Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Modern Classic Cars Frontline Abingdon Edition

My MGB donor car turned up for me to register, unfortunately the previous owner had it on historic registration which is not transferable so it is basically an unregistered car. With the Corona Virus that is going to take a week to get the inspection done, then haveto do the pape work on line and they mail out the number plates. I can't wait to have a drive just for fun.

The plan is to drive it for two weeks before they come back to get it ready for the restoration/ modernisation. The guy who dropped it off said he had a drive and it certainly goes hard with the big Weber and other engine modifications. My wife was saying it is going to look so nice one it is green, but I think it is rather nice as it is, the paint work is original which is amazing for a car that has been raced a lot and it certainly sounds like it will go well as they drove it off the truck and up my driveway.

Enjoy!

Keep us updated please !!!

If the car has been raced the chances are that the suspension has also been modified , which will make it very good to drive.

Are there signs of a roll bar having been fitted in the past? I would be very surprised if it has been raced without one.

Even the dash and interior look remarkable original and in amazing condition. Quite a find.

Just googled 'Frontline Abingdon' - they look fabulous but WOW what a price!

Personally I think I'd restore that beautiful red MG, buy two secondhand Morgans and still have £20K change......

That looks lovely you are going to have fun with that.

As said I'd keep it just like that a great provenance.

Very desirable with outstanding performance figures claimed for a car that weighs only 20Kg less than a 3.7 Roadster and has 39lbft less max torque. Guess the gearing is much lower.

That looks great. Enjoy your new toy.

Thanks everyone, yes it seems such a dilemma as I was not expecting it to be that nice. Not sure how such a nice car was found but I guess the workshop has its contacts.

Yes the Frontline Abingdon in the UK is extremely expensive, however in Australia the car with 2.0L 210bhp engine, 6 speed gearbox, heated seats and air-conditioning will work out less than a new 4/4 was last year before Morgan Australia closed its doors. Still expensive (especially compared to other cars) but probably half the price it is compared to the UK. I think of the Frontline Abingdon as a 2.5L roadster so I guess with the 2.0L engine mine is not 100% one, Modern Classic Cars which is the Australian Frontline supplier/partner or something related calls their cars the Abingdon Edition AU regardless of the engine.

The plan is that Modern Classic Cars sources a donor car that has a reasonable body with as little rust as possible, buys it on my behalf and supplies me with all the paper work from the previous owner to get registered. Then once it is registered in my name they pick it up and strip it. Last week they told me they found a suitable donor, will drop it off on Thursday the 14th the pick it up around the 27th or 28th ready for them to start on Monday the 1st of June. In the meantime all I had to do was arrange it to be inspected and registered in my name, have some fun driving it and make sure I leave it pretty empty of petrol.

The car turns up and I am expecting some hopefully un-rusty but basically worn out car. The bad news is I had hoped it had some registration on it but it has historic registration that can't be transferred and I doubt I can get an inspection until end of next week, meaning assuming it passes I can't organise the paper work with the coronavirus delays causing short hours at the governemnt shop front until early the week starting the 25th, so maybe only a day or two to drive it before it is supposed to be taken away

The good news is it seems like a really good car, the previous owner used it for historic racing, the motor sounds very lumpy but rather nice, the paint is pretty good and I can't see much body damage at all- just a few small dint's here and there. The previous owner wanted to keep the roll cage, racing seats and hard top so Modern Classic Cars have put some seats in from another donor car, removed the headlight covers, tow hooks and bonnet strap, gave it a good clean underneath so hopefully it will pass the road worthy. I am a bit confused why would someone sell a car that looks so good but want to keep some of the racing parts.

So what a dilemma, I think it looks great as it is, it certainly sounded great for the 100 metres it was driven up the driveway, I started it this morning to move it as a TV repair man was coming and I wanted to give him good access for his van (well that is my excuse ). It started OK, went nicely into both first and reverse and clutch felt good. But when I mentioned to she who must be obeyed that I like it as it is she said (in that don't argue tone) it has to go back to become green, with air-conditioning and a new Mazda engine that won't smell of petrol like that engine does.

Chris, have you signed a contract with the restoration company yet? If not yet, would it perhaps be a good compromise with your wife if you drive the car as it is? And then have a year to think about whether the original condition is a lot of fun or then a year later do the restoration with green paint, Mazda engine etc.?
I ask because if it were me, and against all odds, such an original car for little?money shows up, then I would accept the unexpected happiness. BTW may I ask how much this car cost as it is?