MG RV8

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Introduced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MGB some 10 years after production of the original had ceased, the RV8 was destined to become a classic from its launch at the 1992 British International Motor Show.

The new MG – codenamed Adder – was developed by the Rover Special Products team at Gaydon and was based on an MGB Heritage bodyshell fed a diet of steroids that pumped up its silhouette, trimmed in luxurious leather and adorned with burr elm fittings.

Under the bonnet the RV8 was powered by a 3.9-litre V8 with a modern engine management system and Lucas fuel injection delivering 190bhp through a five speed gearbox and limited slip differential.

Performance was suitably authoritative with 0-60mph coming up in just 5.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 135mph. Telescopic dampers replaced the original lever arm units but the faithful live rear axle remained. Costing £26,000 new, only 2,000 were made of which 1,300 went to Japan.

This 1997 model was imported back to the UK from Japan in mid-2012. As with the majority of such RV8 imports, it is hard to determine their early history due to a combination of scant paperwork and our poor grasp of Japanese which is getting a bit rusty these days!

The odometer shows 48,411kms which equates to just over 30,000 miles and it has been treated to a recent brake servo. MOTd until June 2015 it is described by the vendor as in very nice order top and bottom and will be driven some 160 miles to the sale.

These big bruisers are very easy to live with, giving that perfect blend of traditional looks and feel combined with impressively modern performance.