MAKE & MODEL: MG RV8

REGISTRATION: M888GRV

DATE OF REGISTRATION: 01/10/1995

COLOUR: Metallic Nightfire Red

ENGINE SIZE: 3940cc

CHASSIS NO: SARRAWBMBMG001733

DOCUMENTS: V5C, Latest and old MOT’s, Extensive history file with many Invoices, Handbooks / Service manuals

This MG RV8 is resplendent in rare Nightfire Red with cream Connolly leather interior. Originally exported to Japan (as most were) it was repatriated in the UK in 2004 and has been cherished by its 3 former keepers the present since 2015. The mileage is only 22867 backed up by its MOT history and previous Japanese history.

Condition is excellent and difficult to fault apart from a couple tiny stone chips. Underneath is as clean as it is up top, the wheels are excellent with good matching tyres all round. The roof is in excellent condition and also comes with a detachable boot mounted luggage rack. She runs and drives exceptionally well and the V8 sounds lovely with plenty of power when needed.

Cherished MGRV8 number plate included in the sale.

More photos provided on request. Viewing and test drives welcome at WR13 Herefordshire. Delivery is offered anywhere in the UK, just email your postcode for a quote.

E & O E

Subsequent to the launch of the Mazda MX-5 in 1989,  British Motor Heritage (by then owned by Rover Group) had placed the MGB bodyshell back in production to serve the MGB restoration market. The success of the MX-5 had given Rover confidence that the market for 2 seater roadsters had re-emerged, and the decision was taken in 1991 to create an updated MGB model. The suspension was only slightly updated, sharing the leaf spring rear of the MGB. The boot lid and doors were shared with the original car, as were the rear drum brakes. The engine was the 3.9-litre version of the aluminium Rover V8, similar to the one previously used in the MGB GT V8. A limited-slip differential was also fitted. The MG RV8 debuted at the British International Motor Show in October 1992.

The British Motor Heritage manufactured bodyshell was painted at Rover's Cowley plant before final assembly at Cowley where the cars were hand-built in a separate unit, the LVA . The interior featured veneered burr elm woodwork and Connolly leather.

The engine produced 190 bhp (142 kW) at 4,750 rpm, achieving 0–60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.9 seconds. Largely due to the rear drum brakes and rear leaf springs, the RV8 was not popular with road testers. The high price of the car put it in direct competition with contemporary rivals from specialist manufacturers such as TVR.

A large proportion of the limited MG RV8 production went to Japan – 1,579 of the 1,983 produced. In the UK, 330 RV8s were sold initially. Several hundred (possibly as many as 700) of these cars were reimported back to the UK and also Australia between 2000 and 2010 with a peak number of 485 registered at the DVLA in the UK.

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