Description
Buick Rover V8 engine, 3, 528 cc petrol, reconditioned (invoices), 5-speed SDS manual transmission
When starting the car, the exhaust note is fantastic. For many cars it’s a growl or roar, but here it’s a real symphony Bach or Mozart could draw inspiration from, composed by the top composers in the automotive industry.
This British lady has long ceased to be factory-spec.
This example has already been fully restored by the last owner, a former automotive professional who is retired and an enthusiast, who invested over €8, 000 in parts (invoices in our possession) and various costs, including new paint, new upholstery, leather dashboard restoration, exhaust, carpeting, etc., bringing the restoration total to about €11, 500.
The owner has spent more than 2, 000 hours lovingly pampering it, not counting the hours (well, a few…)
The vehicle is fitted with Edelbrock Performer Series 600CMF carburettors, front double wishbone suspension, and Bilstein dampers.
Reinforced rear leaf springs and Bilstein shocks at the rear, 15-inch Minilite wheels…
The vehicle is in superb display condition and just needs to be driven with the wind in its hair (if you have any left…)
History of the MG B V8:
Aware that the B was facing increasing competition over time and after the demise of the MG C in 1969, the British Leyland group wanted to launch a new high-performance B.
To this end, it drew on an independent tuner (Ken Costello) who from 1970 onwards sold B models equipped with a 3. 5 L Buick or Oldsmobile V8 in aluminium, delivering exceptional performance.
The Leyland group therefore decided to launch its own V8 model by drawing from the consortium’s engine bank and selected the Rover V8 (derived from the Buick engine) which powered the Rover P5, P6, SD1, the Land Rover and the Range Rover.
A few improvements were made, such as lowering the compression ratio and moving the carburettor position to avoid the bonnet bulge that the Costellos had.
Power output was 137 bhp DIN, a fairly modest figure for a V8, but given the car’s light weight (1100 kg) due to its light construction (144 kg, 18 kg less than the B’s iron four), it offered very respectable performance (200 km/ h top speed, 0-100 in 8. 5 seconds).
Externally, it was differentiated only by V8 badges on the front and rear, Dunlop-style steel/ alloy wheels with a black background, a chrome tread, and slightly blue-tinted glass; inside, no change to the cabin aside from smaller gauges and specific striped fabrics;
Technically, it reused the C’s gearbox and rear axle (with different ratios) along with reinforced brakes and suspension.
