
postings
archived from from the V8 Website homepage
Exceptional UK spec RV8 sold in only 5 days
A very good low mileage UK spec car in Nightfire Red has been
sold in 5 days through the V8 website. 110711
More
Recommended MOT testing stations
See the MOT test garages recommended by fellow members. More
CIE fact sheet
for seasonally used classic cars
The DVLA has released a two page fact sheet with guidance and advice
for owners of vehicles used on a seasonal basis so they can comply
with the tougher requirements of the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement
(CIE) now being applied by the DVLA. 300611
More
Exceptional V8 Roadster for sale - SOLD in
10 days
A rare opportunity to buy one of the best examples - its
built on a Heritage shell and finished in Tornado Red with black leather
upholstery. A new RPI engine was fitted in 2008. 200611
More
Concours quality V8 on offer at an astonishing
£29,995 - up by £17,920 or 148% in barely 28 days!
Paul Tebbett spotted
the car was on offer saying ". . . bit of a mark-up here eh?"
070411 More
Luggage rack on the boot for an RV8 or V8 Roadster
If you are touring and need a little more luggage space with an
RV8 or V8 Roadster, then either a fixed or removable boot rack is
a good idea. 010411 More
& Footnote
RV8GT in Australia
News of a good looking RV8GT. 080611
More
Concern over poor quality brake adjusters
Barrie Jonescompleted his V8 rebuild and took it for an MOT test
during which he had an unpleasant surprise - a new replacement brake
adjuster sheared. 080411 More
V8 German Tour 2011
Note, this tour has been cancelled - it was to have been from
Saturday 28th May to Thursday 2nd June 2011. More
Fitting central locking to an MGV8
Martin Ashby describes how he installed a Hawk kit to his MGBGTV8.
210211 More
Private sale of a rare collection of RV8 spares
A substantial collection of RV8 publications and spares is offered
for sale. Spacesaver wheel sold. 110211
More
New series of RV8 Glovebox Notes
Useful notes to download, print off and keep in an RV8 glovebox
in case of need. 011210 More
MGBGTV8 chrome trim inserts tool
Pete Jevons has sent in a photo of the special tool for the chrome
trim inserts around the front and back windows on an MGBGTV8. 310111
More
MG V8 - Twenty-One Years On
A copy of this increasingly rare book was up for auction. See
the V8 Bulletin Board. Bids closed on 7th March.
030311 More
RV8 parts & manuals DVD
See our update and caution. 031210
More
Tyre pressures for an MGBGTV8 and RV8
It's proving difficult these days to find authoritative information
on pressures for the modern tyres on an MGV8. See the personal views
of a fellow member. 180111 More
V8 Curry Evening - Saturday 19th February 2011
Tony Lake says 33 members coming to the V8 Curry at the Royal
Bengal on Saturday evening 19th. 190211
More
End of year review and reports
See our review of V8 members and their MGV8s plus a report on
the recent survey findings. 301210
More
|
|
No
VAT increase
Our prices for workshop notes CDs, MGV8 adverts for sale or
wanted and regalia will not increase with the 2.5% rise in UK
VAT taking effect on 4th January 2011. 241210
More |
|
|
Fitting
winter tyres?
Useful clarifications from a leading classic car insurer, the
Ecclesiastical, will ease some of the concerns many UK motoring
enthusiasts have had over the last three weeks when considering
fitting winter tyres or even using snow socks.
161210
More & Conti
HS830 |
New V5C to be issued from 15th August 2010
See the brief report from Chris Hunt Cooke. More
V8 Christmas 2010 Puzzles
Puzzle 3 is launched.
See Puzzle 1 & Puzzle
2
MGLive! 2011 dates confirmed
The Club's major event at Silverstone will be over the long weekend
Friday 24th to Sunday 26th June 2011. (10.11.10)
MGLive! website & More
MG on Jeff Randall Live on Sky News
Guy Jones of MG was on a Sky News feature on MG this evening.
(30.11.10) More
First rubber bumper MGBGTV8 sold
Longstanding V8 enthusiast, Jacques Milliet, has bought the ex Geoff
Allen V8. (5.10.10) More
How easy is it to get a personalised registration?
George Wilder's article shows it is straightforward getting a personalised
registration fom the DVLA. (4.8.10) More
Cracked steering rack mounts
See a member's report as a reminder to check the mounts on MGBGTV8s
and RV8s. (17.8.10) More
& Update
European Commission MOT test changes?
What is behind this news item? (24.9.10) More
MG Car Club is 80 years old!
On 12th October 1930 the first meeting of the MG Car Club took
place at the Roebuck Hotel near Stevenage. See our NEWS of the celebrations.
(27.10.10) More
& Bulletin
Classic Car Show 2010 at the NEC
The Annual Classic Car Show takes place at the NEC in Birmingham
on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November this year.
(27.10.10)
More & Club
stand
RV8 auctioned at the Goodwood Revival
Within a week the RV8 auctioned at the Goodwood Revival has popped
up for sale with quite a mark-up! See the sequel. (24.9.10)
More & Revival
report
Goodwood Revival to be screened on ITV4
The programme will be screened again on ITV4 on Sunday 10th October
at 6pm (UK time). (25.9.10) More
Minilites on an MG RV8
A recent V8BB thread is a talking point for fellow enthusiasts. (4.9.10)
More
New Shell "Fuel Save" unleaded petrol
A helpful response from Shell with replies to several questions on
their new fuel concerning classic MGs. (16.8.10)
More
Goodwood Revival - 17th-19th September 2010
Report of the event. (19.9.10) More
& RV8 auction
Crashed RV8 for sale on eBay
Bidding initally slow but picked up, then ended early with a mystery.
(10.9.10) Update
Extraordinary prices for RV8 items on eBay
Peter Beadle and Stuart Middlemiss have seen a number of items offered
on eBay and it's clear traders have spotted there is a demand! (3.9.10)
More
Sad news of Bill Wallis, Club President
Bill Wallis passed away on Sunday 22nd August 2010 following a short
illness. Thanksgiving service on 22nd September 2010. (27.8.10)
More & Update
Moss Europe - Club subscription offer
See details of their offer. (24.8.10)
More
Another Lenham MGBGTV8 Roadster
Nick Hallett relates how he found and enjoys his rare V8 Roadster.
(24.8.10)
More &
Update1
& Update2
MGBGTV8 review in Classic & Sports Car magazine
Alan McNaughton-Gisby's V8 article. (7.8.10)
More
HIF6 parts list for MGBGTV8s
Ian Ailes has got a useful parts list. (21.7.10)
More
Replacement heater pipe in stainless steel available
A new supply of a better quality heater water valve pipe BHH1065 in
stainless steel is now available from Clive Wheatley. (15.7.10)
More
Australian China to Longbridge group arrives
Two MGBGTV8s were in the group that arrived at the Dog House near
Abingdon on Saturday 17th July. (18.7.10)
More
Exceptional MGBGTV8 has come up for sale
Probably one of the best in the UK. (5.8.10)
More
Factory V8 Test Route
See our photo guide to the V8 Test Route. (18.7.10)
More
MGs in the Market Square at Abingdon
A brand new MG6 will be on display in Abingdons market square
on Sunday 18 July 2010.(16.7.10) More
Another Factory MGBGTV8 sold in less than 10 days
MGV8s sell well on the V8 website! (16.7.10)
More
Five best weather websites
With our useful webpage with links to UK weather websites we now we
have another webpage with links to another five websites with forecasts
outside the UK. (11.7.10) More
Fire at the Premier Inn next to the Green Man
A popular pub for MG enthusiasts near Silverstone saw a fire in the
adjacent inn on Monday. (10.7.10) More
Italian V8 enthusiast visits Cornwall
Matteo Masi met up with Gordon Hesketh-Jones during a holiday in Cornwall.
(7.7.10) More
Reports of three classic car events
Ian Quarrington reports on the Regency
Run, the
Walled Garden and
Knebworth House classics.
(3.7.10)
Another copy of the rare MG V8 book on sale on eBay
After a copy advertised for £125, another
copy up for auction closed at £65. (12.7.10
& 7.7.10) More
& More
V8 sold in one day on the V8 Website
Stephen Nash says "I am well pleased and sad at the same time!
After 35 years of ownership I have sold my V8 on the day after the
webpage listed her for sale." (1.7.10)
More
MG display at the Fairmile Pub
V8 member Ian Ailes says the popular monthly Cobham Natter at the
Fairmile Pub will have a Pride of Ownership competition at the Fairmile
Pub at their next meeting on Thursday 15th July 2010 from 7.30pm.
(1.7.10) More
How easy is it to get a cherished number plate for an MG?
George Wilder has just obtained an "MGR" number plate for
his RV8 and says the process was very straightforward and not unduly
expensive. George is preparing a note on how the process works with
his useful tips. (23.6.10) More
Emergency Budget Tuesday 22nd June 2010
See our report on the implications of the Budget proposals for classic
car enthusiasts. (22.6.10) More
V8 enthusiast gets a V8 again
Harry Eddison in Norfolk used to own a V8 for many years but sold
it, recently let us know he was getting a beautiful chrome bumper
example in Teal Blue. (25.6.10) More
Exceptional UK spec RV8 sells in less than 14 days
A pristine example offered for sale attracted considerable interest
and has sold promptly. (15.06.10) More
News of
another exceptional RV8 likely to be for sale.
Exceptional UK spec RV8 sells in less than 14 days
A pristine example offered for sale attracted considerable interest
and has sold promptly. (15.06.10) More
News of
another exceptional RV8 likely to be for sale.
Improving the standard MGBGTV8 seat
As part of his series of rebuild reports, Barrie Jones has contributed
a useful note on how to improve the lumbar support on a standard seat.
(9.6.10) More
Reports of the rebuild of Damask 0450
Two reports from Barrie Jones on progress with the rebuild - he is
nearly there now! (7.6.10) More
Low mileage MGBGTV8 sells to a buyer in Antigua
Ted Lay reports his MGBGTV8 has sold to "Antigua of all
places" and is awaiting shipping. (7.6.10)
More

Follow the Radio Le Mans coverage. More
Daily Telegraph report on le Mans 2010. More
Low mileage MGBGTV8 sells to a buyer in Antigua
Ted Lay reports his MGBGTV8 has sold to "Antigua of all
places" and is awaiting shipping. He was pleased with the good
quality of the responses his advert generated on the V8 Website not
least from buyers in France, Luxembourg and Germany all prepared to
pay more than his asking price. Clearly there is a continuing demand
for good quality examples of this model and the strong interest from
mainland Europe is still very real. (7.6.10)
More
RV8 sells in 24 hours on the V8 Website
Mike Stares reports "my advert can now be removed as I sold my
car within 24 hours of it being advertised on the V8 Register website!
Thank you very much for your help." (19.4.10)
More
MGLive! 2010 - Friday 4th to Sunday 6th June 2010
Informal V8 Lunch at the Pear Tree close to the brewery in Hook Norton
from around noon.
V8 Supper at the Star Inn at Sulgrave on Friday 4th. Note the timing
is 6.30pm for 7.00pm prompt. Details
See the MGLive! briefing. (01.06.10)
More
 |
MG6
pre-launch at MGLive!
The first new MG since 2001 will be at the Club's MGLive!
2010 event at Silverstone on 4th - 6th June. (15.4.10)
More |
Online V8 Shop - April/May
The Online V8 Shop will be closed from 19th April through to the end
of May for online adverts for V8s and spares for sale, workshop notes
CDs and V8 regalia. (12.4.10) More
V8 Picnic in the Park - Sunday 18th April 2010
Visit Calke Abbey and Park in Derbyshire, a National Trust property,
with an informal picnic followed by a tour of the house and gardens.
Report to follow. More
 |
RV8
gearknob auction
Ken Clayton's bid of £350 secured the gearknob and makes
a fine donation to Macmillan Cancer Support. More |
 |
How
has classic car motoring suffered in the Budget 2010?
See our report on the UK Budget statement on Wednesday 24th
March 2010. (24.3.10) More
|
 |
Factory
MGBGTV8 in Tundra sold
This V8 has gone to a new owner in Holland - the continued demand
for V8s advertised in the UK is because of the strong Euro against
Sterling. (8.4.10) |
Bidding closes on Sunday 11th April 2010
at 2300hrs
 |
RV8
gearknob auction
Don't miss your chance of bidding for the 100th RV8 elm burr
gearknob.
Bid
details & Bids |
 |
Stuart
Middlemiss notes that "after the 'ghosted' logo was recessed
into the elm burr, the whole gearknob
was heavily lacquered so that the top is completely flush and
smooth." |
Rebuilding an MGBGTV8
Barrie Jones reports "he is almost there" as his V8
goes off for sandblasting. See Report 21. (6.2.10)
More
MGBGTV8 road test
Look back at the very perceptive road test carried out by Motor
Sport magazine in October 1973. (31.1.10) More
MGoT track day on the Silverstone GP circuit
News of the MGoT track day on Monday 22nd March 2010 and how to
book. (31.1.10) More
MGLive! 2010 dates confirmed at last!
Club Office has confirmed the dates for the popular MGLive! event
at the Silverstone Circuit as Friday 4th to Sunday 6th June 2010 and
also announced a very special feature - the full motor racing programme
will be on the 3.2 mile Grand Prix circuit! (13.1.10)
More
& Why
not volunteer to marshal?
V8 Roadster conversion date survey
Bruce Morgan runs an annual sprint for the South West Centre of
the MG Car Club and needs the help of our V8 Roadster members with
details of when their MGB Roadster was converted to V8 power. Please
help by completing the online survey form. (22.1.10)
More
& Survey
& Results
 |
Factory
MGBGTV8 in Blaze for sale
A low mileage chrome bumper V8 is on offer from an enthusiast
who says "it's not a show car, it's a car to take out and
enjoy - very good overall". See our MGV8s for Sale webpage.
(27.2.10) More |
MG Show at Stoneleigh report
A good show
which started with a blizzard. More
(22.2.10)
NEWS webpages
Look back over some NEWS items we have had on the
V8 website recently. More
 |
Factory
MGBGTV8 for sale in Tundra
An exceptional low mileage V8 has come up, garaged for 10 years
and now serviced and on sale. See our MGV8s for Sale webpage.
(19.2.10) More |
V8 Curry Night - Saturday 20th February 2010
with the MG Stoneleigh Show the following day. More
(19.2.10)
Brief V8 Register report for 2010
As we roll into another decade, how are we doing in terms of providing
useful and topical information together with good support and services
for MGV8 enthusiasts? See our end of year report . (13.1.10)
More
|
Preparations
continue for the MG6 launch
|
 |
The
first new MG6 cars arrived over Christmas and they are reported
to look good! (12.1.10) More
|
MGBGTV8 fuel pump replacement options
Bob Owen provides a useful note on how to cure faulty contacts
on a standard SU fuel pump and sets out the repair and replacement
options as V8NOTE410. (31.12.09) More
SORN caution when you buy a car
A cautionary note. (8.12.09) More
Seasonal offers from Clive Wheatley
Three items at special offer prices. (8.12.09)
More
 |
Best
wishes for Christmas and for the New Year
|
Motor Racing Legends series repeat
The three wonderful films are being screened again on BBC FOUR
on Monday 21st December 2009 from 11pm into the early hours. Surely
one for the video recorder! (19.12.09) More
 |
PBR
2009 - it was a holding operation after all says David Smith,
Economics Editor of the Sunday Times. No new changes to VED
and fuel duty. (9.12.09) More |
Seasonal offers from Clive Wheatley
Three items at special offer prices. (8.12.09)
More
SORN caution when you buy a car
A cautionary note. (8.12.09) More

|
V8
Grapevine launched
|
| Members
who have fully registered their MGV8s will have access to useful
"member only" online V8 Register database search facilities.
You can update your registration online too. There is a basic
"open to all" search option so visitors who may have
owned an MGV8 in earlier times can see where it is today. Feedback
welcome. V8 Grapevine
and Guide (23.6.09) |
How will classic motoring suffer in the PBR?
With the Pre Budget Report set for Wednesday 9th December motoring
enthusiasts will want to see what impact the Chancellor's tax measures
will have for them. As usual we will have a prompt report on his announcements.
(3.12.09) More
Active Autumn for MGV8 sales continues!
Over the last three months sales of MGV8s has been very active
when five MGBGTV8s and four RV8s have been sold through V8 website
adverts. In November a third of new registrations are from the Eurozone
almost certainly assisted by the strong Euro which makes classic cars
in the UK so attractive at present. (27.11.09)
More
Robert McGillivray reports his well sorted MGBGTV8 conversion is sold
to a German enthusiast. (3.12.09) More
Online auction of MG V8 Twenty One Years On
A copy of this increasongly rare book is being auctioned on the
V8 website as a V8 Online Auction. Best bid was £60 at the close
of the auction. V8BB.
(29.11.09) More
Extraordinary price for an MGV8 book on eBay
George Wilder reports on the last minutes of the auction of a
copy of "MG V8 - Twenty-One Years On . ." (1.11.09)
More
MGLive! 2009 DVD available now!
Relive MGLive! 2009 with this professionally commissioned DVD
from Club Office. (30.10.09) More
Report on V8-Register gathering in Switzerland
See a copy Victor Rodrigues' article in the Swiss club's magazine,
Sign Post. (30.10.09) More
"Not guilty" motorists face court fees burden
Government plans face a challenge. (20.10.09)
More
Wet day spectating the annual Veteran Car Run
See our photo report from mid Sussex. (1.11.09)
Report
Active Autumn for MGV8 sales
The number of sales of MGBGTV8s and RV8s in the last three months
has been exceptional with strong demand from the Eurozone. In the
last week we have had three registrations from Germany! For Euro buyers
classic cars are 25% cheaper in the UK than a year ago. (4.11.09)
 |
Moss
- Europe BCV8 Championship 2009
see photos from a wonderful season and the latest BCV8 Newsletter.
(27.10.09) More
|
Enthusiast finds an MGBGTV8 through the V8 website
in less than a week!
Patrick O'Brien placed a "V8 wanted "advert on the V8
website on Tuesday 6th October and within four days he had found the
V8 he wanted through that advert! From his email he was clearly delighted.
(14.10.09) More
Problem solved - RV8 gearbox query
Prospective RV8 buyer sought views on a gear selection issue which
our specialist provided useful feedback. (5.10.09)
More
Why is an RV8 Elm Burr gear knob so desirable?
A prospective purchaser of an RV8 advertised with one of these
knobs might well ask, so Angus Munro felt he would like owners and
prospective owners to know a little more about them and the charming
story behind the thought that went into producing them in the first
place. (2.9.09) More
An extraordinary tale of the sale of an MGBGTV8
Alan Turner posted his V8 for sale on the V8 website and then
an extraordinary chance encounter in Torquay found a German buyer!
But there
was a sequel. (4.10.09) More
Help needed with a few more colour photos
The author of "How to give your MGB V8 Power", Roger
Williams, would welcome members' help with a few more colour photos
for a reprint of his book. (2.9.09) More
|
|
Brightwells
auction saw this low mileage MGBGTV8 sell for £11,650.
(5.10.09) More
and More
|
How well are MGV8s selling at present?
We have news of two MGV8s for sale where interest in the V8 website
adverts is active! (27.8.09) More
 |
Online
V8 Shop open
|
| Open
again for V8 and RV8 Workshop Notes CDs, MGV8 adverts, V8 Regalia
and copies of the "How to Give your MGB V8 Power"
book. Online
V8 Shop |
Tyre damage from speed humps
The "Honest John" motoring section in the Daily Telegraph
on Saturdays has had articles about speed bumps and the damage they
can cause to cars. Ian Quarrington has experienced problems with speed
humps and damage to tyres on his Jaquar saloon. (27.8.09)
More
Could the RV8 have had PAS originally?
With the increasing interest in PAS retrofits in recent years,
we look back at a PAS installation carried out for MG Rover in 1994.
(4.8.09) More
 |
Motoring
Classics website launched by BMH
British Motor Heritage at Witney has launched a new website
and a quarterly magazine called Motoring Classics to provide
all the latest news, offers and great tips of interest to classic
car enthusiasts. The new website reflects Heritage is broadening
its parts coverage for all classics. (30.7.09)
More |
Two interesting MGV8s bought by enthusiasts
Malcolm Bailey has bought the pre-development MGBGTV8 (Police
White 0112) and Clive Wheatley has acquired the ex Team Cowley race
prepared RV8 seen at MGLive! at Silverstone this year. (30.7.09)
MGBGTV8 & MG
RV8
MGBGTV8 rebuild reports
Follow the comprehensive rebuild of Damask 0450 by Barrie Jones with
his regular reports. (Updated 16.1.09)
More
Help needed with colour photos
The author of "How to give your MGB V8 Power", Roger
Williams, would welcome members' help with some colour photos as replacements
for the monochrome photos used in the third edition. His book is up
for a reprint. (13.6.09) More
V8 Tour 2009 in the Peak District
The next tour over the long weekend from Friday 2nd to Monday 5th
October 2009 will be based at the 4 star Buxton Palace Hotel in the
centre of the spa town of Buxton in Derbyshire. For information and
a booking form. (1.4.09) More

Follow the comprehensive rebuild of Damask 0450 by Barrie Jones with
his regular reports. (Updated 16.1.09)
More

MGLive!
2009 at Silverstone
The revitalised annual
event attracted many V8 enthusiasts this year and the weather was
far better than expected. The RV8 on display in the Club's main marquee
and the dyno sessions were popular. (13.7.09)
Photos &
More photos
& Coys auction
report
RV8 display
in the Main Marquee. More
& Location
Dyno sessions
at MGLive! 2009
Novatech will be at MGLive! with their dyno. Booking closed
on Wednesday evening 8th July 2009. More
Informal
V8 Supper
On Friday evening 10th July an informal V8 Supper at
the Star Inn
at Sulgrave from 6.30pm. More |
Silverstone
V8BBQ
On Saturday evening 11th July another of the popular
V8BBQs by the V8 Marquee at Silverstone. More |
Free glass
of ale but please bring your own V8BBQ wine
Remember to bring a folding chair to
the V8BBQ
|
MGLive! 2009 at Silverstone
Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July
 |
Healthy
discounts for members
buying tickets in advance. Only hours
left!. |
24 heures du
Mans 2009
Results of the event are available. (14.6.09)
More
Historic rally V8 remembered
Brian Field in an ex Works pre-development V8 was extraordinary
for an amateur entrant. (5.6.09) More
RV8 at Windsor MG Heritage Festival
Peter Jevons was at the event with his new RV8. More photos welcome.
(12.5.09) More
24 heures du Mans 2009
Our usual links to the radio commentary and news of practice and
qualifying this week. Live coverage starts on Wednesday 10th June
2009. (8.6.09) More
 |
Caledonian
Tour - May 2009
The four day tour to Skye encountered some persistent wet weather
- unusual for late April and early May in the Highlands. David
Reid and tour members stopped off at the Pottery and Coffee
Shop at Laggan Bridge - note the grey clouds! (20.5.09)
More
|
 |
The
Inside the Octagon 2 DVD is available now through the Online
V8 Shop. More |
V8 Gathering at Sulgrave on Sunday 31st May 2009
Lunchtime meeting at the Star Inn at Sulgrave which should enjoy good
weather. More
 |
Get
your V8 servo checked!
|
| To
encourage fellow members to take a positive step and have their
V8 brake servo checked, we have arranged a special V8 Servo
Check Offer with a group of leading MGV8 service providers.
(26.2.09) More |
News from the
market
How are sales of MGV8s going? Peter Jevons' RV8 replica was under
offer with a day or so of appearing on the V8 website! (10
& 3.4.09) More
Fuel duty rise in April
Fuel duty rises by approximately 2p a litre from 1st April and it
is no April Fool's Joke! (31.3.09)
More
Motor
racing legends on BBC Four
George Wilder has spotted three programmes coming up over the Easter
weekend (30.3.09) More
Set of part used Pirelli P6000s for sale
Hugh Boddington offers a set of four RV8 tyres. (3.4.09)
More
V8 Shop is closed
The V8 Shop will be open again on 18th May 2009. (10.4.09)
V8 Shop will be closed for a month
If you want to place an advert for a car for sale, buy workshop
notes CDs or V8 merchandise, please order by Friday noon this week
as the V8 Shop will be closed until 18th May 2009. The webmaster
will be away on the mountains again. (6.4.09)
Which brake fluid?
See Bob Owen's excellent article on glycol and silicone brake fluids.
There are some concerns over some replacement rubber seals which
we are following up. (23.1.09) More
Update your set of workshop notes!
See our new Update Exchange CD service. (27.1.09)
More
News of an MGBGT bodyshell run at BMH Body Plant
The BMH Body Plant at Witney is planning a production run of MGB
Roadster and GT bodyshells during May and June this year for delivery
in June and July. (13.2.09) More
Report on an upgraded V8 radiator
Gordon Hesketh-Jones reports. (4.2.09)
More
Which brake fluid?
Bob Owen has produced an excellent article which sets out the facts
with a dispassionate assessment of the benefits and disadvantages
of glycol and silicone brake fluids. He also highlights some concerns
over the composition of some replacement rubber seals which we are
continuing to follow up. (23.1.09)
More
 |
|

A new website is launched for Costello MGV8 enthusiasts as interest
in these early MGBV8 models increases. Contributions to the photo
gallery and the news page are very welcome. (22.2.09)
More

Thinking
of buying an MGV8?
See our helpful buying guides. More
|
Guide to buying a classic MG
Our four part guide and supporting checklists will help an enthusiast
find and buy a classic MG. (27.1.09)
More
|
Lockheed
brake fluid level sensor found
|
 |
Peter
Jones found the kit in an old box of "goodies" but
says he has never seen one at an autojumble. He believes it
was available back in the late sixties/early seventies so "it
would count as an "in period" accessory for those
who desire such things." He adds "it is a nice piece
of electro-mechanical gear which has been replaced by electronics."
(4.1.09)
More
|
V8 Curry Night 2009 - fully booked
Bookings are open for the V8 Curry at the Pan Asia Dining Room
in Cambridge on Saturday 21st February 2009. All Club members welcome.
(22.1.09) More
Best V8 Idle Moments in 2008?
Which V8 Idle Moments have been popular in 2008 so far as V8 enthusiasts
are concerned? Well for the last few days of 2008 we have a survey
to find out which V8 Idle Moments you feel are your top three. (23.12.08)
More
Battery conversion cures V8 hot start problem
Bob Owen provides another note as a sequel to his recent V8NOTE388
on how he had cured an ignition problem that caused the engine to
stop when hot but there was a second problem - a "lazy"
starter which gave inadequate cranking speed when the car was very
hot, although it gave adequate cranking speed when cold. Bob's solution
was a development of the 12V battery conversion which gives a much
better starting performance, higher battery capacity, lower cost and
likely longer service life, all with no fundamental modifications
to the car. (12.10.08) More
Reports of
interesting MGV8s seen for sale in specialist traders' showrooms
and on forecourts around the UK and overseas as reported by
fellow V8 members. (10.11.08)
More
|
 |
Satnav
review
The first of a new product review series is on satnavs. Let
us have your views. More
|
V8 overheating
- and now for something different!
Bob
Owen (Blaze 1625) was on holiday in Italy and finally discovered the
cause of his overheating problem - and it was quite a surprise! He
suggests it may be time to change your original ignition coil! His
posting on the V8BB has been expanded as a very useful V8NOTE388 together
with an explanation of how a faulty coil could contribute to the overheating
problem. (5.10.08) More
New RV8 hardtops available again - probably the most exciting RV8
spares news in 2008
Clive
Wheatley has succeeded in obtaining a small batch of remanufactured
RV8 hardtops using the original Krafthaus moulds. (24.5.08)
More
Heartless DVLA at it again!
Our
series of reports on the new VED and SORN regulations has provided
members with useful information and a few cautions too, but the recent
press report of a grieving mother taking her son's ashes to court
after the DVLA insisted on prosecuting him two years after he died
is beyond belief for this heartless entity. (22.10.08)
Report
& SORN
More on V8 distributors
Gordon
Hesketh-Jones provides an update on his earlier V8NOTES on this topic,
Gordon reports his experience with fitting a Pertronix electronic
ignition system. (21.6.08)
More

