1972 MG B GT V8 Conversion

Registration No: ATO 140K
Chassis No: GHD5267412G
MOT: Exempt

• An original UK right-hand drive car which has been retro-fitted with a Rover V8 engine
• Understood to have been exported from the United Kingdom during the 1990s
• Formerly part of the Petitjean collection of Strasbourg
• Purchased by the vendor directly from the collection and repatriated to the United Kingdom

A more powerful alternative to the MG B came in 1973 with the introduction of the B V8 - a GT-only variant powered by the ubiquitous 3528cc Rover V8 unit. Though inspired by the conversions carried out by independent tuner Ken Costello, the factory V8 cars were somewhat less tuned, producing 137bhp rather than 150bhp – the output was nevertheless sufficient for a sprightly 0-60mph time of around eight seconds and a top speed of 125mph. With only 2,591 genuine factory V8’s manufactured, many B’s have since been uprated with V8 engines.

Manufactured in 1972 and supplied new to the United Kingdom, the BGT was first registered on the 13^th of January that year. Originally fitted with the 1798cc straight-four B-series engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission, ‘ATO 140K’ has been retro-fitted with a 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine. Finished in Red with Black interior upholstery and Black Webasto roof, the MG was originally presented in Orange with the colour change occurring in 1990, around the time ‘ATO 140K’ is understood to have been restored.

Showing five former UK keepers, the MG is thought to have been exported during the 1990s before forming part of the Petitjean collection in Strasbourg of Marcel Petitjean (a former French racing driver who invested his returns from a business empire into rare cars). Entering into the collection in 2007, it remained there until 2020 when it was purchased by the vendor and repatriated into the United Kingdom.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452