Registration - E16 MGR

Chassis No. - SARRAWBMBMG002072

M.O.T. - April 2023

Odometer - 6,807

Finished in the pleasing colour of Woodcote Green, the suitably registered ‘E16 MGR’ was apparently one of the last examples to be manufactured. In common with some 80 percent of the production it started life as a Japanese export and, following repatriation, was first UK registered in June 2006, since when it has had five keepers, the most recent of whom acquired the car in 2016. The MG has benefited from a considerable degree of investment in recent times, which has included a full respray, addition of electric power steering, re-galvanising of the cross member and replacement of the following: catalytic convertors; front suspension; brake discs and pads; top and bottom ball joints; wheel bearings; brightwork; tyres; galvanised windscreen surround; and hood and hood frame. The vendor now grades the manual gearbox and bodywork as ‘excellent’, the V8 engine as ‘good to excellent’, and the paintwork and cream leather upholstery as ‘good’. The RV8 comes complete with history file and a current MOT valid to April 8, 2023.

British Motor Heritage’s manufacture of Britain’s favourite sports car commenced in 1988 in order to serve the burgeoning restoration market. This also allowed the creation of the RV8, all 1,983 shells for which were manufactured by the company between 1992 and 1995, prior to the cars’ assembly in a special department at Cowley. Powered by a 190bhp 3.9-litre version of the venerable Rover V8, the plushly-trimmed two-seater could sprint to 60mph in 5.9 seconds. Eighty percent of production was exported to Japan, but c.700 examples have since been repatriated and are increasingly sought by collectors desiring the last and, some would say, best of the MGB line.

In summary:

• A very smartly-presented example
• A Japanese export that was repatriated in 2006
• Benefits from considerable recent investment