The
Goodwood Revival Meeting from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September
2008 is an annual motor racing event many classic car enthusiasts
thoroughly enjoy for its mouthwatering cars, breathtaking driving
on the track and the wonderful period feel of a race meeting with
a mid 1960s ambiance. More
This year saw good weather and a tremendous programme - see our photo
report. (21.9.08)
Photo
report
Homepage rollover advert
The
annual auction of the valuable advertising space on the homepage of
the V8 Website (see to the left) is underway. Specialist V8 service
and spares suppliers were contacted last week and bids opened at noon
yesterday. Follow the bidding and encourage traders you know well
to support the V8 Website. (23.9.08) More
V8 Track Day at Castle Combe
See
our photo report of the track day. (11.9.08)
More
 |
Swiss
V8 Register grille badge
Our Swiss V8 member Victor Rodrigues had some good looking
Swiss V8 Register metal badges on sale at the European Event
of the Year 2008 in Zug in August. He reports demand for the
badge was good and he has only a few left. (3.9.08)
More
|
Low
mileage RV8 sold in less than 28 days!
 |
Exceptional
UK spec RV8 for sale
Caribbean Blue 0764, an immaculate car with only 4,250 miles,
has come up for sale on the V8 website. Stored for many years.
|
| This
exceptional RV8
has
been sold rapidly to a Danish enthusiast through an advert on
the V8 website, the leading place to advertise, sell or buy
a V8! More
(14.8.08) |
V8
spares for sale
Alan
Turner has reported a surprising lack of response to his spares offer.
(27.7.08) More

Understanding
the markings on the sidewalls of tyres will help you to choose the
right tyres for your car. Here's a guide to those sidewall markings.
(1.7.08) More
 |
October
2p Excise Duty rise scrapped
News tonight of a climbdown over the fuel duty increase -
good news . . . in the run up to the Glasgow bi-election!
(16.7.08)
|
Dual
fuel conversion on an RV8
With
the relentless rise of fuel prices at filling stations over the last
twelve months, the idea of converting a car so you have the option
of running on autogas is increasingly attractive. Preview our topical
article. (5.6.08) More
MGBGTV8s and MG RV8s for sale
There
is a wonderful selection of V8s for sale on the V8 website - why not
browse the webpages now and check them out? (28.7.08)
MGBV8 and MG RV8
Driving
in London with a V8?
Members
may be understandably confused, and those living in the London area
very concerned, about the various measures designed to reduce the
level of vehicle emissions in the capital, at the initiative of the
former London Mayor, Ken Livingstone. There are in fact two entirely
separate measures, they are easily confused, but only one applies
to our cars. (22.6.08) More
RV8
sold in less than a week
Rob
Cook advertised Nightfire Red 2186 last Wednesday afternoon and reports
"Just to confirm that R88 MGR has been sold via your website
and I am a happy customer, thank you! It may be some sort of record
- it was collected yesterday.Thanks again." (5.6.08)
More
 |
A
report in The Times today suggests the planned huge rises
in road and petrol taxes for millions of motorists could be
scrapped after two Cabinet ministers hinted there could be
another U-turn in Government policy. (28.5.08)
More
|
V8
30th Anniversary and Silverstone 2008
 |
Both
the anniversary week and the International MG Meeting were
blessed with fine weather and attracted many members from
Germany and Holland. The V8BBQ team cooked over 100 suppers
again. More
|
Special
workshop notes CD offer at Silverstone
For
members who have previously purchased sets of either the V8NOTES or
the RV8NOTES series on CD, we have a special offer at Silverstone
this year. If you would like an updated CD with all the latest notes,
then simply bring along your old workshop notes CD and exchange it
for an updated one for only £5.00. (5.6.08)
More
International
MG Meeting at Silverstone 2008
Finding
the V8 Marquee and V8 Parking area at Silverstone 2008 - layout of
the inside of the Circuit just released by Club Office. Download
a copy now. (11.6.08)
 |
Friday
13th to Sunday 15th June -
the Club's annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone
in June 2008. More
|
V8BBQ at Silverstone
on Saturday 14th June 2008
Book your V8BBQ now.
More and Bookings
so far
Visit to the BMH Body Plant at Witney
Please
note we have a wholly unexpected problem with the planned tours
of the plant scheduled for Monday 9th June 2008. Due to unforeseen
circumstances the British Motor Heritage Plant at Witney will be closed
during next week and therefore there will be nothing happening at
the plant in terms of production activities at the time our tours
have been scheduled. Mike Russell feels this presents us with three
options and
he seeks your views and preferences as soon as possible.(5.6.08)
More
Tour now re-scheduled for Wednesday 25th June
at 2pm. (6.6.08)
V8 30th Anniversary Week
NEWS - unfortunately
the V8
Maintenance Day and the Riverboat
Trip have been cancelled in view of the low response. (21.5.08)

The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be over the long weekend
from Friday 26th to Monday 29th September
2008 and will be based at
the Ripon Spa Hotel in North Yorkshire. Full details of the programme
of visits are available now together with online booking information.
(25.3.08) More
RV8 rebuilt in the US
 |
Tom
Raddatz has restored an RV8 in the USA - read the tale of
how Tom tracked down the car, imported it and completed a
detailed restoration. (21.3.08)
More
|
 |
RV8
in Sweden
Stephen Muskantor has sent in some photos of a special LHD
RV8 in Sweden. (18.4.08) More
|
First impressions of RV8 power steering
David Driver has enjoyed MGs for much of his life and was delighted
with the RV8 he has had for the last two years but found the steering
very heavy. David had read Peter Garton's note of his PAS conversion
back in December 2005 and also considered fitting a castor reduction
kit to achieve lighter steering, but decided to have a PAS system.
(27.3.08) More
V8 gathering at Duxford is off
The V8 run to Duxford on May 18th has been cancelled
because we hear the Vulcan will not be there. As soon as news of the
Vulcan's maiden airshow is announced a V8 event will
be arranged. (24.4.08)
V8 Winter in France 2008
Gordon Hesketh-Jones (Harvest Gold 1904) relates how he took the V8
to France in mid Winter and suffered a series of frustrating problems
caused by the unreliability of poor quality replacement fuel pumps.
(13.4.08) More
MGV8 price guide
As we move into April the interest in buying and selling MGV8s usually
steps up a gear so we have launched our useful price guide. (27.3.08)
More
Custom front suspension for the MGBGTV8
John Hoyle
of Hoyle Engineering, well known for his front and rear suspension
modification kits for the MGB, MGBGTV8 and RV8, reports he can now
supply a new front suspension modification which has been developed
in the US. (12.3.08) More
 |
Budget
UK 2008 report on VED rates and fuel duty changes.
(12.3.08) More |
Enjoy
a day at Castle Combe driving on the circuit with fellow V8 enthusiasts.
Track days are very well run by MGoT so if you who would like to take
up one of the limited places at this event, get in touch. Full
details available. (8.2.08)
V8 Track Day
Members who have booked a place and are on the list must register
with MGoT and make a formal booking with MGoT. It is essential you
do this promptly. (7.3.08) More
Swiss
European Event of the Year 2008
The
EEoY 2008 runs from Friday 8th August through to Thursday 14th August
2008. Full details of this event and booking forms are now available
here. Also special V8 Register Swiss EEoY08 badge. (10.2.08)
More
V8 Website hit count surges over 10,000
Over the last week the rolling 30 day unique hits (that ignores multiple
hits from the same visitor in any day) has surged over 10,000 and
is heading higher by the day. (16.2.08)
Take care when buying copies of
How to give your MGB V8 power
Chris Yates highlights how websites advertising copies of this book
for sale leave uncertainty as to which edition they are selling. You
might not get the bargain you expected! (8.2.08)
More
V8 Curry
2008
Ian Quarrington
needs to finalise the numbers for the annual V8 Curry on Saturday
23rd February in Cambridge so contact him if you plan to attend. The
Stoneleigh MG Show is the following day. More
(6.2.08)
New
addition to the V8LIFELINE
Andrew
Brock Classic Bulb Supplies have been added to the V8LIFELINE as a
recommended supplier of direct fit replacement halogen bulbs for instrument
lights, side lights and stop and tail lights. (1.2.08)
V8LIFELINE
Fascinating article on V8 cooling
V8
cooling has always been a topical subject for MGV8 enthusiasts and
now we have an article on Bill McCullough's painstaking research and
findings. It is certain to spark a debate amongst fellow members.
(29.1.08) More
More
spares news from Clive Wheatley
Two
useful spares items have been resourced by Clive: a vacuum advance
& retard unit for the MGBGTV8 (Part No 608194) has been reproduced
for after being unavailable for a period of time and is priced at
£44.95 including VAT and an RV8 metal connecting pipe which
fits between the two bottom water hoses is now available at a £13.95
including VAT. (24.1.08) More
 |
Autec
Hydraulic Car Lift
for sale
Good condition, very well made and hydraulically powered.
Uses a 220240 volt domestic socket to operate. (19.1.08)
More
Withdrawn 31.1.08
|
 |
V8
Special Offers
See the special
seasonal offers from Clive Wheatley mgv8sparts and Brown &
Gammons.
|

A
week of activities is planned for the V8 30th Anniversary in 2008
from Sunday 8th to Friday 13th ahead of the Club's annual International
MG Meeting at Silverstone. The
concept of the anniversary week is a relaxed mix of social and technical
events which members can attend as a complete programme or pick and
choose according to their interests and time available. The programme
is being developed now and details will be available next month. (10.1.08)
More

Help
for Heroes aims to raise £5m to build a gym and swimming pool
for a military rehabilitation centre at Headley Court. An
appeal that needs our support. (30.12.07)
More
 |
Joanne
and Michelle heading off for the first time on Boxing Day
looking delighted with their Christmas present - an RV8! (26.12.07)
More
|
Special offer
from Brown & Gammons
|
|
Special
offer for RV8 enthusiasts comprising:
MG RV8 Workshop Manual CD, MG RV8 Handbook and a V8 logo pin
badge. Usual
price is £57.45. Special offer at £44.95 including
VAT.
|
 |
ZT
260 V8 toolkits, final few on offer More
|
|
Special offer from Clive Wheatley
|
|
Goodridge
stainless steel flexible brake hoses Dekra Type 1 approval
with two front hoses and one over the back axle to suit an
MGBGTV8 or MGB. Usual price is £29.50. Special offer
at £24.95 including VAT.
|
 |
Presents - what can I get a V8 enthusiast?
It's the
time of the year when family members and friends will be wondering
what to get you for Christmas so we have two sets of eight suggestions!
You might want to print off a copy and casually leave it on a work
surface at home! (17.11.07)
 |
Best
wishes for Christmas and for the New Year - an anniversary
year for the V8 Register.
|
Seasonal V8 Puzzles for 2008
The V8 Puzzle
2008 ended on 20th December and the solutions
have been posted. Congratulations to Graeme Don and Doug Taylor. (22.12.07)
More
Sale
of MG XPower SV-R by online tender
 |
Wyles
Hardy are selling an MG SV-R by online tender which closes
on 19th at noon. Latest bid at 11.00am was £28,950
with only 60 minutes to go! (19.11.07)
More
|
|
Speed cameras - the twisted truth
|
 |
Read
an interesting three page article in the Telegraph Online about
false information used to justify the proliferation of speed
cameras in the UK. (19.11.07) More |
Year at a Glance V8 Calendar 2008
 |
You
can download a copy of the A4 size "Year at a Glance"
V8 Calendar for 2008. More
V8 Christmas Puzzle
Any member contributing a puzzle will get a free workshop
notes CD and calendar. V8
Puzzle example
|
Telegraph sees the RV8 as a classic of tomorrow
Hugh Boddington
spotted an item in the Telegraph on Saturday noting "Ever wondered
which cars will be the classics of tomorrow? BCA has been doing exactly
that and nominates the MG RV8, MGF and MGTF are likely to be
admired by classic car enthusiasts in the years ahead, says BCA".
(18.11.07) More
V8 Website is the leading place for
RV8s for sale advertisements
 |
Looking
for a good UK spec RV8 in BRG? Well news of a very low mileage
example suggests it will be advertised on the V8 website soon.
(17.11.07) |
Replacement RV8 windscreen glass
B&G
has a limited quantity of new replacement RV8 windscreens in Pilkington
glass. (16.11.07) More
Sale of MG XPower SV-R by online tender
 |
Wyles
Hardy are selling an MG SV-R by online tender. Viewing from
13th December 2007 and tender closes on 19th at noon. (13.11.07)
More
|
Mystery of V8 seen near Oslo solved
The MGBGTV8
seen on the E18 just south of Oslo in July has been solved by Angus
Munro. More (14.11.07)
V8 Grille Badges & Lapel Badges available again
New supplies
of the V8 Grille Badge and the small V8 Lapel/Tie Pin are available
again. Mike Russell has been able to re-source them from a competitive
supplier and maintain the price including recent increases in UK postage
rates. In addition we now have a V8 Cloth Badge. See the Online V8
Shop. (11.11.07) More
RV8s enjoy fine weather on tour in Brittany
Four
RV8s on tour in Brittany - Mike Lane and Derek Squires report. (20.10.07)
More
Paul Batho gets an MGBGTV8
Paul, a leading
light in the Club's Z Magnette Register, has acquired an MGBGTV8 conversion
previously owned by Nick Parrott. (4.11.07)
More overdrive on third survey data needed?
For
our simple survey we need more data around GD2D1 1200 G to try and
identify the chassis number change point when overdrive on third gear
was discontinued. Removing the myth, see V8NOTE368.
(15.10.07)
Online survey form
and V8 OD survey results
Dennis Wharf gets an MGBGTV8
Dennis, who
is the chairman of the Club's Midget Register and also has an MGB,
has registered Blaze 1189 which originally belonged to John Hardisty
and then his son. Dennis reports the MGBGTV8 is in very good condition
and is being serviced by Beers who have maintained the car almost
from new. (11.10.07)
RV8 Maintenance Schedule
A copy of
the useful service schedule in the second volume of the RV8NOTES series
is now available as a document you can download for reference. (5.10.07)
More
Italian Job in an MG
Walter
Kallenberg has sent in photos from this extraordinary event. (27.9.07)
More
Sad news of Ton Maathuis.
(28.9.07) More
V8 Saunter in
the Shires 2007
Report
on the V8 Tour over the long weekend from Friday
28th September to Monday 1st October 2007
which was based at the 1930s Aviator Hotel at Sywell aerodrome
in Northamptonshire. (30.9.07) Report
V8 Saunter in the Shires
2007 &
Location
map
Memorable MG Routes series launched
The series
is launched with the first route from Newbury to Castle Combe, just
in time for the V8 Gathering at the race meeting at Castle Combe Circuit
on Saturday 15th September 2007. (3.9.07)
More
Castle Combe Saturday 15th September
Report
on the MG Race Day. (17.9.07) More
MG-UK website launched today
NAC MG UK
Limited announced today "we've designed the new website to offer
an interesting and appealing way of learning more about MG, its cars,
its history and our plans for the future." (18.9.07)
More
Website hit count maintained
The major
rise in hits on the V8 website seen at the end of July has been maintained
in August with 10,114 unique hits (ignoring repeat hits from the same
visitors in any day) and 30,038 total hits in the 31 days. With the
end of the UK holiday period, the daily unique hit count has bounced
back to 440 yesterday. (4.9.07)
Castle Combe Saturday 15th September
There
is an informal V8 Gathering at this popular race meeting at Castle
Combe Circuit on Saturday 15th September 2007. It's a wonderful circuit
with several races with MGV8s. The racing is always exciting as it
is a fast circuit with a tight corner at Quarry which is good for
spectating. Briefing
note (9.9.07) More
ZT260V8NOTES series launched
Based on
the successful format for the V8NOTES and RV8NOTES series, a new series
of ZT260V8NOTES has been launched with two notes contributed by Roger
Parker. More notes are welcome from members with ZT 260 V8s. (20.8.07)
More
Hurricane damaged RV8 restoration
Just as we
hear news today of another hurricane season in the Caribbean, we have
news of the restoration of an RV8 damaged when Hurricane Ivan hit
the Cayman Islands in September 2004 with winds up to 150mph and sea
surges which swept over parked cars. (20.8.07)
More
Goodwood Revival 2007
 |
At
least a dozen V8 members have indicated they will be at Goodwood
over the three days this coming weekend and plan to meet up
at the Spitfire Bar or by mobile phone. (28.8.07)
More
|
Proposal to do away with register car parking
at the annual Silverstone meeting
V8 members
will be very surprised to learn there is a proposal circulating from
Bernard Rengger, chairman of the MGB Register, for the removal of
the longstanding register parking areas at the Club's annual International
MG Meeting at Silverstone. Send in your comments or views or post
them on the V8BB. (20.8.07) More
Concerns over V8 cooling hose quality
There have
been reports for some time that the quality of replacement rubber
cooling hoses for the MGBGTV8 have not been as good as the spares
items previously available. But why has the quality dropped off with
a reduced service life and loss of reliability? (8.8.07)
Update
Hazeley Heath & Goodwood Revival
 |
V8
members enjoyed the meeting at Hazeley Heath on Sunday 19th
August, see the report.
The Goodwood Revival runs from Friday 31st August to Sunday
2nd September. (19 & 9.8.07) More
|
Step change in V8 website hit count
The rolling
30 day hit count which removes multiple hits from the same visitors
has seen a step change in July and is nearing 10,000. (1.8.07)
Report
More RV8 parts
Clive Wheatley
MGV8 Parts has found a source for the re-manufacture of good quality
top and bottom water hoses for the RV8.
(6.7.07) More
Replacement RV8 mats
Roger Aldridge
(Oxford Blue 1722) from Berkshire needed some new mats but found they
were NLA so he found a source for remanufactured mats. (12.7.07)
More
Improved nuts for the exhaust flange
Mentioned
in V8NOTE354 these nuts are produced
to a high strength and are made from a corrosion resisting copper
alloy. (11.7.07) More
V8 power at Tenterden
Bob Grieves
(Black 2788) reports on the "MG and Steam" rally at Tenterden
at the weekend. (30.7.07) More
Reimporting Oxford Blue 1589
Al Barnett has
sent in his sixth and final report on his experience of buying and
reimporting Oxford Blue 1589 from David Boniface in Japan who had
advertised the car on the V8 website in March 2007. (24.7.07)
More
V8s are selling well on the V8 website!
Sales of MGBGTV8s on the V8 website have been brisk over the last
six months. This is a sure sign the V8 website is the leading place
to advertise or find a good looking V8 at sensible prices. (22.7.07)
More
V8 website hits rise above 9,000
The rolling
30 day hit count which removes multiple hits from the same visitors
has continued rising above the 9,000 level. (25
& 23.7.07) More
Overdrive on third gear?
Over the
years many MGBGTV8 enthusiasts have been puzzled over quite when overdrive
on third was discontinued because it is clear that cars with chassis
numbers (or Car Nos.) of up to at least GD2D1 1200 and probably higher
have overdrive on third whereas some much earlier cars do not. The
myth that overdrive on third was discontinued early in the production
run can be laid to rest - see V8NOTE368.
To try and identify the chassis number change point when the overdrive
on third gear was discontinued we are running a simple survey. (14.7.07)
Online survey form
and V8 OD survey results
New Safety Fast! welcomed
The New
Safety Fast! launced in July has been well received by many V8 members
- here are some of their comments. (6.7.07)
More
Welcome to the New Safety Fast!
The July
2007 issue of Safety Fast! is a major turning point for our Club with
the return of full editorial and production control of the Club magazine
following the termination of the seriously expensive publishing arrangements
with a commercial motor magazine group. The New Safety Fast! has been
well received by many V8 members - here are some of their comments.
(6.7.07) More
How popular is the V8 website?
The end of
month 30 day hit count for June was 7,370 with a peak of 327 hits
on 18th June. (1.7.07)
More
Italian Job in an MG!
MG Car Club
d' Italia have an exciting event in September 2007 which will attract
V8 enthusiasts who enjoy Italy. (26.6.07)
Full
details and entry form
Wet conditions for Silverstone 2007
After
some five years of dry annual meetings at Silverstone, the Club's
annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone this year was wet and
very muddy underfoot. Fortunately the V8 Marquee was much larger than
usual this year providing plenty of shelter from the elements! (25.6.07)
Report
RV8 auctions in Japan
Dave
Batten provides a useful update on how the auctions have been going.
FX rate corrected. (14.6.07)
More
Follow Le Mans online
The
race started an hour earlier this year in changeable conditions. Follow
the race with a live commentary and update reports. (16.6.07)
Final results by class
Full size Club magazine relaunched in
July
The
July 2007 issue of Safety Fast! will be a major turning point for
our Club as a full size Safety Fast! is relaunched. The content is
improving, the number of pages is increasing and useful advertising
is also returning, so members will again be able to enjoy the style
and interest Safety Fast! has traditionally provided. (9.6.07)
More
Online V8BBQ
bookings flow in!
V8BBQ
bookings have reached 66 and are flowing in during the final period
before Silverstone. (11.6.07)
International MG Meeting at Silverstone
Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th June 2007
Final
preparations for the V8 Marquee and V8BBQ are in hand with precautions
in case it is wet. Many members have booked for the V8
Supper at Sulgrave on Friday 22nd and the V8BBQ
alongside the V8 Marquee on Saturday 23rd evening. It is easy to book
a supper using the online forms. For new members there is a comprehensive
briefing for Silverstone 2007
. The V8 AGM is at 1230hrs on Sunday 24th. (18.6.07)
Additional gazebo
Le
Mans news and updates
 |
You
can tune in online for the latest news from Radio le Mans on
91.2fm and follow updates from the racing-live.com website.
(12.6.07) More |
Le Mans qualifying
part 4
It
has been on and off wet again for qualifying tonight and the RML MG
Lola has not improved the time established earlier. The conditions
are difficult with a slippery Circuit and variable grip with new surfacing.
Peugeot have come off at Arnage. Qualifying ends at 11pm UK time.
(14.6.07) Tune
in now & updates
Le Mans qualifying in the wet
The
cars were on intermediates and lap times were down in the wet conditions
at night. Problems with the RML MG Lola (No 25) held the car back
but it recorded a qualifying time of 3m 49.217secs in sixth position
behind the LMP2 class leader, the Zytek 07S (No 33) at 3m 44.158secs.
(13.6.07) More
International MG Meeting at Silverstone
You
have just over a week left to buy your ticket in advance and save
up to 22% so check out the advance ticket sales now. Also by popular
demand controlled speed circuit
tours on Sunday morning have been reintroduced for 2007 but space
is limited so book early. Many members have booked for the V8
Supper at Sulgrave on Friday 22nd and the V8BBQ
alongside the V8 Marquee on Saturday 23rd evening. It is easy to book
a supper using the online forms. California
Cup autotests. For new members there is a comprehensive
briefing for Silverstone 2007 so you will know how to get there,
where to find the V8 Register and what's on. (6.6.07)
More
Last chrome bumper MGBGTV8 for sale
Malcolm
Bailey spotted Citron 1956, the last CB V8, was for sale on eBay.
Jeff Swann has provided the link so you can see how the bidding is
going. (12.6.07) More
Where can I get a V8 speedo repaired?
Bob
Grieves recently posted a message on the V8BB for advice on where
he could get a V8 speedo repaired. Fellow member Richard Carrey came
up with a recommended specialist who provided a very rapid service
which delighted Bob as he wanted to attend several classic car events
in the UK and attend the annual 24 Heures du Mans event later this
month. (7.6.07)
Fifth
report on reimporting an RV8
Al
Barnett provides a further report on his reimporting Oxford Blue 1589
from Japan. (1.6.07) More
Programming an RV8 alarm fob
Jeff Swann (Woodcote Green 0519) from Leicestershire describes the
do-it-yourself method for programming the RV8 alarm fob to the car's
ECU. (21.5.07) More
New RV8 spares from Clive Wheatley
V8
specialist Clive Wheatley has been active sourcing some more parts
for the RV8 through his contacts in the West Midlands and investing
in remanufacturing and stocking them. His latest RV8 parts are replacement
Spal radiator and condenser cooling fans, stepper motor and rear anti-roll
bar bushes. (10.5.07) More
First rubber bumpered MGBGTV8 is sold!
Teal
Blue 2101, the first rubber bumpered MGBGTV8, owned by the late Geoff
Allen, was sold within two days on the V8 website! (10
& 8.6.07) More
Replacing an RV8 hood
Mike
Lane (Oxford Blue 0855) from Andover Hampshire recently had a number
of new hoods fitted. Here he highlights a problem - there are two
types of hood frame! A brief RV8NOTE262
sets out the caution - a more detailed note will follow in the next
10 days. (22.5.07)
Report from Geoff King on replacement tyres for his V8 Roadster
Geoff
King is a regular contributor to the V8 Register's V8NOTES series
and the V8BB with useful technical information and comments. Here
he provides feedback on his replacement tyres. (16.5.07)
More
RV8s are selling!
Godfrey
Dance reports that his RV8 (Woodcote Green 1210) advertised on the
V8 website was sold on the first day to the first viewer! (20.5.07)
More
Regency Run 2007
Ian
Quarrington has a report of a very wet event this year. (17.5.07)
More
RV8s are selling
 |
Alex
Rutherford reports fifteen people were interested in buying
his rare RV8 in Old English White and it was sold in barely
a month to an MG enthusiast from Brighton |
who
responded to the advert
on the V8 website.
|
Fourth report on reimporting an RV8
Al
Barnett provides a further report on his reimporting Oxford Blue 1589
from Japan. (1.5.07) More
Bryan Ditchman sale
Bryan
has had a "loft clear out" and is intending offering lots
of useful MGBGTV8 and RV8 items for sale in the V8 Marquee at Silverstone.
As he says there will be "bargains a plenty". As usual he
will be hosting the next lunchtime V8 Gathering at the Shoulder
of Mutton on Hazeley Heath on Sunday 20th May, when he will be
pleased to provide more information for any members interested. (2.5.07)
RV8s are selling
Al
Barnett reports his RV8 (BRG 1839) has been sold and it was delivered
to Scotland a couple of days ago. Clive Wheatley was very helpful
in arranging the sale and told Al that he had several people expressing
interest and two who wanted to buy it. Al says "I think the
message is: don't ask too much and as long as the car is in good order
then you have a good chance of selling it". Al's new RV8
(Oxford Blue 1589), purchased from David Boniface in Japan, is somewhere
at sea and should arrive in Southampton later in the month (2.5.07)
Who is "Mark" breaking RV8s?
Al
Barnett has visited Mark who has recently posted messages on the V8BB
offering RV8 spares for sale and provides a report. (2.5.07)
More
MGBGTV8 distributor article
George
Wilder has spotted a small typo in the comprehensive note: "Read
the article on distributors in Safety Fast! today. In the section
on Pertronix the phone number for Maxted-Page and Prill of Halstead
is shown as 01797 whereas it should be 01787. I know Andy Prill quite
well so If anybody wants Pertornix equipment near to Silverstone I
could pick up and bring their order to Silverstone saving the postage.
Just let me know via a note on the V8BB".
(12.4.07)
RV8 power steering update
As a footnote
to RV8NOTE235 released in January 2006, Robert Lewis (Oxford Blue
1654) from Somerset has just had power steering fitted to his RV8.
He says "instead of taking the car all the way to Cambridgeshire
to have it installed, he had the kit fitted by my local garage here
in Somerset. They have made such a superb job of it that I feel this
might be of interest to other V8 Register members who live in the
West of England as we are miles away from Cambridgeshire". Robert
is quite happy to be contacted on 01934 750324 if any member wishes
to discuss the kit and how it has improved the steering. RV8NOTE235
(3.4.07)
RV8 Owner's Handbook AKM7144ENG
Malcolm
Gammons reports some good news - B&G are are just about to reprint
the RV8 handbook which will be on sale at £29.95. They will
be ready for the end of the 3rd week of April. They should sell well.
(2.4.07)
V8 Website hit count increases
The hit count continues to rise. (1.4.07)
More . .
Third report on reimporting an RV8 from Japan
Al Barnett
was the mystery buyer of David Boniface's RV8 advertised on the V8
website. His third progress report on reimporting the car to the UK
is here. (27.3.07) More
. .
Rare RV8 hardtop for sale
Alex
Rutherford in Devon has decided to sell the low mileage RV8 he has
had from new. Not only is it a rare RV8 - it is one of only three
UK spec cars in Old English White - but it also has a rare Krafthaus
hardtop too which he would consider selling separately. A number of
RV8 enthusiasts are keen to get an RV8 hardtop but they are like hen's
teeth. Well now there is an opportunity! (27.3.07)
More . .
Replacement tyre survey data
Further news
from members on replacement tyres come in from time to time. See
updated tyre survey. (22.3.07)
 
