Is this electric MG the PERFECT car for James May?

[@sergesmassoma9167]

I love how he doesn’t like old cars but still knows and can explain you everything about them

[@nuen7825]

This is exactly why he hates it, he truly understand it! Hahahahahaha! I'm not saying that we going to hate everything we truly understand, but in this case, yes.

[@anomalyp8584]

Well he was around when they invented the combustion engine

[@nettraveller81]

That's how it should be. He can explain why he doesn't like them.

[@ZesPak]

It's like he said "people think they want an old Ferrari because they haven't driven one.".

[@janetmerner3731]

He has been an automobile journalist since the 1980s when cars like the Ferrari 308 were still in the dealerships. It's not that he cares about old cars, it that a lot of classics were new when he started his career, it is 2021

[@Isaac1987]

Why is it that when James May says 'yes electrify them' it sounds A LOT more sinister than it's suppose to 😂

[@phiphi334]

hes an old british guy. he could read the ingredients in a bar of soap and it would sound sinister

[@Arminhal16]

Please do an episode with James May in the bunker trying to fix the squeeky door, give him half an hour to do it

[@bomber321]

He won't have had time to name and arrange his spanners in only half an hour

[@CarToneHK]

half an hour is way too short, I'd have given him half a day

[@Games_and_Music]

I'll be looking forward to that 4 part series and follow ups.

[@victtorciferri4291]

@@CarToneHK And still wont be enough

[@diogosousa7698]

@@bomber321 is half an hour after he does that

[@cerebralm]

I think it looks beautiful, the synthesis of old and new is wonderful! Of course, 90 grand for a new, slow, short range, two-seater electric car is completely ridiculous.

[@OhSome1HasThisName]

give it a few years when they get this concept worked out, I can't wait to buy an electric classic

[@pitmezzari2873]

@@OhSome1HasThisName nah, I'll stick to modern ones

[@theyellowlightsaber3193]

its pocket change to James offcourse but yes its absolute extortion to any average dreamer whod like a roadster without the engine hassle, and this is a small car, imagine the price tag if it was a large model....

[@kennorcott7074]

80 mph is way too slow tho. You can’t overtake easily on the highway

[@paulrose6359]

I agree.

[@iexplainjokestomakethemles1560]

James May: 7:47 James Dismay: 8:03

[@anshulshah1219]

😂

[@kuzzbillington6392]

You and me should form a team Because of our names, you know

[@gilbertosantos2806]

*o h c o c k*

[@MyName-sx3mr]

I don't get it, can you explain it please

[@MyName-sx3mr]

@Ethan Ansell I'm sorry, Ethan, my comment was a joke in regards to the username of the OP, I wasn't expecting an answer. Thanks for being helpful anyways, though!

[@quarrie_]

"you don't have to be braced for the inevitable MGB breakdown" that genuinely hurt with how accurate it was

[@dorkanderson4963]

Family imports classic British car parts to America. All our customers are repeat customers.

[@vishaalclips]

7:00 Bus driver has spotted a vividly looking James may!!

[@ChungYungYeng]

On IG they posted the exchange with the bus driver. Wish they didn't edit it out here.

[@xxDOTH3DEWxx]

Maybe they can have a joint 😂

[@ABirdi]

@@xxDOTH3DEWxx underated comment

[@davidgiles9751]

@@ChungYungYeng Is there a link for that exchange? I noticed the edit with the bus driver in this video right away.

[@ChungYungYeng]

There you go! Drive Tribe IG in the Reels section

[@THuang-lt1ob]

I love how he isn't developing an old man attitude, specifically towards cars and classics. His philosophy has always been so solid

[@vaillante7667]

james may will easily fall in love with electric sandero😂

[@pear7777]

You do know that is voted car of the year, don't you?

[@borisjohnson7553]

It is possible to convert one put a battery pack in the engine bay and stick the electric motor somewhere I don’t know but that would be a brilliant late Christmas present for James And it was voted car of the year the petrol one I wonder when we will get an electric one?

[@silys5253]

It may not be an old donor chassis but it still not 5 star NCAP rated is it?

[@anshulshah1219]

OH NO ANYWAY...

[@Joentac]

mate, it's a sandero, and electric, he's going to marry that car.

[@farnthboy]

That Mazda wasn't broken down - they were stealing it.

[@keystarG60]

James should start his own electric car company - eCock

[@TwentyNinerR]

Nah, more like oCock

[@chhavimanichoubey9437]

e-oCoque🤣

[@MattExzy]

"Getting you off the line.."

[@howertingsyaboya3789]

Maybe even Cock-e

[@quillmaurer6563]

eCock - sounds like the perfect company to make electric conversions of Jaaags.

[@Abc-yt3el]

Tonight, Richard breaks down in a Mazda I turn into a Scottish man And James, drives a milk float

[@victoriouspancake]

7:00 the bus driver is making his day brighter

[@TermlessHGW]

I think what most people like about classic's is the way they look and sound

[@NitroNuggetTV]

and feel/experience of it all tbh, the only bit people don't like is the unreliability and maybe fuel economy

[@larrysmith6797]

Classics is plural, not possessive.

