Occasionally you are introduced to a car that just makes you go ‘wow’. This is such a car. Originally built to a finish on the 14 th March 1974 this V8 was despatched to The Ware Garage in Hertfordshire. Over the years and decades the V8 gave service to seven owners and spent a good amount of time in Scotland prior to coming into the most recent custodianship in 2017. The car bought in 2017 was a matching numbers UK RHD MGBGT V8. The history file supporting the car to 2017 is substantial with a vast selection of service invoices and MOT certificates together with a summary of the previous owners.

We all know and acknowledge that we are short term custodians of these cars and we all embark on our ownership journey with our own reason. In this case 2017 heralded a moment in time where the life of this car took a different direction. In short the car won the lottery! XAR10M has been the lucky recipient of a most exhaustive and comprehensive restoration. A truly remarkable transformation that reached a journeys end completion almost 50years to the day it was first built in March 2024. The engineer who managed the project did so because he wanted to create his idea of perfection for an MGB GTV8. Having seen his previous achievements I expected and lot and I wasn’t disappointed. I can report that he has achieved his objective and now that he has satisfied that objective the car comes for sale to make way for a new project. His joy was in the project not the driving of the project. The driving and enjoyment of driving is for a new owner to celebrate and be grateful for.

Be clear. If you wanted to buy this quality from the Frontline business that supplied most of the engineering upgrade solutions it’s £200k car and a 2 year wait. I am clear that even with all my contacts and industry knowledge I couldn’t build this car to this standard for twice the asking price. So what is presented for sale here is an MGB GTV8 for the most discerning buyer. A car for a person who wants the very best and a build without compromise BUT can’t wait 2 years and doesn’t want to pay 3 times the asking price here. Yes this is an expensive MGB GTV8 but to see it as that is to completely mis the point. Put this car in the category of one of my Broadsport XK’s or Eagle E Types or Alfaholics Alfas. It is that good.

To describe the car technically is as follows. A new bodyshell from British Motor Heritage formed the basis of the build. De seamed as per the video and painted to concours perfection in this deep metallic blue that suits the car and is so classy. The exterior of the car is full of little details that differentiate it from ‘normal’. It is very classy. The mechanical side of the car has a balanced 3. 9 litre engine that is supported by improved induction and exhaust with attention to heat dissipation and cooling which was a key issue of the cars in the day. A full suite of mechanical and electrical upgrades come with this car and these can be evidenced in the cabin. Climb aboard and sink into the bucket seats trimmed in gorgeous dark red leather and you are surrounded by detail that sits subtly before you. Air Conditioning, heated seats, electric windows, 5 speed gearbox being the highlights of a car packed with detail, care and attention. There is a sound system but it’s so subtle you’ hardly know it was there until you engage your Bluetooth and your favourite music to be greeted by an amazing sound system. It’s a fabulous place to sit. The car has an immobiliser. Of course it does. But when you fire the car up it immediately emits that familiar V8 roar and as you blip the throttle you can only smile at the symphony that will follow when a gear is engaged. When that moment comes the car doesn’t disappoint. The V8 sounds great and the car drives really well. See the video of the car on the road and my small video of the characteristics of this car. The car has done just 20 miles at the time of writing and is still running in. We supply a warranty with the car to ensure that the new owner has all the pleasure you would imagine this car will give the new owner.

In conclusion if you want the very finest MGB GTV8 available today then you have found it. I also have the fastest V8 in my stock too. Both amazing cars for very different reasons. This car is going to provide the ultimate MGB GT driving experience. GT is Grand Touring and this car is built to do that. You trip to Le Mans Classic next year of Goodwood this year. That trip to Italy or Spain can be enjoyed not in a modern car but this superb MGB GTV8. And finally it is ULEZ exempt so provides that reliable classy drive for the city too.

