MG MGB GT V8

About the MG MGB GT V8

MG began offering the MGB GT V8 in 1973 utilising the ubiquitous aluminium-block 3528 cc Rover V8 engine, first fitted to the Rover P5B. This engine had been used in the unibody GM 1961-1963 A-body platform Buick Special/Skylark and Oldsmobile F-85 and 1961-1962 Pontiac Tempest and was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world. The Buick version had a dry, undressed weight of only 318 lb (144 kg) and the 1963 Skylark with optional 4 barrel Rochester carburetor and 10:1 compression ratio produced 200 hp (150 kW) at 5000 rpm; however, by the time Rover had made webbing modifications to strengthen the block, the engine was considerably heavier (170+kg). Some changes were made by MG-Rover and the engine found a long-lived niche in the British motor industry. These cars were similar to those already being produced in significant volume by tuner Ken Costello. MG even contracted Costello to build them a prototype MGB GT V8. However, the powerful 180 bhp (134 kW) engine used by Costello for his conversions was replaced for production by MG with a more modestly tuned version producing only 137 bhp(102 kW) at 5000 rpm. But 193 lb·ft (262 N·m) of torque helped it hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.7 seconds and go on to a respectable 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed. Fuel consumption was just under 20 mpg

Transmission : 4-speed manual with overdrive. Rear wheel drive.
Steel shell, two seater coupe.
Front suspension : independent, coil springs.
Rear suspension : live axle, leaf springs.
Brakes : discs at the front and drums at the rear.

Useful websites

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MG Owners Club - Click here

Chassis Numbers - Click here

Various data sheets - Click here