Description
The MG B GT V8 was launched in1973 and was based on a concept first carried through by Ken Costello around two years earlier. Outwardly the car was virtually identical to the standard MG B GT, but under the bonnet, in place of the four-cylinder BMC B series engine was the all alloy Rover (Buick) 3. 5 litre V8. The Rover unit produced 137 bhp in standard form and was actually lighter than the iron B Series 4 cylinder engine, thus giving the car lively performance and good handling. The car also came with model unique alloy road wheels. The MG B GT V8 sold in limited numbers and was discontinued in 1976. It is thought that the slow sales were partly due to the price premium over the 4-cylinder models, and that also the fuel crisis of the mid seventies meant that people were turning to more economical smaller cars. Whatever the reason, the limited number of cars available meant that the B GT V8 became an instant classic. The specimen offered here was first registered in September 1975, as a factory MG B GT V8, which is complete with an MG V8 Register certificate, which confirms the cars production details. The car is offered complete with an extensive history file, which contains invoices amounting to over £20, 000 These invoices include recent expenditure on a carburettor service kit, new fuel pump, rear bumper, brake discs, clutch master and slave cylinders, servo, stainless steel exhaust, Hi-Torque starter motor, and Power Spark distributor. Other works have included inner and outer sills and both rear quarters being replaced by the MG Owners' Club, a full respray in its original Blaze colour, new stub axles, road springs, brake master cylinder and Poly bush anti-roll bar. Upgrades include K&N air filters, stainless steel exhaust and a Webasto full length sunroof. Other paperwork includes the current and previous registration documents, owner's handbooks, photographs and MOT certificates dating back to 1992.
