Lot number	115
Hammer value	N/S (est. £15,500 - £17,500)
Description	MG RV8
Registration	L950 XHY
Year	1994
Colour	Woodcote Green
Engine size	3,940 cc
Chassis No.	SARRAWBMBMG000645
Documents	V5C; due to have a new MOT; 10 old MOTs; Japanese docs; Certificate of Conformity

Considering how many MG RV8s have made it back from Japan you can’t help but feel Rover underestimated the demand for them in this country.

Misunderstood by the motoring press (what do they know, anyway?), the car was, in fact, a fabulous GT car with classic style and real performance: 190bhp, 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds, 135mph top end. Expensive though (£26,500 at launch in 1992); which is probably why all but 404 of the 1,983 made went to Japan.
Times have changed and the last real MG is now more appreciated in its home country.

This 1994 model spent the early years of its life in Japan (hence the Woodcote Green paintwork seemingly obligatory for that market), and made it back home in 2002, being imported by Cleevewood Cars of Bristol, who have considerable experience with these cars. They were also responsible for maintaining L950 XHY from 2003 to 2006, with service details on file.

The MG had only covered 13, 168 miles when it hit these shores, but the new owner racked up an additional 40,000 miles in the following four years – which says a lot for the car and the owner. Now showing just under 67,200 miles, the car was fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust system (including catalytic converters) from V8 MG specialist Clive Wheatley in 2016.

It comes with two sets of keys, a good mohair hood, Japanese paperwork, a 2002 Certificate of Conformity showing that it meets UK and European requirements, 10 old MOTs and will have a new MOT in time for the sale.