SPECIFICATION

Body & Exterior

New British Motor Heritage GT V8 shell with RV8 additions (Exhaust cut outs in flitch panels, mounting points for anti-tramp bars).
All body work and paint carried out by the highly respected Clive MacKenzie with full photographic record
Frontline Developments front valance
De-seamed for a smooth body finish (welded and filled front and rear wings)
Dinitrol treated box sections and voids
Seam sealed, etch primed and painted in base coat and clear in Solent Blue.
UPol ‘Raptor’ body colour tinted underside
Frontline Developments bonded front and rear quarterlights
Gas struts fitted to rear tailgate
Aston fuel filler cap
Stainless steel bumpers with no overriders
Non-structural and non-load-baring fixings in stainless steel
New Pilkington windscreen and rear screen
Engine & Exhaust
Original Rover V8 completely re-built around a 4. 9L block – Crack tested, bored, honed, new camshaft bearings and line bore by Formhall Engineering
New pistons, statically balanced with original con rods, new bearing shells and seals
Viper Hurricane Cam shaft, new Rhoads Bleed-down lifters, ‘Tuftrided’ rocker shafts
Cloyes timing chain & sprockets
Up-rated oil pump (later SD1 type)
‘Tuftrided’ and balanced crankshaft with ARP bolts to main bearing caps
Lightened flywheel
Whole reciprocating assembly balanced
All new seals and bearing shells and gaskets
Cylinder heads refurbished by Peter Burgess to ‘Econo-tune’ specification and fixed with ARP studs
Original SU carburettors, completely refurbished by Burlen in Salisbury, Piper X air filter
Original distributor refurbished by Distributor Doctor with Luminition electronic ignition, new coil and new Magnecor HT leads
Stainless steel tubular exhaust manifolds, middle and rear exhaust
New, larger aluminium radiator by Ben Furguson of Revival Motorsport. Evans waterless coolant.
Larger 13 row oil cooler
Larger ‘touring’ fuel tank
New fuel lines
Facet ‘Red-top’ up-rated electric fuel pump
New fuel pressure regulator and filter
Transmission
Frontline Developments Mazda 5 speed gearbox conversion (including new gearbox, clutch, concentric slave cylinder and prop-shaft)
New clutch and cover
Original rear axle and differential refurbished by Hardy Transmissions of Leatherhead, including new bearings and seals and up-rated rear cover

Wheels, Suspension & Braking

Realm Engineering Dunlop D Type replica wheels with ‘knock on’ hubs
Avon 185R15 CR6ZZ tyres
Original refurbished rear drum brakes (new cylinders, shoes)
Original refurbished front calipers with new EBC grooved discs and ‘green stuff’ pads
New brake lines and flexis throughout
Upgraded to later (Rubber bumper) dual-circuit master cylinder and brake servo
1” lower rear leaf springs
Frontline Developments rear AVO adjustable telescopic shock absorber conversion and Panhard rod
Frontline Developments front AVO adjustable telescopic shock absorber conversion
Frontline Developments 1” lower front coil springs
Frontline developments front castor correction kit
Super-Pro Poly bushes throughout
Refurbished steering rack from MGOC
Electrical, Systems & Entertainment
New wiring loom
New ancillary wiring loom and breaker board to support new systems, documented with complete schematic drawing
Larger single 12v battery located under boot rear deck. Rotary master switch and main fuses
Remote central locking
Electric windows with Frontline Developments winder switches
Heated front seats with three position temperature control
Heated rear windscreens, facility for a heated front screen, both on 10min timers
Clayton Classics up-rated heater with 3-speed fan
Clayton Classics Air conditioning with 3-speed fan with Frontline Developments vent pods
JL Audio Bluetooth connectivity, 3-way amplifier, 2-way component speaker system with sub-woofers
JL Audio remote amplifier volume control and auxiliary stereo input cable
Upgraded indicator flashers to facilitate LED lighting
Up-rated halogen headlights with clear lenses
Instruments all refurbished and recalibrated by Speedograph Richfield
Frontline Developments unique Smiths clock
Interior & Trim
Dash painted body colour and fitted with Lucas toggle switches
Moto-Lita wood rimmed steering wheel
Interior fully lined with Dynamat and Dynaliner
Wilton carpet, edged in leather
Frontline Developments front bucket seats trimmed in Conolloy Vaumol leather
Door cards, transmission tunnel, gear and handbrake gaiters, rear wheel arches, arm rest and centre console trimmed in Conolloy Vaumol Leather
Dash top and door cappings trimmed in Alcantara
Headlining and sun visors trimmed in Alcantara
Rear deck extended with Frontline Developments kit in lieu of rear passenger seat, hinged to create two compartments and trimmed with Wilton carpet and rubbing strakes
Traditional lift-flap seat belts