"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
12/23/2019 at 10:00 • Filed to: None
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"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
12/23/2019 at 10:00 • Filed to: None | 9
| 6 |
In 1988, 8 years after the discontinuation of the original MGB, the British Motor Heritage subsidiary of Rover began to manufacture replacement MGB body shells to serve the restoration market. In 1992, having seen the success of the recently introduced Miata, Rover decided to reenter the 2-seat roadster market. This would ultimately result in the development of the MGF which would reach the market for the 1995 model year. However, Rover desired a more immediate product as a stop-gap - enter the RV8...
The RV8 started with the now over 30 year old design of the MGB as its base. Many parts were revised and replaced. According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , “the RV8’s production breakdown was five percent carryover MGB parts, 20 percent improved MGB parts and 75 percent completely new parts.” A “Modern Classic”, in a sense...
The exterior and interior were heavily revis
ed. The suspension saw some updates as well, though the basic architecture of the MGB remained. Under the hood was an all-aluminum Rover 3.9L V8, backed by a Rover 5-speed manual and LSD.
The RV8 was sold in very limited numbers, owing to it’s hand build nature - 1,982 would be built over two years of production at a price of £26,500 each. Amusingly, the majority were exported to Japan - 1,583 of the total production.
Find one here on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
MM54
> Boxer_4
12/23/2019 at 11:29 |
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You had my interest until that last picture. That front end makes a rubber bumper B look good.
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Boxer_4
> MM54
12/23/2019 at 11:54 |
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The front is definitely the least attractive angle. Still, I don’t think it would be a total deal breaker for me. The sound of the Rover V8 fixes a lot of the styling issues...
ranwhenparked
> Boxer_4
12/23/2019 at 12:33 |
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Somewhat bizarrely , given the differing quality reputations, the Japanese have long had an appreciation for British cars. A large portion of the classic Mini's production in the 80s and 90s was exported there. They especially liked the fancier models, like the Mayfair, with the wood dash and piped leather upholstery and, sometimes, automatic transmissions.
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Boxer_4
> ranwhenparked
12/23/2019 at 12:57 |
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There’s actually quite a history there. Autoweek wrote a piece about it earlier this year. It doesn’t look at everything, but it’s an interesting history piece:
https://autoweek.com/article/car-life/empire-east-vibrant-past-present-and-future-british-cars-japan
Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> Boxer_4
12/23/2019 at 16:45 |
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In “The worst car in the world” Top Gear special this car is mentioned as being a dreadful looking car with far too large of an engine in it. I don’t entirely disagree. Also the seats look like wrinkly ballsack.
Steve in Manhattan
> Boxer_4
12/23/2019 at 22:13 |
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Restrained ... I rather like it.