Be the winning bidder on this customized 1965 MGB roadster going up on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, and you not only get the one-off British roadster, but a car that was customized under the direction of its owner, recording-industry executive and television star Simon Cowell.
Cowell, a record producer and talent scout, became widely known as a judge on the British television series Pop Idol, and then on subsequent programs in the UK and US. He commissioned the MGB build by MG-specialist Frontline Developments in Oxfordshire, England, but don’t worry, its steering wheel is on the left side of the cockpit.
The car’s design was inspired by one of the two Lotus Esprits featured in the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. That inspiration is responsible for several features of the vehicle, including the “Turbo” wording on the car’s flanks (however, the engine in the MGB is not turbocharged).
The new bodyshell, produced with original factory tooling by British Motor Heritage, is covered in Lotus Copper Bronze paint with dual gold stripes. The coachwork features extended and hand-formed rear panels.
The car rides on bespoke 15-inch wheels — 6 inches wide in front and 7s at the rear — with gold-colored spokes. Those spokes match the color of the car’s grille.
The car has Arctic White Prima Nappa leather interior with custom-crafted seats, and with golf-faced gauges set into a custom fabricated black leather-topped American burr walnut dashboard.
The car has power windows — with switchgear cleverly built into the window cranks — as well as Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging, and a JL Audio sound system.
Customized cockpit 
Aston Martin fuel filler
Under the bonnet is a Mazda 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with forged pistons and solid lifters. The powerplant is rated at 304 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque and is linked to a Mazda 6-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip rear differential with 3.70 gearing.
The car has no roof, but it comes with a car cover.
Additional details include the installation of Dynaliner insulation during the build process, aircraft seatbelt buckles, a leather-wrapped Nardi steering wheel, audio system with XD600 amplifier and 8-inch subwoofer, 8,500-rpm tachometer, and an Aston Martin fuel-filler cap.
Suspension is by aluminum front uprights with tubular wishbones and adjustable telescopic shocks, and a custom 6-link rear with adjustable coilovers. There are disc brakes front and rear with Goodridge braided hoses.
The auction runs until 11 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time) on December 15.
Cars are a very individual taste but for me this is wrong on every level. With that said I’m sure it will fetch a good price.
Are we to believe Simon is really responsible for this? I’ve seen Simon (in the past) driving his Eagle Jaguar E-type and there is a world of difference between that car and this. Now he told me he didn’t care for the Eagle, but this is a different ball of was entirely. Don’t get me wrong, I like MGs generally as my first real car was an MGB, but this is just a bit odd all around. Although I do like the dash! All that said, looks well built and curious to see how this plays out. Hopefully Simon will go in for modifying some more interesting cars in the future!
Should have left it as it was intended to be. Not to my liking at all.
yes, it stinks real bad.
A mish-mash of bits and bobs. It’s a no from me Simon.
It now in the hands of a true car buff,