V8 Workshop Notes Volume 14

Volume 14 V8 Workshop Notes V8 Register - MG Car Club Volume 14 V8 Workshop Notes V8 Register - MG Car Club V8 Workshop Notes – Volume 14 1 © V8 Register - MG Car Club Issue16 200307 Please note the caution and disclaimer on page 4 MGBGTV8 profile MGBGTV8 - the MG with effortless performance specification of servo assisted brakes, tinted glass, distinctive light alloy wheels, fine cord covered adjustable Launched in August 1973, the V8 powered MGB seats, two speed wipers and an overdrive as standard combined the popular fixed head coupe body style with a made it a refined sports car for 1973 and good value at its powerful three and half litre light alloy V8 engine. The launch price of £2,294. Rover powerplant ran with a reduced compression ratio In so many ways the MGBGTV8 is an undiscovered but an increased torque compared with the similar classic sportscar and prices have never been driven up engines then used in the Rover saloons. The result by "chequebook investors". It remains a sports car that a transformed the MGB, creating a very nimble car with the small band of enthusiasts enjoy and see as very good luxury of multi-cylinder power which is both flexible and value today in every sense. economical - features which continue to have a special appeal for V8 enthusiasts today! On the road the MGBGTV8 has an effortless performance, accelerating rapidly in the higher gears with MGBGTV8 facts 125 mph available in both direct and overdrive top. Hills Produced: 1973 to 1976 with pre-development cars produced from late 1972. just melt away and the torque gives the car an unfussy Bodywork: Two door fixed coupe GT with rear hatch. manner. The 0 to 60 time of 7.7 seconds is still 30 years Engine: Rover aluminium alloy normally aspirated V8 3,528cc later, a time many of today's sports saloons cannot touch. with 137bhp. Twin SU type HIF 6 carburettors. Even when asked to work hard, the exhaust note retains 0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds its very pleasingly modest but purposeful burble in Top speed: 125 mph keeping with its understated manner. Fuel consumption: 25-30 mpg The V8 engine, although from an old Buick design from OK for unleaded: Yes original heads are OK. the early fifties, contains hydraulic cam followers which Production: Original Factory production figure is 2,591 with give the MGBGTV8 a quietness that compliments the only a few early LHD cars and none exported to the USA, smooth power. Under the bonnet, the lightweight although total V8 production is believed to be 2,600. Just over aluminium V8 engine seems much bigger than the two thirds of the production had chrome bumpers with the original four cylinder steel engine but is only just a little remainder fitted with rubber bumpers. Specification: Servo assisted brakes (discs at the front and heavier when the engine ancillaries are included. The drums at the back), distinctive Dunlop composite light lightweight benefits are good front to rear weight alloy/steel wheels, tinted glass, reclining seats covered in fine distribution and an appreciable increase in the power to cord, two speed wipers and a heater as standard, with a four weight ratio, even from the detuned 137bhp V8 power speed gearbox with overdrive fitted to all cars on fourth gear unit. and on over 60% of the chrome bumpered cars overdrive was A surprising feature of the MGBGTV8 is the fuel also available on third gear - change point around VIN 1200. economy. Even driven on the open road with a sense of Number of cars still existing: Estimated at around 2,100 with fun the enthusiast can enjoy with V8 power, it is quite many exported over the years to Australia and New Zealand easy to achieve between 27 and 31 miles to the gallon. over the years. So estimated UK stock is around 1,825 cars. The overdrive unit gives the MGBGTV8 long legs with Spares availability: Very good, particularly from the specialist around 29 mph per 1,000 rpm or 3,000 rpm at 90 mph. V8 spares providers. Garage fit? L 13ft 3" (4.02m) x W 5ft (1.523m) x H 4ft 3" The convenient overdrive facility is available on top gear (1.292m). at the flick of a stalk switch on the steering column and on Prices many of the earlier chrome bumpered examples of the See our six monthly market review and price guide online at: model it is available on third gear as well. www.v8register.net/v8/profileprices.htm The MGBGTV8 is however not without its poor features - excessive wind noise at speed and a choppy ride at slow speeds from the stiffer rear springs which are So you want to buy an MGV8? needed to cope with the higher power output. The Our guide is one of the best sources of advice for an gearbox has to