From the
UK Budget 2007 announcements made by Gordon Brown today it appears
that Vehicle Excise Duty for MGBGTV8s and RV8s registered before March
2001 will rise by only £5
to £180pa from tomorrow. For reference the VED for Band
G cars rises to £300 and then £400 next year. Fuel duty
is due to increase by 2p per litre from 1st October 2007 with further
increases in the next two years of 2p and 1.84p respectively. (21.3.07)
MGBGTV8s are selling!
Two reports
indicate V8s are selling well though the V8 website. First Barrie
Jones reports "another success for the V8 website. I just
sold my V8,- Regency Red 0736, in less than 3 weeks to Michael Rumelin
who came over from Germany to buy it". Then Alastair
Harrison reported that through his V8 wanted advert he had found
a V8 in less than a week! - "I am pleased to report that five
calls of V8s available or imminently available have been made and
I have looked at two. I struck on the latter which was EXACTLY what
I had in mind when posting the advertisement; a Factory MGBGTV8 in
beautiful
order, Aconite 0736 registration WMK 500M from Dave Hall. He is sad
to be parting with her and I am delighted she will be joining us in
East Grinstead" (17.3.07)
|
V8s
for Sale on the V8 website
Your first choice for buying and selling an MGV8
|
V8 website 5th anniversary in May
Launched
on 22nd May 2002, the V8 website has grown to be the leading resource
for V8 enthusiasts in both the UK and overseas. This was illustrated
by Michael O'Brien in Australia winning the the small bottle of malt
for the first response with the fifth anniversary date. (13.3.07)
Email
from downunder
Breakfast at Goodwood
 |
Nigel
Melbert (Brooklands Green 0853) from East Sussex reports
a wet day for the first meeting of the Goodwood Breakfast Club
in 2007. (7.3.07) |
Signs of Spring in the V8 market
 |
David
Boniface in Tokyo sold his low mileage modified RV8 in less
than 8 days on the V8 website. (11.3.07)
|
Who
is the purchaser of Oxford Blue 1589? More
|
Stricter in-car mobile phone laws from today
Motorists
in the UK making calls using a handheld mobile phone will risk receiving
an increased fixed fine of £60 and three penalty points on their
driving licence under new laws which come in today.
(27.2.07)
New mobile phone laws
Stoneleigh 2007
Clive
Wheatley's stand at the annual MG Show at Stoneleigh attracted much
interest from V8 enthusiasts. A good range of spare parts was on display
including replacement alternators for the RV8. In the left foreground
of the photo above you can see a black RV8 which is fitted with the
twin exhaust system developed by Clive Wheatley and Steve Newton.
Several members ordered one of these systems at the show. You can
hear the engine running for a brief period with a recording from a
digital camera. It gives you a flavour of the pleasant growl from
this system. (26.2.07) More
. .
V8NOTE365 updated
Gordon
Hesketh-Jones has updated his V8NOTE365
on distributor options and the useful postings on the V8BB have been
added too. The discussion continues. (25.2.07)
Another bad SORN experience
Robert
Steven contacted the V8 webmaster with another tale of a bad SORN
experience. The message is clear - take very great care with your
SORN procedure because the DVLA can be very unpleasant. (21.2.07)
More . .
Historic car tax exemption petition
Another e-petition
has been launched on the 10 Downing Street website. It's one of interest
to members with an MGBGTV8 as they miss the historic car tax exemption
by less than a year because the present Chancellor of the Exchequer
Gordon Brown froze the annual rolling feature when he came into office
in 1997. (21.2.07) More
. .
Email from the Prime Minister
The e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "Scrap the
planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy" has now closed.
This is a response from the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
(21.2.07)
Email from the
Prime Minister
Twin exhaust system for
the RV8

Clive Wheatley has just sent in a photo of the new twin exhaust
system he has just developed. He plans to have this RV8 on display
at Stoneleigh on Sunday 25th February 2007. (16.2.07)
RV8 twin exhaust
system
Distributor options for the MGBGTV8
Gordon Hesketh-Jones (Harvest Gold 1907) from Cornwall uses his car
all the year round and with a total mileage now rapidly approaching
400,000 so has a great deal of experience of maintaining the model
from his regular servicing work and numerous rebuilds. One regular
service difficulty is with worn distributors, so he set about some
research into the options for the MGBGTV8. (Feb
07)
See V8NOTE365
Petition to scrap vehicle
tracking is gaining massive support
An experiment in internet democracy has attracted a massive vote against
the Government's plans for road pricing involving vehicle tracking.
Despite the heavy vote, it seems trials may still go ahead. Several
V8 members have urged publicity for the online petition which closes
on 20th February 2007 - see our earlier archived report in early December
2006. (11.2.07) More
. .
The petition website closed at midnight on 20th February with almost
1,800,000 signatures. (21.2.07)
V8 Curry 2007 - updates
The annual V8 Curry Night is on Saturday 24th February 2007 at a curry
house in the centre of Cambridge. See the V8 Calendar for full details
- contacts, a location map and car parking guidance. All members of
the V8 Register and fellow Club members and friends are very welcome.
The following day there is the annual Stoneleigh
MG Show at the National Agriculture Show Ground so why not make a
weekend of it. The V8 Register contact at the show is Clive Wheatley.
(25.1.07 & 18.1.07)
Renewing your tax disc online
or by phone
You can
now pay for your tax disc (UK vehicle licence) online or by phone.
The DVLA have recently introduced this new service to make things
more convenient for Britain's drivers. (8.2.07)
Tax disc
renewal online and by phone
Atlantic Coast Express Run 2007
Sunday
13th May 2007, more . .
Silverstone International MG Meeting
The dates for this popular annual Club event have now been
finally confirmed as Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th June 2007. (31.1.07
& 28.1.07)
Silverstone 2007 briefing
Scaled-down production plans for Longbridge
An article in the Times today reports Nanjing Automobile Corporation
has "backtracked on plans to manufacture large volumes of
the MG marque at Longbridge" when it announced yesterday
that "the newly established manufacturing line in Nanjing
will be responsible for much of the assembly process, but all righthand
drive MG TF roadster customer orders will be subject to final assembly
in the revised Longbridge plant". The article by the industrial
editor, Christine Buckley, adds "Longbridge is expected to
start production in the next few weeks with just 250 workers".
You can see the full article in the UK Business section on page 41
or online.
(31.1.07)
Press release
|
Monday 19th February 2007
the zone is extending west!
|
 |
The
charging hours will be shortened to 7.00am to 6.00pm Monday
to Friday and the daily charge is £8 if you pay in advance
or £10 if you "pay next day". (26.1.07)
More . . |
Fitting an 065 12 volt battery
The topic
of 12 volt battery conversions for the MGBGTV8 has been covered in
V8NOTE250 by Gordon Hesketh-Jones
who installed the larger 065 battery and then later a detailed installation
note of the marginally smaller 063 battery in V8NOTE329
by Victor Smith. Malcolm Venables decided he wanted to make the change
and obtained a 12 Volt Battery Conversion Kit, but then began pondering
over which battery to fit - an 063 or an 065? His contacts with Gordon
provide a useful sequel to the earlier V8NOTES. V8NOTE357
from Kai Knickmann covers a twin 12v conversion. (25
& 24.1.07)
V8NOTE364
& sequel
V8260NOTES
We
are keen to launch a series of V8260NOTES for the MG ZTT260V8 as quite
a few V8 enthusiasts with that model have joined the V8 Register.
You can see the format from looking at the V8NOTES
& RV8NOTES series. The advantage
is that all the practical maintenance and spares tips members pick
up on their model can be held in one spot which is easy to refer to
with a good index. Any contributions to get the series going?
(24.1.07)
Stricter in-car mobile phone laws in 2007
Motorists
in the UK making calls using a handheld mobile phone will risk receiving
an increased fixed fine of £60 and three penalty points on their
driving licence under new laws which come in at the end of February
2007. (12.1.07)
New mobile phone laws & Chat2U-ICU
solution
MGBGTV8 Official Press Release Pack 1973
Dr
Gavin Bailey reports on the V8BB that "Those interested might
like to know that there's a rare MGBGTV8 press pack on eBay item no.
200064696512 The auction finishes 7th January 2007 at 1856 GMT".
(6.1.07)
The winning bid is reported to have been £68.66. (8.1.07)
MGBGTV8 press pack
Ripley Natter Annual Dinner 2007
The
Ripley Natter meets regularly at the Talbot in Ripley in Surrey, just
off the A3 beyond the M25 near the RHS Gardens at Wisley. They hold
an annual dinner and this year it is at Ristorante Sorrento at Tolworth,
just off the Kingston Bypass. Usually a number of V8 enthusiasts get
along to the natter including Al Barnett, Ian Ailes, Gavin Bailey
and Victor Smith, so we hope some will attend the annual dinner with
any fellow V8 enthusiast in the area too! (4.1.07)
Ripley Natter Annual
Dinner information
 |
Special Offer
on workshop notes CDs
Up to 33%
off the update CDs for members who have already purchased
a V8NOTES or RV8NOTES CD. (29.12.06)
Update CDs Sale |
V8 garage
Joe
Bannister reports he is enjoying his ZTT 260 V8 estate (Solar Red
0231) a great deal and is managing to get 27mpg - presumably driving
with a gentle right foot! He is also very fond of his press car -
MGBGTV8 (Black Tulip 0120). More
. . (27.12.06)
Another V8 Calendar -
ZTT 260 V8
Comprehensive notes on HIF carburettors
Two
useful booklets were produced by SU on their Type HIF carburettors
which have a wealth of information on tuning and servicing AUC9939A
(AKD7902) and on the features and operation AUC9940 (AKD7521). Copies
of these booklets are available online to help you tune and service
the twin HIF Type HIF 6 units on an MGBGTV8. We also have a checklist
of manuals for the MGBGTV8. (24 & 21.12.06)
Type HIF carburettor
notes & Manuals for
MGBGTV8
V8 Calendar 2007
Download your copy
of the year at a glance V8 Calendar. Choice of three designs.
(20.12.06)
V8 Calendar 2007
Road pricing concerns
and a petition
With
the Government's proposals for road pricing and the Eddington report
last week, a petition was created by Peter Roberts which says "'We
the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap the planned vehicle
tracking and road pricing policy." Malcolm Bailey spotted this
item and recommends you look at the campaign website.
(9.12.06)
Vehicle tracking and road
pricing policy
The
petition website closed at midnight on 20th February with almost 1,800,000
signatures. (21.2.07)
Email from the Prime Minister
The e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "Scrap the
planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy" has now closed.
This is a response from the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
(21.2.07)
Email from the
Prime Minister
MG by the Beautiful Blue Danube
MG Italia are organising an event called "MG by the Beautiful
Blue Danube", starting in Salzburg on Friday 6th July 2007 and
visiting famous towns like Steyr, Graz and Vienna in Austria, then
crossing into Hungary to visit Budapest and also the famous wine-growing
area around Lake Balaton. All accommodation is in four star hotels
and the event finishes back in Salzburg on Sunday 15th July. The total
distance covered on the event will be 800miles (1,300Km) and the organiser's
attention to detail includes coach tours of the towns and cities visited,
plus the provision of a two-tier car carrier so that in the event
of mechanical problems - no MG will be left behind. Full details including
entry forms can be found on the MG Italia website at www.mgcarclub.it
or you can discuss the event with Gordon Hesketh-Jones.
(9.12.06)
V8 Saunter in the Shires 2007
The
next V8 Tour in the popular series is planned for the long weekend
from Friday 28th September to Monday 1st October
2007 and will be based at the
1930s Aviator Hotel at Sywell areodrome in Northamptonshire. The full
programme of visits and events will be released early in the New Year
by the organiser Tony Lake. (8.12.06)
V8 Saunter in the Shires
2007
MGoT track day programme for 2007
 |
Earlier
than ever before the team at MGoT have got the core of an
exciting calendar already locked down for 2007 and bookings
are now open! (8.12.06)
|
|
|
Motoring enthusiasts welcome fuel-duty freeze
Motoring enthusiasts who have faced large increases in fuel prices
this year were given some respite today when the UK Chancellor of
the Exchequer Gordon Brown announced in Parliament that he had chosen
to freeze fuel duty in his Pre-Budget Report (PBR). However he announced
an inflation rise by saying "And while I will go ahead with
an inflation rise in fuel duty from midnight tonight, of 1.25 pence
per litre, I will not restore the fuel duty escalator and I have rejected
a real terms increase in fuel duty". No increases in the
rates of vehicle excise duty (road tax) were announced in the PBR,
so the modest rate increases affecting V8s announced in his Budget
2006 earlier this year remain. (6.12.06)
Flash of road safety genius
A
Danish road safety video clip was posted as a V8 Idle Moment on 9th
November. In today's Sunday Times in the UK it has been picked up
as a news item because the PC bandwagon is swinging into action (so
to speak) with the usual cries of "it's degrading".
British Labour MEP, Mary Honeyball, bounced into action saying "it's
tantamount to soft porn"
which needs to "be raised as an issue with
the women's rights committee in the European parliament".
Well I suppose they need something to complain about but surely there
must be many more areas needing far more urgent attention! (3.12.06)
Flash
of road safety genius
Don't forget the Recent Changes button!
For
new members it's worth mentioning we have a convenient green Recent
Changes button on the LHS of this Homepage linked to a webpage
update log. You can simply click any item on the update log and
see the individual webpages which have been added or changed in the
last day or seven days or longer! For regular visitors to the V8 Website
it's an ideal way of checking out all the new material. (30.11.06)
Another Speckled Hen advert
for the collection
 |
The
adverts for Old Speckled Hen ale are always amusing and we
have built up our collection on the V8 website. Another advert
appeared yesterday in the Times and has been added to the
collection. (21.11.06)
Old Speckled
Hen
|
V8 website webhosting difficulties
The
IT company providing the webhosting services for the V8 website has
been experiencing serious problems with its servers and security systems
for a few days. The consequence for the V8 website is our website
has not been available since early evening on Sunday 19th November
2006 UK time. The problem appears to have been resolved and the V8
website is now running again. (20.11.06)
|
RV8 elm burr gearknobs
|
 |
A
replacement gearknob in elm burr to match the interior trim
of an RV8 is now available. It is beautifully finished and is
a delight in the hand for gearchanges. They are produced by
RV8 enthusiast Terry Starkey from an old burr elm that was felled
in his village some 25 years ago. He now offers the choice of
two styles. Orders are welcome for either style of gearknob.
(19.11.06)
RV8
elm burr gearknob |
RV8s at auction in Japan
Low
mileage RV8s in Grade 4 condition are still appearing at auction in
Japan. See our report, restarted after a break now we have a new correspondent
our there. (8.11.06)
RV8s
at auction in Japan
Another Old Speckled Hen advert
The
adverts for Old Speckled Hen ale are always amusing and we have built
up a collection on the V8 website. Another advert appeared today in
the Times and has been added to the collection. (4.11.06)
Old Speckled Hen
V8 website hits trends
October
2006 has seen a significant upturn in the hit rate which indicates
we may be moving off a plateau as members are using the website more.
(1.11.06)
Report and charts
European Touring Handbook
A
European Touring Handbook has been produced for many years which has
a mass of useful tips and guides for touring in each country in Europe.
You can download a free copy online. The handbook is in PDF format
and just over 5MB. (27.10.06)
European
Touring Handbook 2005
Goodwood Revival 2007
The
dates for the tenth Goodwood Revival race meeting have been released
as Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September 2007. (23.10.06)
Goodwood
Revival 2006
RV8s for Sale and MGV8s for Sale webpages
Whilst
many advertisers contact the V8 webmaster when their car has been
sold so the advert can be moved to the sold section, unfortunately
many do not. I am planning a cull of all adverts which were posted
on or before 1st May 2006 on Friday 27th October 2006. If you wish
your advert to continue, please contact the V8
webmaster by that date. (23.10.06)
MG ZT-T 260 V8 for sale
 |
MG
ZT-T 260 4.6 litre V8
SE in Royal Blue
(2004 04) with Cream full leather and 30,000 miles. Full specification
and MG service history, RAC Gold warranty to May 2008. Xenon
lights, heated seats, electric seats, 18" alloys, sunroof,
climate control. (21.10.06)
MG ZT-T
260 V8 |
Club membership recruitment scheme
A
membership recruitment scheme has been launched by the Club. V8 Register
members can contribute to the membership drive by recruiting fellow
V8 enthusiasts and get a reward for each new member joining the Club
from your referral.
The
V8 Register already brings in large numbers of new members, so we
are keen to support this scheme. Full details of the scheme and a
supply of useful handbills and application forms are available online.
(18.10.06)
Membership
recruitment scheme
Two UK spec RV8s for sale
 |
Oxford
Blue 1133 (1994) in immaculate condition having covered
only 32,000 miles. Regularly serviced and dry weather use only.
Leather and burr elm interior in excellent condition. Long tax
and MOT. Car for sale together with a unique RV8 camping trailer.
(17.10.06)
Details
|
 |
BRG
2173
(1996) is one of the last with only 28,000 miles, full service
history, in excellent condition throughout. Wood, leather and
wheels are all in superb condition. Car is extremely well maintained
and garaged at all times. Private plate N55 MGR is also included
in the sale. (18.10.06)
Details
|
Club's Council meeting & AGM
Two
reports - a detailed report from Al Barnett (V8 Chairman) and a brief
initial report from Victor Smith are available on these meetings held
on Saturday 14th October 2006. (17.10.06)
Club
News - meetings reports
RV8 with an RV8 trailer for sale
 |
A
rare opportunity to acquire an RV8 trailer is available as Oxford
Blue 1133 is up for sale. (16.10.06)
RV8s
for Sale |
V8 members express their
views on Safety Fast!
The
online survey form running on the V8 website has brought in a good
response. You can monitor the comments and survey results as they
come in. (12.10.06 & 28.9.06)
Council
meeting briefing notes for V8 members
Future
of Safety Fast! & Subcommittee
report
Safety
Fast! Online Survey results
Members'
comments
Taking your V8 or RV8 off the road? - SORN
We
have a set of notes on the SORN procedure in the UK which acts as
a reminder of what to do. (9.10.06)
SORN
Replacement lenses for the RV8
 |
Stuart
Middlemiss (Nightfire Red 1215) from Norfolk had to replace
his front indicator, rear fog light and side repeater lens units
as some of the internal reflectors had darkened so he took the
opportunity to replace the front indicators with clear lens
units. His note has been added as RV8NOTE253,
the latest in the series. (7.10.06) |
Report of V8 Lincolnshire Tour 2006
 |
V8
enthusiasts in the grounds of Lincoln Castle blessed with sunshine
last weekend, enjoying an annual V8 tour arranged by Mike Taylor.
Full report.
(4.10.06 & 3.10.06) |
V8s for sale
Two
V8s have been reduced to sell. First the good looking V8 Roadster
built by the late Geoff Allen and second an immaculate RV8 offered
by Malcolm Sawrey in Warwickshire. It is a good time to buy a V8 or
RV8. (28.9.06)
MGV8s for Sale &
RV8s for Sale
V8 cooling fan motors
Following
a V8BB posting on replacement brushes for a V8 cooling fan motor,
Peter Beadle, formerly parts manager with University Motors and later
with Moss, provided a useful brief note. (25.9.06)
V8NOTE359
Club Council meeting & AGM
Saturday 14th October 2006
Two
important matters are coming up - the future of Safety Fast! is to
be discussed at the Council meeting along with two motions and then
later in the day at the AGM at 4.00pm (to which all Club members are
entitled to attend) there will be the election of five directors and
the consideration of a new set of Articles of Association for the
Club. We are seeking V8 members' views on the Safety Fast! matter
and have an Online V8 Survey Form where you can send in your views
to brief the two V8 Register Council representatives.
(25.9.06)
Briefing notes
Safety
Fast! Online Survey Form
Costello Roadster sold on V8 Website
Gary
Finch reports "I am pleased to say my Father's car went to its
new owner on Friday - an MG enthusiast who appreciated what a rare
find this car is. Thanks for all your help with this sale and giving
the car such a high profile on your website". (21.9.06)
Costello
Roadster BRG 5008
RV8 hardtop sells well
Colin
Knight has had his RV8 (Woodcote Green 1790) for sale on the V8 website
and reports he has sold the rare hardtop. The number of serious responses
to the advert surprised him but he is impressed with the way the RV8s
for Sale webpage is now the main place to advertise an RV8 to get
maximum exposure to RV8 enthusiasts. (17.9.06)
RV8s
for Sale
Plenty of V8s at Castle Combe
Motor
racing at Castle Combe is in many ways a step back in time to the
spirit and style of club racing some 30 years ago but the meeting
on Saturday 16th September 2006 was very much alive and exciting.
Many of the Club's motor racing championships were there including
the BCV8 competitors. The sight and sound of fully modified V8s in
full cry passing the pits and storming down to Quarry corner was nothing
short of mouthwatering. The races were all close and full of action.
See our report and
photos. (17.9.06)
Surgically Enhanced out on 7th September!
 |
Pam
Ayres is popular with fans of all ages, and her wry observations
on the peculiarities of modern life will raise a smile from
even the most hardened cynic. This new collection of poems
is a must-have for anyone who enjoys beautifully crafted stories
and poems to make you laugh and make you think. (5.9.06)
|
See
I am ready Mr Prescott & publication details
Are the legislators killing motorsport?
An
interesting article in a recent issue of the Daily Telegraph by Andrew
English, who enjoys racing his Aston DB5, sets out some background
factors which may be a cause of the lower entries and grids seen at
motorsport events at a club level whereas track days, with less overbearing
safety requirements, are increasingly popular and well attended. (4.9.06)
Motorsport
article
Goodwood Revival 2006 report
Mixed
weather for the Goodwood Revival 2006 but exciting racing nonetheless
a magical step back in time!
 |
Friday
was fine and occasionally very sunny, Saturday was wet and
very windy, but fortunately Sunday was far better but still
windy. So not quite the glorious weather the Goodwood Revival
meeting usually enjoys!
Report
(3.9.06)
|
This
distinctive registration plate is for sale - see the MGV8s for Sale
webpage for details.
(30.8.06)
RV8s are selling on the V8 Website
 |
Just
a short note to let you know I sold
my RV8 (White Gold 1025) yesterday Thanks for all your assistance
in this matter, is this a record for the quickest sale on the
net? Thanks again. (28.8.06) |
Andy
Shaw reports that his RV8 Woodcote Green 1263 has been sold and adds
"thank you for an excellent service - the car sold within a fortnight".
(14.8.06)
Costello V8 Roadster for sale
 |
Costello
V8 Roadsters are relatively rare and particularly so in good
condition. BRG 5008 is a 1970 model converted by Ken Costello
in 1971. It had a bare metal rebuild in 1991 and has been maintained
regardless of cost. It has an MOT to April 2007 and the additional
benefit of tax exempt status. (12.8.06)
MGV8s for Sale |
V8 Curry 2007 in Cambridge
 |
New
curryhouse for 2007!
Ian Quarrington has volunteered to arrange the V8 Curry 2007
at his local curryhouse - the Cambridge Curry Centre. The date
has been moved to Saturday 24th February 2007 to coincide with
the Stonleigh MG Show nearby on the following day. (11.8.06)
V8 Curry 2007 |
Geoff Allen's V8 Roadster for sale
 |
Ermin
White 4001 (ADO232174) is the V8 Roadster Geoff built for
himself in 1980/81 using one of the first rubber bumper LHD
shells manufactured in 1974 which had become a Factory "tug".
The V8 engine is standard with the Factory carburettor setup
and air cleaners, and a standard V8 gearbox with overdrive.
(7.8.06) |
For full details
see Ermin White
4001
Step change in communication with Club members
A
review of the Club's website and the options for improving it so we
have an interesting, lively and topical website which delivers services
which add value to membership is underway. The group carrying out
the review is Malcolm Bailey (a V8 enthusiast who runs his own Internet
business in Hampshire and has recently redesigned the AWC website),
Gordon Hesketh-Jones (well know to V8 enthusiasts), John James (the
hard working T Register committee member - his son has worked wonders
with their website), Andy Knott (Club Office & present webmaster)
and Victor Smith (V8 Webmaster). To test the Club
News concept, some test pages have been posted to the V8 Website
to keep our members informed on Club developments and news. Do try
them out - your feedback will be welcome. (6.8.06)
V8 Gathering at the Shoulder of
Mutton
 |
The
next lunchtime V8 Gathering at the Shoulder of Mutton on Hazeley
Heath, just north of Hook in Hampshire, is on Sunday 20th
August. How do you find it? Just look up our useful route
map to Hazeley Heath. Bryan Ditchman will be there as usual.
(3.8.06)
V8 Rolling
Calendar |
RV8 Krafthaus hardtop for sale
Original Krafthaus
hardtops are like "hens' teeth" and one is available as
Colin Knight is selling Woodcote Green 1790 which is fitted with one.
It has a centre light and heated rear screen together with the necessary
wiring loom and connector. (2.8.06)
Woodcote
Green 1790
Factory MGBGTV8 test car for auction
Blaze ADO75413G
is up for auction at Barons' auction at Sandown Park this evening
with an estimate of £4,500 to £6,000. This MGBGTV8 was
built in 1974 and was a test car for five years in the Special Development
Division at the Factory where it underwent many tests including running
on the MIRA track in the Midlands. It was sold by the Factory in 1979
fitted with a new SD1 engine. You can see details of this interesting
V8 at Barons'
website. Also this car is mentioned in the late Geoff Allen's
V8NOTE300 in which he indicates
there were 2,600 MGBGTV8s including these ADO cars. This news item
was spotted by George Wilder. (1.8.06)
Blaze
ADO75413G
Auction of homepage rollover advert
Classic Car Consultants'
final bid just before midnight on 24th July secured the prime spot
for a rollover advert on the homepage of the V8 Website. (30.7.06)
Classic
Car Consultants
Classics on the Common 2006
 |
Ian
Quarrington attended the annual Classics on the Common event
in Hertfordshire on 26th July 2006 and
posted a note on the V8BB the following morning "Yes
it was a fantastic evening. Saw seven V8s and several other
MGs. I have some photos which I will forward to Victor Smith
for posting on the V8 Website. And not a spot of rain by the
time I left at 9 pm". (28.7.06)
|
Classics
on the Common photos
V8 Registrar needs help in creating a new
vehicle and member database system!
Whilst the V8 Registrar, Victor Smith, has got to grips with website
design and management and runs the V8 Website, he is not familiar
with MS Access and has been unable to create a new database for the
V8 vehicle and member records system. Hopefully within the V8 fraternity
there will a member who does have the ability to create a system and
their help would be most welcome! There is a note on the requirements,
see the link below. Are
there any volunteers or if
you have any thoughts on this project, please do get in touch?
(25.7.06)
Good news,
Franck Neumann in Denmark, who has a V8 Roadster (Brooklands Green
4363), has volunteered and has already made very good progress in
building an Access database for the V8 Register. (11.8.06)
V8
Database note
RV8 to the church on time!
Granville Healey
(Woodcote Green 1417) from Cornwall drove his daughter to the church
for her wedding in his RV8, known as "Harvey".
(23.7.06)
Jane and her
father Granville arriving at the church in his RV8 ("Harvey").
(Photo: Granville Healey)
Harvey
V8s sell well on the V8 Website
 |
Kevin
Horsey (ex Harvest Gold 0157) reports that his "V8 sold
through the V8 website - I had only two enquiries, but both
were quality and not timewasters, and I got almost the asking
price from the first enquiry". So the car sold in just
under a month on the MGV8s for Sale webpage demonstrating that
good quality, well priced MGBGTV8s sell well on the V8 Website.
(22.7.06)
Harvest
Gold 0157 |
Press release from NAC-MG
NAC announced
a £10m investment in the part of the Longbridge site it has
secured on a 33 year lease. Already 80 people are working for NAC-MG
at Longbridge where they plan to assemble cars from the second half
of 2007 from kits of components supplied directly from a new production
facility in China which is under construction now. See the text of
the press release issued by Nanjing Automotive Corporation on 17th
July and circulated by XPart the following day. (18.7.06)
NAC-MG
press release
Auction of homepage rollover advert
Like last year,
bids are invited from V8 specialists for the prime spot for a rollover
advert on the homepage of the V8 Website. Classic Car Consultants
have the slot at present but we feel an open bid is the best way to
offer the slot for another 12 months. Bidding ends on Monday 24th
July 2006 at midnight (UK time). You
can see the progress of bids. (17.7.06)
Homepage rollover bids 2006
Daimler V8 Roadster

