History Our Story
Established in 2013, born from the ambition and determination of its founder, Bruce Southey. Originally focused on contracting and consulting, we began selling conversion kits part-time. As time passed, this passion project grew, evolving into a full-fledged endeavor centered around the design and engineering of sportscars, all based on the MX5 platform. By 2021, Bruce had taken the leap, making the company his full-time occupation and moving it into its own dedicated premises. Their cars, now sought after worldwide, ranged from specialized track models to reliable daily drivers capable of handling substantial mileage. With over a hundred of their creations scattered across the globe, each bearing the stamp of their dedication and expertise, the company's story was one of humble beginnings and steady growth.
Why V6 Power? A Question of Balance
The MXV6 was originally conceived as a one off. A personal challenge to prove that the benchmark driving dynamics of the MX5 are not matched by the powerplant. To prove that replacing the engine could elevate the driving experience to another level. But what with? Whatever it would be, it had to normally aspirated and with more than 4 cylinders.
The incubation of the idea was Overfinch, where V8 engine transplants were a daily occurrence.
But a V8 in an MX5 was overkill. It’s too heavy and would overpower the little sports car (literally and figuratively). The MX5s purity is its greatest virtue so retaining that was pivotal to the concept. This wasn’t simply the pursuit of power and performance figures; the result had to ‘feel right’.
Four is too few and eight too many..
After extensive research, the Ford Duratec V6 was deemed the best candidate; more specifically, the Jaguar S-Type 3.0l variant.
The Duratec V6 has an impressive pedigree; originally a Porsche design, then Ford, with input from Cosworth. As well as powering humble saloons, derivatives of the Duratec V6 power more premium cars from the Mondeo ST24 and ST220 to the Noble M12, Morgans and Marcos’. The Jaguar version is the best with a forged crank, and DAMB (Direct Acting Mechanical Bucket) tappets. It is oversquare with a bore of 89mm and a stroke of 79.5mm, so is a high-revving engine that develops max power at 6750 rpm; features that have made it a popular choice among race engine builders. Such engines have campaigned successfully in Sports car racing and substituted the fragile and expensive 6R4 engine in group B rally cars.
And vitally importantly, to maintain the benchmark handling characteristics of the MX5, the AJ30 engine block is all aluminium, so it is no heavier than the cast iron MX5 engine it replaces – vital in keeping the critical weight distribution right.
Thanks to its output, weight, size and flexibility, the AJ30 engine delivers on the vision. Light, high revving, sweet, tractable and of course, tuneful. It is a balance that suits the car beautifully. It takes everything good about the original MX5 and resonates with it; elevating the whole experience to a new level. Not just the performance but much more significantly, it has soul.