be treated with consideration when enthusiast wanting to get an MGBGTV8 or MG RV8. It is punching the additional power through to the road packed with tips on how to research the models, how to wheels. check a car offered for sale, negotiate a deal, make a At its launch in 1973, the MGBGTV8 was welcomed as safe payment and check you have the necessary a powerful example of the MG marque but generally documents. It's all in a useful 60 page book. See the link regarded as arriving several years late in a popular but on the V8 website homepage at www.v8register.net ageing bodyshell and suspension package, then over ten years old. The MGBGTV8 is very much an MG combining the famous marque's Safety Fast! features - speed and performance with predictable and forgiving handling characteristics. At the time of the launch, the V8 Workshop Notes – Volume 14 2 © V8 Register - MG Car Club Issue16 200307 Please note the caution and disclaimer on page 4 V8 Register The MG Car Club, founded with factory support and The V8 Register welcomes all enthusiasts for the V8 encouragement in 1930, is run by enthusiasts for powered MG models covering the recent MG RV8 enthusiasts. We maintain our close association the old Roadster, the increasing numbers of MGBV8 factory with our Club Office in Cemetery Road in Conversions, MGBV8 Costellos and of course the original Abingdon adjacent to Larkhill House, the former factory produced MGBGTV8 model. The key strengths of administrative building at the MG plant. The MG Car Club the V8 Register are: is run in the true spirit of a members’ motor club and each member can participate in the activities and the running Workshop Notes - two series of workshop notes, of the Club. It is company limited by guarantee. the original series for the MGBV8 now into Volume 12 and the recently launched series for the MG RV8 Joining the MG Car Club already into the Volume 8. If you are not a member of the MG Car Club, full membership details and a new member pack can be V8LIFELINE, an enthusiastic band of V8 specialists obtained from the Club’s office in Abingdon, the home of and motor factors providing spares and maintenance MG. Just contact: services for the MGBV8 and MG RV8 models. MG Car Club Gatherings of MGV8 enthusiasts and events Kimber House organised by the V8 Register each year. The V8 PO Box 251 Register has always been a particularly sociable Abingdon on Thames group with regular gatherings at MG Car Club Oxfordshire OX14 1FF meetings, particularly at the Club’s annual Tel: 01235 555552 International MG Meeting at Silverstone in June, V8 [email protected] Tours of Scotland and elsewhere, and visits to the www.mgcc.co.uk annual 24 hour sportscar endurance race at le Mans. The Club Office team will be pleased to hear from you V8 Website, launched in May 2002, packed with and welcome you as a member of the MG Car Club – the useful information, a V8 Bulletin Board and a copy of Marque of Friendship! the Rolling V8 Calendar of events. Why not join now! With these strengths and essential support, the V8 Register is certainly the specialist group any MGV8 enthusiast should join. From its formation in 1978, the V8 Register has attracted large numbers of MGV8 enthusiasts and continues to grow strongly today with over 2,500 members in the UK and overseas. Joining the V8 Register Joining the V8 Register is very straightforward – there is an easy to use online registration form at www.v8register.net or you can obtain a form from Club Office or the V8 Registrar and mail or fax it to: Victor Smith V8 Registrar PO Box 888 London SW14 7YT [email protected] Tel: 0208 392 9434 MG Car Club If you are an MG enthusiast then here is the MG Club for you. We welcome enthusiasts for all models of the famous marque – from machines like the current MGF and recent MG RV8 bearing the famous Octagon to modern BCV8 classics, Midgets, MGAs and back to the T-types and those pre-war models that created the legend that is MG! Above: The advert at the launch of the model certainly The MG Car Club has a regular award winning monthly did not understate the case for an MGBGTV8 in 1973! magazine called Safety Fast!, active Registers providing technical support and spares help for each MG model, V8 Workshop Notes series spares specialists, insurance schemes for MGs and of Shortly after the formation of the V8 Register in 1978, the course some of the best club motor sport and competition V8 Workshop Notes series was launched to help events – all within a wide and comprehensive social members maintain this limited production model and network in the UK, Mainland Europe and overseas, In all source spares.

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