The V8 Roadster
with a Daimler V8 powerplant built in the mid 1970s has turned up
again with a registration from Marcus Peterka in Switzerland. You
can read more about this unusual car on page 25 of MGV8 - Twenty Years
On. (Photo: Colin Groves) 13.7.06
Club Office Internet connection cut off by BT
The Club Office
broadband Internet and email connection was broken last Thursday 6th
July whilst BT, the service provider, was upgrading their systems.
Since then our Club Office has been has been unable to send or receive
emails. The problem was only finally diagnosed today by BT (Wednesday
12th July) as at their end. BT has told the Club Office that it will
take another four working days to restore the situation so it
might not be sorted out until Wednesday 19th July! Other BT customers
are affected in the area too. Andy Knott has gone home to operate
from his domestic Internet and email connection to try to progress
the preparation of the August issue of the Club magazine. (12.7.06)
MG Event of the Year in France
Many V8 and RV8
enthusiasts were at the event in the Auvergne with an interesting
programme of rallies and some track sessions on the Charade Circuit.
Tim Hipwell reports on an enjoyable event. (12.7.06)
Report
V8 news roundup
Keith Baylis
(fomer parts manager at Ames MG at Bury St Edmunds) has set up up
in business with a Jaguar restoration specialist outside Stowmarket
where Keith plans to specialise in good quality RV8 servicing and
parts in the area. Bryan Ditchman missed Silverstone 2006 as
he was recovering from an operation but reports he is on the mend
and will be "on parade" at the Shoulder of Mutton V8 Gathering
in August. Brand new RV8 clutch slave cylinders are available
from Clive Wheatley at £39.95 including VAT compared with the
last MG Rover price of £56.18 in February 2006. Tony Aspinal
(Caribbean Blue 0265) has been enjoying Bryan Ditchman's former RV8
in Normandy - report.
(5.7.06)
Glorious weather at
Silverstone 2006
Over
140 V8s parked up by the V8 Marquee each day
V8 enthusiasts enjoyed
warm weather again at the Club's annual International MG Meeting at
Silverstone. The V8 Marquee was a popular place to meet up with old
friends and provided a warm welcome for many new members attending
for the first time. The V8 BBQ was popular on the Saturday evening
when Clive Wheatley's team cooked over 85 suppers!
RV8 members turned out in greater numbers
this year reflecting the strong stream of new registrations over the
last two years
The V8 AGM held on the Sunday was very well attended and saw the election
of a new V8 Committee of eight members with Al Barnett as the new
V8 Chairman. (5.7.06)
Regency Run 2006 report
 |
Ian
Quarrington (Woodcote Green 2150) from Cambridgeshire
reports thirteen V8s and eleven RV8s were among 456 cars registered
to make the annual pilgrimage from Brooklands Museum near
Weybridge to Madeira Drive on the seafront at Brighton. (5.7.06)
|
Regency
Run 2006 report
Final results from le Mans
|
1
|
Audi
R10 V12 TDI |
Audi
Sport Team Joest
LM P1 (1st in class) |
|
2
|
Pescarolo
C60H Judd |
Pescarolo
Sport
LM P1 |
|
3
|
Audi
R10 V12 TDI |
Audi
Sport Team Joest
LM P1 |
|
4
|
Corvette
C6-R |
Corvette
Racing
LM GT1 (1st in class) |
|
5
|
Pescarolo
C60H Judd |
Pescarolo
Sport
LM P1 |
|
6
|
Aston
Martin DBR9 |
Aston
Martin Racing
LM GT1 |
|
7
|
Corvette
C6-R |
Luc
Alphand Adventures
LM GT1 |
|
8
|
Lola
EX264 AER (MG) |
RML
LM P2 (1st in class) |
|
9
|
Aston
Martin DBR9 |
Russian
Age Racing
LM GT1 |
|
10
|
Aston
Martin DBR9 |
Aston
Martin Racing
LM GT1 |
The British entries
are highlighted in green, the German in dark grey, French in mauve,
USA in light blue and the Russian in red. The rain held off so it
was a dry race but in very warm and humid conditions.
(18.6.06)
Live commentary from le Mans

For those members
frustrated that neither the BBC or ITV seem to have coverage of the
24 heures du Mans sports car race, there is a live commentary on the
web. MG enthusiasts will be following the RML Lola EX264 AER (No 25)
which was running in 6th place at 5 hours and leading the LMP2 class.
The two Aston DBR9s were well up at 9th and 13th. (17.6.06)
Live
commentary from le Mans -
Latest
positions
Silverstone 2006 - final briefing
Silverstone
- Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June 2006
Entrance tickets will be available at the Circuit gate for
the Club's annual Silverstone International MG Meeting at £30
for a 2 or 3 day ticket and £15 for a one day ticket.
You will find a spacious V8 car park at the foot of the second bridge
as you reach the centre of the Circuit. See the Sliverstone 2006 guide.
On Friday there is a visit to the Hook Norton Brewery at just
before noon to collect supplies for the weekend, with a relaxed lunch
at the Pear Tree nearby. In the evening the annual V8 Supper at
the Star Inn at Sulgrave is always popular - please book to be
sure of a place. Final firm bookings will be sent to the Star on Monday
evening 19th June 2006.
Book V8 Supper
at Sulgrave & Finding
Sulgrave
Checklist
of bookings
Clive Wheatley has very kindly offered to provide a V8 BBQ
for V8 enthusiasts and their friends on Saturday evening. So his team
of cooks have an idea of how many to cater for, please book your V8
BBQ supper by telephoning Al Barnett on 01306 875786.
Full details of the weekend are available in our detailed Silverstone
2006 guide - an ideal starting point for our new members who will
be very welcome!
Silverstone
2006 guide and
Notice
of V8 AGM (16.6.06)
Online advertising service restored
You can advertise
an RV8 or MGBV8 on the V8 Website again - the service was suspended
whilst the V8 Webmaster was away for three weeks but is now up and
running again. Adverts have been posted for Brian Green, Dominic Johnson,
John Kavanagh and Geoff Pritchard. If any other member feels their
advert has not been posted, please contact Victor Smith so he can
remedy the oversight promptly. (14.6.06)
Silverstone - International MG Meeting
Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June 2006
International MG
Meeting put on by the MG Car Club is the annual three day "gathering
of the faithful" at Silverstone Circuit with a full programme
of racing on both Saturday and Sunday, a sprint, autotests, concours,
traders stalls and track laps. For a guide to the event and directions
to Silverstone. (13.2.06)
See our comprehensive Silverstone
guide
Geoff Allen - funeral
The funeral has been
arranged for Thursday 22nd June 2006 at Macclesfield Crematorium
for 2.30pm with light refreshments afterwards in Congleton. A number
of V8 members have already been in touch to say they wish to attend
the funeral and I know Jean would welcome you for tea. If you intend
so doing please get in touch with Victor Smith so we can ensure the
hotel is able to cater for you. Please either call him on 0208 392
9434 or email him on victorsmith(at)v8register.net so he can let you
know the location of the hotel. A location map for the crematorium
is available below. VS (13.6.06)
Macclesfield
Crematorium -
Geoff Allen obituary
 |
Geoff
Allen
Sadly Geoff Allen passed away on Saturday 10th June 2006.
He will be missed by his very many friends, not least the
members of the V8 Register who have known him as a cheerful
and generous person with advice on V8s. Geoff was a founder
member of the V8 Register in 1978 and our V8 Historian &
Archivist. He was an extraordinary person in
|
so many ways but
above all a most amusing and kind person. As David Waterton (V8 Chairman)
noted yesterday, "he was truly one of a kind". He
was also a courageous man who on learning he had cancer several years
ago underwent treatment with a fervour that even the specialists found
inspiring. Geoff won through and we had more years of his good company
and sense of fun. But sadly, as is often the case with that unkind
disease, secondary difficulties came back as brain tumours. I visited
him in hospital at Congleton only three weeks ago on my way up to
Scotland and although dreadfully tired he was enthusiastic about life
and V8s. His handshake was as firm and confident as ever. On my return
yesterday I visited Jean who talked so fondly of Geoff as a wonderful
man she had known as a husband and best friend for well over 50 years.
The funeral will be in Macclesfield and the arrangements will be made
during the coming week. Victor Smith (12.6.06)
MGBGTV8 Routine Maintenance Summary
 |
Michael
Lannie (Citron 2619) from Leicestershire contacted the V8
Register as he had just acquired his V8 and needed help with
the service schedule for a V8. Well the two page service summary
from the MGBGTV8 Driver's Handbook AKD8423 is now available
online as a useful reference for members. A copy will also
be included on future V8 Workshop Notes CDs. (12.6.06)
MGBGTV8
service summary
|
V8 Gathering at Hazeley Heath

The next V8 Gathering
at the Shoulder of Mutton on Hazeley Heath in North Hampshire is on
Sunday 21st May from noon. It's a popular event with V8 enthusiasts
and other MG members too. This country pub offers Sunday lunch or
tasty bar snacks and has a pleasant garden with tables under apple
trees. The pub is north of Hook and the M3 and south of Reading. (20.5.06)
Full directions and maps
New look for the V8 website is coming
 |
Reworked
layout and rollover buttons will be introduced soon as part
of the development of our website as an interesting, lively
and topical information source for V8 enthusiasts - you can
preview the new
design. (13.5.06) |
V8 Webmaster off to the hills soon!
As I am off to Scotland
next week walking on the mountains for a couple of weeks, my opportunities
to maintain the website via my laptop will be very occasional and
I shall be unable to download large files. So if you are thinking
of placing an advertisement on the RV8s for Sale or MGV8s for Sale
webpages or ordering workshop notes on CD, please get in touch in
the next four days or there could be a delay! Anyone in the NW Highlands
from the end of next week to the first week in June, do let me know
if you want to join me. Allan and Eva Doyle, over on holiday from
Germany, will meet me near Fort William in the first week in June.
Victor Smith 07770
822977. (12.5.06)
Reducing
heat from downunder in a V8!
John Hornabrook in Queensland Australia has sent in an idea for insulating
the floor of a V8 from heat generated by the exhaust system below.
John says "today I heard what may be the most efficient way
to insulate the floor of an RV8 or MGBGTV8 - or any MG with hot pipes
beneath the floor. The job is done with many layers of aluminium foil.
First of all remove the carpets, then scrunch the foil into a loose
mass and then straighten it out again, flat, but not smooth. A good
many layers of this will provide a thin mass of air cells in a reflective
medium of a honeycomb texture. This medium traps the air as does the
hair or fur on an animal to insulate itself. The carpet is replaced
over this foil matrix and the job really works". John adds
that the modification has been made on an MGC suffering from the usual
hot exhaust in our climate and now the car's floor is cool but the
bolts holding down the seats are still hot. John knows a thing or
two about heat living in Queensland! (10.5.06)
Daily website hit count reaches 321

Yesterday the daily
hits reached a new peak of 321 - Tuesdays are the most popular day
with on average 16% of the hits - and the rolling 30 day hit count
was 7,139. This illustrates the continuing popularity of the V8 website
as an interesting, topical and lively information resource for V8
enthusiasts. The chart above covers the period from June 2003 and
the top line is 7,500 with the blue line the end of month 30 day hits,
the red line the monthly rolling average and the green the trend line.
It is likely the 30 day hits total for May will be around 7,250 so
on the trend line. (10.5.06)
Replacement hoses for the V8 in silicone rubber?
Phil Bristow wonders if there is any interest amongst fellow V8 members
for sets of hoses for the MGBGTV8 in a more durable slicone rubber
material. (9.5.06)
More
details
V8 Supper at the Star Inn at Sulgrave
A traditional start
to the Club's Silverstone weekend meeting is the informal V8 Supper
at the Star Inn at Sulgrave on Friday evening 23rd June 2006. Book
early so we can confirm catering at this friendly rural Hook Norton
pub. (7.5.06)
Book
V8 Supper at Sulgrave &
Finding
Sulgrave
Checklist
of bookings
MG Event of the Year 2006 - Auvergne
MG Club de France
- 28th
June to 2nd July
 |
Many
V8 members are planning to go to this event in Charade in
the Auvergne region including Franck Morand (Mirage 0158)
who is returning from Thailand to be there, Al Barnett, John
Dutton, Mike Taylor and Robert
|
Lewis.
Bob Owen is also going but in his TC! (5.5.06)
RV8 sells in 3 weeks on the V8 Website
 |
I
thought I would let you know that my
RV8 (Le Mans Green 0255) is now sold to a new owner who
saw my ad on the V8 Website. It has sold within three weeks
of going on your website, and I wanted to thank you for your
assistance during the placing of the ad. Kind Regards, Jeff
Dixon (25.4.06) |
See
the RV8s for Sale webpage
RV8 in the USA
Tom Raddatz from
Chicago reports an RV8 (Woodcote Green 1443) "has been sighted
in the US having arrived via the Cayman Islands". He has
a restoration project on his hands as the car sat in salt water up
to the dashboard for two days so it will need a complete strip down.
He plans to have the car repainted in Nightfire Red (paint code BLVC
0916). Tom says he has been in contact with people all over the World
to get the car and is clearly delighted - "I'm as happy -
more like giddy - as an eight year old at Christmas about the car".
Photos and more news will follow later. (18.4.06)
MGBGTV8
paint codes and RV8
paint codes
Routing the RV8 HT leads
Following a V8BB
posting from Mark Sitton-Kent, we have information on routing HT leads.
(17.4.06)
RV8 HT leads and RV8
engine photos
Update on phone call scam
Andrew Torode (Damask
0635) has contacted us to say the phone call scam reported on this
website last week is "an urban myth" - see the report on
the ICSTIS website which explains this. ICSTIS
is the UK premium rate services regulator.
(15.4.06)
Phone scam details
Silverstone 2006

Silverstone
- Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June 2006
Tickets are now available for the Club's annual Silverstone International
MG Meeting. Book early and take advantage of the advance booking discounts
- £25 for a 2 or 3 day ticket purchased in advance (£30
at the gate) and £13 for a one day ticket (£15 at the
gate). Either book by telephone to Club Office on 01235 555552 or
online at www.mgcc.co.uk or alternatively
you can download a copy of the booking form and send it with your
order and cheque to Club Office. Advance sales end on 16th June 2006.
(13.4.06)
Download
a booking form (PDF)
Silverstone
2006 guide and
notice
of V8 AGM
V8 Gathering at Hazeley Heath

The next V8 Gathering
at the Shoulder of Mutton on Hazeley Heath in North Hampshire is on
Sunday 21st May from noon. It's a popular event with V8 enthusiasts
and other MG members too. This country pub offers Sunday lunch or
tasty bar snacks and has a pleasant garden with tables under apple
trees. The pub is north of Hook and the M3 and south of Reading. (13.4.06)
Full directions and maps
An evening with Mike Allison
 |
Mike
Allison will be talking on "My Life with MG"at the
Museum on Tuesday 16th May 2006 at 7pm. Not to be missed.
(13.4.06)
|
Advance booking is
necessary - full
details of talk
Haynes
Motor Museum
RV8 hardtop wiring loom
 |
Peter
Steyn from South Africa posted a note on the V8BB seeking help
with wiring up an RV8 hardtop. DR Gavin Bailey provides a useful
note and a photo of the loom. (10.4.06)
RV8NOTE245 |
RV8 recall notice translated
Dave Batten noted
in a V8BB posting that he had seen a recall notice issued in Japan
back in 1996 affecting the front and rear suspension on an RV8. Well
we have obtained a copy and David Boniface in Tokyo has translated
it so it can be added to the RV8 Workshop Notes series. (4.4.06)
RV8NOTE244
Rimmer Bros offer plate for SD1 gearboxes
Details of a remanufactured
part from Rimmer Bros. (4.4.06)
Rimmer
Bros offer
RV8 Technical Information CD available again
Brown & Gammons
have managed to reproduce the owners manual onto CD and it is now
available. It is priced at £24.95 plus £3.95 UK p&p
so is good value for all the technical information included on the
CD. To order, either phone 01462 490049 or visit their website at
www.ukmgparts.com (3.4.06)
RV8 Technical Information
CD from B&G
V8 Newsletter for April 2006
See the four page
V8 Newsletter in this month's issue of Safety Fast! due out by now.
(3.4.06)
V8 Newsletter for April 2006
More on RV8 cracked mounts
John Dutton has sent
in a detailed note and photos of his mounts and it seems the failure
was different to that seen on the V8 Roadster of Chris Hunt Cooke.
On the RV8 it appears the welds between the nearside mount and crossmember
failed and then the additional strain bent the offside mount. (31.3.06)
See RV8NOTE243 and RV8NOTE241
Marketing brochures archive
 |
The
marketing brochures still look as exciting as ever over 30 years
later. We are assembling an online collection with help from
several members. (28.3.06)
MGBGTV8 brochures |
V8 Website hits breakthrough 300 a day
A measure of the
popularity of the V8 Website is the daily hit count which is usually
between 225 and 280 a day depending on the day of the week. Well on
Thursday 23rd March it reached 303 so in the four peak hours that
was one hit every 3.3 minutes. The
total hits for March 2006 were 7,235. (31.3.06
& 2.4.06)
How does the Budget affect V8 enthusiasts?
From the Budget
2006 announcements made by Gordon Brown today it appears that Vehicle
Excise Duty for MGBGTV8s and RV8s registered before March 2001 will
rise by only £5 to £175pa. However it will need more
detailed research to see the impact on reimported RV8s registered
from today as the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced some serious
VED banding increases for new cars. The other good piece of news
in the Budget speech was that an inflation based increase in fuel
duty will be deferred until September 2006 because of continuing
oil market volatility. (22.3.06)
Budget
2006 report
Report on the Council meeting & EGM
A brief report
of the meetings is available. (21.3.06)
Meetings report
Council meeting on Saturday 18th March 2006
You may not be
aware but tomorrow there is a meeting of the Council members (representatives
of the Centres, Registers and Branches of the Club) at the Motor
Heritage Centre at Gaydon followed by an EGM which all Club members
are entitled to attend. It is a particularly important Council meeting
as there are two motions of no confidence in the five of the present
directors who were in office up to the last Council meeting in October
when the extravagant new Club Office scheme was halted. (17.3.06)
Council meeting issues
Cracked RV8 steering rack mounts
Reports of a cracked
steering rack mount on an RV8 have just come in from B&G at
Baldock. The detailed report will follow shortly but all members
with an RV8 - and also an MGBGTV8 or MGV8 Conversion with a Heritage
shell - are strongly advised to have the condition of their mounts
checked. They need close inspection with strong lighting. Do not
assume that a routine MOT inspection will pick up fine cracks on
the mounts because the RV8 above had passed an annual MOT last year
and had done very few miles since! We know that many Club members
with MGBs visit this website so do note this warning also applies
to rubber bumpered MGB Roadsters and GTs. (15.3.06)
RV8NOTE241 & RV8NOTE242
RV8NOTE240 completes Volume 7
Sigge Redhe contacted the V8 Webmaster for help in tracking
down a source of supply for a replacement RV8 windscreen glass and
Al Barnett provided a useful note by return. (13.3.06)
RV8NOTE240
Nightfire Red RV8 sells in two days!
 |
Tony
Johnson called the V8 Webmaster on 7th March, sent through
his photos and the advert went up on 9th - a buyer closed
the deal the next
day! (11.3.06) |
V8 engine alive and burbling
Welcome news in
the Midhurst and Petworth Messenger in February confirmed that the
famous V8 engine is alive, burbling and in production again in the
UK with MCT. (9.3.06)
V8
engine alive
Fitting a "modern CD stacker" in a V8
One of our members
in Japan, David Boniface (RV8 Oxford Blue 1589), provides a useful
ICE tip for both V8 and RV8 enthusiasts. (6.3.06)
V8NOTE347
or RV8NOTE239
Spitfire turns 70 today
Eastleigh
Airport
is a pleasant
spot, until . .
what next?
You will need Broadband and Windows Media
Player or similar - the file is 1.98MB (5.3.06)
|
At
4.30pm on 5th March 1936, a Spitfire took off on its maiden
flight from the airfield at Eastleigh, now Southampton airport.
Today is a beautiful day in southern England with bright
skies, clear cold air and a few cumulus clouds in late afternoon,
so anyone watching as that flight is re-enacted should have
a good view. For those who cannot be there, we have a video
clip which is the next best thing!
|
MG ZT-T 260 V8 member
Philip Baskerville
(Starlight Silver 0399) has registered his MG ZT-T 260 V8 with us
and sent in an account of what he describes as "a wonderful
introduction to MG V8 Motoring, second only to my 1983 Talbot Sunbeam
Lotus". (4.3.06)
Report
Tax exempt V8 Roadster for sale
 |
Professionally
built on new Heritage shell with a 5 speed gearbox, 170 BHP
V8 engine with a Piper cam. Blue leather interior with only
18,000 miles. (4.3.06)
Details
|
The Great British Sports Car
|
The
marketing brochures still look as exciting as ever over 30
years later. Publication 2962/A covered both the MGBGT and
the V8. (2.3.06) More |
Wheel alingment and rolling road tuning
Racing Developments
have a special offer for V8 Register members on their wheel alingment
service during March. They have new workshops in Milton Keynes,
just off the M1. (1.3.06)
Wheel alingment
& rolling road tuning offer
V8 Website webhosting difficulties
Several members
have reported difficulties in connecting to the V8 Website for periods
over the last week and again for just over two hours this morning.
Our webhost Netkonect/Mistral has had difficulties with its server
so we hope to have the website moved to another server next week.
Apologies for any frustration if you found you could not get through.
BTW, the V8BB is with a different webhost and the link is below.
(25.2.06)
http://www.v8registerdata.net
 |
Any
comments?
Do let us know your views or comments on key areas of service
and interest from the V8 Register or on any matter relating
to the services from Club Office. (19.2.06)
Any comments? |
Council Subcommittee report
A report with a
detailed review of both the Club's office needs for its administration
activities and the available office accommodation options has been
published by a Council Subcommittee. The subcommittee was formed
following the decision of Council members at the last Council meeting
to halt the proposals recommended by the members of the previous
Board for a £1m new Club Office scheme, so an independent
review could be made. Copies of the subcommittee's report have been
sent to all the Council members who represent the Club's centres,
registers and branches with the brief to discuss the report and
its recommendations with their fellow committee members and Club
members generally so they are fully briefed for the next Council
meeting on Saturday 18th March 2006 at the Heritage Centre at Gaydon.
So now the process of active consultation with members is underway.
See our brief review of the subcommittee's report together with
details of how to obtain a copy of the report. (18.2.06)
Council Subcommittee report
V8 Committee contacts
RV8GT seen downunder!
 |
|
The
RV8GT was built from a wrecked Woodcote Green RV8 roadster
and a spare 1971 MGBGT shell in the garage. (12.2.06)
More details |
New format for the V8s for sale webpages
|
|
The
successful RV8s for Sale and MGV8s for Sale webpages have
been revised and are now more like a normal classified ads
section with links to larger photos or more details. (5.2.06)
RV8s for Sale
MGV8s for Sale |
More Speckled Hen beer mats
From a set issued
in 1995, the year that Morland Brewery started promoting Old Speckled
Hen seriously. John Richards has traced them for the V8 Webmaster's
collection. (1.2.06)
More
Speckled Hen beer mats
Just how deep was the water on the LeJog 2005?
 |
Tales
of deep water on rallies are like fishing stories of the
"one that got away" - not so this year on the
LeJog. Here Chris Hunt Cooke is in deep water! More
(20.1.06)
|
V8 Roadster in Luxembourg
 |
Ton
Maathuis in Luxembourg has built his V8 Roadster (Tartan
Red 4229) with an exciting profile and many custom features
plus the appropriate registration plate MG0008 (L). More
(19.1.06)
|
RV8s sell rapidly on the V8 Website
 |
|
Roger
Vardy-Smith was delighted with the rapid response to his
advert offering Oxford Blue 1995 for sale on the RV8s for
Sale webpage. It was sold in a mere 4 days which covered
the New
|
Year's weekend
and Bank Holiday Monday! "Is this a record?" he
asks. He has since acquired an MGBGTV8 (Teal Blue 0568) and looks
forward to continued participation in V8 life.
(16.1.06)
V8 Curry 2006 - Saturday 4th February
An annual V8 Curry
Night has been a tradition of the V8 Register from its formation
in 1978. It is usually held in early February and starts the programme
of V8 Gatherings for the year! This year it is at the Radhuni, a
spacious curry house in the centre of Flackwell Heath, just north
east of Marlow in Buckinghamshire close to the M40. Mike Russell
has volunteered to be V8 Currymaster so is waiting to take bookings
now! All Club members are very welcome to join us. (16.1.05)
V8 Curry Evening was well attended and the spacious Radhuni restaurant
provided some deliciously subtle curry dishes. The long distance
award went to the Hesketh-Jones who had driven up from Cornwall
in their MGBGTV8. (5.2.06)
More details of the V8 Curry
2006
Your mother wouldn't like it!
 |
The
publicity material for the MGB is wonderful - for many of
us it brings back memories of a far less PC sensitive age
with strap lines like "Your mother wouldn't like it!"
with the usual response "she's not getting it!".
We are collecting a few of these adverts - more welcome
from your own collection! (15.1.06)
YMWNLI adverts |
Why not contribute a workshop note?
Several members
who have recently posted some very useful technical notes on the
V8BB have agreed to expand them slightly and contribute them as
a new V8NOTE or RV8NOTE. Roger Davies has just produced a detailed
RV8NOTE233 on lowering an
RV8 driver's seat which is about to be added to the series. As a
special offer for the first quarter of 2006, all members contributing
a new workshop note for either series in 2006 will receive a free
update CD with a full set of both the latest V8NOTES
and RV8NOTES. (11.1.06)
RV8 windscreen surround for sale
John Holmes (former owner of Nightfire Red 0815) is offering a new
and unused RV8 windscreen surround Part No ZKC5324 which is already
sprayed black and rustproofed at only £800. He
is also offering some new and unused LH & RH UK spec catalyst
assemblies Part Nos GEX 8038 & GEX 8039 at £1,000.
He also has number of front suspension parts such as top and bottom
ball joints. (3.1.06)
Windscreen surround
SOLD (11.1.06)
V8
spares for sale
Skype - the idea of charging for calls belongs
to the last century!