[@THESLlCK]

@@larrysmith6797 did anyone ask

[@tommyr4939]

"HE SAID THE THING!"

[@aspyr5681]

Oh, cockgh

[@jasonr2128]

Yes he did

[@bradcogan8588]

C O Q U E

[@Yvolve]

@@bradcogan8588 And when he's had a few, Coque au Vin.

[@AgentSmith21]

I'm itchy just looking at May's sweater

[@jmsunemploymenttube9191]

No.

[@skrillah6259]

Hi james

[@RikuoCZ]

Yes

[@jaketaylor5686]

@Sean M yea but would you buy a Nokia 3210

[@TerribleUsernameAmirite]

@Sean M get off KZbin and go look at some kaleidoscopes.

[@cameronrichardson3108]

@Sean M just because u take the Buick v8 from a rover p5b then it’s no longer a rover p5b it’s a rover p5e and worthless because you have removed the soul, I think classic cars should be allowed to run without hassle and unmolested

[@pcx4545]

"Nice car, it's electric?" "Yes" "How much is it?" "Starts at 90 grand..." "Ok, thanks. Bye"

[@harma9]

Correction “Nice car, is it electric? “Yes” “Ok have a nice day”

[@Alekpowah]

@@harma9 ok boomer.

[@matthewsmcdill]

9 seconds to 60 and a top speed of 80 is where it lost me.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@matthewsmcdill But do you want to go faster than that in an MG body without a roll cage? I love classic cars, but if someone hits you, it's a problem.

[@matthewsmcdill]

@@Ruylopez778 yes, 9 seconds to 60 is horribly slow. I'd want it to at least be fun to drive for that kind of money.

[@smartin2174]

I love the pragmatic way of how James talks about such stuff!

[@williamhodgson6250]

Have to say I love the sound of the MGB engine, had a 1978 GT for 5 years, my everyday car, I was a community nurse, drove it all around northern France, never let me down once, the most reliable car I have ever owned.

[@BNStudios1]

Yes the only bit I disagreed with as a classic owner myself is that a tuned B Series engine can certainly sound musical!

[@hughmarcus1]

Ah France where it’s a bit drier than the UK. Fiats are probably grand in Italy too.

[@williamhodgson6250]

@@hughmarcus1 I didn’t live in France, just holidays every summer. I actually lived in rural Essex.

[@kurgo_]

@@hughmarcus1 They really aren't, but contrary to literally everything the trio has always said, I've never heard anyone down here complain about Alfa Romeo's reliability. Fiat, yes, plenty, but Alfas, not at all.

[@originalkk882]

My friend had a stage 1 tuned B. Sounded great, and much smoother than stock. Took it down to the South of France and back a few times with no problems.

[@daszieher]

"Really?" "But that is still 90 grand!" 'nuff said.

[@cenciende9401]

Not for long, modular electric platforms and advancements in other industries such as 3D printing mean cars like this will become rapidly more affordable. Which is amazing, it's the only way I'd want an old car like that.

[@robbybobbyhobbies]

how much is a nicely restored MG with a brand-new ICE?

[@daszieher]

@@cenciende9401 to each his own. I prefer old cars with engines, that are worth keeping.

[@daszieher]

@@robbybobbyhobbies not 90 grand.

[@domtdoodar99]

@@cenciende9401 I'm converting a 2003 bmw to electric with 200mi range, 250hp, ccs fast charging for less than £10k

[@e39purist89]

"It starts from 90 grand" *Really?*

[@davidstuart4915]

as a one off presumably...

[@lukesmith8413]

@@davidstuart4915 probably buy 2 of them from 89k each 🤣

[@SkodaYetiFan]

Idotic pricing really, looks badly built, slow and takes away the charm of owning a real classic car.

[@hecki0193]

@@SkodaYetiFan i think james may already addressed your last point at 1:02

[@u-q-6236]

@@SkodaYetiFan as they said though it's a prototype i guess they've set the 90 grand as a target price i assume when it goes into production it's going to be more refined

[@headsetlucky13]

I love that James can put himself in the shoes of someone who would love this and why even if he doesn't really

[@cfbm125]

My question is, what did the bus driver say that had to be cut out? 🤔

[@victorholguincabello2703]

They uploaded that scene to Instagram. Just nice things

[@iexplainjokestomakethemles1560]

"lets have a joint together"

[@tetchuma]

My dad used to point out all of the places around Dallas, where his MGB broke down, or lost essential parts. Going to Six Flags Arlington? “Lost the driveshaft on the freeway off ramp.” Going to college in Denton? “That’s where I was driving on the freeway and my last visor clip snapped and the whole roof blew off!” Going past Addison airport? “That’s where the wiring short circuited, and started a fire under the dashboard while I was driving. The Addison tower thought a small plan had crashed because I was near the north edge of the runway.” It was amazing how unreliable that thing was!!!

[@kiko865]

Edited out the bus driver's morning greeting on 6:55...

