The nineties roadster reviving spirits of a traditional MG

By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse

Spotting a rare MG RV8 whilst driving through the fells of Cumbria reminded me of the halcyon days of this iconic British-made sports car.

In essence, the RV8 is a re-engineered MGB, built from a combination of off-the-shelve parts.

The two-seater was powered by a 3.9-litre Range Rover V8 engine delivering 185 bhp and was designed from a reworked body shell produced by Rover’s Motor Heritage division. Whilst, the car’s five-speed gearbox was derived from the Rover SDI.

The RV8 was notable for its muscly look with wider wheel arches, larger real light clusters and sleek frontal aerodynamics. 

Inside, the olde worlde trim combination of magnolia leather and burr elm wood had all the hallmarks of an old Rover saloon.

Interestingly, the RV8 project would bring together a team of senior MG engineers working to a limited budget to get the car into production. It was a small operation with only around 15 vehicles produced a week at Rover’s Cowley plant.

The RV8 debuted in 1992 with a punchy asking price of over £26,000, partly justified by its production rarity.

Of the 1,982 RV8s made nearly 1,600 were exported to Japan. Thankfully, many examples would make their way back to these shores, joining the 307 originally sold here.

In another oddity, 80% of the cars made came in Woodcote Green. Other rarer colours included Nightfire Red or Oxford Blue.

Given its very limited production, examples of this British roadster are pretty scarce. Prices can start from around the £10,000 mark for a nice condition model and can reach double this for a mint condition.

The RV8 might not be to everyone’s taste but for me the MG team behind the model deserve great credit for recreating something of the spirit of British sports car motoring.