|
|
A
revolution in telecoms is underway with the increasingly
popular Internet phone service. Skype is a leading provider
using Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP technology which
enables computer users with a Broadband connection to talk
with each other via a headset or microphone and speakers.
|
Calls between Skype
users are free and the service offers low cost calls to landlines
and mobile phones in most countries around the World for as little
as 0.012p/min. Victor Smith can be contacted on Skype: fosterwyatt
(27 & 2.1.06)
More Skype
Improved castor reduction kit for MGB & V8
 |
|
An
improved castor angle reduction kit has been produced for
chrome and rubber bumpered MGBGTV8 and MGB models. Full
details are in a new V8NOTE together with an RV8NOTE with
a caution over fitting castor reduction kits to RV8s and
cars with Heritage crossmembers and shells. (1.1.06)
V8NOTE340
& RV8NOTE231
|
Two useful kits for the MGBGTV8
12
volt battery conversion kit

With the difficult to find parts for your conversion
more
details |
|
TE
low brake fluid sensor

more
details |
Available by mail
order in the UK. (29.12.05)
Solution to the V8 Puzzle 2005
Unfortunately there
were no correct solutions of the V8 Puzzle 2005 by the closing last
night. (20.12.05)
Solution to the
V8 Puzzle 2005
Christmas Speckled Hen Advert
Another advert
in the popular series has appeared this week in the UK press. (14.12.05)
More Speckled Hen - Christmas
2005
MGB - la sportive anglaise de légende
 |
This
wonderful book covers the MGB model and its variants and
developments from the creation of the MGB Roadster - one
of the most well known classic English sportscars - the
introduction of the MGBGT, to the MGC, MGBGTV8, the rubber
bumpered cars and finally the renaissance of the MG marque
with the RV8 launch.
|
This book is written
by Julien Lombard, a French automobile journalist, and published
by Editions Techniques pour l'Automobile de l'Industrie (ETAI).
(13.12.05)
MGB book
MG WINS LE JOG
A team of three
MGBs have won the premier award on LE JOG, Britain's longest historic
rally. V8 Register member, Chris Hunt Cooke, driving his rally prepared
MGB, reports the team picked up the Marque Team Trophy and Chris
and his navigator David Kirkham won a bronze medal too. You may
need to click the "refresh" button in Internet Explorer
if your PC has cached the original LE JOG webpage. (11.12.05
& 7.12.05)
LE
JOG 2005 report &
further report
Powerful search
facilities on the V8 Website
When you have a query on a technical matter or are about to post
a message on the V8 Bulletin Board seeking members' views, it is
worth using the search facilities to check out what information
is already available in the workshop notes series, articles, news
items and earlier postings on the V8BB.
(7.12.05)
V8 Website Search Tips
V8 Puzzle 2005
This year we have
a V8 Puzzle with a couple of clues in a piece of music so at least
you will be entertained whilst the grey matter engages! (6.12.05)
V8
Puzzle 2005
BCV8 competitor - wanted & for sale
Alistair Grant
is in the midst of preparing a competition MGBGTV8 for which he
needs some key parts - rear suspension traction bars, A frame etc,
a full roll cage with diagonal brace and some 15" wheels (8"
or 9" fronts, 10" or 12" rears). He has for sale
a Factory original 3.5 V8 engine with an overdrive gearbox - any
reasonable offer considered. Contact Alistair Grant on 01224 872316
(work) or 01224 780585 (home). (5.12.05)
Silverstone 2006
The dates for the
Club's annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone are Friday
23rd to Sunday 25th June but they are subject to ratification following
the approval of the motor racing dates by motor sport's governing
body. (5.12.05)
Rolling V8 Calendar
V8 steering rack strengthening gusset
Photos of the cracks
in the V8 steering rack mounts have been sent in by Brown &
Gammons which show the extent of the cracks on the side of the mounts
very clearly. Details of the repairs and strengthening of the mounts
have also been provided. (30.11.05)
V8
steering rack strengthening gusset
Invitation to the Ripley Natter Supper
David Washbourne
and Ian Ailes run the popular Ripley Natter at the Talbot Inn in
the centre of Ripley in Surrey on the third Thursday of the month
where two V8 members, Gavin Bailey and Al Barnett, are regulars.
The Natter's annual New Year Supper will be held on Thursday
19th January 2006 at the Marquis of Granby on the Portsmouth
Road (A3) just east of Esher and near the Scilly Isles roundabout.
The timing is 7.00pm for 7.30pm. All Club members are welcome. Please
contact Ian Ailes to book a place in advance on 020 8942 6863. (28.11.05)
Ripley
Natter Annual Supper
V8 Lincolnshire Tour 2006
The next V8 Tour
in the popular series is planned for the long weekend from Friday
29th September to Monday 2nd October 2005
and will be based at the Bentley Hotel in Lincoln. The
full programme of visits will be published early in the New Year
by the organisers are Mike and Maria Taylor. Preliminary information
is available using the link below and you can download a booking
form online. (26.11.05)
V8 Lincolnshire Tour
2006
Warning for all V8s
An inspection of the steering rack mounting on a V8 Roadster built
from a LHD rubber bumper MGB roadster reimported from the US has
revealed serious cracks in the steering rack mounts on the crossmember.
As the consequences of a complete failure would be serious, members
with both chrome and rubber MGBGTV8s, V8 Roadsters or GT conversions
built from Factory rubber bumpered shells or RV8s need to have the
mount inspected as a matter of urgency. (25.11.05)
Update. (27.11.05)
Full
note
& update
RV8 Brochure 4405 on offer
A member is offering
an RV8 Brochure Publication 4405 for sale. It is dated 1992 with
28 full colour pages, complete with five black & white photos
and the condition is believed to be good. It was obtained from a
local MG dealer at the launch of the RV8. (22.11.05)
Reported sold the following morning! (23.11.05)
Full details of the RV8
Brochure 4405
John Targett wins Simms Cup at Mosport
Franck Morand
(Mirage 0199) from France works and lives in the Far East and on
a recent business trip to Australia he found an article in a US
car magazine reporting John Targett's success in winning the Simms
Cup at Mosport. (17.11.05)
Targett
news
V8 Puzzle 2005
In recent years
we have had an annual V8 Puzzle on the V8 Website in the run up
to Christmas for members to solve. In fact last year we had four!
The puzzles for 2005 are being prepared now but we have one difficulty
- we have been unable to contact Stuart Forbes, the winner of the
First V8 Puzzle 2004, as his email address has bounced. Could he
make contact
with Victor Smith as one of the rewards for being first to solve
the annual V8 Puzzle is you are invited to set the V8 Puzzle for
the following year! (16.11.05)
Teal Blue MGBGTV8 for sale
 |
Teal
Blue 0463 is a good looking MGBGTV8 for sale at only £8,250.
(9.11.05)
V8s for sale
|
Goodwood Revival 2006
The dates have
been confirmed as Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September, slightly earlier
in the month than usual. For members living in the USA, the film
of the Goodwood Revival 2005 will be screened on the Speed Channel
on Sunday 12th December 2005 at 4.00pm EST. (7.11.05)
V8s & RV8s for Sale
Eight cars have
been added to the cars for sale webpages including an RV8 Replica.
(2.11.05) The MGBGTV8 is sold already.
(3.11.05)
MGV8s for Sale
& RV8s for Sale
More V8 Idle Moments
The V8 Idle Moments
webpage is popular with many members. I get many which I feel unable
to publish as they are far too racy - mainly from Philip Morgan
who is real magnet for such material! The page has been rearranged
with the latest additions at the top of the page.
(2.11.05)
V8 Idle Moments
Good news from the Club's Council meeting & AGM
The Directors'
extravagant New Kimber House scheme has been halted with major changes
to the Board at the elections at the AGM. Two V8 Register members
have been elected to the Board - Howard Gosling and Victor Smith.
(15.10.05)
See
report
RV8
sold on the V8 Website
 |
Flame
Red 0344 is a UK spec car with 26,000 miles is reduced
to £14,495. (Sold 13.10.05
from advert 21.8.05)
Details
|
Number plates for V8 enthusiasts
|
V8
MGB
is currently on a retention certificate and is offered
at £2,500 ono plus a £25 change of nominee
fee. The allocation fee is already paid for. Contact Philip
Jones on 01202 696308 or 07970 895278. (8.10.05)
|
V8
MGR
is offered by Richard Davies. It's an unusual registration
on a retention certificate so the transfer is simple.
Richard adds "however it can only go on a 2000
year car and as the RV8s were all pre 96 you have to be
mad like me to want this on your non RV8 car".
Offers to Richard Davies on 07740852233. (14.9.05)
|
SORN your V8 online with DVLA
As many V8 enthusiasts
may be approaching the time of year when they take their vehicle
off the road, it is worth noting it is now possible to declare
a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice) online at the DVLA website.
All you need is your V5C for the Registration Mark and the Document
Reference Number (both on the front cover of the four page document)
and then the rest is very easy. However brace yourself for one
difficulty - the font size on these DVLA webpages is so small
they cannot be read on normal PC screen settings! You have to
print off each page to read it! Quite mad and only an oppressive
mindset that appears to run the DVLA would have such illegible
webpages. (5.10.05)
Making a SORN online &
SORN information
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/unlicensed.htm
Publication of Safety Fast! is taken over
In a surprise announcement, we learn that the Club has appointed
Octane Media to publish the Club's monthly members' magazine
Safety Fast! Sadly Council members of the MG
Car Club were not aware of the announcement before letters were
issued to trade advertisers. The Club's Directors have not provided
Council members with any information prior to this announcement
or an opportunity for prior discussion of this important matter.
This is particularly unsatisfactory as there is a Council meeting
due on Saturday 15th October at Gaydon, barely two weeks away,
and there are clearly key areas of strategic and editorial concern
which many Council members and their Centres and Register members
would wish to raise and discuss before such a major move had been
concluded. A copy of the joint announcement by MG Enthusiast (Octane
Media) and the Club is available as a download in PDF format.
There is also a copy of another letter from Martyn Wise of MG
Enthusiast announcing the publishing rights of MG Enthusiast
have been acquired by Octane Media. We have also obtained
a copy of the editorial in the next issue of Safety Fast! announcing
the changes to the Club magazine.
Copies are available on the Independent Members' Website using
the link below. (1.10.05 & 30.9.05)
Changes
with Safety Fast!
Independent Members'
Website
Good value MGBGTV8 for sale
Aconite 0736
is for sale and is a well cherished V8 and very good value. The
present owner has taken very close care of the car since 1975
and has a genuine reason for sale - old age, his not the car!
Another good V8, Glacier White 1729, regularly used V8 by an enthusiast
for 22 years, is offered for sale (29.9.05)
Aconite 0736
& Glacier White
1729
Some new additions to the V8NOTES series
Volume 10 was
launched in June 2005 and we have just added another four useful
notes - 334, 335, 336 & 337 - to the long running series of
tips and maintenance notes from fellow V8 enthusiasts.
| 331 |
TE
low brake fluid detector - a vital safety device for an
MGBGTV8 from Bob Owen |
| 332 |
Fitting
a TE Low Brake Fluid Sensor in easy stages from Victor Smith |
| 333 |
Carburettor
adapter assembly from Geoff Allen |
| 334 |
Thermostat
wrinkle explained from Philip James |
| 335 |
Front
brake problem from Gordon Hesketh-Jones |
| 336 |
Solving
a fuse box riddle from Tony Head |
| 337 |
Leather
gear lever gaiter, not rubber by Tony Head |
You can see the
whole Contents of the series and a detailed Index too on this
website. (25.9.05)
Contents & Index
Independent review of the Directors' proposals and the Appraisal
Report
An authoritative
independent review has been made by David de Saxe FCA, a longstanding
Club member who is a retired former finance director of a leading
UK retailer. It's a particularly interesting review from someone
who is regarded as an astute and capable businessman. (20.9.05)
Review
by David de Saxe
Appraisal Report released!
The Appraisal Report on the Directors' proposals for a New Club
Office is now available. It has been prepared in three levels
of detail to meet Club members' needs and interest - first a three
page summary, then the main report and then a set of detailed
appendices. You can download copies in PDF format from the independent
website. (15.9.05)
Appraisal
Report
Goodwood Revival 2005
This popular
three day event is this weekend from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th
September 2005. It is a relaxed event which recreates the mood
and atmosphere of motor racing as it was in the 50s and 60s. Dress
of the period is very welcome - for some V8 enthusiasts that merely
means shaking out the moth of course! V8 enthusiasts usually meet
up at the Goodwood Revival for breakfast in the Spitfire Bar,
a stroll round the Circuit to see the cars coming through Fordwater
at 140mph, and have lunch at Lavant. The event is ticket only
so you must book in advance. Contact Victor Smith or John Targett
over the weekend to meet up on 07770 822977. (14.9.05)
Goodwood Revival
- bookings
see Goodwood website
Much travelled MGBGTV8 returns to the UK
James Heaton
(Damask 0944) from North Yorkshire has just registered his V8
and notes "the car was manufactured in November 1973 and
first registered in South Africa as TA 14777. Later it went to
Jersey in the Channel Islands as J42034 and then returned to England
in 1996". (14.9.05)
Flamenco Red 2903 has resurfaced following the sale at Gaydon
in 2004
Fred Jenns of Classic Sportscar Consultants has sent in a note
to say "we now own Flamenco 2903, the ex Gaydon and John
Edwards/Phoenix MGBGTV8, and our inspection indicates the condition
tends to substantiate the mileage shown, some 25,000, and it's
residence in the Gaydon Heritage Motor Museum for some 25 years.
How the car featured in the last couple of years of MG Rover's
life might only be revealed when and if the definitive book is
written. The last registered keeper is shown as John Edwards".
Fred has supplied a full set of photos of Flamenco Red 2903, the
last MGBGTV8. (13.9.05)
More
photos
Appraisal Report of the Directors'
proposals for a new Club Office due out this week
A small group
of Club members has been beavering away for the last 10 days carrying
out a detailed review and appraisal of the Directors' proposals
for a New Club Office. The team have had independent professional
support from a quantity surveyor (Cyril Sweett) and a chartered
accountant. The very detailed work on the Club financial projections
has been undertaken by John Dutton (RV8) and the examination of
the project costs by Victor Smith (V8). The conclusion is the
scheme is a large, extravagant folly that will run the Club into
financial difficulties as early as 2009. The recommendation is
the scheme is halted and that a working party of Council be set
up to review the Club office accommodation needs and all available
alternative options. The summary of the Appraisal Report is out
now and copies of the full report and appendices will be available
to members later this week. The Committee of the V8 Register met
last night and agreed to send in motions for the forthcoming Club
Council meeting proposing a halt the Directors' scheme and a review
of the needs and options by working party. Those motions were
sent today. (13.9.05)
Summary
of the Appraisal Report on the New Club Office scheme proposed
by the Directors of the Club
Details
of the motions
V8 Online Sales
My apologies
to members who have made an online purchase of a workshop notes
CD and are waiting for the delivery. I have been tied up assessing
and analysing the Directors' information pack on their proposed
New Club Office scheme. I plan to clear the CD production this
weekend. Victor Smith (9.9.05)
RV8 fuel gauges
- repair service
Clive Wheatley mgv8parts, in conjunction with Bob Owen, can now
offer a repair service for RV8 "Anti-Slosh Boards".
An anti-slosh board is an electronic PCB (printed circuit board)
which is located in the RV8 dashboard and connects between the
fuel tank sensor and the fuel gauge. Its function is to damp the
fuel gauge pointer so it stops waving about as the fuel moves
about in the tank when cornering and accelerating. If the board
fails then the fuel gauge ceases to work. Unfortunately replacement
units are NLA so this repair service is a real life-line for RV8
enthusiasts. Clive can be contacted on 01746 710810. (6.9.05)
Clive Wheatley
mgv8parts
Webhosting service outage for the last week
The usual regular
updates on the V8 Website have not been possible over the last
week following a serious problem with the webhosting server at
the webhost Netkonect at Basingstoke. Not only was there no FTP
service to enable uploads of new adverts and other webpage changes
but also the basic website connection service has had frequent
breakdowns when members have been unable to connect to the V8
Website. Our apologies to members who have missed the usual lively
website with regular updates. We plan to move the V8 Website to
another webhost where we feel both the webhosting service and
customer support will be better. (31.8.05)
Directors' New Club Office scheme
The long awaited
information pack setting out details of the Directors' New Club
Office scheme was finally released this afternoon. It recommends
approval of their scheme for a large redevelopment of the present
Kimber House site in Cemetery Road at Abingdon. V8 members can
obtain copies of the 34 page report the Directors have made to
the Council members who are due to meet to consider and vote on
this scheme on Saturday 15th October 2005 and the mass of appendices.
Simply go to the Club website (using the Club badge rollover link
in the top RH corner of this website) where you will find one
of the "boxes" on the homepage has a rollover link to
a webpage providing links to both the complete package as either
a zipped file which is just under 8MB when uncompressed, or as
individual documents. You will then be able to download the documents
and do your own review and assessment of the merits and wisdom
of the scheme. A Group of Club members has come together to support
both the new independent NCO Website and the examination of the
information provided by the Directors. An NCO Appraisal Report
will be produced over the next few weeks which will be available
to members of the V8 Register. If you have any views or comments
on the scheme and the details set out in the Directors' NCO information
pack, either contact Victor Smith or post your views on the V8BB
and/or the NCOBB. (23.8.05)
Good time to get an RV8 - reduced to sell!
 |
Flame
Red 0344 is a UK spec car with 26,000 miles is reduced
to £14,495. (21.8.05)
Details |
 |
Black
1471 is a UK spec car with 55,000 miles and in great
condition inside and out. Reduced to £10,500. (17.8.05)
Details
|
 |
BRG
0950 is a UK spec car with 52,000 miles reduced to £9,495
for a quick sale. (16.8.05)
Details
|
 |
Woodcote
Green 0725 is a reimported model with only 24,500 miles
reduced from £12,500 to £11,495. (16.8.05)
Details |
 |
BRG
1752 is a UK spec car in outstanding condition with
only 9,700 miles offered at £15,495 ovno. (16.8.05)
Details |
Jeff Barrett
(Oxford Blue 1711), with a UK spec car with 65,000 miles reports
"I have now sold my RV8 to somebody who spotted the car
on the RV8s for Sale webpage on the V8 Website. Thank you for
your help and swift response on the price drop request to £9,500.
When
I return to MG ownership I will definitely sign-up for the V8
Register again!"
(16.8.05)
V8 Roadsters for sale
 |
Nightfire
Red 4347 was converted four years ago with a 3.9 litre
V8 powerplant and an R380 gearbox. Well sorted with 0-60
in 5.4 seconds. 15" Minilites. Reduced to £9,400
to sell. (22.8.05) Details |
 |
Teal
Blue 4180 (GHN 5315656) is a superb V8 Roadster originally
built by Pool Lane Classics to a high standard back in 1990
at a cost of £20K. Since then many additions and improvements
have been made to her. Asking price is £11,500
ono. (16.8.05)
Details
|
Nightfire Red 0396 sold promptly
Richard Davies
from Nottinghamshire reports his RV8 sold in only 10 days. (5.8.05)
Webmaster on leave for 10 days
Victor Smith
is off to the Highlands mountain walking in the remote Ben Alder
area for 10 days so if you want an advert posted or amended before
16th August, please send your request before tomorrow evening
or he will be gone by dawn on Saturday morning. (4.8.05)
DEV3 the third Development RV8 reduced
 |
ADD
DEV03 was the third Factory Development RV8 built in 1991.
Alan Torbett has reduced the price to only £13,750.
(4.8.05)
DEV3
for Sale
|
New Club Office - members' bulletin board
The postings
on the Members' BB have come alive with a rather paternalistic
contribution from Doug Bush and some lively responses and an extraordinary
posting from Ron Edmond who essentially says "Trust the
Treasurer. This project has been most carefully costed - it has
taken into account the current bank balances pledges and borrowing
requirements and the potential income from excess office space.
In represents an excellent investment for OUR club and its future
and accordingly I give this matter whole hearted support."
One wonders quite where he gets his facts to justify such blind
faith! That information has never been released to even the Council
members let alone general Club members. (1.8.05)
http://www.newcluboffice.net
MGBGTV8 flame traps & breather filter
Anthony DeBella
(Damask 1317) in the US posted a query on the flame traps and
breather filter. Details from page 54 of the MGBGTV8 Driver's
Handbook AKD8423 are reproduced to assist him as a jpeg scan in
a Word file. (31.7.05)
Flame
traps & breather filter
Silverstone 2005
Over 150 V8s
gathered alongside the V8 Marquee and enjoyed the annual International
MG Meeting. The V8BBQ on Saturday night was very popular with
over 80 suppers cooked by Clive Wheatley's volunteer team. Sadly
the 5 year run of hot weather at Silverstone at this event ended
on Sunday morning with the arrival of heavy rain. (27.7.05)
Silverstone 2005
report
RV8s reduced to sell
Two UK spec RV8s
advertised on the RV8s for Sale webpage have been reduced to sell.
Oxford Blue 1711 is now offered at £9,500
and BRG 0950 is available at £10,495. (4.8
& 20.7.05)
RV8s for Sale
Hook Norton Brewery - Friday 22nd July 2005
One of the traditions
for over 25 years is collecting the beer for the V8 Marquee from
Hook Norton. Victor Smith and other members will be at the Brewery
at noon to collect a few polypins following which they retire
to the Pear Tree Inn nearby for lunch and then on to Silverstone
Circuit by about 2.30pm. Full details of the route with maps to
help you find your way to Hook Norton are in the Silverstone
2005 briefing.
David Biddle has been the V8 Currymaster for many years
and will not be standing for the post at the AGM on Sunday 24th
July at Silverstone - any volunteers to run the annual V8 Curry
in February? (17.7.05)
Special Silverstone Offers
This year there will be a number of special offers available for
V8 enthusiasts at the V8 Marquee at the Club's International MG
Meeting at Silverstone. So why not drop in at the V8 Marquee and
pick up a TE Low Brake Fluid Sensor or a 12 Volt Battery
Conversion Kit for an MGBGTV8 or an RV8 Distributor Clamp
Wrench or a V8 Thin Wall Plug Socket for either an
RV8 or MGBGTV8. (15 & 8.7.05)
Silverstone
2005 Special Offers
V8BBQ is popular
Al Barnett reports
bookings for the V8BBQ on Saturday evening at the V8 Marquee over
the long weekend meeting at Silverstone are rising rapidly. This
year the V8BBQ is sponsored by Clive Wheatley mgv8parts so all
you need to do is book with Al using the online form below to
ensure we have sufficient supplies for your supper! Alternatively
call him on 01306 875786 beforehand or John Targett on 07816 251409
over the weekend. (12.7.05)
Silverstone 2005
briefing
V8BBQ information
and V8BBQ booking
form
RV8 sold promptly to a discerning enthusiast
 |
Flame
2195, an immaculate RV8, was snapped up by a discerning
enthusiast in Northumberland. Bill Wood is sad to see
it go but pleased to see it used more. (11.7.05)
|
V8 Workshop Notes Volume 10 launched
In the run up
to Silverstone 2005, we have closed Volume 9 and started a working
draft of Volume 10 with V8NOTE331 and 332 on the TE Low Brake
Fluid Sensor and today V8NOTE333 with Geoff Allen's advice on
whether a gasket is needed with the Carburettor Adaptor Assembly,
commonly known as "the pair of trousers". A stock of
CDs for both workshop notes series will be made so they can be
part of the Silverstone Special Offers. The offer lasts at the
V8 Marquee until the stocks expire. (11.7.05)
V8 Gathering at Silverstone 2005
Friday
22nd - Sunday 24th July
The MG Car Club's annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone
is held over the long weekend in July. V8 enthusiasts regard this
event as the principal V8 Gathering and upwards of 120 V8s park
up alongside the V8 Marquee on each day.
The V8 Marquee
and dedicated parking will be in the same location as 2004 - at
the foot of the second bridge on the LHS as you reach the inner
area of the Circuit. (8.7.05)
Silverstone 2005
briefing
V8BBQ information
and V8BBQ booking
form
Special offers
for V8 enthusiasts at Silverstone 2005
This year there will be a number of special offers available for
V8 enthusiasts at the V8 Marquee at the Club's International MG
Meeting at Silverstone. So why not drop in and pick up a TE
Low Brake Fluid Sensor or a 12 Volt Battery Conversion
Kit for an MGBGTV8 or an RV8 Distributor Clamp Wrench
or a V8 Thin Wall Plug Socket for either an RV8 or MGBGTV8.
Details of these four offers will be released shortly. (8.7.05)
V8 volunteer needed for the Silverstone POO
Dave Tynan, the
Concours & Pride of Ownership organiser for Silverstone 2005,
is seeking at least one representative from each of the registers
who would be willing to act as a judge on Sunday 24th July, for
both events. He will require the judges from 10.20 am until 12.45
pm - judges sign on at 10.30am. Judging finishes at 12.30. If
any V8 member is able to volunteer, please contact Dave at
mg_concours_poo(at)yahoo.co.uk so he can then arrange
& collate the judges list. (8.7.05)
Beware of scams when you advertise
an RV8 or V8
Keith Taylor
(Woodcote Green 1405) recently advertised his RV8 on the V8 Website
and reports receiving six attempted scams. The first from someone
claiming to be a Liberian refugee in Lagos offering to share massive
cash deposits and several other equally implausible efforts. Most
members are wise to these types of scam and are also aware they
should not open the attachments, but one very cleverly worded
email appeared to be a genuine buyer but was not. Just bin them
and if you have an internet security package block the senders
too. From today our recommendation is that members advertising
on the V8 Website use only their telephone numbers and hopefully
that will end the activities of these scam pests. (7.7.05)
Example of these scams
V8 Website hits up 4% in June 2005
The surge in hits on the V8 Website were 6,793. On a comparative
31 day basis the hits at 7,019 were up by 4.06% compared
with 6,745 in May 2005. (1.7.05)
V8
Website hits for June
TE low brake fluid detector - a vital safety device for an
MGBGTV8
Bob Owen (Blaze
1675) from Berkshire suffered one of the serious brake servo failures
we have reported over the last few years and decided he would
like a little more warning if the brake fluid loss might occur
again! He was well placed to create an electronic sensor which
fits on the brake fluid master cylinder cap as he runs an electronics
business. This kit will be launched at Silverstone in July 2005
so V8 enthusiasts will be able to see a demonstration unit and
buy one. (30.6.05)
V8NOTE331
Detailed installation
guide (5.7.05) V8NOTE332
New website launched with independent information on the New
Club Office scheme
Many Club members are increasingly concerned by the scale and
likely cost of the New Club Office scheme being prepared by the
Chairman and his fellow Executive Committee members. After more
than 12 months and £50,000 spent on professional fees and
preparation costs none of the essential information needed to
assess the New Club Office scheme has been released to the Council
voting members who represent the members of the Club. This website
provides an independent source of information for Club members
with an analysis of both the New Club Office scheme and information
on two much more affordable alternative schemes. Club members
will be better able to judge for themselves whether the New Club
Office scheme can be justified, whether the scale and cost are
wise when other important projects to develop member services
clearly need investment, whether the proposals are wise in terms
of the necessary contractual and debt commitments, whether they
are an appropriate use of Club funds, and above all whether they
are affordable both now and taking a prudent view of the Club's
likely future financial performance.

