SP Rides: Absolute Power

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By Michael Kitchens

Name: Ashton Wells
Age: 35
Occupation: Auto glass installer
Hobbies: Cars, riding trails, body boarding
Year/Make/Model: 1971 MG MGB GT
Color: Giallo Yellow
Engine: SR20det (red top) with CX Racing top mount exhaust manifold and “freddy” intake manifold, Tomei 740cc injectors, MSD 255lph inline fuel pump, Godspeed intercooler with 2 1/2 piping, Garrett GT2871r turbo, Custom 3-inch down pipe to dual 3 inch exhaust, HKS BOV, Wiring specialties engine harness, Apexi power FC tuned by Sean Igawa @ Munkyworks 265 hp 245tq, Aluminum 3 row radiator, w/electric fan, metal head gasket, ARP head studs, Brian Crower springs and retainers, Tomei 260 intake /270 exhaust cams, with VVL lifters
Exterior: Modified “Special Tuning” front air dam stretched with integrated sebring air ducts, Scalloped rocker panels, Patriot 3-inch side pipes with 4-inch resonators, Sebring rear valance, ’67 euro style taillights, Shaved rear latch and key holes, Custom retrofit true projector HID headlights, RV8 hood, Aftermarket harley side view mirrors.
Interior: Autometer 3 3/8 sport comp II tach and speedo with 2 1/8 fuel, temp, boost, and wide band a/f gauges, Custom dash 71 dash, Cobra RS replica seats with 4 point harnesses, Lecarra steering wheel. EZ wire wiring harness.
Wheels/Tires/Brakes: Rota 15×9 RKRs with Toyo Proxes R888.225/45/15, Willwood 1 inch brake master with remote reservoirs, Stainless braided lines Front/rear, Wilwood “big brake” conversion with drilled rotors
Suspension: Front Jim Hoyle coil over conversion with Gaz adjustable shocks, Addco 7/8 sway bar, Rear- Jaguar IRS conversion (shortened) Built with Auburn LSD and Mark Williams stub axles, Custom radius arms

It’s not often you see a classic ride like this pushing major horsepower thanks to a modern engine swap. But Ashton Wells, the proud owner of this 1971 MG MGB GT, is loving this newfound force on wheels, not to mention the fact that practically every component of the car has been upgraded in some way.

The first thing one notices about this beauty is the exterior makeover. Layered in a scintillating Lamborghini Giallo Yellow, the unfamiliar could easily mistake this modified example for a Porsche as the scalloped rocker panels give the MGB a very aggressive take on its usually clean lines. A modified “Special Tuning” front air dam has been stretched with integrated Sebring air ducts across the front. The body has been further modified with shaved rear latches and key holes along with Harley side view mirrors. The inclusion of ’67 euro-style rear taillights and custom HID projectors light up the night while an RV8 hood provides a bit more clearance for the stacked SR20 build underneath.

Opening the hood reveals one of the most impressive engine swaps I’ve ever seen. After chopping away the cross member, the stunning SR20 was nestled snugly onto custom motor mounts. But this isn’t just a stocker — the full kit features a Garrett GT2871r turbo with Tomei 740cc injectors, an MSD 255lph inline fuel pump, and a Godspeed intercooler. In addition to the other mods, this package puts to the wheels close to 265HP/245TQ at 15psi because of its fuel system limits. With a better pump and resized lines, Ashton hopes to generate at least 375HP through the awesome Patriot 3-inch side pipes with resonators.

All of this power is put down through custom suspension featuring a Jim Hoyle coilover conversion in the front and a rear end Jaguar IRS shortened conversion with an Auburn LSD and Mark Williams stub axles. It’s really a crazy ride to look at as the rotors and brake pads are in the middle of the car! A bombproof differential was added and currently this car rides on some stunning Rota 15×8 RKRs with Toyo Proxes. Peeking behind is a Wilwood big brake kit with remote reservoirs.

The interior certainly hasn’t been ignored as this car is clean on the inside and out. Cobra RS replicas were added with 4-point harnesses. The Abingdon dashboard has been shaved and covered in black vinyl. It features Autometer gauges tucked away smartly in a replacement display just behind the Lecarra steering wheel. Underneath everything are the electronics, which have been upgraded with an EZ wiring harness for reliability.

Ironically, Ashton built this ride in order to avoid the harsh scrutiny that most new imports receive from local law enforcement. What’s incredible is that he now turns heads and breaks necks wherever he goes. In the end, he’s building it for himself.

“I’m building the car I’ve always wanted to build,” he said.

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