Badass 1979 MGB GT Is Proof That Recycled Parts Can Be Great

When thinking of classic MG cars, we'd likely imagine dignified-looking roadsters with smooth, stylish lines. One particular example, however, gets a dose of modern edginess, so much so that it was named the "B-EAST" by its owner.

Based on a 1979 MGB GT, the B-EAST is a longtime project of one Michael Wallhead, a car enthusiast and engineer. He's had the vehicle since 2012, and over the years, he had built it up to get a look that deserves its colorful name.

On the outside, it retains the familiar roadster roofline and most of the original front face of the 1970s-era GT. However, it has a wider slatted grille, a hood scoop, a huge side exhaust, chunky wheels, and a widebody look. Think of it as a simpler British equivalent to the Rampage Chevy Camaro from Roadster Shop.

Beyond the looks, the mechanical makeup of the car can also be described as bonkers. Under the hood, it uses a 3.0-liter AJV6 engine from a Jaguar. No output figures were given for his current setup, but the B-EAST can do 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph.

Wallhead, who is an avid recycler, also used a bunch of other parts for other components. Its brakes were taken from a Nissan Silvia S14. He also uses a Range Rover prop shaft, a Reliant Scimitar axle, and throttle bodies from a Triumph motorcycle. Even its interior rocks some bucket-type seats clad repurposed denim fabric.

Regarding his penchant for reusing and recycling, Wallhead said, "For all my builds, I always look to find ways to reuse parts, and on this MGB GT, I've even used registration plates to build the glove box; everything has a second or third life, and I try not to throw things away that can be reused."

Despite being built up from a mishmash of components, the car looks well put together. Everything appears functional, though its exterior rear section has some roughness since it is an ongoing project.

The B-EAST looks so cool that it even won the UK leg of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. This recognizes the expertise of its builder and offers such individuals the chance to have their creations immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy in the near future.