The story behind the MG RV8 is an interesting one: with the classic MGB having gone out of production in 1980, British Motor Heritage had put the MGB bodyshell back into limited production in the late ’80s to serve the restoration market, and this development caused a spark of intrigue at MG Rover HQ.

The decision was made to develop the basic MGB silhouette into a new model for 1991: the RV8. The styling was updated with over 90% of the panels and details replaced; up front everything was upgraded with an independent double-wishbone setup with coil springs, telescopic shocks, and an anti-roll bar. The track was widened, there was an LSD out back, and the big news was the fuel-injected 3.9-litre V8 engine.

The interior was fully redesigned, with Connolly hide and veneered burr elm trim. It all added up to the quintessential British soft-top for the nineties.

This particular RV8 was originally delivered to Japan (as a large percentage of them were) in 1997, and was first registered in the UK in November 2001 – so it’s spent the majority of its life in Britain. Originally specced with air-conditioning, it’s also been converted to power-steering and had the speedo swapped to mph.

The impressively large history file shows that it’s been maintained by proper enthusiasts who haven’t been afraid to spend the money where it matters, and today it presents as a very genuine and low-mileage example, in all-original specification.

The only alteration from standard is the Optimax ECU – a desirable upgrade that perfects the inherent shortcomings of the fuel injection system and makes for a much smoother, more economical and more reliable car. We’ve seen a few RV8s come and go in recent years, but this example is among the very finest we’ve come across – it really is delightful inside and out and very enjoyable to drive.
 

Woodcote Green is arguably the prettiest shade for the RV8; a fabulous metallic hue which appears to shapeshift in the sunlight, bringing out tones of gold and yellow within the green. The paint is very well presented overall, panel fit is good throughout the car, and there’s no visible evidence of corrosion or dings to the body panels.

The light lenses are all good, and all of the correct trim and badging is in place. The original-spec split-rim wheels are fitted and in terrific condition, wearing quality Continental tyres with plenty of tread.

The MG comes with the optional tonneau cover, in great condition, and the soft-top is also very good, having been replaced in 2019: it raises and lowers easily, latches correctly, is tidy inside and out with no holes or marks, and the rear window has no cracks or milkiness. A further bonus is the Cabrio Shield – an additional canvas cover that you fit over the top of the car when parked to protect the soft-top from UV damage, tree sap and so on.

The low mileage is evident from the condition of the interior, which is all original and in remarkably good condition. The seats are generously stuffed and comfortable, with very little wear to the hide and no marks, rips or damage. They tilt forward correctly to allow access to the rear storage cubby, and the carpets are all in good condition too.

There’s no undue wear to the steering wheel or gearknob, and all of the gauges work well with no warning lights on the dash. The doorcards are in good condition, and the windows raise and lower correctly. The dash wood is all good, with the only sign of ageing being a minor crack in the lacquer on the glovebox lid.

Inside the boot we find it all tidy and dry with the correct carpet. There’s a jack and tool roll in here, and under the wheel cover we find the correct matching spare wheel. A battery killswitch has also been fitted in the boot.
 

The RV8 came equipped from the factory with the Range Rover-spec 3.9-litre V8, running Lucas multi-point fuel injection. It’s good for a robust 190bhp and 234lb.ft, enabling a positively frisky 0-62mph sprint of under six seconds. The torque-rich delivery is key to the car’s character, making it as much a grand tourer as a sports car, and the Rover R380 5-speed manual ’box is a suitably sturdy unit with well-judged ratios.

The car runs and drives like a dream, our test drive highlighting how willing and eager the RV8 is to get out and play – and the seller is keen to point out that a few days before we arrived, it had completed a fuss-free six-hour journey in superlative comfort.

The engine fires easily and idles evenly, the dials showing the correct temperatures and pressures. It feels like a strong engine that pulls well through the revs, and the gearbox is smooth and precise. The car rides comfortably, with no evident issues concerning the suspension, brakes or steering.
 
A very attractive element with this car is the Optimax ECU upgrade. This isn’t a horsepower remap, but instead a correction chip that fixes the well-documented shortcomings of the Rover fuelling map, making this car far better to drive than a standard example with improvements to driveability, fuel efficiency, smoothness and overall reliability.

A key demonstration of this showed itself during our photoshoot – such manoeuvres require lots of repeated stopping and starting, cold and hot starts and so on, and the RV8 handled it all with aplomb and cruised us smoothly home afterwards.

The Optimax combined with the optional factory air conditioning and upgrade to power steering – which are both much sought-after – makes for a properly usable MG.

 
The uber-retro RV8 has so much to offer, providing a factory-restomodded take on the original MGB formula. Indeed, this iconic low-volume nineties hero has entered its second life stage; originally conceived as a modern but retro-styled car to evoke the memories of a beloved classic, it’s now become a proper classic in its own right.

So it’s got that cachet of obscurity, but it’s also a thoroughly entertaining thing to drive with a beautifully trimmed interior and an effortlessly stylish aesthetic. And believe us when we say that, having viewed and driven a number of RV8s, this particular one really is a cut above the rest.
 
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