[@reviewreviews5908]

They cut out their extremly funny conversation. You can find them on insta

[@Tvvugt]

@@reviewreviews5908 which insta?

[@reviewreviews5908]

@@Tvvugt i guess drivetribe

[@Rokudaimedono]

@@reviewreviews5908 Link? Edit: Never mind, found it.

[@98JamesNixon]

Still don’t get the point of electric conversions. Stick a modern V6 in there with modern drivetrain etc, appeals way more to me and would be way more fun

[@AA-ke2ns]

James May’s garage needs an entire tour

[@lukeh6367]

"Inability to move on" Nah it's just personal taste, I love old cars they're gorgeous and there's something really special about them. I hate the look of most modern cars in and out and they're loaded with too much tech for my liking and after listening to the end of the video I'd definitely miss the engine sound. I own a 23 year old 105 series Landcruiser and a FJ40, don't ever plan on getting something newer than that.

[@ChaosMaestro]

Word, I drive an MGF VVC w/ induction kit and a stainless exhaust, sounds meaty and quick enough to pin you to the seat. Right balance of old and new, namely ABS and decent heating, but no traction control or fly by wire pedals. Power steering is electric so I just removed the fuse to turn it off. Also has a few other quirks like hydragas suspension, mid engine layout, and mechanical variable valve timing.

[@kuzzbillington6392]

May: "There's nothing to go wrong! It's electric!" Electrical wiring: "Now hang on a minute..."

[@shaktisuresh4928]

Electrical wiring sounds like Hammond in my head

[@Colt45hatchback]

As long as they didnt get lucas to make it, should be ok 🤣

[@richardbutton1179]

Or the digital screens

[@afish8883]

*uk wiring intensifies*

[@jh565bb]

@@Colt45hatchback BMW and many manufacturers have trouble with their wiring, in fact some cars like newish BMW models have caught fir because of it and BMW had to recall a lot of them. Although lucas were atrocious and I wont deny that.

[@radinsyah1574]

Errr, if they’re gonna go classic, and the LCD can literally display anything designers want, why not display something truly vintage rather than the usual visuals you’d get in a modern Mazda?

[@CreMoi]

Well they tried to replicate the looks of old-fashioned dials so I don't really see the issue you have with them.

[@vuki]

how does a vintage energy-o-meter look like?

[@vaska00762]

@@vuki a bit like it does on a VW e-Up!/e-Golf or MG ZS EV. An analogue dial that moves from 0 to indicate energy being used, and moves from 0 to indicate energy generated from regenerative braking. It's just that LCD displays have taken over in cars, regardless of powertrain type, and an analogue "energy-o-meter" is rather uncommon to find in the first place.

[@bombercountyblues]

80mph and 0-60 in 9 seconds are the sort of figures we associated with electric cars back in the 90s. No way are those classic looks alone, enough to justify costing 3 times as much as the cheapest tesla.

[@AbeYousef]

honestly I think those numbers are fine if the car cost 20k but 90k and those numbers is simply unacceptable

[@tonygold1971]

I would rather own the MG over any Tossla!!

[@oliviersavard8676]

It's brand new and it's supposed to be an electric MG B, not a Ferrari

[@9.5.9.5]

Well you can probably drive this in the rain without the bumper falling off. Can't say that about a Tesla.

[@2112jonr]

Pathetic isn't it.

[@jameslewis2635]

I can't help but love the styling of the MGB electric, mostly the interior but you will never catch me paying anywhere near that much for a car (or anything else to be honest). If I were to think of MG making an electric car I would expect it to run on an up-scaled scale-electric car engine. It is about the right kind of hodge-podge engineering that the group were known for.

[@lewisburt3176]

Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James may car collection tour

[@EinkOLED]

He said you've left your bus pass on the bus.

[@lewisburt3176]

@@EinkOLED what mean

[@Gersti96]

@@EinkOLED you replied to the wrong comment mate 😂

[@MrEazyE357]

Surprisingly, I think Clarkson only has like 3 cars and one of them is the Mercedes convertible with the big tires. Lol

[@lewisburt3176]

@@MrEazyE357 and Alfa gtv6 two range rovers one for the farm and one for london

[@cooperjackson614]

I owned a 1979 MGB in high school in the 80s. I really enjoyed high school.

[@NGC-7635]

“Keep one or two of them for historical purposes and electrify the rest of them” *Disgruntled rumblings can be heard in the crowd*

[@RoodeMenon]

I agree with him. But not exactly EV tech. I believe in Restro mods. Look like a Classic but be as reliable as a Toyota.

[@RoodeMenon]

@N Webb I said "Be as reliable as a Toyota" I did not mean Toyota body works design. They are confused AF.

[@Reddsoldier]

I agree with the sentiment as far as goes classics where the engine wasn't really the main thing about them to begin with and is their biggest achilles heel today- Eg. Citroen DS, Most British Sports Cars of the 1950's-1970's, 99% of BL's range. Cars where whats under the bonnet is what makes them special, I think a case against electrification can and should be made. But the rest of them should be made electric to save them for future generations.

