Summer 2024

146 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 an infectious character,” he says when asked why he joined the RBW team. “Nearly all of us here are car guys, and we’re all doers and go-getters.” The company’s first drivable roadster rolled out of the Lichfield, England, factory door in 2023, the culmination of seven years of design, devel- opment and testing. Since then, nearly 40 have been made, entirely by hand, and several hun- dred are on order by clients. These cars are powered by a patented, pro- prietary drive train developed in house. Swain says this approach differs from a conversion in several ways, but key is the fact that due to its monocoque design, an original, internal combus- tion MG would not stand up to the torque stresses placed on it by the electric drive and would soon warp and lose integrity. When the bodies are delivered, they are strengthened in key places and are mounted on an also patent- ed subframe designed to handle the torque, thereby isolating it from the drivetrain. The RBW’s battery pack is enclosed in a sturdy steel box emblazoned with the Union Jack, cleverly shoehorned into what would be the motor and transmission bay of the original, under the “bon- net”—by the way: if you speak with Swain or anyone at the RBW booth at Pebble Beach, you might be mystified by terms like this. A “bonnet” is the hood, “boot” the trunk, and “hood” the convertible top, and a “wing” is a fender. These cars also have a “quarterlight,” what we call a vent window…OscarWilde was indeed correct when he wrote: “We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.” Each of RBW’s cars is unique. The customer chooses from a wide range of details, making each a bespoke, one-of-a-kind work of hand- crafted art. There are 15 basic color schemes, but pretty much any imaginable paint choice can be accommodated. For the interior, several shades and textures of fine Scottish leather are available, with customizable stitching patterns and colors as well as the option for fabric inserts. Turn signals (“indicators”) can be recessed into the body for a sleeker look, and a chrome strip can be mounted along the side of the body. In addition to its all-new electric drive, the RBWs feature modern, upgraded and sleekly designed switches, knobs and displays plus Apple CarPlay and navigation capability via a Pioneer touch- screen entertainment system. For warmer climes, optional air conditioning is available. The British are Coming The RBW team has correctly deduced that there is a ready and willing market for the road- ster and GT in America—especially in California. It’s the perfect place for an open-top, wind-in-the- hair, road hugging, little rear wheel drive sportscar. “So many MGBs went to America,” Swain says.“It was their biggest market.” RBW secured funding from a California investor and brought aboard Ryan Morris of Mill Valley, California, who serves as chairman. “I am interested in sustainable technologies,” he says.“I thought, ‘how do I go about electrifying the world?’”When he encountered Swain, he met a Photo: RKP Photography Every RBW vehicle is bespoke and meticulously hand-built to the customer’s spec- ifications, ensuring that each is a one-of-a-kind and highly personal automobile. Photo: RKP Photography