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MG MGB GT V8 (1973 - 1976)

Last updated 27 November 2018

Elastic performance, ease of driving, nice soundtrack
Engine tightly packed in its bay, so servicing can be difficult

Introduction

MG missed the boat with the 'B GT V8. At the time it was perfecting the MGC and trying to turn it into a successful Austin Healey 3000 replacement, Ken Costello had been making a good living converting MGBs to Rover V8 power. It was a logical car - and one that delivered all of the MGB's potential. So, when the MGC bit the bullet, MG began work on making its own Rover V8 powered 'B.

By the time the MGB GT V8, the world had changed, and it had hit all manner of obstacles, despite having all the ingredients for success. For one, its launch coincided with the 1973 energy crisis - a time when fuel rationing was a very real threat, and the price of fuel was going through the roof. In one fell swoop, the demand for big-engined cars like the 'B GT V8 fell through the floor.

And that's a shame, because the 'B GT V8 was - and is - undoubtedly was a great car. Still, It may have been a commercial failure when new, but that's not stopped it being a classic car hit. Just make sure when you're buying, you don't end up picking up a fake being passed off as the real thing.

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