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

@@RoodeMenon indeed, a nice electric motor under the hood

[@NGC-7635]

@@Reddsoldier DeLorean with an electric engine would be amazing

[@doktorspock8910]

This is what I like in a car that is just a driving machine. Ye olde styling but perfectly comfortable and a Sat-Nav with touch screen like that Morgan that Hammond bought a while back.

[@LeoStarrenburg]

"It's going to work, it's electric, there's nothing to go wrong" Hehehe, I've done pretty well the last 30 years fixing electric things that 'don't go wrong'. 05:40

[@derunfassbarebielecki]

If done properly every electric part except for CPUs and storage devices will last longer than any mechanical part on a car. You petrolheads tend to lie about things they dont know. The only difference is, that wear has a larger impact on electronic parts. A conventional electric Engine is basically bulletproof compared to a similar combustion engine. Electric parts also require maintenance.

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

Didn't know that Tesla made cars 30 years ago. How much are they today?

[@martij75]

Any reliability index list electric problems as top of any cars.

[@kjetilsenNOWAY]

@@wolfgangpreier9160 Electric cars holds their value mutch better than ICE cars. You have less pars in motion=less problems. You also do not have complicated 7 speed auto transmissions.

[@tmarritt]

@@martij75 yeah but thats all sort of minor issues, bulbs blowing stereo not working. The things that we all dread going wrong, clutches for exactly just don't exist.

[@jailbreak_7944]

It is a wonderful old classic car. I've got an old Benz coupe' and it still works perfectly. Thank you James because you're the best. I love watching you while learning English. Best regards from Italy.

[@jamesscully529]

Top speed 80 or so and that is fine? Captain Slow has spoken.

[@Marian87]

plus it's a heavy car with no modern safety equipment or roll cage, do you really need more?

[@tmarritt]

@@lukebarnes8097 i mean tbf where I am you would be lucky to get above about 25.

[@PG-20]

@Ross Bourne But everyone still does 95, like Jeremy said

[@pd4165]

I'd be fine with 80 - the fun is between 50 and 80. I can't remember the last time I did 95 - the roads are too clogged and the enforcement worrying. And in a straight line where's the fun?

[@CarlDraper]

For me half the appeal of a classic car is the sound, particularly old air cooled VWs and Porsches

[@thisnameistoolong9169]

Well car enthusiasts aren't "most people" now are they?

[@NitroNuggetTV]

Say it louder for the people at the back!

[@soerenbo]

That's the thing, everything the "community" of car enthusiasts online always talk about are sound of V8/12s, purist behaviour, emotions... while about 90% of the normal people outside of the car fanclub would absolutly love a car for their daily commute that is silent, convenient and comfortable, that they don't have to tinker with every few month. Especially the sound part always bugs me, I mean yes sound is great and i can definetly appreciate the screams of a nice supercar from time to time, but for my personal car and my daily driving i would much rather have a car that is silent and relaxing, while also being fast and reliable. Car enthusiats often miss the points of a "daily" car in my personal experience.

[@blueeyedboy7648]

@@soerenbo well said sir, not to mention all the exhaust and engine revving ruins Everyone else's day. There's a guy in my home town with a V8 Mustang. Looks and sounds magnificent On Screen but behind a bus constantly just vibrating and revving when stationary not a cool look infact these loud cars don't make their drivers 'look cool' in the slightest infact it's the exact opposite especially knowing no young person can buy / insure em'. It's just old men trying to be the youngster they never were

[@NitroNuggetTV]

@@soerenbo you’re missing the part where a lot of enthusiasts have two cars though. the daily that is normally efficient and comfortable, maybe even automatic. and then the toy, which is normally impractical, high maintenance and maybe a classic, and we own it primarily for the fun of it, the visceral experience and the emotion. Things that are often lost with electric conversions. This might be the difference between an enthusiast and someone who just likes cars. Nothing wrong with either but maybe companies need to stop aiming their electric cars at us enthusiasts and telling us that we’re stuck in the past or wrong. We just want different things.

[@normang3668]

The enthusiasts' cars were never the real problem. . . For every Corvette, there's a thousand Corollas. I say keep the sports cars and exotics as they are, and electrify everything else.

[@sayonaradesu1087]

I didn't knew James May had such a charisma on screen. In Top gear, for what I remember, he was pretty much just there. Maybe because Jeremy Clarkson sucker all the air form the room, demanding attention just for him(not that I complain too much about that). But the point is that James has a charming way to be a host, because of the soothing and funny way he delivers his remarks.

[@sampayne9663]

James may seems to think people want cars to be easy to drive and removed of their foibles etc. One of the main things I like about old cars is their flaws, like a heavy clutch, or difficult gearbox or the need to heat up the engine, or woolly steering etc. These things mean you have to learn them and therefore you bond with them, rather than the appliance like modern cars. Also the noise is quite important for old cars too

[@kaipoumiamaka5321]

While growing up here in Hawaii, my father owned a MG Gt hatchback blue with white racing strips. I wish he kept it.

