In 1989, Mazda launchd the MX-5. At this time the British Motor Heritage, which was then owned by the Rover Group, had placed the MGB bodyshell back in production to serve the MGB restoration market. The success of the MX-5 gave 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 slightly updated, but still shared the leaf spring design used on the MGB. The engine was the 3.9-litre version of the aluminium Rover V8 which produced 185 Bhp and was coupled to a Rover 5-speed gearbox. A limited-slip differential was also fitted.
The MG RV8 debuted at the British International Motor Show in October 1992. The RV8 body shares the original boot lid and doors from the original MGB, but the other external panels were revised to accommodate the axle’s wider track and wider wheels and tyres. The rear lights, of which just 2000 were made and specially commissioned for the car, do share some resemblance to the original lights and you may recognise the front headlights as these are taken from a Porsche 911.
The MG RV8 turned out to be a fairly successful exercise for Rover. Known as Project Adder, they were built by a team of MG veterans who were bought out of retirement for one last project. This included everyone from engineers to assembly line workers and they produced just 1,983 cars. The RV8 success reconfirmed to Rover that they had the expertise and the touch to build roadsters.
Out of the 1,983 produced, just three hundred and thirty were sold in the UK and an astonishing 1,579 went direct to Japan. When Rover Japan launched the RV8 at the Tokyo Motor Show they took an amazing 1,300 orders in the coming days after the show. People were heard saying at the show “I’ll have that colour” and that colour was the stunning Woodcote Green which resulted in 80% of the cars heading to Japan being, you guessed it, Woodcote Green.
This Spotless 1995 MG RV8 was first registered in Japan on 1st December 1996, through Rover Japan in Tokyo. Whilst in Japan, the RV8 had just one owner who meticulously maintained the MG with regular services up until the day it was sold.
The car made its way back to the UK in September 2018, via a very particular RV8 importer, Steve Phillips. Some peace of mind to back up the paperwork with the car, the mileage on the RV8 has been JEVIC recorded and verified.
Once the MG was back on British soil it was registered to the UK on 1st January 2019 and went through some recommissioning work to ensure everything was as it should be. The work was carried out by MG specialists Cuerden Classics in Preston. Some of this work included a new clutch, engine mounts, exhaust manifold gaskets and a service.
With the MG ready, it was taken to the sellers home, where since then it has only covered just 300 miles. Unfortunately a medical issue has prevented the seller from enjoying the RV8 as he fully intended. Instead it spent most of the time, which I must say, quite comfortably, in his air conditioned garage, (if you can’t be used you might as well be comfortable). This lack of use has led to the reluctant sale of the MG RV8
The MOT certificate is valid until 18 March 2022. Since arriving in the UK, the car has had three MOT’s which all passed with no advisories and show just 313 miles being covered.
Complete with the MG is the leather wallet, owner’s manual, the full Japanese service history, mileage verification certificate and 2 keys. The seller has also acquired the factory build certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Another useful item should you need it included is the rare workshop and parts manual.
There are just a few receipts from the UK which include the work carried out during the recommissioning and more recently a new battery which has been fitted. Also included with the sale is the personalised registration P300 MGR.
Finished in beige leather, the seats are just nicely worn in with some light patina and you would say the condition matches the mileage. Sitting in the driver’s seat the odometer shows 81,415 which is in Kilometers. The clocks and switches are in excellent condition and work and illuminate as they should. Being an import, the MG does come with air conditioning which blows nice and cold.
The Burr Walnut finish to the dashboard facia does show some signs of cracking, possibly from the hot dry climate where it came from. The Steering wheel fitted is a nice Moto-Lita wood rim that compliments the dashboard and the original wheel is included with the sale.
In the centre of the console is the voltmeter, clock and temperature gauge and sitting nicely below is the original MG radio cassette. The carpets again are in excellent condition. There is a set of mats with the MG logo, used to protect the carpet included with the car.
Into the boot of the MG is the nice clean carpet. The spare wheel is in place along with the jack and wheel brace. Another nice touch is the original tool kit in the MG badged tool roll. Also in the boot lies the tonneau cover.
The lovely Woodcote Green certainly makes the MG stand out in the sun with it’s pearlescent fleck. Starting at the front of the MG, it has to be said that it is difficult to spot any stone chips, the nose of the RV8 is in excellent condition. The headlights and indicators are free from any cracks or chips. The bonnet aligns with the wings as it should. The only thing that shows signs of any wear is the MG bonnet badge which is slightly faded.
Moving around to the sides, the doors align just as they should and looking down both sides of the MG it is nice and straight. The Rover badge at the bottom of each wing, along with the door handles, are a bright chrome finish with no pitting. The roof on the RV8 doesn’t look like it's spent any time up, it is in excellent condition. The rear window, which is common for scratching, creasing and blooming is crystal clear. When the roof is down it is finished with the tonneau cover that matches the interior colour. The underside of the RV8 was undersealed from new at the factory and as it was exported to Japan it has remained in extremely good condition with the distinct lack of wet weather.
On to the rear, again the Boot aligns as it should with no signs of any scuffs to the bumper. The light clusters are free from any cracks. There is a slight amount of perish to the rubber seal to the fuel filler but this doesn't affect anything, and like the front, the MG badge has slightly faded.
The wheels on the car have all suffered some crazing to the lacquer finish and the MG badges have faded. There are no kerb marks to the wheels and so a basic refurbish would have this easily sorted out. Four matching Bridgestone tyres are fitted and have a nice amount of tread remaining.
The 3.9 litre RV8 sounds fantastic as you start it up. Give it a little rev and there’s no mistaking it's a V8 lurking beneath the bonnet. There are no noises that shouldn't be there and the V8 purrs away as you would expect.
The seller reports that the RV8 is an absolute pleasure to drive, it still feels tight just as it should. The MG pulls strong and smoothly through the 5-speed manual gearbox, with no untoward noises from the transmission or gearbox, and let's not forget about the new clutch fitted less than 300 miles ago, which is peace of mind for the new keeper. On the road, the RV8 soaks up the road just as MG intended and comes to a stop nice and straight.
The engine bay is well presented and in an original condition. In March this year, the car was serviced and given a full check over on the brakes which all have minimal wear to them.
A modern take on the classic MG shape and finished in Woodcote Green with a 3.9 litre V8 manual, the RV8 has certainly become somewhat of a cult classic. With just 1,983 produced, it definitely falls into the quite rare car category.
Roof down, sit back, listen to the V8 burble and you’re away! A grand tourer that turns heads and grabs the attention of people everywhere it goes and is a real pleasure to drive. In absolutely lovely condition throughout, this is the perfect chance to own a truly modern classic.
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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