Beschreibung
‘XBV 226’ is clearly not one of the original K3 factory cars, it is however an extremely well executed replica completed to the highest possible standard.
It is based on a KD series chassis, this was the four-seat version of the K3 and the car was exported to Australia on 2nd June 1934 as a rolling chassis. The original export documentation is still with the car’s extensive history file. Using the KD as a base meant that apart from shortening and modifying the cruciform, no other chassis modifications were required.
From 1934 to 2004 the car passed through a number of different owners before being acquired by a prominent Melbourne based vintage car collector who decided to embark on a project to produce a K3 replica. Over the next three years this work was entrusted to David Rapley, a well-known Australian restorer, whose portfolio of work includes Alfa Romeos and Grand Prix Maserati’s amongst others.
The extensive history file that accompanies the car demonstrates that this transformation was carried out to exacting standards by a fastidious owner. There is a large file of correspondence and bills present and these amount to more than £50, 000 – excluding the price of the KD car to start with.
The engine is 1432cc and was re-built to be ‘fast road’ specification – the owners request was for a useable road car. It was fitted with a nitride Crankshaft by Crankshaft rebuilders, Rods by Argo with ARP bolts and pistons by Special Piston Servicing’s, plus an exact replica of the factory cam. A Toyota based supercharger was utilised with Teflon coated rotors and labyrinth seals, the Toyota supercharger being the blower of choice in the Australian market. Being a ‘late’ car the pre-selector gearbox is also fitted with a conventional disc clutch between the box and engine, which was intended to give a smoother take up. The gearbox was completely stripped and re-built during the restoration.
All remaining mechanical components were either replaced or renewed leaving the car in perfect mechanical condition. The body style follows the 1933 ‘Slab Tank’ as appose to the 1934 cars which had a boat tail, the black interior and red carpets complement the deep black paint finish. The interior, seats, carpets and tonneau are all brand new high quality items, whilst the instruments have all been refurbished.
Purchased by the current vendor in 2016 the MG is now being sold to make way for another project. As one would expect from a recently re-built restoration the car holds good fluid pressure/ temperature and drives superbly – the exhaust note is utterly addictive!
Documented factory-built supercharged K3 MG’s are extremely rare, exceedingly valuable and thus barely ever appear on the open market. ‘XBV’ was re-created and assembled to exacting standards with the support of marque experts, for any new owner, it will deliver the full MG K3 experience. It is worth noting that this experience will be offered for a relatively reasonable investment and at a fraction of the cost of building such a car from scratch. It is eligible for the Flying Scotsman, 1000 Mile Trial and a number of prestigious events in the UK and Europe.
Price on Application.