[@losingpa7ience]

Am I the only one who hates digital speedometers? I mean, if you're making a retro modern vehicle you want to sustain the analog feel to it. Buttons, analog dials and all the stuff that was cool in the 80s now is even cooler imho.

[@sparky4878]

I’m not a fan of any digital display. They soon look cheap and outdated. Like an old phone.

[@losingpa7ience]

@@sparky4878 exactly! And classy (analog) is never out of fashion

[@jamesfrench7299]

I have a digital LED display GPS speedometer that sits on top of the dash and it reminds my of KITT from Knight Rider. It's also very practical sitting in your line of sight almost like a HUD.

[@C.I...]

They tend to look very tacky, LCD ones blind you at night, and they are usually harder to read than analogue dials. 80s digital dashboards look far more modern, and they even used yellow/red extensively so as not to blind the driver. I guess nobody cares about retaining night vision anymore now that every car has blue-shifted headlights that dazzle oncoming drivers even when dipped, and new LED street lights are so blue that birds around them sing all night thinking it's daytime.

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@C.I... at first I found the green display brighter than my liking at night even though it's self dimming and brightening at three levels of brightness, but I got accustomed to it pretty quickly. Only problem is it doesn't work in tunnels and sometimes loses satellite reception during inclement weather. It's a drag looking down at the normal analogue speedo at those times as I've become so accustomed to this gadget. I have a 1992 Ford with backlit LCD digital speedo and you can dim it very low where it's not an issue at all, yet easy to read.

[@jabetsgi]

"I don't like old cars" Bold words from someone who strolled in to the Top Gear with a video praising your old Bentley :D

[@TrojanBus]

I would have thought he's exactly the sort of character to enjoy tinkering around with old car engines. But, interesting point about classic car enthusiasts 'smacks of an inability to move on'. I guess that's me then, ha.

[@Ruylopez778]

I think he's saying that as an owner, they just become a pain. Expectation vs reality. So the only reason to put up with that pain is dogma. But something like the Eagle strikes the balance. Modern performance and reliability with classic looks.

[@Audiojack_]

I think he would like to have an engine or two to fiddle with, but not necessarily really "use." More as like an elaborate puzzle.

[@AndorRadnai]

Me either. I think it’s less of a hassle, and more of a commitment and a challenge…

[@TrojanBus]

@@Audiojack_ That's how I look at mine!

[@davidzachmeyer1957]

As an owner of a '76 B, I think this is awesome! I couldn't afford one, but it's pretty cool.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Too heavy and too expensive. For the price one could get a Morgan and an electric runabout.

[@timg244]

Think of it like a fist attempt. In 10 to 15 years the availability of electronic components will increase and with improvements in production (3d printing) it will be a lot cheaper.

[@arianwinanto6299]

Didn't Morgan shelved the electric runabout?

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@timg244 So there is no point to sink your hard-earned money into one of these uncompetitive contraptions now.

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

Nah Electric Restmods are awesome, the electric motor is way simpler than Ice, which is a plus for such old cars. Something like the Ford Mustang Zombie 222 for example. I can see this being done a ton in the next years. I would E-swap a 240z

[@timg244]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X well in the same way there was no point in sinking your money into an s class on the 80s to get abs or a tesla jsut to get autopilot . these thing will soon be available to the mass market at a much lower price. I know I cant afford it but in a couple of years I'd say I could.

[@jessesteinbar]

8:02 That's what was written on that plate Jezza gave to May on Madagascar Special

[@udaankhatola88]

Here we go again with James and Scalextric😂

[@MicroageHD]

Electric cars can go wrong too... Even in a more horrible way.

[@tarunbhandari3325]

Did he get a sister with his scalextric??

[@peterrenn6341]

Wait until the MGB drives over a bit of fluff or a badly connected piece of road. It'll stop dead.

[@gibberish1551]

5:56 is the boot open? Seems to be bobbing up and down (the light by contrast is stable so it can't be a loose camera fitting).

[@pippipster6767]

90K ... Just happens to rhyme with ‘no way.’

[@boiledegg6788]

Funnily enough, so does 10k..

[@pippipster6767]

@@boiledegg6788 And 10k rhymes with ‘yes way’ ... At that price, I’ll take it 🤣

[@Caluma122]

That is beautiful that! If you go to the Haynes motor museum, they have an MG B in Ferrari Red parked alongside other Ferraris, and you know what? It doesn't look out of place at all!

[@branney6914]

I think these things are for some people, but a lot of classic car drivers are like me who love motorsports and chase the sensation of uninterrupted 'proper' driving. In the future I'm more then happy to daily drive an eV but the main appeal of a classic to me is the unfiltered sensation of unassisted driving.

[@johnwh1039]

I like that, but how has it got through type approval if its brand new? Does very limited production give exemption from crash testing etc? Looked a bit bobbly over bumps, suggest the suspension needs sorting a bit

[@johnturner3455]

I think it's great can't stand the lcd dashboard display though, makes the whole interior look like a steampunk vape mod.