This new website was launched today with the support of many Club
members and particularly committee members of the Caledonian Centre,
North West Centre, T Register and the V8 Register of the MG Car
Club who feel they have a duty to bring this growing problem and
potential fiasco to the attention of Club members generally. (25.6.05)
Announcement
Sensibly priced RV8s & MGBGTV8s sell well on the V8 Website
Rachel Butcher
called today to say her RV8 (BRG 0284) has been sold. The buyer
called within four hours of the advert going up on the RV8s for
Sale webpage on 13.6.05 , he viewed the car on Saturday 18.6.05,
went off looked at some other RV8s and then returned to close
the deal. Rachel had seven enquiries through the V8 Website and
one from an advert in a commercial magazine where the advert cost
her four times our charge! So whether you are selling or buying
a V8, the V8 Website is the leading place to find a good V8! (22.6.05)
BRG
0284
V8BBQ on Saturday
23rd July 2005
Forget the "Yes Minister" jokes about the Euro sausage,
this V8BBQ will have a choice of both succulent English homemade
sausages from a supplier in Sussex and a supply of German
sausages brought over to Silverstone for the event by Walter and
Brigitte Kallenberg from Essen. Real ale supplies will be on hand
of course together with a case of red wine donated by Al Barnett
so all tastes should be catered for! The V8BBQ will be alongside
the V8 Marquee at Silverstone Circuit and will start from around
6.30pm. Initial responses indicate the V8BBQ will be popular so
to ensure sufficient supplies are available on the night, could
all members planning to attend send in a confirmation of their
booking a V8BBQ supper. We have an online V8BBQ booking form
you need to send to Al Barnett (or you can telephone him) to confirm
your supper. The V8BBQ is free to V8 Register members and their
friends through the generous sponsorship of Clive Wheatley mgv8parts.
(22.6.05)

V8BBQ information
& Silverstone
2005 briefing
Another V8 sold on the V8 Website
 |
Peter
Kuruber reports Damask 0635 has been sold. He says "I'm
letting you know that I have sold it today. I had a total
of nine enquiries, of which eight came from the V8 Website,
and three viewings ". (20.6.05)
|
Exceptional low mileage UK spec RV8s for sale
|
|
BRG
1752, an immaculate UK spec RV8 with only 9,700 miles
is for sale. This car is without doubt one of the very
best and most original UK specification RV8s. Paul Farrar
says "you will not be disappointed!"
Offered at £16,495 (18.6.05)
|
|
|
Flame
2195, an immaculate low mileage UK spec RV8, is for
sale. It's one of the last RV8s to be produced. (15.6.05)
Full set of
RV8 photos
|
RV8s
for Sale webpage
Beware spam attack
V8 Committee
members with v8register.net email addresses are under attack from
a wretched spammer who is very cleverly trying to pretend he is
the administrator or webmaster for v8register.net - so under no
circumstances open those emails and certainly not the attachments.
You can see the typical text this miserable, ill-intentioned pest
is using by clicking the link below. The V8 Webmaster has been
under attack from this pest for over 10 days now and frankly it
is tiresome. (17.6.05)
Example of spam pest
text
RV8 in Nightfire Red is coming back to the UK
 |
Nightfire
Red 1008, a Grade 4 with 33,000km recorded, was sold
at auction on 9th June. Good quality RV8s in this popular
colour are seen less often at auction in Japan these days.
It is being reimported by HS
Imports. (16.6.05) |
Philip James
(Sandglow V8 2868) and Terry Starkey (Le Mans Green RV8 0786)
have sent in replacement tyre survey forms recently. Their comments
on the improved ride and handling and the good service from the
tyre fitters is useful reading. The V8 replacement tyre survey
report has been updated with the additional data. (16.6.05)
Tyre
survey comments & Tyre
survey report
MGBGTV8 sold to an Austrian enthusiast
Brian Reynolds
reports he has sold his V8 (Harvest Gold 0425) to an MG enthusiast
from Austria. Another enthusiast in France was also keen on the
car. So sensibly priced V8s are selling on the V8 Website. (15.6.05)
AWC Summer Day Out - Sunday 19th June 2005
 |
This
year Abingdon Works Centre has its annual Summer Day Out
at Highclere Castle, England's most beautiful Victorian
castle set in spectacular parkland. The event is always
a wonderfully relaxed day with
a lunchtime band and a tea stall which V8 enthusiasts
enjoy.
It is always an event your partner will enjoy, particularly
a visit to the house and garden. Highclere
is just south of Newbury in Berkshire. (15.6.05)
AWC
Day Out
Rolling V8 Calendar
|
V8 & RV8 replacement tyre survey
updated
We maintain a
replacement tyre survey based on the tyre survey forms sent in
by members.
The key results from the survey are:
Average total mileage to date
Average miles pa
Average tyre age @ tyre change
Probable tyre mileage at change
Top new replacement tyres fitted:
Michelin
Firestone
Pirelli
Av cost of new tyres fitted incl tax |
MGBGTV8
100,689
3,334
6.67 years
22,228
30%
30%
0%
£55.47
|
RV8
21,825
2,208
8.83 years
19,502
25%
0%
33%
£74.17
|
The data for
the MGBGTV8 has removed the distorting effect of the exceptional
mileage (360,000 miles) reported on the survey form sent in by
Gordon Hesketh-Jones for his V8! (14.6.05)
Tyre
survey form & Tyre
survey report
DEV3 the third Development RV8 for sale
 |
ADD
DEV03 was the third Factory Development car built in 1991.
The present owner bought the car from the Factory in 1996
and it has now covered only 14,000 miles.
|
Although mechanically
identical to a production RV8, the driving experience is considerably
different. DEV3 feels like a well sorted high performance sports
car as opposed to the grand tourer feel of a production RV8. This
is probably why it was the project team's favourite car! This
is an opportunity to acquire a unique car which is both fun to
drive as well as a piece of MG history. (11.6.05)
DEV3
for Sale
Original Factory V8 for sale
 |
Jeff
Ward has owned Flamenco Red 2375 for 26 years and is offering
it for sale. It is a very attractive low mileage example.
(10.6.05)
MGV8s for
Sale
|
V8 goes to the North Cape
 |
Theo
Klick (Damask 1721) is one of the growing band of V8 enthusiasts
in Germany. He took his recently restored V8 up to the
North Cape at the top of Norway. His report is interesting.
(9.6.05)
North Cape (German)
North Cape (English)
|
V8 Website hit count for May/June
 |
The
drop in daily hits in the period through the recent Bank
Holiday is clear from the section of the 30 day report
alongside, reaching a low of 132 on Sunday. Since then
it has shot back up peaking at 322 on Wednesday. We have
two hit challenges this month.
|
This month we
will have two competitions to guess the hits total for June -
the first predicting the total hits and the second predicting
the highest figure being the product of the hits guess times half
the number of days remaining in the month on the date of the bid.
That should provide an interesting challenge for those who clearly
study the daily hit pattern from the charts for earlier months!
Post all bids on the V8BB please. (4.6.06)
V8
Website hits for May 2005
DEFRA backs down on motor sports events on
farmland
DEFRA has
climbed down over some ill thought through and undesirable regulations
introduced in March this year which would have had a very serious
impact on car and motor cycle trials events held on agricultural
land in the UK. Apparently DEFRA were surprised at the strength
of the opposition to their proposals, widely seen as wholly unnecessary
"gold plating" of an EU directive with consequences
they were plainly unaware of and had not assessed. Announcing
a revision today to the rules governing the use of agricultural
land for motor sports during the 10-month qualifying period under
the Single Payment Scheme, Lord Bach, Minister for Sustainable
Farming and Food, said "We understand that DEFRA received
a number of representations from motor sport interests following
the issue of new guidance on 29 March. Having considered these,
I am happy to announce the publication of updated guidance
which now provides for motor sports to take place on up to 28
days during farmers' 10-month eligibility period on land used
in support of 2005 Single Payment claims. Guidance for 2006
and beyond will be reviewed in the light of experience of this
first year of the Single Payment Scheme." Despite the
slightly patronising announcement, hopefully the "review
for 2006 and beyond" after a year is just a Civil Service
way of climbing down, while saving face. (2.6.05)
Earlier report & press article
V8 Website hits level of in May 2005
With 6,745
hits in May, the surge in hits seen over the months since October
2004 has eased. The total hits for April 2005 was 6,637 or 6,858
on a pro rata 31 day comparative basis so the May hits are down
by 1.65%. Rob de Joode, an RV8 member in Holland, bid 6,795 hits
for May so wins the free combined V8 & RV8 Workshop Notes
CD. (1.6.05)
V8 Website hits for May
2005
RV8s sell well on the V8 Website
David Price
reports that Woodcote Green 1033 (1995) with just 9,700 miles
and a hardtop has been sold within just 20 days as a combined
deal - the hardtop remains with the car.
(31.5.05)
RV8
has been sold
V8 Gathering at Silverstone 2005
The MG Car
Club's annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone is only
8 weeks away held over the long weekend Friday 22nd to Sunday
24th July. V8 enthusiasts regard this event as the principal V8
Gathering and upwards of 120 V8s park up alongside the V8 Marquee
on each day. There is a 17% discount for admission tickets purchased
in advance from Club Office for only £25 compared with the
cost on the gate at £30. A copy of the Advance Booking Form
is available on the V8 Website to assist you making an early booking.
(31.5.05)
Book
your tickets online at the Club's website
Advance Booking
Form for Silverstone 2005
Silverstone 2005
briefing notes for V8 enthusiasts
MG RV8 Boot lid badge plinth
Brown
& Gammons at Baldock report the boot lid badge plinth ZKC6076
for the RV8 is now available again as they have had new stock
made from the original tooling. This is an essential component
for matching the badge to the boot profile and it comes complete
with the adhesive pad to mount the badge. Please note the badge
is not included. Price £19.50 including VAT on 01462 490049
or at www.ukmgparts.com
(31.5.05)
First RV8 in Eire
Colin Lewis
(Oxford Blue 1337) in Dublin has registered his reimported RV8
with the V8 Register and mentions his is the first RV8 to be registered
in Eire. We have around six members with MGBGTV8s, so Colin is
very welcome. (30.5.05)
V8s enjoy Cadwell
Five MGV8s are already booked with MGs on Track for their track
day at Cadwell Park on Monday June 13th in association with the
Lincolnshire Centre of the MG Car Club. If you haven't already
joined in the fun, now is your opportunity to see what your V8
can do around one of the great British circuits.
(28.5.05)
More
details
"V8 goes East" reaches Germany
Three
V8 rogues! - Gordon Hesketh-Jones, Kai Knickman & Allan
Doyle relaxing this afternoon at Erlangen. Gordon's V8 is gleaming
in the sunshine after over 5,000 miles on the "V8 goes East"
trip! Kai had driven over to Erlangen with his wife Claudia in
his V8 to join them for a celebration of the safe arrival of the
Hesketh-Jones! (30,
29 & 28.5.05)
More
reports - V8 goes East 12, 13, 14 & 15
There had
been a growing concern that after almost daily email reports on
the progress from Gordon Hesketh-Jones on his"V8 goes East"
trip through Greece, Bulgaria and Romania we had heard nothing
from him for over three days. His last message said "we
are crossing into Hungary tomorrow" which one felt would
be less demanding -roads, accommodation and local conditions.
Well the good news is I had a message from Allan Doyle in Erlangen
late this afternoon to say Gordon & Jennifer had arrived at
their house and all is well. I spoke with Eva Maas-Doyle and then
Gordon as he emerged from a much needed shower. Kai and Claudia
Knickman are due to arrive there on Saturday night for quite a
party to celebrate the adventurers' return. More reports and photos
will follow now Gordon has access to a PC. (27.5.05)
V8 returns from MG Italia & V8 goes East
Now Bob Owen
is back in England he has sent through a batch of photos of his
trip out to Greece. They have been added to the earlier reports,
so you may like to look through the two sets of reports from Bob
and from Gordon Hesketh-Jones again. For the moment we have lost
contact with GHJ as he went into Hungary three days ago but Allan
Doyle called from Germany this evening to say the Hesketh-Jones
are expected at their house on Friday evening!
(26.5.05)
Reports
V8 Website hits for May 2005
Another free
CD to the member providing a guess of the total hits for May 2005
which is closest to the total recorded by our hit count service
provided by thecounter.com. Yesterday we had 260 hits, today by
21.45 we had 202 when the hits total for May so far was 5,531.
Please post
your guess on the V8BB. (25.5.05)
Results
of April bids & Report
& graph for April 2005
V8 returns from the MG Italia
Bob
and Calrolyn Owen took their MGBGTV8 out to Greec to join the
MG Italia event, and met Gordon and Jennifer Hesketh-Jones on
their"V8 goes East" tour, and now recounts the eventful
return journey. (25.5.05)
V8 returns from the MG
Italia
Bronze Yellow 0095 has turned up
The last
pre-production MGBGTV8, which had been missing for many years,
has turned up with Ken Bean in Kent. He is planning a restoration
but says it will need a great deal of work. Ken used to have a
concours V8, Damask 0356, so knows the standards to aim for. Geoff
Allen, the V8 Historian & Archivist recalls the pre-production
cars were built from 0099 through to 0095, or ADO75 95G. It was
first registered in June 1973, sold by the Factory to George Saxon,
an apprentice at Abingdon, and then later sold on to Tim Morgan.
(24.5.05)
V8 Gathering on Hazeley Heath
On a warm,
sunny day the V8 Gathering at Hazeley Heath on Sunday 22nd May
saw over 28 V8s arriving at the Shoulder of Mutton. It has become
a popular event for RV8 enthusiasts and we saw 23 RV8s packed
into the car park. (23.5.05)

Report
V8 distributor clamps & thin wall plug sockets
John Targett
is planning to bring a supply of V8 distributor clamps and thin
wall plug sockets to the Club's annual International MG Meeting
at Silverstone in July as they are readily available in Cleveland
Ohio where he lives. The plug sockets come with half to three
eighths adapters and a convenient knuckle joint so you can position
the socket and the connecting bar to the ratchet to get an exact
turning action on the plug. Peter Garton has reported in a V8BB
posting he has had difficulty obtaining the clamp so any member
wanting to order either or both of these useful V8 tools can email
John at jbritcars(at)aol.com so he can put one aside for you.
Please substitute @ for (at) as we use that convention to avoid
the automated scavenging programmes spammers use on websites to
harvest email addresses for their miserable purposes. A note on
the price for each item will be posted shortly once John has costed
the items. BTW John also has a Valentine 2 radar detector for
sale, just contact him for details.
(23.5.05)
V8 goes East
Further
report from Gordon Hesketh-Jones from Romania having passed through
Bulgaria where he could not find an internet cafe or hotel computer
to send his regular reports. (19.5.05)
V8 goes East 10
and V8 goes East 11
Dedicated RV8 spares section on the B&G website
 |
Louise
Jarvis at Brown & Gammons at Baldock reports the dedicated
RV8 spares section of their website has gone live as part
of their spares service for RV8 enthusiasts.
|
The B&G website
is well worth a visit to get familiar with how the "context
sensitive" parts diagrams work. (17.5.05)
B&G
website review
New V8 Shop launched
Update
- the V8 Regalia pages offering clothing items have a difficulty
with the order form at present which will be resolved early next
week. Apologies to members who may have suffered a mystery tour
during an online purchase. (14.5.05)
A new V8
Shop is launched today which uses the international internet payment
system provided by WorldPay.

This is an improved V8 Online Sales system which enables members
to purchase V8 Publications, V8 Regalia and V8 Events on the V8
Website using credit or debit cards with the convenient and relatively
inexpensive secure international internet payment system called
WorldPay, part of Royal Bank of Scotland. This will be particularly
welcome to our overseas members and should prove simpler to use
than the previous system using PayPal. You can visit the shop
and browse using the small blue "V8 Shop" button on
the left hand side of this homepage. The new V8 Shop also has
improved V8 Mail Order facilities for UK based members who prefer
to send in an order form with a cheque. (12.5.05)
More
about WorldPay
V8 goes East reports
Gordon Hesketh-Jones
reports on his trip from Greece. (12.5.05)
V8 goes East 6
and V8 goes East 7
Upgrading the headlights on an MGBGTV8
Some further
information has come in from Les Twigg of Classic and Rally Services
who supply the Cibie conversion unit and high power bulbs. (10.5.05)
V8NOTE324 updated
RV8 for sale with a hardtop
RV8 hardtops
are difficult to find so when an RV8 comes up for sale with one
it is bound to produce a great deal of interest. David Price has
Woodcote Green 1033 for sale. (9.5.05)
Woodcote
Green 1033
MG Italia progress reports
We have another
of the regular report from Gordon Hesketh-Jones as he makes his
way with his trusty navigator Jennifer on his epic 5,250 mile
tour of Eastern Europe and the first of several reports from Bob
and Carolyn Owen who are attending the MG Italia 2005 event in
Greece. (7.5.05)
V8 goes East 4
and V8 goes East 5
DEV3 up for auction
The development RV8 known as DEV3 is listed as a confirmed entry
for Barons "British Heritage Auction- dedicted to British
Classics" to be held at Sandown Park in Esher on Tuesday
7th June 2005. This car is said to have been used for all the
early chassis development throughout 1991. It was the subject
of a "scoop" by CAR magazine in their June 1992 issue.
DEV3 was one
of four "Development Cars" used during the preparation
of the RV8 project. Mike Simmonds, a former RV8 owner, provided
this news for members. (5.5.05)
Details
of DEV3
V8 goes East 3
Gordon
provides his third report covering the journey up from Cornwall
to the ferry and across to Normandy and then a diversion to a
vineyard at St Georges-sur Cher, reaching Bourges for the evening.
(3.5.05)
V8
goes East 3
V8 Website hits for April are up 11%
The total hits for April are 6,637 up 11% on March on a 31 day
pro rata adjusted basis. So the surge in hits continues! The competition
to predict the April hits figure has produced a draw with Chris
Hunt Cooke on 6,574 only 63 below and Tim Hipwell on 6,700 only
63 above the final count! So they both win a free CD. Rob de Joode
was not far off with 6,795 (plus 158). (1.5.05)
Predictions for March
and V8 Website hits for
April
New "best buy" recommendation for the Plantronics Bluetooth
mobile phone headset
The Plantronics
hands free headset is the recommended option for V8 enthusiasts
if you have a mobile phone which supports Bluetooth technology.
The Plantronics M2300 Bluetooth handsfree headset is now on offer
from Maplin at only £24.99 so is now our "best buy".
(30.4.05)
Mobile
7
RV8 for sale at £11,000
Check out
the RV8s for Sale webpage if you are looking for an RV8 as David
Moody has a reimported RV8 with 40,000 miles for sale for just
£11,000. Just click the green rollover button in the left
column alongside. (29.8.05)
MG trials events on farmland could end
because of DEFRA"gold plating" of an EU directive
Howard
Gosling reports he has "read with interest the recent
articles in Safety Fast! about the most successful MG Trial cars.
I did my first trial in South Wales in 1965 in my an MGTD I had
at the time and still have the plaque I won for 'First in Class".
But Howard has also comments on some undesirable regulations DEFRA
is introducing which will have a very serious impact on car trials
events in the UK . He refers to an article by Philip Johnston
in the Daily Telegraph on 25th April 2005. (28.4.05)
Telegraph
article
Costello V8 race car project
Garry Heath
(Tartan Red 5012) from Buckinghamshire registered his Costello
V8 recently and provides a fascinating article on his project
to create a Costello V8 race car. Quite why Ken Costello, who
had a considerable reputation as a saloon car racer, never raced
one of his own MGBV8 conversions is unclear, but Garry liked the
idea of creating retro history 33 years after the first Costello
should have taken to the track! (28.4.05)
Costello
V8 race car
Predicting the V8 Website hits for April
Members are
invited to send in their best guess for the hits for April. The
member with the guess closest to the total hits reported by our
hit count service received by the V8 Registrar before midnight
Saturday 30th April 2005 will receive a special free CD with a
set of both the V8 and RV8 Workshop Notes.
(28.4.05)
Predictions
received so far
RV8 spares news - BMH Witney
John Yea
at British Motor Heritage Body Plant at Witney reports they are
remanufacturing replacement RV8 bonnets (ZKC5425) and boot lids
(ZKC5429) from the original tooling. The RV8 bonnet has proved
very popular for MGV8 conversions using the either the fuel injected
engine or the Holley set up. The bonnets retail at £350
and the boot lids at £250. They can be ordered through BMH
Approved Specialists or at www.bmh-ltd.com
online. John also mentioned BMH have managed to find a stock of
the original boot badge plinths, and will be launching these shortly
as another useful RV8 spares item. (28.4.05)
RV8 spares news - Clive Wheatley
mgv8parts
Clive Wheatley reports they have now sold 80 sets of their front
and rear shock absorber packs of the upgrated Konis. They transform
the handling of an RV8 - see RV8NOTE210
for further information. Clive also mentions that they have now
supplied 13 of their innovative carbon fibre replacement windscreen
surrounds. Eight of those units have been fitted at Clive's new
workshops between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth as replacements
for heavily rusted OE steel units. (28.4.05)
V8 goes East
Gordon and
Jennifer Hesketh-Jones set off from Cornwall next Tuesday on a
5,250 miles tour in their MGBGTV8 to Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.
We hope to have regular reports of their progress and experiences
and have a special V8 goes East
news box in the right hand column of this webpage. It's highlighted
in yellow to make it easier to spot! There you will find two reports
so far - the latest is Gordon's route card, together with an earlier
note on the preparations he has made. (28.4.05)
Review of
road traffic offences involving bad driving
The
closing date for comments on the Government's consultation paper
"Review of Road Traffic Offences involving Bad Driving"
is fast approaching on 6th May. Of course by then there will be
a new Government., but the Whitehall juggernaut will doubtless
roll on regardless. (28.4.05)
More information
Amended V8NOTE on headlamp upgrades
Bob Owen
and Geoff King have added some interesting footnotes to V8NOTE324
on headlamp upgrades for the V8. (27.4.05)
V8NOTE324 & V8NOTE326
How do you open the bonnet when the release cable has snapped?
Alan
McLean (Damask 1516) in Dublin posted a message on the V8BB seeking
advice on how overcome this problem and Geoff Allen, who worked
in the Rectifications Department at the MG Factory for 27 years,
came up with his routine for getting the bonnet undone again.
(27.4.05)
V8NOTE325
Valentine One/2 radar detector for sale
A new unused
Valentine One/2 with all the attachments including a windscreen
suction pad fixing, cigar lighter power plug and leads, and instruction
manual is available for immediate delivery in the UK. (26.4.05)
Valentine One/2
Upgrading the sealed beam units on the V8
Most
V8 enthusiasts who still have sealed beam headlights find the
original sealed beam headlights wholly inadequate for modern driving
conditions. Steve Taylor, who runs the auto electrical supplier
SVC at Tamworth in the West Midlands, provides a useful note on
upgrading sealed beams so more modern lighting standards can be
achieved. (25.4.05)
V8NOTE324
V8 Website hits for April 2005?
Members
are invited to send in their best guess for the hits for April.
The member with the guess closest to the total hits reported by
our hit count service received by the V8 Registrar before midnight
Saturday 30th April 2005 will receive a special free CD with a
set of both the V8 and RV8 Workshop Notes.
(24.4.05)
March 2005 hit report
v8registrar(at)v8register.net
Note we use this (at) format to thwart the wretched
spammers who harvest email addresses from websites for their sick
purposes, just use @ in the usual way
V8 BBQ at Silverstone - Saturday 23rd July 2005
A V8 BBQ
alongside the V8 Marquee at the Club's annual International MG
Meeting is planned for V8 members. Forget the "Yes Minister"
jokes about the Euro sausage - this V8 BBQ will have a choice
of succulent English homemade sausages from a supplier in Sussex
and a supply of German sausages brought over from Germany
for the event by Walter and Brigitte Kallenberg. They will be
coming in their pre-war K Type this year so luggage space will
be tight! As the Club has announced the annual Silverstone Club
Dinner will simply be a stand-up buffet this year, the V8 BBQ
(generously sponsored by Clive Wheatley mgv8parts) will be particularly
welcome to both V8 members and fellow Club members! The organisers
are John Targett, Walter Kallenberg and Al Barnett (who is donating
a case of wine). (24.4.05)
Growing number of speed cameras
Very few
members would disagree with the need for safer driving standards
and particular care with speed in built up areas, but the continuing
growth of speed cameras both fixed and mobile and the surge in
income from fines is alarming. One effect of the recent start
of the present UK general election has been the loss of the Road
Traffic Act which was progressing through the UK Parliament. That
act included measures to ban radar detectors. Many members regard
these devices as an aid to safer driving as the alerts remind
you of a potential danger spot ahead and the need to check your
speed. If the intention of the speed camera authorities is genuinely
to bring about a better awarness and compliance with speed limits,
then the use of detectors both helps achieve that aim and
conditions driver behaviour to greater compliance. Sadly one suspects
the mindset of those seeking a ban is motivated more by a desire
to achieve a penalty process and income than the beneficial safer
driving outcome. (22.4.05)
Not wanted at the museum!
| The
MGC and V8 models are both powerful variants of the MGB
but have very different characteristics, not least the weight
distribution! An MGC featured in today's Telegraph is looking
for a new home. |
 |
The article reports
that this immaculate MGCGT has been loaned to the British Motor
Heritage Centre and then the Sophos Museum in Batley for the last
12 years by Michael Alderson but in each case space became a premium,
so the car was returned. Michael has recently moved house and
has no suitable garage, so is anxious it remains on display. However
he adds that "if I cannot find a suitable museum, I will
have to sell it". If anyone can help, contact Michael
on 0161 432 0402 or by email at aldergold@aol.com (22.4.05)
Mobile aircon service for reimported RV8s
Aircare Automotive
operate a fully mobile vehicle air conditioning service and repair
operation so can come to you. They are fully equipped with the
latest state of the art equipment which includes the use of code
readers to interrogate your vehicle's ECU (electronic control
unit) for DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) to diagnose rapidly
faults in the air conditioning system. Should your vehicle require
a major repair item, then this can be carried out in their workshop,
and a courtesy car made available if required. Aircare Automotive
are based in Elstead in Surrey and cover a 50 mile radius. You
can call them on 01252 703702. (20.4.05)
Aircare
Automotive
Track Day - evening event
MGs on Track
are running an evening event at Donington on Thursday 5th May
which is aimed exclusively at beginners who are new to track driving.
This will be a good opportunity for V8 members to try their car
on the track. Instructors will be on hand to accompany you for
a session at the modest charge of £25. Simply register for
the event (see the web link below) and turn up with a full driving
licence, current MOT, clothing that covers your arms, and a helmet.
If you haven't got a helmet, a limited supply will be available
at the Circuit. Cost is £55 for three 20 minute sessions
from 5.30 to 8.30pm. Instruction will be £25 per session.
(19.4.05)
MGoT
for more information
Speckled Hen beer mats
 |
Speckled
Hen is a wonderful ale with connections with MG and Abingdon
and the brewer has an amusing series of adverts featuring
the rampant Fox keen on a Hen! The V8 Website has a collection
of these adverts which is now augmented with a set of
Speckled Hen beer mats
|
Speckled
Hen beer mats (19.4.05)
Wrench for the RV8 distributor clamp nut
John Dutton
(Woodcote Green 1669) from Kent found it impossible to undo the
distributor clamp nut with an ordinary spanner and eventually
found a special long reach angled wrench. His new RV8 Workshop
Note should provides details of where to obtain the wrench. (18.4.05)
RV8NOTE229
Low brake fluid sensor for an MGBGTV8
Following
the recent thread on the V8BB on silicone and mineral brake fluids
and servo issues for V8s, Bob Owen (an electronics engineer) has
been beavering away on designing an electronic low fluid sensor
as there appears to be none available at present. He reports "I'm
waiting for the first PCBs to come back from manufacture and we
will then build a prototype batch of brake fluid level sensors.
I plan to install the first prototype on my V8 and use it on my
forthcoming trip to Greece with MG Italia. Gordon Hesketh-Jones
isn't the only V8 kid on the block!. This should show up any problems
with vibration and heat. It will also be low temperature tested
in the freezer. If other work items don't crowd in at the last
minute (as they are sadly wont to do) I'll send you photos of
the installation and further info prior to departure on May 1st.
All being well, the units should be available for sale in June".
So there should be examples available at the V8 Marquee at the
Club's annual International MG Meeting in July 2005. (18.4.05)
MGBGTV8 in daily use
Mike Anderson's
MGBGTV8 is finished in Chartreuse, a relatively rare colour as
only nineteen later rubber bumpered V8s were finished in that
colour with a black interior trim. It's also a V8 which is daily
use and is well cared for. (15.4.05)
Chartreuse
2872
Clive Wheatley mgv8parts
Sadly we
have heard Clive Wheatley's wife, Anne, has passed away. The workshops
and phone lines at Clive Wheatley mgv8parts will be closed next
week from Monday 18th to Thursday 21st April inclusive.
(14.4.05)
MGV8s and RV8s for Sale
Would all advertisers on the V8 Website note that from today
all adverts will run for two months unless we receive
an earlier advice that the car has been sold or confirmation
from the advertiser the advert should continue. Most advertisers
do contact the V8 Registrar to say their car has been sold but
unfortunately a few have not. (13.4.05)
V8 spares for sale
Graham Dover (Damask 0471) from Surrey has a concours
winning MGBGTV8 and has decided the time has come to sell some
of his huge stock of spares and near new parts. Contact Graham
Dover (near Walton-on -Thames in Surrey) for further information
on 07900 080479. (12.4.05)
V8 spares for
sale list and a further
list of V8 spares
Reassurance on parts supply for MG Rover cars
Dealer parts managers have received an assurance of "the
ongoing availability of parts for MG Rover vehicles"
and that "XPart will continue sourcing from its extensive
supplier base to satisfy ongoing parts demand to ensure that
MG Rover drivers continue to enjoy high levels of parts availability
in all markets". XPart is now a division of Caterpillar
Logistic Services (UK) following the formal acquisition of the
MG Rover Parts business in August 2004. Caterpillar Logistics
add they "are not directly affected by the immediate
situation at MG Rover and, trading as XPart, they remain committed
to the ongoing supply of spare parts to all authorised MG Rover
Parts Dealers". (12.4.05)
MG Rover parts supply
report
V8s at the Silverstone MGoT Track Day

