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There’s been a slew of electrified classic cars to hit the market recently, with manufacturers including Aston Martin and Volkswagen all trying to perfect the formula for blending classic looks of the past with a motor that’s fit for the zero-carbon future.

The latest attempt to nail the formula comes from British company RBW with an electrified take on the MGB.

Company founder Peter Swain, who has a background in security electronics, has long been a fan of MG’s classic roadsters, with a Midget being the first car he owned after passing his test at 17.

He had been running a traditional classic car sales and restoration business for several years, but his wife alerted him to a potential gap in the market for a modern, electrified take on the MGB. This planted the seed for what would become the RBW EV Roadster.

Having owned “17 or 18” MGs throughout his life, Swain needed little convincing. He just so happened to have one sitting in his workshop – so he began dismantling it to see how he could make it work.

Soon enough, he made a wooden mock-up of a frame, which he then sent to Continental Engineering Services to see if it had the makings of a production vehicle. Continental liked what they saw.

But in order to take it to the next step, Swain had to find £2m to build a series of prototypes to prove the concept. In the process, Swain realised that building brand-new cars, using fresh MGB shells from British Motor Heritage, would provide the best outcomes.

As RBW gears up to produce its first run of 30 EV Roadsters in 2021, will you be putting your name down on the order list?

Set to be available in both hard top or soft top, and in pretty much any exterior colour and interior finish you want, you could be the proud owner of a RBW EV Roadster for £90,000 (plus VAT).

If you do end up going in for a RBW EV Roadster, don’t forget that you’ll need to seek out some adequate classic car insurance. Here at Lancaster Insurance, we have access to some of the most competitive classic car, vintage car and classic vehicle insurance schemes anywhere in the UK.

A bit more on how best to protect your investment later. But first, let’s look at the RBW EV Roadster in a little more detail.

“A whole new future to classic motoring”

If you’re reading this and feeling a little bit uncomfortable about the idea of a brand-new “classic” car, then hear Swain out.

He hopes that the system developed for the RBW EV Roadster will provide a “whole new future to classic motoring”, attracting a new generation of classic car enthusiasts who are concerned about their carbon footprint.

As well as the environmental appeal, the Roadster’s lack of mechanical needs should also tempt young people who “don’t necessarily want to tinker with cars anymore”, according to Swain.

He added that this group might have been put off owning a classic car until now, due to not having the mechanical knowledge and skills to deal with too many maintenance issues.

However, he was also keen not to dismiss existing classic car enthusiasts who might be becoming more aware of their environmental impact.

Realistically, with starting prices at £90k, the new electric model will be beyond the reach of the majority of enthusiasts. However, for those that can afford it, the Roadster’s blend of retro and modern should see the initial 30 units attract a fair amount of interest.

What’s it like to drive?

Anybody who has driven a classic MGB will know that driving one can be pretty snug – but you soon get used to driving with the steering wheel in your lap… we promise.

As you might expect, when it comes to driving a Roadster, that’s pretty much where the similarities end. To get the car moving, you must release the mechanical handbrake, then select 'D' on a rotary dial.

The MGB was never a sports car – it was a grand-tourer – and RBW hasn’t tried to turn it into something it’s not. So, while initial acceleration is as smooth and swift, as with any electric car, don’t expect a full-on driving experience.

The electric motor is always near-silent, which is a unique experience if you’ve never been in an electric car before.

As we see it, it’s the perfect car for a relaxing Sunday drive down country lanes, with a pub stop somewhere along the way. But there’s no reason you couldn’t use this for your daily commute if you wanted to.

The only downside is that it doesn’t come with rapid-charging capability, so if you did want to go on a bit of a road trip, you’ll have to factor in substantial stops.

We think we’ll stick with our old MGB for now!

Classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance

The Lancaster Insurance team has been proudly arranging classic car insurance for more than 35 years.

Our job is to arrange quality, tailored insurance cover to protect your pride and joy. We have access to classic car, vintage car and classic vehicle insurance schemes to suit your vehicle.

Some of the many reasons you should choose classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance include:

• Hard-to-insure classics and classics without MOT considered
• Classic Car Club member discounts of up to 25%
• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Choice of repairer
• Salvage retention
• EU cover up to 90 days
• Two-year agreed valuation available for £18
• Laid-up cover available
• Limited mileage discounts

With a policy arranged through Lancaster Insurance, you will also receive 24-hour access to our UK call centre, making any claims hassle free.

If you’d like to speak to one of our specialist classic car insurance experts about covering your vehicle, call 01480 484826 or request a call back. Or, simply get a quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.