[@cameronrichardson3108]

I think it’d be much nicer if the government wasn’t forcing us to make the cars we don’t want to scrap electric... I’ve got a lotus cortina and no way am I taking the soul from the car and making it electric the lotus twin cam is the car it’s the heart of a classic car for enthusiasts for normal people it’s the looks I say normal because most of us classic car owners are absolutely mental 🤣🤣 just do silly stuff

[@sarcastic.not.unkind]

@@cameronrichardson3108 is it a mk.1 Cortina? Those things are pretty nice. People who only want the looks of a classic car and none of the rest are all a bunch of hipsters who will never understand what classic cars are about. They just think it's about showing off and looking cool (which they won't once people see it's electric). I think May understands classic cars, but is just desperately trying to look hip and in tune with the times and overcompensating for his age.

[@elementalb3m957]

@@sarcastic.not.unkind What about if someone took their classic car to a studio and had a range of engine noises recorded, then had it converted and installed speakers and had the engine noise playing through them like a videogame car?

[@sarcastic.not.unkind]

@@elementalb3m957 then their car would be ruined and the experience of driving it would be worthless. It's like comparing mediocre AI with a person, it doesn't cut it and it never will

[@elementalb3m957]

@@sarcastic.not.unkind It would be faster and wouldn't need as much maintenance though

[@Uberdude6666]

Car like this, with unassisted steering, would be amazing

[@RaduGrigoriu]

I don't care if cars go full electric. Just make them look beautiful and stop giving them idiotic names, i.e. "The Intelligentia"

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

Or the I Electric.

[@datsunalzheimer]

i-power e-motion eq-tron 6000

[@mazdarx-8rotary.97]

Nah electric is horrible

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

electric cars is like a parody from back to the future part 2

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

@@mazdarx-8rotary.97 Mazda RX-8 and RX-7 would benefit from an E-Motor Swap :3

[@cougarfan1341]

The reality is, James has always been the one interested in modern solutions. His captain slow schtick (stuck in the 50s etc. helps sell the Toy Stories/Top Toys series' for the people who love the old ways of doing things (slot cars, Legos, Meccano, Airfix etc.) But if you look at his car collection v.s. Richard Hammond's, you can tell who really lives in the automotive past. Jeremy seems to have lightened his load of old cars as well, seeing that he looks to only carry favour with that Alfa Romeo. That being said, we all hear the rumors of some big collection of old motorbikes... Would love to see those, May.

[@romerosneck]

You know it is in fact, perfectly possible to like old and new cars at the same time, james

[@SpitfireFortyFour]

As gorgeous as this car is im gonna be the one that says it. If I were to have an MG B I'd want the V8. I'm also going disagree on the sound of the 4 cylinder version, I think the B-Series is a fantastic sounding engine but I'd probably take the EV over it for ease of use. Please don't hurt me.

[@TheGeekess]

I'll have one. Have always loved the MGB.

[@thomasdc2439]

it would be great to see more old designs based on modern technology. There are so many great looking classics.

[@sirrliv]

This is brilliant. I love this idea of taking classic cars that are still around in decent numbers and electrifying some of them to keep them useable and useful on future roads. That said though, I still hope that some manufacturers will spring up who will take this concept one step further: New cars, Classic style. With modern carbon fiber manufacturing technology there is no reason why cars still need to be the same generic boxes on wheels that they've been for the past decade. Obviously people put up with them because that's all there is, but I defy you to find anyone who, given the choice between a 20teens Honda Accord and a 1950's Chevy and was told they're both electric, they both drive like modern cars, wouldn't go for the Chevy. People like the looks and styles of older cars more than new ones, and there is no reason not to bring those styles back and make new iterations on them now that we can. Please, someone launch Yesteryear Motors or whatever you want to call it and start giving us classic car bodies on modern EV chassis!

[@SaintDre7]

this was nice. I like the ending. I wanna see more of James trying to walk into closed establishments and cursing about it. It is a vibe.

[@pratik2649]

0:42 is that an Aston DB9. Oh my.

[@audigex]

The really interesting thing for me - in a short video (and half of that not on the road) I count at least 4 other EVs visible in the background

[@mariusforsdahl342]

Why does he look at nostalgia as a bad thing?

[@richardbutton1179]

Hes getting grumpy in his old age

[@VTECheart]

James is a firm believer in progress and that things are better now than before and will get better in the future. Seems quite valid

[@richardbutton1179]

@@VTECheart I think a majority of people are that way too but he really seems harsh on people that drive classic cars which again most have a modern car as well

[@ricksallotment5923]

Dear James That would indeed suggest that that is one screen behind there. Excellent

[@theotherjames8313]

Do an episode comparing this car with Richard’s mg bgt featuring Richard Hammond and James May.

[@delldavinci]

I love classic cars but you can't deny he speaks the truth.

[@J.K.Barrik]

Love that MG, stunning looking little car

[@blackout19]

Great content, and an interesting car. But interlaced video in 2021??

[@TrojanBus]

The old engines Engines were not musical 'just a noise'? Depends what kind of music you like!

