Description
Buick Rover V8 engine, displacement 4600 cc, 228 hp, petrol, not original and rebuilt (receipts), 5-speed SD1 gearbox, manual
When you start the car, the exhaust note is fantastic. For many cars it’s a growl or roar, but here it’s a genuine symphony Bach or Mozart could draw inspiration from, composed by the best composers in the automotive industry.
This British lady has long since departed from factory spec. This example has already been fully restored by the previous owner, a former automotive professional who is a retired enthusiast and has invested over €8, 000 in parts (invoices in our possession) and various costs: fresh paint, new upholstery, refurbished leather dashboard, exhaust, carpet, etc... Bringing its restoration to around €11, 500.
The owner has spent over 2, 000 hours of work pampering it, not counting the time (well, a bit...).
The vehicle is fitted with Edelbrock Performer Series 600 CMF carburettors, front suspension with double wishbones and Bilstein dampers.
Rear reinforced leaf springs and Bilstein dampers at the rear, 15-inch Minilite wheels…
According to the file, the previous Belgian owner is said to have undertaken renovation work to the tune of €26, 000 (invoices on file).
The car is in very good presentation and begs to be driven with the wind in its hair (if you have any left...).
History of the MG B V8:
Aware that the B faced increasing competition over time and after the demise of the MG C in 1969, the British Leyland group sought to release a new high‑performance B.
To this end, it drew inspiration from independent tuner Ken Costello, who from 1970 onwards successfully sold B models equipped with a 3. 5 L Buick or Oldsmobile V8, aluminium, delivering exceptional performance.
The Leyland group therefore decided to launch its own V8 model by tapping into the consortium’s engine pool and selected the Rover V8 (derived from the Buick engine) which powered the Rover P5, P6, SD1, as well as the Land and Range Rover.
A few improvements were made, such as lowering the compression ratio and relocating the carburettors to avoid the bonnet bulge that Costellos had.
Power output was 137 hp DIN, a relatively modest figure for a V8, but given the car’s light weight (1100 kg) thanks to the engine’s lightness (144 kg, 18 kg lighter than the B’s iron 4‑cylinder...), it offered very respectable performance (200 km/ h, 0-100 in 8. 5 s).
Externally, it was distinguished only by V8 badges on the front and rear, Dunlop steel/ alloy wheels with a black background and a chrome-rim tread, and slightly blue-tinted glass; internally, no change to the cabin apart from smaller gauges and specific striped fabrics;
Technically, it reused the gearbox and the rear axle from the C (with different ratios) along with reinforced brakes and suspension.
