is planning something towards the end of the year..

41

I think it comes under the banner of, I wonder if we could,shortly followed by "it sounded a good idea at the time" lol... She coming together.. Cheers.. Jase

42

Awesome.
General question for these sort of builds: Wouldn't it be cheaper to start with say, a Vantage, and then rework the MG panels over the top?
Im not pretending to know better but i am curious.

43

Beast

44

Gonna be sexy when done, and that front fender vent is pure sex!

45

rook56  Some people like work and to show their skill at its full potential. I can totally see where you're coming from hehe!

46

you know what is pure sex ? sex is self

47

Speedhunters_Bryn RobAnzutron Hey, is there any more info on your MG on the web? Would love to read more about it =)

48

This is absolutely insane. I love it. Videos of this beast when it's running is obligatory! That engine should sound like a banshee being chased by the devil himself. And I'll want one for my own yellow '66 BGT. For research purposes, of course.
Good job, SpeedHunters, for picking up on this and making an article. Great photos too!

49

Holy crap. What balls these guys have to play with the big bucks players. Even Glickenhaus should be impressed with this effort. Hope for a follow up story to see how they fared!!

50

veecee8 We absolutely plan a follow up so please watch Speedhunters for the continuing story

51

Knutah Many thanks - we continue to anticipate our readers wants and needs - comments like yours help us continue to refine our focus and bring you what you want!

52

rook56 The challenge is sometimes what stokes the build - that was paramount here and often that is what matters and price becomes secondary to blood, sweat and tears.....

53

Sweet Jesus this an insane build and I love the rendering. The engine plan sounds like a real beast once completed, can't wait to see the follow up guys. Keep it up!

54

This is what happens when clever limeys drink too much.  Not that that is a bad thing.  I got a good chuckle out of the rover v8, this'll be neat to watch.

55

JakWhite Yeah would love a whole post of detailed engine pics and blueprints if they'd let us see?!

56

Avaline V8 Hi mate, can you explain the production car part? What is / isn't required, rules that have shaped the build. Has that part of the goal affected areas you wanted another way originally?

57

I hope and wish for them the best. It's amazing to see what a person can accomplish when they set their mind to things and they are absolutely determined to do it. The only way they will fail is if they admit mental defeat, don't have enough knowledge or run out of money. If money is not a problem I don't see why this can't be done. 

People forget all cars are are pieces of metal. The builder gives them life and with the right knowledge and skill you can topple any giant. The Ultima GTR beat the Ferrari FXX around Top Gear's test track, local tuners frequently beat multi million dollar conglomerates (SSC annihilated the Veyron's top speed on a public road with an American V8, Hennessey Venom, AMS Alpha 12 etc.) 

"Production" lap records are for nerds who want to fuss about the nuances and technicality of lap times. A real racer, tuner and builder will only see the number on the clock at the end of a lap and it's the only thing that should matter to anyone who calls themselves a true enthusiast. 

God speed gentlemen. God speed.

58

SIMPLY AWSOME.

59

Pancakes JakWhite I'll be concentrating on the engine in the next update!

60

I would paint it British racing green. Absolutely awesome.

61

What an awesome little monster.

Love to find out more details on that engine, as idea of combining the block and heads from different engines sounds nuts.

Best of luck guys.

62

Fair enough! Amazing technical skill and determination.

63

Speedhunters_Bryn RobAnzutron
Add me on facebook, I have some questions for you! 
Rob Anzutron

64

@Ed RobAnzutron changed out all the suspension.. front is from a honda civic and rear end is chevy s10

65

Knutah I don't think so... what would you like to know?

66

kayjaypug205
Hi there..we have a facebook page that covers the whole build of both the engine and the car, you can see all that we have done so far to create this engine.. http://www.facebook.com/APSMotorsports
Cheers
Jase

67

mk4 lew
Evening..
There was a conversation about painting it BRG, but, ihave had two cars previously that were BRG, I got banned fro driving in both for speeding, so I didnt want to take the chance! lol.. The next question was, if it's not BRG, what colour should it be... Renault Liquid yellow seemed an good choice, as it's a bit "out of the box"!!
Cheers
Jase..

68

turbom Thanks.. :-)

69

@Chris H

Chris, very well put.. It;s very easy to buy a car and do something predictable with it. We are on a learning curve with this engine. But, thats the challenge, thats what drives us! doing something different, not following the crowd.. We have developed our own car, our own engine, thats what excites us! We are a small group of people, taking on the might of the factory teams! Thank you for the support!
Cheers
Jase

70

AceAndrew2 Not wanting to dissapoint, but when the original concept came to us as an idea, we were all sat in our old workshop, during the day, completely sober. I can't promise that we'll be sober after the engine starts for the first time! lol :-)
Cheers
Jase..

71

kphillips9936 Cheers.. Darren at Power Race Graphics has dne us proud with some of his renderings..We're working hard on the car and engine, looking froward to having Jonathan Moore from Speed Hunters come over and see us again!
Thanks
Jase

72

veecee8 Glad you enjoyed it.. More to follow.. Just takes time.. 
Thanks
Jase.. :-)

73

Knutah We've had a bottle of good champagne sat ready for the day she starts up! it's been sat there for a few years now! But it won't be long!
Cheers
Jase.