[@tommillar2821]

exactly, not to mention the mgb exhaust note which can be quite pleasant even before you see the car you know its an mg.

[@MGR99]

It's almost like James is bitter about something regarding classic cars.

[@rishyamarnath1791]

@@MGR99 James is trying too hard to be accepted as a modern guy these days, I actually liked him over the other two back during the top gear days but I guess i like Jezza more these days as he is still being himself and not trying as hard as James to be accepted by the electric car driving, vegan modernists. The guy owned a 70s RR Corniche and how much he has changed now! But still keeps all his old motorcycles, why not make them electric as well James?.

[@MGR99]

@@rishyamarnath1791 Yesss, this. Jeremy is so much more interesting at this point when compared to the other two. Hamster always acting like some day-time show presenter or something, feels quite disingenuous a lot of the times, like he's constantly acting and never really just being himself in these vids. And James... well you know.

[@cc89183]

How is everything going at the Royal Oak pub?

[@ac2244]

Got the GT version of this but petrol. LOVE MY CAR.

[@jcobbett1958]

I can share James' disappointment in old classics. I had the opportunity in the 1990's to drive a 1966 Jaguar E-type. A fastback coupe that had been meticulously restored to a concourse standard. The look was immaculate and so evocative of my childhood dreams. When I sat behind the wheel and struck it up, my heart was racing with anticipation, however, when I got it out on the road and drove it, all my expectations evaporated in a puddle of disappointment. The performance, handling and ride were atrocious. Yes in the 60's, it would have been a sensation, but in the 90's with the advances in car design, I was spoiled. Should have left it where I could have admired from a distance.

[@davidredjoy]

James, if you want the pub to be open, stop testing cars before noon. haha...

[@jaklawrence4301]

or more to the point stop testing them during tier 3/4 lockdown xD

[@Pr00ch]

Imagine your car broke down and james may in an electric MG drives by, roasting you on camera

[@matthewhopkins666]

"It's electric there's nothing to go wrong" Then how come every old banger I've owned the first thing to fail is the electrics?

[@FlyingFun.]

My citroen ax gt had the main battery cable rub against engine block and short out at 90mph on the m1 , lots of smoke but luckily no fire that time. That was 12v , now imagine that with a 100v plus enormous lithium pack!!!

[@jagman84]

85% of car warranty claims are electrical based.

[@phantomechelon3628]

Thats the difference between dodgy old wiring looms and modern electric drive trains. 😉

[@phantomechelon3628]

@@FlyingFun. To be fair I don't see how a lithium ion battery pack is going to rub against an engine block. 😁

[@matthewhopkins666]

@@phantomechelon3628 Yeah no modern electrical devices ever fail do they? Spontaneously combusting Samsung phones for example aren't a thing.

[@murdoch9106]

Whats cool about many of the retrofitted electric drive trains for older cars is they are often designed in a way where you wont have to cut the car up at all, sometimes not even drill a hole, or barely. So you can restore it at a later date when you perhaps move on to something else. I love the idea of putting electric drive train in anything, especially if its more of a "look at me" kinda thing where being able to do 100 laps around the track in a day is the goal. Or cover 1000 miles in a single day... which none should be doing anyway if you ask me. I have been dreaming of having some old American land yacht converted to electric, cooled / heated battery and with fast charge, not much of a care what it weighs, nor how fast it goes, just something that will completely silent and so comfortable the greatest risk is you'd fall asleep... The downside I see with old cars is, you dont really wanna have an accident in one... :(

[@DoctorPetrol]

I recently drove one of those electrified Ferrari 308's. Must say, brilliant. And as James said, you look sub zero cool driving around, and suddenly the 308 is a fast car. There's an extensive video of the experience on my channel for anyone interested.

[@markgilbertson1564]

Sacrilege.

[@ringowunderlich2241]

90k sounds obscenely overprized. You could say this about super and hyper cars as well, but the makers of them had to put a lot of investment into research and tooling for proprietary parts. For this electric MGB (body is from an MGC actually, the 6 cyl version, bump in the bonnet) the makers did benefit from the research of others, using parts produced by others. Looking at the misplaced "Continental" logo and the crude motor/battery cover, there corners have been cut and it makes you wonder where else this was done. I would assume the production costs are 40k at a maximum. Hence 55 to 60K would be a more reasonable prize and still gives a nice profit.

[@TheRivieraKid]

Do Clarkson and Hammond ever do Drivetribe videos? Its 95% May 2.5% each the other two.

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

Hammond does videos relatively often, Jeremy mostly gives his opinions on topics etc.

[@TheRivieraKid]

As much as i like James, Drivetribe has almost become his personal KZbin channel. Not to mention his endless tv shows.

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

@@TheRivieraKid I don't see that as something bad honestly.

[@TheRivieraKid]

@@DefinitelyNotEmma There is such a thing as overexposure though, and of the three i never would have taken James as the one to constantly seek the limelight.