Michael Sparks (Red 0610) from Oxfordshire was at
the MGoT Track Day on Monday 11th April with the beautiful MGBGTV8
Conversion (Metallic Blue 3135) he has built from a Heritage
shell. The day was a well run event, blessed with fine weather,
good driving standards and a great deal of fun. (Photo: Victor
Smith) (11.4.05)
Silverstone
MGoT Track Day report
Windstop bracket modification to enable an RV8 hood
to be raised
Paul Wilson (Woodcote Green 0929) from Yorkshire purchased
a Tij-Power windstop for his RV8 but found he could not raise
the hood with the windstop brackets in place. He set about modifying
them to overcome the problem. (6.4.05)
RV8NOTE228
V8 Website hits surge by over 14% in March 2005 and
83% since November 2004!
The surge in hits on the V8 Website has accelerated in a serious
way during March with a rise to 6,176 from 4,882 hits
(+26%) in February. If you adjust the short 28 day February
figure to a comparative 31 day count, that would be 5,405 hits
which is still a 14.3% increase which continues the sustained
rise from 3,368 in November 2004 to 6,176 in March 2005 - an
extraordinary 83.4% growth in only four months. (31.3.05)
V8 Website hit report
for March 2005
Rare RV8 prototype discovered by Fred Jenns
It is now well known, there was one more RV8 body shell delivered
to the factory than can be accounted for in RV8 production records,
or in aftermarket sales so this may also account for the one
RV8 VIN number that appears to have been "lost". One
possible explanation for both these anomalies came to light
last weekend. when Fred Jenns was asked to value a small collection
of MGs and other British sportscars for a family as the father
wanted to split his collection fairly between his two sons.
(1.4.05)
Report from Fred
Jenns
A couple of members contacted the V8 Webmaster in the morning
seeking more information on the TD prototype - Fred has confessed
it was an April Fool hoax. (1.4.05)
RV8 at a competitive price
Paul MacNeil is offering a reimported RV8 with less than 15,000
miles at only £11,995 which should prove to be of interest
to V8 enthusiasts as Spring approaches! (31.3.05)
RV8s for Sale
V8 goes East
Gordon Hesketh-Jones (Harvest Gold 1904) from Cornwall uses
his V8 in a serious way with tours overseas and has clocked
up an astonishing 330,000 miles in his chrome bumpered V8. When
we heard he was planning another major trip, we thought members
would like to follow his journey with regular reports. Gordon
starts the series of reports with a note on what he has planned
and the preparations he is making. (29.3.05)
V8 goes East report
1
V8 Website down earlier today
Apologies to members who found the V8 Website unobtainable earlier
today - our webhost had to make an urgent upgrade to its systems
which took its client websites offline for 102 minutes from
1712hrs London time. (29.3.05)
RV8 heat shields upside down!
Paul Mascall reports on the V8BB "I was fiddling about
with my RV8 over the Easter weekend and thought of the comment
about the cats being welded in upside down. Got down on my hands
and knees and, guess what? The heat shields are underneath the
cats - obviously to ensure that no undue heating of the road
surface takes place! Looks like I'm in the market for some reflective
foil. Thanks for the tip, Gavin". (28.3.05)
Updated RV8NOTE227
Affordable RV8 diagnostic equipment
Chris Hunt Cooke reports RPI Engineering and RovacomLite have
launched a new vehicle diagnostic system which is truly affordable
for RV8 enthusiasts. The innovative system allows you to diagnose
the on board ECU on an RV8 or V8 conversion with an engine management
system fitted. It has been designed with two key features for
owner-enthusiasts - it is easy to use and very affordable, typically
costing less than 10% of the price of other vehicle diagnostic
systems like Testbook.
(23.3.05)
RV8 diagnostic
system
No track laps at Silverstone 2005
V8 enthusiasts have enjoyed the annual track laps sessions at
Silverstone a great deal but sadly they cannot be run again.
Unfortunately some over-enthusiastic individuals last year overtook
the course car and sadly one young driver in a Glacier White
V8 passed two cars in Copse corner at high speed only to be
seen recovering from a spin before Becketts. Quite stupid but
he clearly was unaware of the instructions as he promptly drove
by again at an absurd speed. So on balance the Club has taken
the right step and now only parade laps will be available for
registers celebrating an anniversary year - this year MGAs -
and they will circulate at 40 mph max. So if you want to drive
at track speeds either attend a proper MGoT test day and wear
a helmet or enter the BCV8 Championship.
(21.3.05)
Silverstone
2005 briefing note
RV8 spares for sale
Brian Powis is offering a selection of useful RV8 spares for
sale. All the parts are in a "used condition" and
except for the damaged door are in good condition. The prices
reflect the used condition and are around 50% of the new supply
price. Some of the parts are no longer available. Brian reports
that two parts have been sold already! (30.3.05
& 21.3.05)
RV8 spares for sale
RV8 reduced for a quick for sale
Oxford Blue 1170 now priced at £14,500. (19.3.05)
Oxford Blue 1170
Fitting a "lights on" alarm to a V8
Alan Turner (Damask 0663) from Devon posted a note on the V8BB
and in passing mentioned a useful modification to provide an
alarm if the lights are left on. Here he sets out how to make
the device. (17.3.05)
V8NOTE323
Silicone or mineral fluid debate continues
A series
of postings on the special debate webpage is proving interesting.
(17.3.05)
Mineral-silicone
brake fluid debate
Silicone or mineral brake fluid for V8s
One of
our members has produced a workshop note on changing to silicone
brake fluid on a V8. As the case for silicone fluid is not universally
accepted,and indeed some believe it is not the best choice particularly
for a classic car, we are seeking members' views. See also our
earlier V8NOTE228
on a servo failures where the issue of silicone came up. (15.3.05)
Mineral-silicone
brake fluid debate
Abandoned or stolen MGBGTV8
Does any
member know who owns a Damask coloured V8 with the registration
plate URX 252 N which appears to have been abandoned
in South Croydon? (14.3.05)
More on curing heat in an RV8 cockpit
A thread of V8BB postings in February 2005 returned to the difficulty
of finding a cure for excessive heat in an RV8 cockpit and pointed
to four areas to tackle. (14.3.05)
RV8NOTE227
Reconditioning a V8 gearbox
Tina Elias
posted a note on the V8BB in February 2005 saying "I
have recently obtained a spare original V8 overdrive gearbox
which I intend to get reconditioned in advance of my own gearbox
failing. Can anyone suggest a good firm to undertake the work,
preferably in the south of England and ideally in the Surrey
- Hampshire region?" Geoff King, Phil Bristow and Chris
Armitage each recommend specialists for reconditioning V8 gearboxes
and overdrives and are now on a new listing on the V8 Website.
Further recommendations welcome. (13.3.05)
V8 gearbox specialists
B&B for Silverstone 2005
The briefing
note on Silverstone 2005 recommends members seeking accommodation
go to the very useful county tourism website or call the tourist
office in Brackley. News of a local B&B in Silverstone Village
with a room available over the Silverstone weekend has come
in today. Update: within a matter of an hour or so the B&B
place was snapped up. (11.3.05)
Silverstone
2005 and B&B
in Silverstone
Beware another card fraud scam
Card fraud
is increasing so we need to be aware of the clever scams that
fraudsters are using. One scam experienced by Michael Binns is
reported in detail as a useful warning for fellow members. (10.3.05)
Card fraud scam
Remanufactured RV8 windscreens coming
A second
prototype RV8 windscreen has been under test and another, incorporating
some further useful modifications, will be delivered to Brown
& Gammons shortly. Ron Gammons says "supplies should
be available later this year and hopefully sooner" and
they will include some very useful improvements, not least to
the rust resistance inside and out. The surrounds have been a
priority part for remanufacture but B&G have had a difficult
time tracing and obtaining all the tooling to enable them to remanufacture
this much needed part - and then much of it had to be repaired
and refurbished before it could be used. A number of members have
badly rusted surrounds - see RV8NOTE225
for graphic details! - and are looking forward to fitting these
new OE units. The RV8 bonnet is also being remanufactured for
B&G - this will be good news for both RV8 enthusiasts and
members with V8 Conversions. (7.3.05)
RV8
spares deal
V8 Paperweights
 |
Heavy
English glass paperweight, perfect for the office or study
at home. The paperweight features the familiar blue and
white V8 Register logo. Supplied with a felt base to avoid
scratching polished furniture surfaces. Gift boxed.
|
Also available,
a bespoke paperweight with your own artwork. Full details in the
updated V8 Regalia Brochure. (7.3.05)
V8 Regalia
V8 Website hits rise substantially in February 2005
The surge in hits on the V8 Website has continued in February
with a rise to 4,882 hits for the short 28 day month compared
with 4,826 in December 2004. The trend we saw over the final week
of January, when the pro rata 30 day hit rate was over 5,000 has
continued. By 28th February the 30 day hit rate was 5,232 and
by 11th March it had reached 5,452 so it is clear the surge is
continuing. (11.3.05 & 28.2.05)
V8
Website report for Fenruary 2005
Rechipping an RV8
Peter Wallis
posted a query on the V8BB in February 2005 seeking information
on re-chipping an RV8. Gavin Bailey (BRG 0766) from Surrey describes
in this latest note in the RV8 Workshop Notes series his experience
of having a chip fitted at RPI in Norfolk, together with a V8BB
posting from David Farrer-Brown and an earlier note from Chris
Hunt Cooke. (1.3.05)
See RV8NOTE226
Good service from an RV8 reimporter
Gary
Brown (Woodcote Green 1556) from Kent has an example of the
good service you get from the leading RV8 specialists. In this
case Chris Watkins at HS Imports insisted on sending Fred the
mechanic all the way from Somerset to Kent to fix a minor fault
on the RV8 that had just been delivered to Gary - a round trip
of over 450 miles. Gary says "service like this must be
worth praising - not even main dealers are this good. Fred arrived
at 9.30 pm and then job done, he left to drive home at 10 pm".
The photo above was taken by Chris just as the car arrived from
the boat from Japan before preparation for Gary. (26.2.05)
Windscreen
surround removal
Jeff Swann
(Woodcote Green 0519) has sent in a correction to RV8 Workshop
Note 22 in Volume 1 saying "having just removed the windscreen
frame from my RV8, I can report that the two outside bolts securing
the bottom of the windscreen rail are in fact 8mm and not
10mm. Also worthy of note is that it is preferable to use a long
barrelled straight socket as the bolts are slightly recessed and
there is little room for good 'purchase' on the bolt heads which
are located inside the double skin". Future CDs will
incorporate this amendment. (28 & 25.2.05)
RV8NOTE225
added to the series
Speckled Hen now available in Thailand!
At last!
A quality ale is available for discerning drinkers in
Thailand. Pale, insipid, gassy beers are a thing of the
past. Wrap yourself in the rich, strong taste of "Old
Speckled Hen" - a most gratifying ale. (24.2.05)
|
|
"Where
can I buy it?"
I hear you cry.
|
|
|
This report was
sent in by Franck Morand who says "I just wanted to advise
you that there are two places in Bangkok where you can find Old
Speckled Hen, in case MG enthusiasts travelling through Bangkok
happen to miss their favourite bear. I am travelling overseas
so have not been to those places yet, but at least MG enthusiasts
will find the right type of malted liquid there...!"
For more information go to the web site at www.ruandeng.com
See
also the additional Hen materials
Clive Wheatley mgv8parts
Clive reports
the telephone and Broadband connections to his workshops are down
as the BT line has a fault. BT have excavators in the adjacent
fields searching for the fault but it is proving difficult to
trace. In the meantime his telephone line is diverted to his mobile
number so he can take calls. So if you have tried to contact him
by email in recent days, do give him a call on 01746 710810. (2.2.05)
Gavin Bailey reports Clive's lines are back up and running again
- they were damaged by shotgun pellets during a shoot on the land
over which the lines pass! (23.2.05)
Trevor Taylor built V8 Roadster for sale
Al
Barnett reports his V8 Roadster was sold
to the first of several callers responding to his advert on the
V8 Website. He is selling as he wants to buy back his RV8 following
the sad death of the new owner. Full details are on the MGV8s
for Sale webpage. (23.2.05 & 15.2.05)
MGV8s for Sale
& more information
Pair of V8 heads for sale
John Carling
is offering a pair of used heads for sale (13.2.05)
V8 heads
Stack of MGBGTV8 spares for sale
Graham Dover
(Damask 0471) from Surrey has a concours winning MGBGTV8 and has
decided the time has come to sell some of his huge stock of spares
and near-new parts. Some of the parts will be much sought after,
not least the original gearbox with overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears.
Most of these spares are either parts removed from the V8 during
a nut and bolt rebuild for concours competition, or acquired and
refurbished for use on the project. Graham
is still sorting out his stock so more parts will be avialable
in the next week or so. (13
& 11.2.05)
MGBGTV8
spares &
More
V8 spares
V8 Website hit count up again in January
The surge
in hits on the V8 Website has continued in January with a 16.8%
rise to 4,826 hits compared with 4,131 in December 2004. Over
the final week of the month, the pro rata 31 day hit rate was
well over 5,000 so it is clear the surge is continuing.
(1.2.05)
V8
Website performance &
Trade advertising
Bluetooth handsfree phone option for V8 enthusiasts
Another handsfree
option is a Plantronics Mobile Headset with Bluetooth (M2300)
with a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone held in a mobile phone
holder which fixes to the windscreen with a suction pad. The small
headset is very neat and fits around the user's ear. There are
no wires to connect to the mobile phone as it uses a Bluetooth
radio link, so you will need a mobile phone that supports Bluetooth,
like a Nokia 6210. (31.1.05)
Mobile5
V8 Curry Night fully booked
V8 Curry
Wallah, David Biddle, reports that he has reservations for the
maximum number of 40 that the Last Viceroy feels able to take.
A few members are "wait listed" - on hot curry standby
you might say! - however David is realistic in recalling some
20% of reservations failed to show on the night in 2004! So if
there are still members who want to come, it is worth contacting
David and getting put on the wait list, as people do drop out.
(30.1.05) Two members have dropped
out, so David can offer two more places for the V8 Curry. (31.1.05)
V8 Curry
First RAWS approval granted to an
RV8 importer in Australia
Stuart Ratcliff of RV8 Cars Australia has completed the RAWS process
so will be able to carry out necessary works on imported RV8s
to comply them for the Australian market. (26.1.05)
RV8NOTE223
Another little UK Government scheme in
the pipeline
You may
not have become aware that the UK Government have another little
scheme in the pipeline. In an effort to tackle the estimated 20%
of uninsured motorists in the UK, they are planning to make it
a £100 penalty offence to have a vehicle registered in your
name without insurance, unless you have declared a SORN for that
vehicle. This scheme will use the motor insurers' database to
trace and prosecute people from the records, without seeing them
on the road. The consultation paper is available from the DfT
website. (26.1.05)
DfT
website
More SORN
Making a
SORN declaration in the UK is not a casual exercise - if you trip
up on their procedures beware there is a penalty of £80,
reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days. If you continue without
road tax or a SORN after receiving this penalty notice, you are
liable to a further penalty of £1,000, even if the
car has not been on the road. The £1,000 is an irreducible
minimum figure and DVLA prosecutions have started. (26.1.05)
Updated SORN1 &
SORN5
Emergency flares on ex Japan spec RV8s
Paul Mascall
(Nightfire Red 1473) from NSW Australia posted a query on the
V8 Bulletin Board over the safety of the RV8 flare in his Japan
spec RV8. The views of members on whether to keep the flares for
originality or remove them for safety are a useful addition to
the RV8 Workshop Note series. (24.1.05)
RV8NOTE222
SORN - beware the heavy handed DVLA
James Fairchild
of the Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group reports he is being
fined £80 by the DVLA despite having sent in a SORN. It
is an extraordinary case which could easily hit V8 enthusiasts
who buy a car where the tax has expired and a SORN is due, then
register the change of ownership in the usual way, and send in
a SORN but do so before the change of registration has taken effect.
Yes it seems incredible but the DVLA has fined James for sending
in a SORN promptly and refuses to accept it because on the day
the SORN declaration was made he was not the registered keeper
- although legally the owner at that stage having completed the
purchase of the vehicle. Yes James was too prompt in sending in
the SORN - had he waited until the change of ownership had been
processed such that he was then the registered keeper, all would
have been fine! This type of heavy handed nonsense by the DVLA
is clearly unreasonable but as we have already noted on our SORN
help pages, the DVLA approach to SORN has been aggressive from
the start with an unpleasant and slightly sad macho management
style. (26 & 23.1.05)
SORN4
V8 Curry is popular this year
The V8 Curry
Wallah, David Biddle, reports 38 members and friends have booked
in for the V8 Curry on Saturday 5th February at the Last
Viceroy at Bourne End near Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The
long distance members include John Targett and Dana Moreland over
from Ohio, and regulars Walter and Brigitte Kallenberg from Germany.
(20.1.05)
Bookings,
map & directions
Radar detector ban - useful links
Proposals
in the new Road Safety Bill going through the UK Parliament include
a ban on devices that alert you to radar guns and mobile speed
cameras. The Bill had its second reading on Tuesday 11th January
2005. (18.1.05)
Useful links
Changing an RV8 aircon belt
Mick Pautel
posted a message on the V8BB seeking advice on changing an RV8
aircon belt as he had not got an RV8 Repair Manual AKM7153ENG.
A copy of the relevant page can be seen from the link below. The
repair manual is available on a convenient CD together with manuals
for the LT77S and R380 gearboxes and other useful documents -
copies can be obtained by mail order from Keith Baylis at Ames
MG at Bury St Edmunds. For details of the contents of the CD,
just click the large "RV8 support and information" rollover
button above. (15.1.05)
RV8 aircon
belt
Winners of the four V8 Puzzles 2004
The winners
of the four seasonal V8 Puzzles this year included Tim Hipwell,
the winner of the third puzzle, who produced the fourth puzzle.
The organiser of the puzzles was Chris Hunt Cooke, the winner
of the V8 Puzzle 2003, who will be looking for Stuart Forbes (winner
of the first puzzle) to arrange and manage the V8 Puzzle 2005!
(15.1.04)
Solutions and winners
Replacement Panasonic radio for reimported RV8s
We noticed
in an advert Mike Simmonds (Woodcote Green 1504) from Berkshire
posted on the V8 Website offering his car for sale, that he had
fitted a "new" UK market radio rather than the alternative
of a frequency band expander on the original Japan market radio.
Mike has provided a brief note which identifies the model you
need to look out for at car boot sales. (10.1.05)
RV8NOTE221
Radio frequency expanders for reimported
RV8s
RV8s exported
to Japan were fitted with radios produced for the Japanese market
which can only receive 76 to 90 MHz on the FM band. The UK radio
broadcast frequency band is 88 to 108 MHz so there is only a small
portion of overlap on the two bands - 88 to 90 MHz. In effect
a Japanese market radio in a reimported RV8 will only receive
Radio 2, so if your listening tastes are a little wider, then
you have to consider either fitting a frequency band expander
or replacing the radio with a UK market unit. The latest workshop
note was inspired by a recent email from Roger Aldridge. (9.1.05)
RV8NOTE220
and the earlier
note RV8NOTE76
Radar detectors likely to be outlawed
Proposals
in the new Road Safety Bill going through the UK Parliament include
a ban on devices that alert you to radar guns and mobile speed
cameras. The Bill has its second reading on Tuesday 11th January
2005. A report in the Sunday Times notes "more than 10,000
radar and laser detectors have already been sold in the UK"
and that the "Government's plans face a late challenge
from Car Parts Direct, the company that sells most of the devices,
which is mounting a legal case citing European human rights legislation
to make the Government pay up for part refunds CPD has offered
to make to customers who have bought its detectors".
CPD say "our radar detectors do exactly what a speed camera
is supposed to do: it advises motorists to check their speed and
keep within the limits of the law". However the Government's
transport department is not planning to reconsider the ban saying
"radar and laser detectors infringe the right of the police
to carry out covert enforcement". You cannot help feeling
the jobsworths in the transport department, and one or two over-zealous
senior members of the police, have lost sight of the desired outcome
- conditioning motorists' behaviour to drive more carefully and
to a better standard - and instead have become over-focused on
controls and income generating prosecutions. Some responsible
motorists genuinely feel the use of any device that helps them
be more aware of speed limits and potential danger spots (for
that is where speed cameras are located) and ensure they comply,
is wholly responsible and correct - even a device in the car which
reminds them of their speed - a speedometer! Maybe jobsworth intends
banning them too! Responsible drivers cannot object to speed cameras
located where accidents rates justify their use, but wouldn't
resources be better used on tackling the continuing sight of handheld
mobile phones used in cars and centre lane hogging on motorways
than on banning detectors? The forthcoming
Road Safety Bill does double the fine for using a handheld phone
while driving to £60 but is it high enough for the danger
involved? (9.1.05)
Radar detectors
and Mobile phones

