MGB GT V8

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

The first MGB GT V8 was created by garage owner and tuner Ken Costello, who put a Rover V8 engine in his own MG in 1970. MG was so pleased with the car that they adopted the idea for themselves, contracting Costello to help in the development of the model which was launched in 1973.

Although the tuned 180bhp engine used by Costello for his conversion was replaced in the production cars with a more modestly tuned unit, it still had a hefty 137bhp and 193lb/ft on tap which could launch it to 60mph in around 8 seconds with a top speed of 125mph. In fact the all-alloy Rover V8 also weighed around 40 pounds less than the cast iron four-cylinder unit in the standard GT so, unlike the MGC, the V8's increased power and torque did not require significant chassis changes or detrimentally affect the handling.

The MGB V8 was warmly received by the press but British Leyland became increasingly concerned that it would overshadow their other products, particularly the more expensive and less powerful Stag, and it was quietly dropped from sale just three years after launch. Only 2,591 examples had been made when production ended in 1976, making this rare model increasingly sought after today.

This particular V8 is one of the last 100 chrome bumper versions made before rubber bumpers were adopted and the MG anoraks among you will have already spotted that the back bumper is the American style (with number plate lights built into the centre section rather than the over-riders) which is exactly how the last few cars left the factory.

Supplied new to a Mr J Bayliss of Solihull in April 1975, it has only had two further owners since, our vendor acquiring it from the second owner way back in 1985 at which point it was in such excellent condition that it was runner-up in the MG International Concours event at Silverstone. In fact it was still rated as being in concours condition when valued by the Bromsgrove MG Centre in 1993.

Still in remarkably original condition throughout, it has only covered 49,366 miles to date which the vendor states is completely genuine and is backed up by numerous old MOTs and invoices and by the original Passport to Service book although, at the time of our visit, the latter could not readily be located.

Finished in Citron Yellow (as was the launch car at the Earls Court Show), it retains its original black interior, green Sundym glass, Dunlop alloy wheels (including the spare) and wheel-changing kit. In fact the only non-original bits are the sills, which were replaced in 1985, and the shock absorbers which are Spax adjustables and were also fitted in 1985 along with an uprated anti-roll bar.

Last MOT’d and on the road in 2004, it has spent the past 15 years in dry storage and, as you can see, it has deteriorated somewhat and will now need attention, principally to the lower door skins. Hooked up to a new battery and a splash of fresh petrol, it was coaxed into life in July this year and driven up and down the lane, the vendor reporting that the engine still sounded very sweet indeed.

Given that top examples of this model are now making substantially more than the estimate suggested here, this low-mileage, well-historied, three-owner V8 should amply reward the remedial works now required. What a great find!