[@svensayre1189]

@@TheRivieraKid overexposure ??? Bruh Ive been craving James May content infact they need to do more

[@clattergate]

Just drove past my favourite coffee shop .. Artisan ... Carpenters was shut last time I tried to go ... had to slum it in the Cross Keys (a truly great pub ;-)

[@nathant8951]

I'm not a fan of the digital dials, I prefer the conversions where they use the original style analogue dials with different faces for charge and battery usage etc

[@peterrenn6341]

Horrible interior, Hateful fake-wire wheels. Just like so many kit cars - falls down on the details.

[@nathant8951]

@@peterrenn6341 agreed. Its no Singer Porsche or Eagle E-type

[@ky3518]

as a 427 fan myself, i'm agree with his opinion on old cars. new cars were made with much better technologies and innovation. and that's what makes newer car almost better in every aspect, statistically. but then again, it's all preference. some people like to drive for the way it looks, the way it sounds, the way it feels, etc. there's no boundaries of how people should like a car. that's a nice yellow jacket.

[@autogast13]

Am i the only one who laughed my lungs out when James used the classic "wooowww"

[@MillerCorner]

Bonus points for not going out in the car together to social distance, lads 👍 Not a huge MGB fan myself, but this I can get behind - BIG fan of electric classic cars

[@YosuaNangin]

I was an anti electric car for the longest time, but I warmed up to the idea when I saw a dude convert and old mini to electric. Electric restoration is the future, its much easier to do and easier to maintain.

[@raypurchase801]

Agreed. I've got a car from the fifties and another from the sixties. In 30 years, petrolheads might be regarded as akin to whale-hunters or paedophiles. What's needed is a CHEAP off-the-shelf conversion to fit MGs, Minors, Escorts, Vivas and everything else. But 90 grand? F off.

[@BobPapadopoulos]

I wouldn't say easier to maintain. More like easier to ignore. My older cars are much easier to maintain than newer ones I own simply because most are nearly entirely mechanical, and thus have very few parts if any that I can't diagnose with my own senses. Anything newer with any type of central brain is far more fuss and requires another electric brain to diagnose.

[@shannono8397]

I sit on my classic all the time Mike, the bonnet is perfect for star gazing. James, I will always love you :) even if you don't like old cars . You're really testing out all the newest... so, evens it out ;) My family restored MG's , they would be so thrilled knowing an electric one exists now!

[@petyrkowalski9887]

It looks gorgeous but £90k.... Really??!!! I would rather buy a resto mod like the LE50 with a Mazda engine or have an MGb GT with a modernized Rover V8.

[@nigelclark7360]

Very true, l wouldn't entertain an electric car

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Nigel Clark I would for everyday like an e-pace or hybrid Merc or BMW but not a bastardised classic like this.

[@stinkintoad]

Those old mg and triumphs are not the same without that distinctive exhaust tone in my opinion. Maybe not the mg but the tr6 had a nice tone with its straight 6.

[@LupinYonderboy]

I love James May but I'm starting to think he's being a bit intentionally contrary. What he says he thinks about old cars and yet owns the A110 which is all about mechanical sensation and lightweight sports car fun don't really add up. He's saying this car will appeal to posers, not petrol heads and he loves it, Is James May a poser? I didn't think so.

[@johnknight9150]

To be fair, the car itself is a contradiction in terms, so I don't mind if James is himself a bit contradictory. Isn't it thus with anyone interesting?

[@LupinYonderboy]

@@johnknight9150 That's true. Part of me thinks maybe he's just fed up with his old fashioned image.

[@sneeuwballa]

James loves all that stuff, look at his motorbike collection, or indeed his cars. I believe he says a lot of those things because he is aware of the effect he may have on his following. And of course to balance out Clarkson.

[@revelare_xvii6269]

*In a growing world of electric cars, EV swapping classic cars may be the one of the only few methods of maintaining classic cars.*

[@co.1157]

That's not true at all. If a classic car is around from the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, that means they will survive without becoming electric.

[@Rhizostoma_pulmo]

This is exactly how an electric car should look nowadays. Classic cars don't need bodywork in order to look like ad modern car because it's wrong. Classic cars are gorgeous

[@t8polestarcyan22]

This EV modded MG B is probably nice to be in. Since it has an electric motor, you can't expect a breakdown. I hope SAIC to make an electrified MG B as in MG B EV.

[@Metal-Possum]

My biggest concern is if it's both British and electric, I feel most uncomfortable wondering where else the oil will have to leak from.

[@Metal-Possum]

@@jh565bb Have a sense of humour every once in a while :)

[@Metal-Possum]

@@jh565bb The joke in my original comment is anything but subtle.

[@Metal-Possum]

@@jh565bb I never mentioned wiring. I was merely pointing out the absence of an internal combustion engine, the major oil-leaking component in a British car.

[@jh565bb]

@@Metal-Possum my bad, I saw the electric part and thought you were also talking about the wiring. Still electric cars must still use oil in some places, otherwise the parts would grind together and wear out.

[@atrckasick8146]

It is basically modern car with retro chassis. Its brilliant!