74

rook56 Hi, thanks for the question, it may have been cheaper, but it wouldn't be as good. The standard Vantage would not perform as good as the car we have built. It would be too heavy and would still need all of the suspension modifying.. I'm not saying the Vantage os a bad car, but to get near to this, you'd have to buy a Vantage GT3 car nd that will set you back £300k upwards..

Our aim was to build an MGB GT3, if MG still built them, then entered them in the British GT championship, we think they'd look something like this?

Hope that helps..
Cheers
Jase.

75

Jonathan Moore Pancakes JakWhite Well I best get my arse in gear and get building then! ;-)

76

Speedhunters_Bryn Hi Guys, That LeMans/GT look is exactly what we're trying to achieve. We can't wait to see her with some colour on! In the near future, we'll see her finally sat on the floor after 17 months building her! The good Guys and Girls at speedhunters will no doubt keep you up to date with our progress!
Cheers
Jase

77

Merc Hi there, won't be long until we have the engine looking nice.. Then we can get her featured again..
Cheers
Jase.

78

miksfield Hi, it looks like you're not the only one waiting to see the car finished. The back end wasn't styled on anything in particular, its styling comes from the practical need to get those wheels and tyres under, along with the chargecooler radiators just infront of them and the oile cooler sitting behind them. Once you have the neccesary items in the rough area you need them, then you can start and look at how to get the bodywork over them and how then, one it's going to look and two, how it's going to function in terms of airflow.. We have spent weeks on the design of each corner.. It's been hard work, but very rewarding when we get positive comments about how it looks!
Cheers
Jase..

79

James Cray James, havepatience my friend... Won't be long..
Cheers
Jase.

80

@hstevens63 apriliamike Cheers! :-)

81

TarmacTerrorist Hi There,
I don't think it's just essex! we're based in the north of England.. Craziness seems to come from everywhere!

Speed hunters are planning another feature later in the year, covering the engine in greater detail..
Cheers
Jase

82

rhayward Thankyou! :-)

83

The One Otaku Hi, we're hoping for the best.. years of experience have gone into the engine.. We've tried to think of everything, to help keep her as strong as  possible.
Look out for the engine feature later in the year..
Cheers
Jase..

84

As an MGB owner and enthusiast for over 30 years I'm in awe of what you are doing and can't wait to see the result!

85

Insane! I can't wait to see it in its final stages!

86

Keep looking out on Speedhunters website later thus year for the next update.. Glad you like it..
Cheers
Jase

87

Hi Ric,
Thanks for the compliment., it's been great to show people what exactly goes into building a car like this..
Cheers
Jase

88

Great project sir,
 You know the lotus 7 has a variable valve head with LIFT control...
 i would love to see this engine (2zzge) in a V8 config.
Super controllability against Turbo lag, coupled with an electric motor and charge caps for acceleration out of the bends and start.
I like this build and hope you are also fitting all round double wishbone sus.. and be the type of car that Leyland / Rover MG Triumph etc failed to achieve ~ through strikes cut backs and bloody mindless managements short sightedness to implement good ideas over manufacturing costs (triumph had a 16v head already back in the 60s and fitted it to the Dolomite)
Rover had Gas Turbine cars in the 60s too now we have gas turbine electric vehicles running but not made by the brits ^^ wonder why.. oh strike.. bankers blah blah blah
 I dont hear Italy moaning about how well certain supercars cost
Its left to lone wolfs to plough through the red tape and idiot bankers.
Look at Logie Baird and Mitchell to name a few also Frank Whittle.. all let down by the British Gov.
Even lotus isnt British anymore or TvR
 just Morgan again still carving a niche market.
if you cant fit double wish to the front,, I suggest using superstrut suspension. (ss11)
The 918 is the target. that also does 98mpg :)
Good luck fella, I will be watching and learning with intrigue.

89

It reminds me a lot of the TVR Cerbera Speed 12. That car too, was designed as a GT racer from the original street car and also was an absolute monster. I'm looking forward too update's.

90

Mx5t love it !

91

Sneep  The TVR Cerbera Speed 12 was designed purely as a circuit racer. It bears no relation to the road car, the only parts from the road car are the screen and the roof, everything else is custom, from the folded alloy tub to it's (literally handbuilt V12.

92

Avaline V8 Knutah That sounds like a plan! Best of luck to you, I hope everything goes smoothly when time comes for the first startup :) By the way, do you plan on entering the car into any time attack series as well?

93

Just make sure it leaks oil on your garage floor, or you cant call it a MG!!!

Good luck guys!

94
MohamedAbdElFattah

19inch oz racing very cool

95
Austin Collegestudent

how does someone gain the experience and know how for something like this?  I can only dream of being this mechanically-inclined.

96

@Austin Collegestudent I take mechanical engineering in college, and we learn a lot of fabrication as well as the theory behind it. Its way different from uni engineering. If you want to learn this stuff id say take college then go into uni. A lot of it is just starting a project like this and just figuring some things out as you go

97

Hi Jase,

It was great to meet you and your fantastic car at the Autosport show last Sunday,

It was the highlight of the show for me! looking forward to following your project and hopefully see it on the track.
Very inspirational !

All the best, Paul

DIY Supercharged 1971 MGB

98

My nephew built and raced EVO's in Time Attack competitions around the UK, a few years back, getting almost 900 bhp from their engines and setting some records along the way. He took me for a ride in one once - frightened the life out of me.
As a 22-year MG owner I will now be very pleased to tell him that one of my favourite cars - the MGB - looks set to blast the pants of his EVO's.......

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