Description
This is what an RV8 GT would have looked like had Rover invested the money to develop the car. Everything is based around the 1. 8 B GT.
It has all the standard B running gear with the 1. 8 twin carb engine 4 speed box with overdrive.
RV8 parts
The proper production RV8 parts consist of the front & rear wings plus the bonnet. These are all steel panels.
The front & rear bumpers plus the front (Porsche headlights) & rear lights are genuine RV8 parts.
The wheels are RV8 & have the correct centres – the spare is also an RV8 wheel
Some nice touches carried out during the restoration is the location of the 12volt battery under the bonnet & the aerial being located at the back end of the roof, Cream leather seating & twin electric radiator fans.
Also the inner wings have the engineered access to drop the V8 pipes through should I ever decide to put in a V8 lump. The engine bay has been modified to accommodate a LT77 Rover five speed gearbox.
The rebuild was undertaken in 2007/ 8.
My history with the car
I purchased the finished car in April 2009. MOT mileage reading 23, 707.
Over the years I have worked & had work carried out on the car & listed below are some of the more significant improvements:
Respray.
New headliner in October 2012.
Uprated the brakes (MGOC kit) by fitting RV8 front calipers & discs.
Power steering, Electronic ignition
Replaced the starter motor & the alternator.
New battery & Fuel pump
Waxoyl underneath, inside doors, inner panels, sills.
K&N Filters
RV8 style door mirrors (Metro)
New Coverdale Champagne carpets throughout in2021.
Reconditioned overdrive in 2021
Redesigned rear boot cover to accommodate the RV8 spare wheel & trolley jack – required because of the side skirts.
Lots of receipts, service history & old MOT’s plus photos that I have retained.
Garaged. Not used during the bad winter weather.
Exempt from road tax & MOT’s.
Heritage certificate – 1974.
The car was originally sent to N. Ireland & when it came back to the UK was allocated a “V” reg plate.
Now I’m well into my 70’s the time has come for a younger person to take on the care & attention this 50 year old car deserves. What makes this creation of an RV8 GT unique is the use of genuine RV8 panels to attain the overall stunning aesthetics & the realization of a missed opportunity by Rover. Yet underneath it all is the tried & tested 1. 8 MGB power train
