Highlights
- 3.9-litre Rover V8 with Edelbrock carburettor and Offenhauser manifold
- Bare metal repaint and rebuild many years ago with extensive photographic documentation
- Over £24,000 recently spent at Stag specialist Enginuity in 2025
- Mechanical overhaul, replacement ZF 4HP 24H auto gearbox and new steering rack
- Attention to brakes and electrics also by Enginuity
- Interior retrimmed with leather seats, restored dashboard and new carpets
- Recent voluntary MOT with no advisories
- Attractively presented in Damson with Minilite-style alloys and lowered suspension
The Appeal
We’re so used to standard Stags that this car makes a refreshing change. Some might describe it as a restomod, but what is certain is that it’s been built with the aim of improving on the original and exploiting the Stag’s long-legged grand touring credentials.
Beneath the long bonnet, in place of the standard 3L Triumph unit, is Rover’s venerable V8, but in 3.9L guise and mated to an Edelbrock carburettor and Offenhauser manifold. Drive is via a recently fitted 4spd ZF 4HP 24H auto box, which the vendor says considerably reduces revs at high speeds, making the car much more relaxing on long trips.
Stripped to bare metal and repainted in Damson many years ago, the bodywork is described by the vendor as solid, and the car has been garage stored throughout. Since purchasing the car in 2025, the current owner has invested over £24,000 at Enginuity, a well-known Stag specialist in Acton, addressing a range of mechanical and electrical items. The interior has been refreshed too, with leather seats, a restored dashboard and surround, and new carpets and door cards.
The vendor describes this as a driver's car rather than a show pony, and one of the best Stags they have driven. If you're after a usable, well-sorted classic with the rumble of a V8 and the wind in your hair, this one deserves serious consideration.
The vendor says:
“Is it a resto mod? You decide. Is it one of the best Stags to drive? Without doubt.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 24,193 miles indicated; a new electric speedometer has been fitted, figure is believed to be distance covered on replacement engine
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- Technical inspection status: MOT expired September 2025 (advisory-free at the time of testing)
- Technical specs: 3.9-litre Rover V8 petrol, 4spd ZF 4HP 24H automatic transmission
- Paperwork: History file including rebuild photographs, invoices and maintenance records, V5C, specification list, handbook
The vendor says:
“Not much is known about its early years. But in 1985, whilst the car was originally Mimosa Yellow, it was purchased from a dealer in Mill Hill, North London by a Mr Faithful. He was an engineer and ran the car from approximately 40,000 miles to 100,000 when the original engine died. In around 2013 he purchased a recon Rover V8 3.9l and installed it alongside a Borg Warner 3 speed auto. At some point before this, the car had been resprayed to Damson. In 2016, the car was sold and put up for auction. The new owner was also an engineer, and there are a few invoices for parts which he put on the car. In around 2020-21 the car was sold again and I purchased the car from him. Again, the last owner was a mechanic. However, it was clear to me that the car was in desperate need of TLC . Having used the well-known Stag specialist Enginuity in Acton in the past, I sent the car to them to rectify issues with the electronic ignition and the overall driving experience. Over 13k spent at that point dealing with electrical issues, steering rack, brakes, and loads of other mechanical issues.
“At the same time, second-hand leather seats were swapped for the broken vinyl front seats and the dashboard and surround were restored alongside the carpets and door cards etc.
“We decided to order a replacement auto box, and that was fitted earlier this summer. The old one was at nearly 4000rpm at 70mph. Now the car has been completely transformed and much more relaxed to drive, with 70mph being achieved with 2300RPM. At 50 it’s around 1500-1600RPM. Much more civilised and a joy for cruising.”
The Detail
- Enginuity invoices for over £24,000 from 2025 shown in photos
- Full list of Enginuity work detailed in photos and summarised below
- Work covered mechanical refurbishment including electronic ignition, steering rack, brakes and electrical systems
- ZF 4HP 24H 4spd automatic gearbox recently fitted which reduces revs at 70mph
- Bodywork described by the vendor as solid, with various minor dings, dents and small paint chips
- Some bubbling noted on the passenger front wheel arch where it meets the sill
- Slight corrosion to the chrome bumpers
- Second-hand leather seats recently fitted replacing the original vinyl front seats
- Dashboard and surround restored and trimmed in walnut
- Classic dials with digital odometer
- Carpets and door cards renewed recently
- Driver's window has an intermittent electrical fault
- Garage stored by the current and previous owner
- Matching hard top included
- Soft top has been renewed
- Stainless steel exhaust system fitted
- BMW 3.46:1 differential conversion
- 14" Kenlowe fan for improved cooling
- Chrome Minilite wheels
- All tyres are brand new
- Slightly lowered suspension
- LED interior lighting and Bluetooth radio fitted
- No advisories on last voluntary MOT in September 2024
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