MG RV8 [MGR V8] 1995 - 28,000 MILES, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, EXCELLENT EXAMPLE

This is an MG RV8 roadster.   The RV8 was conceived as a re-styled and re-engineered up-market successor to the MGB. fitted with a Rover 3. 9 litre V8 fuel-injected engine and five-speed gearbox.   Around 1. 80 cars were assembled in a special low-volume build facility at Rover's Cowley works in the mid 90s. using bodies made at the British Motor Heritage plant in Faringdon.   The bodies were pressed from zinc-coated steel. properly primed and painted using the best 1990s technology. and wax-injected for corrosion protection after assembly.   RV8s are thus not subject to the severe rust problems that beset many British sports cars.  

Since the car weighs little more than the MGB and has around twice the power. the performance is exhilarating.   It is also effortless. due to the smooth and torquey delivery from the V8.   However. a properly set-up RV8 will comfortably exceed 30 miles/gallon if driven reasonably.

This car is VIN number 19** and is thus a late-built example. benefitting from the improved R380 gearbox and many other detail engineering changes introduced during the build programme.

Like many RV8s. this one was exported to Japan and registered there in 1996.   She was one of the last to be exported and was re-imported to UK by her ex-pat first owner when he returned to UK in 1998.   She has been converted to UK/European specification by the fitment of front fog lights and removal of the air-conditioning - meaning that the passenger has somewhere to put his/her feet; when fitted. the air-con unit takes up much of the nearside footwell!

The car covered ~15. 00km [9. 00 miles] whilst in Japan. and has run a further ~18. 00 miles in UK - making a total of some 28. 00 miles in total from new.   A nice low mileage. but not so low as to lead to lack-of-use issues.

She has been well cared-for and comes with an extensive history file. including the original Japanese bill of sale and all UK MOTs. plus a record of considerable expenditure on the car.   Major items in the last few years include:-

I have carried out a programme of improvements to the cooling system to obviate the well-known RV8 tendency to overheat in slow moving. heavy traffic.   I would be happy to detail the work done for the prospective purchaser.   My wife and I toured the Basque country of Sothern France and Spain in the car earlier in the year and she proved trouble-free - even when crawling for more than half an hour in a traffic queue. in ambient temperatures in the 30s.   A louvred bonnet is fitted as part of the cooling improvement package. but I have the original bonnet. which could be re-fitted if the new owner would prefer that.

The car is in very good all-round condition. both mechanically and cosmetically.   The engine is in entirely standard UK market specification and vice-free. as are the other mechanicals.   The body is also very good; all paintwork is original.   She has never failed an MOT.   All oils. brake fluid & coolant were changed this year. prior to our French tour.   The interior is superb.   I have fitted an alloy gear lever knob to replace the scuff-prone leather original. and an alloy handbrake grip in place of the standard naff plastic one.   I have also fitted clear-lens front and side indicators to tidy-up the external appearance.   I have retained all the original items. so that the new owner could re-fit them. if he/she so chooses.   Two sets of keys are with the car. and two fobs for the standard alarm system.   There are some minor blemishes to the original lacquer on the alloy wheels. but no 'dings'.   Mudflaps are fitted to the front & rear wheel arches.

The car comes with both full and half tonneau covers. including the rare tonneau 'sticks' which support the covers behind the seats - all in good condition.   Genuine MG mats are fitted in both footwells.   A modern Sony radio/CD player is fitted; however. I also have the original radio. which could be re-fitted if so desired. The original jack and MG tool roll are in the boot.   The car Handbook and the Owner's Information Portfolio. in the original leather wallet. which also contains a set of business cards from Rover Japan from the time of first purchase. are with the car.   A works Repair Manual. nbsp;an original MG sales brochure 'The Marque has returned' and the June 1993 issue of Autocar with the model-launch RV8 write-up and road test are also included.

She has a nice period 'MGR' number plate. which will be transferred to the new owner with the car.

Viewing by genuinely interested potential buyers is very welcome. including examination of the underside of the car over my inspection pit.   I am located a little way from Junction 15 of the M4.

If you have any queries. please respond in the 'Ask a question' box below.

Please do not bid unless you are interested in buying.

There are quite a number of indifferent RV8s around.   This is a good one!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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