1997 MG R V8

Lot details
Registration No: P189FEP
Chassis No: SARRAWBMBMG002093
Mot Expiry: Nov 2011

MG-badged sports cars were available from 1924 until 1980, when production of the evergreen MG B was terminated and the doors of the famous Abingdon plant closed. This caused the biggest outcry of all the cost-cutting measures taken by British Leyland, and later that decade the state-owned company (by then known as the Rover Group), hatched plans to revive the MG brand. The end goal was an all-new sports car - the MG F - but as that would take some time, Rover created an interim model to rekindle the marquee and remind enthusiasts that the MG B had been the best selling sports car ever - enter the RV8. The basis of the newcomer was a gracefully resculptured British Motor Heritage MG B bodyshell that benefitted from modern production methods and corrosion protection. Power came from a 3.9-litre version of Rover's ubiquitous all-alloy V8 that was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and drove through a limited slip differential. The output was 190 bhp - sufficient to propel the RV8 to 60 mph in under six seconds and on to a top speed of 135 mph. Upgrades to the MG B running gear included lower torque arms for the live axle and ventilated front disc brakes. The luxurious handcrafted interior featured burr elm veneer, Connolly leather and deep pile carpets. Some 2,000 examples were manufactured between 1992 and 1995, over 75 percent of which were exported to Japan.

A former Japanese export that was first registered for UK road use on October 1st 2008, the very pretty 'P189 FEP' is finished in Woodcote Green and trimmed in Cream leather. Its specification includes air conditioning and (unusually) power steering. The vendor informs us that the MG has covered a mere 250 kilometres since being fully serviced and Waxoyl'd 12 months ago. He describes the bodywork as "immaculate", the paintwork as "spotless" and the driving as "terrific".