Highlights
- £52,000 1990s conversion to RV8 V8 specification
- Stunning 5spd 265bhp 3.9litre V8 roadster
- Prepared for 7,000km rally where it won its class
- Converted by Browns & Gammon to fast road car
- Thick history file with recent servicing and maintenance
- MOT exempt but will be sold with new test
The Appeal
This is a MGB roadster, but absolutely not as you may know it. Professionally prepared in 1993 for a 7,000km rally across South Africa, it mixes a Heritage RV8 shell and trim with a sonorous 3.9litre V8 pumping out 265bhp. The car won its rally class.
Subsequently evolved by Browns & Gammon into a fast road car, it presents a fascinating opportunity for the buyer. There can be few V8 MGB roadsters quite like it. It has covered just 20,000 miles since the conversion and only 4,000 miles on the current engine, which was fitted in 2018.
Finished in stand-out Jade Green with a luxurious RV8 interior, it retains the classic chrome 1972 MGB aesthetics with which it left the factory. That gives the buyer a pleasing blend of the best of the MGB’s lifespan.
A thick history file documents all this work. The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle so usefully MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt, but it has been regularly MOT’d to give buyers an independent assessment of the condition. It will be sold with a fresh 12 months test.
This really is something quite special that will surely appeal to lovers of brutish, brutally quick British sports cars.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 11th February 1972
- 17 registered keepers
- Current keeper since July 2018
- Previously recorded as blue which was changed in June 1999
- Prepared for a 1993 7,000 km South African rally where it won its class
- Invoices totalling £52,000 for original conversion and subsequent maintenance
- Speedometer zero’d when converted and now showing a little over 20,000 miles
- Huge history file documents the work with some shown in photographs
- Engine fitted in 2018 at cost of nearly £8,000 and 4,000 miles covered since
- Converted to a fast road car by Browns & Gammon following the rally and its return to UK
- Original 1993 specification summarised below
- MOT and tax exempt by age
- Usefully regularly MOT’d to provide independent assessment of condition
- Will be sold with a fresh MOT prior to collection by the buyer
1993 build summary:
- Heritage RV8 shell with modified inner wings to accommodate larger ‘Extractor’ exhaust
- RV8 front and rear suspension
- RV8 engine and gearbox
- Rear axle with Quaife LSD
- RV8 interior
- RV8 brakes
- RV8 5spd gearbox
The Condition
- Jade Green paintwork with clear coat finish over base metallic
- Paintwork applied in 1990s and remains in very good order
- Some light deterioration and marks should be expected as this is an older restoration
- Recently machine polished and presents in very good order
- Heritage RV8 shell remains in very good order with good panel fit and finish
- Underside similarly well kept with no MOT advisories on last MOT
- Underbody recently treated with Dinitrol and Lanoguard
- Black roof in good condition with clear rear screen and good fabric finish
- ‘Knock off’ Minilite-style alloy wheels in good order
- Quality Falken tyres with two new rear tyres recently fitted
- Unused spare wheel
- Chrome bumpers retained from original 1972 car, all well kept and brightly finished
- RV8 interior with stone beige leather seats in good condition
- Well kept RV8 interior fittings with clear dials, switchgear and good veneers
- Cabin fitted with rally instrumentation and lighting
The Mechanics
- RV8 3.9L Rover V8 engine dyno tested to 265bhp
- RV8 shell with RV8 type inner wings to accommodate larger Extractor exhaust
- This allows improved breathing to facilitate the higher power output
- 5pd manual RV8 gearbox
- Fitted with a special fuel tank that is filled from inside the boot
- Vendor reports that the car handles and brakes very well
- No mechanical and running gear advisories on last MOT test
- Huge history file with £52,000 of work since 1993
- No reported running or driving issues
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. If requested we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]