While a car should never be judged purely on the numbers, they can be a useful indicator. We've become worryingly familiar with podgy kerbweights, prodigious torque plateaus and middling revs on spec sheets, which makes the stats for Frontline’s 2.5-litre MG B a welcome return to the good old days, roughly the equivalent of watching Jaws on VHS. Even if the asking price is still rather more modern - but more on that in a sec.
Once adjusted to its quirks, however, there’s huge entertainment on offer because it feels so well sorted. It doesn’t flex or wobble, the Nitron dampers are plush, and the limited-slip diff drives the B out of bends with real conviction. You make allowances for this car because there’s not the outright grip, though you never make excuses - it really makes the absolute best of what you're working with.