Better than new British motoring icons

Capturing the glamour, charisma and immersive connection of cars from a bygone era and often lacking in disconnected, over-sanitised, overweight, overwrought and overstylised modern cars, the restomod car niche goes far beyond mere nostalgia, but instead improves on classic recipes. A popular niche industry in Britain — and often focused on iconic British cars — reputable restomod firms utilize expert engineers, artisans and enthusiasts, to modernise, restore and modify cars for performance, reliability and refinement gains beyond what would have been possible in the past.

Jensen International Automotive Range Rover Chieftain Xtreme LSE

As implied, the Jensen International Automotive (JIA) Chieftain Xtreme is the wildest interpretation of the Banbury-based bespoke British builder’s re-engineered classic Range Rover. Starting out as a design study based on a 2-door classic Range Rover body, the Chieftain Xtreme aesthetic treatment differs somewhat from JIA’s first, most extensively re-engineered original Chieftain, circa 2018. Whereas the original had a brutalist charm, the Xtreme instead has a sporting rally raid racer flavour, even in 5-door long wheelbase LSE guise as JIA’s latest — pictured — build. 

With more off-road oriented bumpers for better approach and departure angles, the Chieftain Xtreme however incorporates muscularly broad classic Audi Quattro-like blistered box wheel-arches. Unlike the original Chieftain with its more modern Land Rover Discovery chassis, the Xtreme instead features a modified original Range Rover chassis, with independent double wishbone suspension for enhanced ride comfort and driving dynamics. Luxuriously appointed, the Chieftain Xtreme’s sympathetically re-worked and re-designed hand-crafted cabin is finished and equipped to customer specification.

Outgunning the most powerful versions of Land Rover’s latest generation Range Rover, the Chieftain Xtreme is powered by General Motors’ 6.2-litre supercharged LT4 V8 engine, as deployed by the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. A newer, more powerful iteration than the original 556BHP Chieftain’s small block engine, the Xtreme develops 650BHP at 6,200rpm and 650lb/ft torque at 3,600rpm. Mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive, the Xtreme promises to outdo its predecessor’s brutal 4.5-second 0-97km/h acceleration and 250km/h top speed.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 6.2-litre, in-line supercharged V8-cylinders

Gearbox: 10-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 650 (659) [485] @6,400rpm

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 650 (881) @3,600rpm (estimate)

0-97km/h: under 4.5-seconds (estimate)

Top speed: over 250km/h (estimate)

Wheelbase: 2,743mm (estimate)

Weight: approximately 2,500kg (estimate)

Suspension, F/R: Double wishbones / multi-link (estimate)

Frontline Developments MG Abingdon Edition

A re-built incarnation of Britain’s quintessential sports car, Frontline Developments’ MG models are based on the 1962-80 MGB roadster and coupe line. Retaining the same glamour and analog driving experience, the Frontline Developments MG is however more modern in its engineering, build quality, dynamics and performance, and is built on new CAD-designed seam-sealed rust-proofed 1965-spec British Motorsport Heritage shells. Built to bespoke specifications, the 25-car 2015 Abingdon Edition convertible is however the most powerful and best Frontline Developments MG example yet.

Riding on aluminium independent front wishbone and six-link rear live-axle suspension, the Abingdon Edition benefits from sharp dynamics and low unsprung mass, and improved ride and handling over the original MGB. Small, nimble and maneuverable, it is ever eager and composed through corners, with a limited slip rear differential providing improved stability, agility and traction. An immersive driving experience, its hand-crafted cabin features fine appointments, extensive personalization possibilities and traditional designs with subtle period-style modern equipment and features.

Powered by a Mazda-sourced naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine modified with billet crank and rods, forged pistons, solid lifters and 50mm direct-to-head individual throttle bodies, the rev-hungry lightweight Abingdon Edition delivers a crackling, rasping and wailing soundtrack, razor-sharp throttle responses, and supercar-like performance. Driving the rear wheels through a slick short-throw 6-speed manual gearbox, the Abingdon Edition sprints through 0-97km/h in 3.8-seconds and onto 258km/h, pulling progressively hard from low-end, to an intense, high-strung 7,600rpm rev limit. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 2.5-litre, in-line 4-cylinders

Gearbox: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive, limited slip differential

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 304 (308) [226] @6,800rpm

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 241 (326) @5,200rpm

0-97km/h: 3.8-seconds

Top speed: 258km/h

Wheelbase: 2,312mm

Track, F/R: 1,240/1,410mm

Weight: 897kg

Suspension, F/R: Wishbones / 6-link live-axle

Wheels: 15-inch

Gildred Racing Mini Super Cooper Type S 

Among Britain’s best-selling and most iconic cars, the original 1957-2000 Mini was an innovative and affordable car that always enjoyed a sporting reputation owing to its lightweight and keen go-cart like handling. A candidate for modifications and upgrades for many an enthusiast, the Mini’s transformation from people’s car’s to supercar has perhaps never been a thoroughly executed as Gildred Racing’s Mini Super Cooper Type S, which is the most extreme among the California-based firm’s six Mini restomod offerings.

A radical departure from the original front-wheel-drive Mini, and less extreme Super Cooper Classic and Sport variants, the extensively re-engineered Type S instead adopts a mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration, with coil-over suspension and disc brakes all-round. With its weight shifted significantly rearwards within such a small package and wheelbase, the Type S promises even more alert turn-in and agility, but with a massive power hike as well, it would be expected to be quite a tail-happy handful to drive.

Dwarfing the original Mini’s top 1.3-litre engine the Type S’ Honda 3.2-litre V6 is sourced from the Acura CL-S. Supercharged for good measure, it also gains upgraded forged pistons, connecting rods and 850cc fuel injectors, while a custom intercooler is positioned under the bonnet. Driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Type S develops a massive 502 horsepower and 383lb/ft torque at the wheels – roughly equivalent to 550BHP and 420lb/ft – to rocket through 0-97km/h in under 4-seconds.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 3.2-litre, mid-mounted supercharged V6-cylinders

Gearbox: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive

Power, (wheel) HP: 502*

Torque, (wheel) lb/ft (Nm): 383 (520)**

0-97km/h: under 4-seconds

Wheelbase: 2,040mm (estimate)

Weight: 635kg (estimate)

Wheels: 13-inches

*Approximately estimated at BHP (PS) [kW]: 550 (558) [410]

**Approximately estimated at (crank) lb/ft (Nm): 420 (570)