No longer a period of grace on motor insurance
renewals
As classic car enthusiasts face the renewal of their motor insurance,
they need to be aware that as a result of the EU 4th Directive
on Motor Insurance, an important change was introduced during
2004 requiring insurers to send up-to-the-minute data to the central
Motor Insurance Database, or risk penalties for late submission.
In a recent renewal package from Peter Best Insurance Services,
a leading independent specialist classic car insurance broker,
they mention that "as a continuation of the Directive,
we have to inform you that there is no longer any period of
grace with renewals with any of our insurers". The
general adoption of this policy by most if not all motor insurers
had been anticipated by PBIS earlier in 2004 when they notified
clients that "in the case of Allianz Cornhill, all policies
will have to be renewed on or before the due date".
(6.1.05)
V8NOTE318
and RV8NOTE218
Good service from an RV8 reimporter
Gary
Brown (Woodcote Green 1556) from Kent has an example of the
good service you get from the leading RV8 specialists. In this
case Chris Watkins at HS Imports insisted on sending Fred the
mechanic all the way from Somerset to Kent to fix a minor fault
on the RV8 that had just been delivered to Gary - a round trip
of over 450 miles. Gary says "service like this must be
worth praising - not even main dealers are this good. Fred arrived
at 9.30 pm and then job done, he left to drive home at 10 pm".
The photo above was taken by Chris just as the car arrived from
the boat from Japan before preparation for Gary. (26.2.05)
Windscreen surround removal
Jeff Swann
(Woodcote Green 0519) has sent in a correction to RV8 Workshop
Note 22 in Volume 1 saying "having just removed the windscreen
frame from my RV8, I can report that the two outside bolts securing
the bottom of the windscreen rail are in fact 8mm and not
10mm. Also worthy of note is that it is preferable to use a long
barrelled straight socket as the bolts are slightly recessed and
there is little room for good 'purchase' on the bolt heads which
are located inside the double skin". Future CDs will
incorporate this amendment. (28 & 25.2.05)
RV8NOTE225
added to the series
Speckled Hen now available in Thailand!
At last!
A quality ale is available for discerning drinkers in
Thailand. Pale, insipid, gassy beers are a thing of the
past. Wrap yourself in the rich, strong taste of "Old
Speckled Hen" - a most gratifying ale. (24.2.05)
|
|
"Where
can I buy it?"
I hear you cry.
|
|
|
This report was
sent in by Franck Morand who says "I just wanted to advise
you that there are two places in Bangkok where you can find Old
Speckled Hen, in case MG enthusiasts travelling through Bangkok
happen to miss their favourite bear. I am travelling overseas
so have not been to those places yet, but at least MG enthusiasts
will find the right type of malted liquid there...!"
For more information go to the web site at www.ruandeng.com
See
also the additional Hen materials
Clive Wheatley mgv8parts
Clive reports
the telephone and Broadband connections to his workshops are down
as the BT line has a fault. BT have excavators in the adjacent
fields searching for the fault but it is proving difficult to
trace. In the meantime his telephone line is diverted to his mobile
number so he can take calls. So if you have tried to contact him
by email in recent days, do give him a call on 01746 710810. (2.2.05)
Gavin Bailey reports Clive's lines are back up and running again
- they were damaged by shotgun pellets during a shoot on the land
over which the lines pass! (23.2.05)
Trevor Taylor built V8 Roadster for sale
Al
Barnett reports his V8 Roadster was sold
to the first of several callers responding to his advert on the
V8 Website. He is selling as he wants to buy back his RV8 following
the sad death of the new owner. Full details are on the MGV8s
for Sale webpage. (23.2.05 & 15.2.05)
MGV8s for Sale
& more information
Pair of V8 heads for sale
John Carling
is offering a pair of used heads for sale (13.2.05)
V8 heads
Stack of MGBGTV8 spares for sale
Graham Dover
(Damask 0471) from Surrey has a concours winning MGBGTV8 and has
decided the time has come to sell some of his huge stock of spares
and near-new parts. Some of the parts will be much sought after,
not least the original gearbox with overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears.
Most of these spares are either parts removed from the V8 during
a nut and bolt rebuild for concours competition, or acquired and
refurbished for use on the project. Graham
is still sorting out his stock so more parts will be avialable
in the next week or so. (13
& 11.2.05)
MGBGTV8
spares &
More
V8 spares
V8 Website hit count up again in January
The surge
in hits on the V8 Website has continued in January with a 16.8%
rise to 4,826 hits compared with 4,131 in December 2004. Over
the final week of the month, the pro rata 31 day hit rate was
well over 5,000 so it is clear the surge is continuing.
(1.2.05)
V8
Website performance &
Trade advertising
Bluetooth handsfree phone option for V8 enthusiasts
Another handsfree
option is a Plantronics Mobile Headset with Bluetooth (M2300)
with a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone held in a mobile phone
holder which fixes to the windscreen with a suction pad. The small
headset is very neat and fits around the user's ear. There are
no wires to connect to the mobile phone as it uses a Bluetooth
radio link, so you will need a mobile phone that supports Bluetooth,
like a Nokia 6210. (31.1.05)
Mobile5
V8 Curry Night fully booked
V8 Curry
Wallah, David Biddle, reports that he has reservations for the
maximum number of 40 that the Last Viceroy feels able to take.
A few members are "wait listed" - on hot curry standby
you might say! - however David is realistic in recalling some
20% of reservations failed to show on the night in 2004! So if
there are still members who want to come, it is worth contacting
David and getting put on the wait list, as people do drop out.
(30.1.05) Two members have dropped
out, so David can offer two more places for the V8 Curry. (31.1.05)
V8 Curry
First RAWS approval granted to an
RV8 importer in Australia
Stuart Ratcliff of RV8 Cars Australia has completed the RAWS process
so will be able to carry out necessary works on imported RV8s
to comply them for the Australian market. (26.1.05)
RV8NOTE223
Another little UK Government scheme in
the pipeline
You may
not have become aware that the UK Government have another little
scheme in the pipeline. In an effort to tackle the estimated 20%
of uninsured motorists in the UK, they are planning to make it
a £100 penalty offence to have a vehicle registered in your
name without insurance, unless you have declared a SORN for that
vehicle. This scheme will use the motor insurers' database to
trace and prosecute people from the records, without seeing them
on the road. The consultation paper is available from the DfT
website. (26.1.05)
DfT
website
More SORN
Making a
SORN declaration in the UK is not a casual exercise - if you trip
up on their procedures beware there is a penalty of £80,
reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days. If you continue without
road tax or a SORN after receiving this penalty notice, you are
liable to a further penalty of £1,000, even if the
car has not been on the road. The £1,000 is an irreducible
minimum figure and DVLA prosecutions have started. (26.1.05)
Updated SORN1 &
SORN5
Emergency flares on ex Japan spec RV8s
Paul Mascall
(Nightfire Red 1473) from NSW Australia posted a query on the
V8 Bulletin Board over the safety of the RV8 flare in his Japan
spec RV8. The views of members on whether to keep the flares for
originality or remove them for safety are a useful addition to
the RV8 Workshop Note series. (24.1.05)
RV8NOTE222
SORN - beware the heavy handed DVLA
James Fairchild
of the Transport Yorkshire Preservation Group reports he is being
fined £80 by the DVLA despite having sent in a SORN. It
is an extraordinary case which could easily hit V8 enthusiasts
who buy a car where the tax has expired and a SORN is due, then
register the change of ownership in the usual way, and send in
a SORN but do so before the change of registration has taken effect.
Yes it seems incredible but the DVLA has fined James for sending
in a SORN promptly and refuses to accept it because on the day
the SORN declaration was made he was not the registered keeper
- although legally the owner at that stage having completed the
purchase of the vehicle. Yes James was too prompt in sending in
the SORN - had he waited until the change of ownership had been
processed such that he was then the registered keeper, all would
have been fine! This type of heavy handed nonsense by the DVLA
is clearly unreasonable but as we have already noted on our SORN
help pages, the DVLA approach to SORN has been aggressive from
the start with an unpleasant and slightly sad macho management
style. (26 & 23.1.05)
SORN4
V8 Curry is popular this year
The V8 Curry
Wallah, David Biddle, reports 38 members and friends have booked
in for the V8 Curry on Saturday 5th February at the Last
Viceroy at Bourne End near Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The
long distance members include John Targett and Dana Moreland over
from Ohio, and regulars Walter and Brigitte Kallenberg from Germany.
(20.1.05)
Bookings,
map & directions
Radar detector ban - useful links
Proposals
in the new Road Safety Bill going through the UK Parliament include
a ban on devices that alert you to radar guns and mobile speed
cameras. The Bill had its second reading on Tuesday 11th January
2005. (18.1.05)
Useful links
Changing an RV8 aircon belt
Mick Pautel
posted a message on the V8BB seeking advice on changing an RV8
aircon belt as he had not got an RV8 Repair Manual AKM7153ENG.
A copy of the relevant page can be seen from the link below. The
repair manual is available on a convenient CD together with manuals
for the LT77S and R380 gearboxes and other useful documents -
copies can be obtained by mail order from Keith Baylis at Ames
MG at Bury St Edmunds. For details of the contents of the CD,
just click the large "RV8 support and information" rollover
button above. (15.1.05)
RV8 aircon
belt
V8 Curry Night at The Last Viceroy
The annual
V8 Curry Night will be held on Saturday 5th February 2005 at 7.00pm
at the Last Viceroy near the centre of Bourne End, just east of
Marlow in Buckinghamshire. It is a very easy place to find - just
off the link road (A404) between M40 J4 and M4 J8/9. Contact David
Biddle for reservations and any further information on 01753 892714
or 07803 131007. Our useful map & directions will help you
find the restaurant. (5.1.05 & 23.10.04)
Map & directions
V8 Register in 2004
With new
registrations up by 15.5% and the monthly hits on the V8 Website
passing 4,000 in the early hours of New Years Eve, it's clear
the V8 Register is the leading information source for V8 enthusiasts.
(31.12.04)
V8 Report 2004
Woodcote Green 1821 is on its way to the UK

Fred Jenns
reports "Just had these photos over from Japan. Woodcote
Green 1821 begins it journey home in a container from Japan, (along
with Oxford Blue 1142 and Oxford Blue 1756), with an ETA Felixstowe
29th January 2005. So Ray Harper (the V8 Register member who has
agreed to buy this rare RV8) will be a happy bunny!!!".
This RV8 has only 46kms recorded on the clock plus an additional
half kilometre or so from loading it into a container!
(31.12.04)
Original
photos and More
photos
Securing that bolt on the airbox
Back in
1982 we published a V8 Workshop Note with a caution from Ron Gammons
that a bolt on the airbox could shake loose and fall into the
nearside carburettor and pass into the engine with grim results!
Since then most V8s have had an Engine Lifesaver Kit fitted
- the kit is simply a No 10 UNF nut and a serated washer which
you fit on the thread of the bolt protruding on the outside of
the airbox. Some more recent V8 enthusiasts may not be aware of
this risk, so do check that this essential modification has been
done. (29.12.04)
V8NOTE53
Replacement RV8 tyres
Roger Davies
(Woodcote Green 1800) has sent in a tyre survey form following
a recent tyre change
- he
notes "I found a dramatic improvement in ride quality
and handling, more like I would expect from a "modern car".
The other nice surprise is that the steering is very much lighter,
it's almost as if power steering has been fitted". Roger
got his Goodyear NCT5 tyres from Newbury Tyre & Exhaust Centre
in Berkshire for £59.95 each. (24.12.04)
V8
tyre survey report
V8 Online Sales
A new set
of V8 Online Sales webpages have been created as we plan to switch
to secure payment arrangements provided by WorldPay, a subsidiary
of the UK banking group Royal Bank of Scotland. The switch should
be made by mid-January 2005 when the whole range of V8 Publications,
V8 Regalia, V8 Events and V8 Advertising will be available online.
We hope these arrangements will prove more convenient, particularly
for our members overseas. (24.12.04)
RAWS news from downunder
Jim Dolbel
has sent a note saying "Just received some important news
that of yesterday 23/12/04 Stuart Ratcliffe of RV8 Cars has received
his accreditation under the new RAWS regulations to resume RV8
imports into Australia". So brace yourself for some renewed
interest in the RV8 auctions in Japan. Stuart Ratcliffe sent a
note saying "Accreditation as a RAW ( registered automotive
workshop ) came through yesterday so we are now able to comply
vehicles for Australia". (24 &
23.12.04)
Idle V8 moments
As an alternative
to the four grey matter stretching seasonal V8 Puzzles, we have
two amusing items sent in by Alan Kingwell and Howard Gosling.
(23.12.04)
Idle V8 moments
Fitting a Mallory distributor on an MGBGTV8
Chris Armitage
(Tundra 2066) from Hampshire has found and extensively tested
a twin points Mallory distributor as an alternative to the Lucas
unit. He has produced a useful workshop note for the V8 Workshop
Notes series. Gordon Hesketh-Jones has provided a note as a sequel
on maintaining a Lucas distributor. (26
& 22.12.04)
V8NOTE316 and V8NOTE317
Woodcote Green 1821 sold
If ever
you needed evidence of how rapidly V8s can sell on the V8 Website
then the sale of this exceptionally low mileage RV8 is an example!
We hear that Ray Harper (Woodcote Green 2020) from Surrey has
snapped it up and agreed terms with Fred Jenns! We hope to see
it at the Shoulder of Mutton V8 Gathering in the Spring. (21.12.04)
More
photos
Third V8 Puzzle 2004
Chris Hunt-Cooke,
who won the puzzle last year and is devising and managing the
V8 Puzzles this year, has put a Third V8 Puzzle 2004 on the website
as the first has been solved by three members. Update: Tim Hipwell
has cracked this puzzle. The Second
V8 Puzzle 2004 remains untouched - no attempts
at solving it have come in yet! (21.12.04
& 20.12.04).
Third
V8 Puzzle 2004
First V8 Puzzle 2004
The first
winner of the First V8 Puzzle is Stuart Forbes from Hertfordshire
followed by Pete Doughty (Woodcote Green 1635) from Hampshire
(who is waiting for his reimported RV8 to be delivered),
and and
Mike Simmonds from Berkshire.
Pete says "A good fun quiz, although I have to say the
clock face one has me stumped! Looking at the previous clockface
question in 2003, I`m not surprised, but I`ll keep my mind on
it!!". Chris Hunt-Cooke has posted the answers on the
V8BB. (2.112.04
& 20.12.04)
MGBGTV8 clutch release bearing
Mike Robinson
reports a good service from Moss Bristol with finding an MGBGTV8
clutch release bearing and Daniel Algarin wants the part number.
(18.12.04)
MGBGTV8 clutch
release bearing
Second V8 Puzzle 2004

As we have had two correct responses for the V8 Puzzle 2004, we
have added a second V8 Puzzle using the clock face we used for
the puzzle last year. (launched on 18.12.04
@ 16.00hrs)
Second
V8 Puzzle 2004
An exceptional RV8 found in Japan
What would
you say if an RV8 had been found with only 46 kilometres on the
clock? Well Fred Jenns reports he has found and acquired what
must be the most exceptional RV8 available today. It's Woodcote
Green 1821. (16.12.04) Sold! - see
report above. (21.12.04)
More photos
V8 Puzzle for Christmas
The winner
of the V8 Puzzle last year, Chris Hunt-Cooke, has produced a V8
Puzzle for 2004. (15.12.04)
V8
Puzzle 2004
The next
V8 Tour in the popular series is planned for the long weekend
from Friday 9th to Monday 12th September
2005 and will be based
at the Five Lakes Resort near Maldon. The full programme of visits
includes Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village, the Toy Museum
nearby, the Essex County Show, and the New Hall Vineyards at Purleigh
near Chelmsford. The organisers are Lynn and Andy Vine. Accommodation
has been arranged at the Five Lakes Resort, a convenient
and comfortable base for the long weekend close to the Village
of Tolleshunt Knights near Tiptree in Essex. (9.12.04)
V8
Essex Tour 2005
MGBGTV8 body colour & trim combinations
When Fred
Jenns was at the Bonhams auction the other evening he met Barry
Sidery-Smith, one of the specialist traders of MGBGTV8s since
the V8s came off the line, and they had a spirited discussion
over the name of the colour of the trim fitted to an Aconite MGBGTV8.
Geoff Allen, the V8 Historian & Archivist has promptly produced
a table which provides a clarification. Was there any money on
the bets? (8.12.04)
MGBGTV8 body colour &
trim table
Woodcote Green 1800 registered

Woodcote
Green 1800 seen waiting on the docks in Japan before shipping
back to the UK, was featured in the V8 Newsletter on page 22 of
the December issue of Safety Fast! Within days of that issue hitting
members' doormats, Roger Davies from Berkshire has registered
it with us. (Photo: Fred Jenns) (8.12.04)
Aconite 1261 sold at Bonhams
Fred Jenns
reports that at Bonhams on Monday night, the auction of the Patrick
Collection saw an MGBGTV8 (Aconite 1261) sold for "a remarkable
bid price of £10,500 plus buyers premium. The car has done
only 20,100 miles from new, and is remarkably correct but by no
means concours, needing a small amount of paint, new diaphragms
or foams in the seats, and a lot of detailing underbonnet and
throughout". Fred adds "generally the results
for the Patrick Collection cars were substantially above estimate,
such as £18,500 plus premium for a De Lorean, and £4,800
for a Ford Popular - albeit a stunning example. Oh, and I nearly
forgot, and a million pounds for a rather nice Mercedes! And all
I bought was four cups of tea which cost me £5.20!"
(7.12.04)
RV8 at Tissington ford

Bob Nason
(Woodcote Green 1164) says "I have just seen a photo on
the website of a very sedate Geoff Allen going through Tissington
ford and thought you might like to see the photo of my RV8 on
the same day - I found the experience quite exhilarating, judge
for yourself!". (Photo: Henry Knight)
(7.11.04)
Car buying scam appears again!
Graham Bartholomew
(Woodcote Green 0810) reports he has received an email from the
Rev Andrew Temilade which looks very much like another example
of a car buying scam. Sadly these scams are a growing problem.
If you are thinking of selling a car do make sure you are aware
of how these scams work.
See car buying scam
for details. (30.11.04)
Goodwood Revival dates
Goodwood
Circuits have contacted the V8 Register and confirmed the dates
for the Goodwood Revival race meeting in 2005 - Friday 16th to
Sunday 18th September. Tickets must be purchased in advance and
the entry costs are Friday (£20), Saturday (£35),
Sunday (£42) and the full 3 days (£77). Tickets should
be available from the end of November 2004 on 01243 755055 or
at www.goodwood.co.uk
for online sales. The Festival of Speed dates are 8th to 10th
July 2005. (28.11.04)
RV8s sell well on the RV8s for Sale webpage
A recent
example is the very low mileage UK spec RV8 (BRG 0388) in pristine
condition which has just been sold by Nick Grant in Tyne &
Wear. Nick was delighted with the advert and the additional webpage
with a comprehensive set of photos, and of course the responses
he received. (26.11.04)
More details of BRG
0388
Franck Morand at the Wakefield Raceway
Franck Morand
(Mirage 0158) from Thailand and Clermont-Ferrand in France reports
he recently enjoyed a track day at Wakefield Raceway during a
visit to Sydney, Australia. He enjoyed lapping in a friend's Porsche
Turbo 4x4 but is still a V8 enthusiast! BTW, we are relieved to
hear Franck and his family are safe in Thailand. (31.12.04
& 26.11.04)
Wakefield photos
RV8 production and colours
John Bolt
(Nightfire Red 1228) from Buckingamshire has been doing some research
at the Heritage Museum at Gaydon and has produced an interesting
chart setting out authoritative details of the number of RV8s
produced in each colour which will interest many RV8 enthusiasts.
Just how many Woodcote Green RV8s are there for example and how
many went to Japan? Well some 80% of production went to Japan
of which 80% or 1,269 were finished in that colour. John is now
investigating the Development and Validation cars to see if there
were 18 or 20 which suggests a total of 2,000 or possibly 2,002
RV8s, plus even a few more unregistered cars. (23.11.04
& 26.11.04)
See RV8NOTE216
Ermin White
4101
is an immaculate V8 Roadster built by Geoff Allen using an export
roadster shell (ADO23 2174) and the running gear from a Factory
MGBGTV8 (Harvest Gold 0254) which was written off many years ago.
Here Geoff and Jean Allen are going through a ford at Tissington
when the photographer commented "it was a poor man's Aston
Martin going through a poor man's car wash!". (Photo: Harry
Knight) (22.11.04)
Mobile phone and email scams
Mike Taylor
in Lincolnshire has sent in a note warning of more scams.
See scam news. (18.11.04)
RV8s are selling well on the V8 Website!
Woodcote Green 1076, a reimported RV8 with only 19,800 miles,
has been sold in only 12 days with an advert on the RV8s for Sale
webpage. Nicholas Birchett says "thanks very much for your
help and hopefully it will not be too long before I am able to
purchase another RV8". At present there
is very good selection of both UK and Japan spec RV8s available
including Richard Hessey-White's Oxford Blue 1709, a UK spec RV8
for only £10,000 ovno. (30.10.04)
RV8s
for Sale
Remember your SORN
Many classic
car enthusiasts taking their car off the road for Winter may be
caught unawares by the tough new rules introduced in 2004, particularly
if they only tax their cars for six months a year. Why? Well under
these new rules the DVLA is now a great deal tougher on car owners
without a valid tax disc. That is something we will all be pleased
to hear but unfortunately the new rules will also catch many honest
and responsible V8 enthusiasts who regularly lay-up their vehicles
for the Winter months but may not always have sent in a SORN -
a Statutory Off Road Notification - punctually. So for members
who do not tax their V8s in the Winter months
it is now essential you check your SORN is up to date!
(22.10.04)
SORN information sheets
 |
|
V8 Roadster for sale
Many V8 enthusiasts are thinking of getting a V8 Roadster
and a particularly attractive example is on offer from
John Farrar. It is based on a Heritage shell, finished
in Tornado Red, and has a mouthwatering specification.
SOLD
(21.10.04 & 3.11.04)
Further
details
|
Useful MGBGTV8 spares for sale
A former MGBGTV8
member, Dr Ron Flowers, has a few MGBGTV8 spares he is offering
for sale. (9.10.04)

RV8s for sale on the V8 Website
There is a
good selection of RV8s on offer at present including Oliver Ratcliffe
(Black 1471) with a UK spec RV8 with 55,000 miles for sale
at only £13,000, Nick Grant (BRG 0388) with another
UK spec RV8 with only 9,800 miles at £16,750, Colin McDonald
(BRG 0332) with another UK spec RV8 with 53,000 miles at
£12,950, and Graham Bartholomew (Woodcote Green 0810)
with his 29,300 mile RV8 reimport reduced from £15,200 to
£14,800 . Ross Dunlop (Black 3119) reports his MGBGTV8 Conversion
has been sold. To see more details of these cars just click the
RV8s for Sale button to the left! (9.10.04)
F1 gravy train - where next?
Motor sport
in the UK has always been at its heart just that - a "sport"
enjoyed on and off the track by real motoring enthusiasts. At the
grassroots level, the generous contribution of many unpaid volunteers
with running events is testimony to a sport where enthusiasts are
happy to do so - often putting something back into a sport they
have enjoyed a great deal. So the news at the weekend of the £10m
fee reported to have been demanded of the BRDC for the British F1
Grand Prix at Silverstone is an ugly feature of what feels increasingly
little more than a greedy commercial gravy train - and less and
less entertaining to boot! In
the Sunday Times Jackie Stewart, BRDC President, is quoted as saying
"Bernie Eccelstone is an incredibly clever man, and given
the work he has done, he should gain from the sport but surely there's
a limit". If there is, he clearly doesn't think he's reached
it yet! Let's have your views on F1 and the possible loss of the
F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone on the V8 Bulletin Board (4.10.04)
Third Don Hayter Talk by Geoff Allen
Geoff
Allen, well known to V8 enthusiasts in the UK and overseas, is giving
the third of the series of annual Don Hayter Talks on his life and
times at Abingdon. With his knowledge and memories of over 27 years
at the Abingdon Plant, he always has a wealth of tales and interesting
anecdotes - not to mention a mischievous sense of humour - so the
event will certainly be entertaining. The talk has been arranged
by Clive Wheatley at the Swancote Country Club near Worfield, just
south west of Wolverhampton near Bridgnorth, for Sunday 17th
October 2004. (30.8.04)
Information,
booking form & location maps
RAWS update
In May 2003 we first reported that a new set of regulations had
been introduced in Australia which had effectively stopped Aussie
enthusiasts importing RV8s. Gavin Brown, who runs the MG Car Centre
in Launceston Tasmania, provides an update - it seems Australian
buyers may be out of the auctions in Japan for another six months.
(3.10.04)
RAWS
update RV8NOTE215
Tracing a V8 Roadster - TBK 154 K
Graham Revill
is trying to trace a V8 Roadster he used to own some six years ago
prior to moving from Sheffield to Worcester. He syas "I
am interested in re-purchasing the vehicle (or supplying some history)
and I wondered, on the off chance, whether the current owner might
still be a member of the V8 Register. Any assistance in this regard
would be greatly appreciated". Does anyone know of this
car? Either post a message on the V8 Bulletin Board or send an
email to Graham Revill.
(2.10.04)
RV8 wheel for sale
One
of our members came across a spare wheel whilst clearing out . It's
a used RV8 wheel, lacquer lifting but no scuffs or kerb damage.
Offers? (25.9.04)
RV8
wheel offer
Rare RV8 spacesaver tyre
Recently Gavin
Bailey (BRG 0766) from Surrey has obtained an RV8 spacesaver tyre
ZKC5997 and, as it is not a part which is readily available,
provides some photos. (20.9.04)
RV8 spacesaver tyre
Australian RAWS update
In
May 2003 we first reported that a new set of regulations had been
introduced in Australia which had effectively stopped Aussie enthusiasts
importing RV8s. Gavin Brown, who runs the MG Car Centre in Launceston
Tasmania, provides an update. The report is our latest RV8 Workshop
Note. (20.9.04)
RV8NOTE215
Damask 0733 sold
Philip Jones
has reported he has sold his concours winning MGBGTV8
Damask 0733 - "just a note to let you know that
my V8 is finally sold and I must say I have had more responses from
the V8 website than any other form of advertising. Thanks for your
help". The MGV8s for Sale webpage is well worth
using to sell or find a V8! (18.9.04)
V8 Shropshire Tour 2004
One member
with a booking for the tour has had to cry off so there is a vacancy
plus a double room at the Longmynd Hotel at Church Stretton. The
tour started on Friday Friday
24th and runs through to Monday 27th September. Contact
Derek and Ellen Spencer-Jones if you are interested in taking up
the vacancy. Update: the place was taken up within 30 minutes of
uploading this NEWS item! (18.9.04)
Details
of the V8 Shropshire Tour 2004
RV8 owners in the Bristol area
An elderly
gentleman and longstanding MG enthusiast has been in touch saying
he has not seen an RV8 and would very much like to do so. If any
member with an RV8 in Avon, Gloucestershire, Somerset or Wiltshire
would be able to arrange with Gordon Stamford-McBride to drop by,
I am sure it would make his day to see an RV8. (14.9.04)
Contact details for Gordon
Stamford-McBride
Beware of scam from an overseas V8 buyer!
Rick Morton
(Woodcote Green 1300) has reported a scam which members who are
selling a V8 need to note. Rick says "I just thought I would
update you on my experience with trying to sell my RV8 recently
before I withdrew it from sale. Both Jerry Winfield (Woodcote Green
1684) and I heard from the same person but I also had several other
emails with roughly the same approach. Richard Smallwood (Bracken
1473) is selling his superb MGBGTV8 and has received a couple of
emails, one today from a firm in America, which sounds a little
suspicious. (13.9.04)
Example
of a possible scam email
Goodwood Revival 2004

After several
weeks of very heavy rain which had been driving arable farmers close
to despair in some parts of the country, the weather for the Goodwood
Revival long weekend was hot and sunny. With hardly any cloud there
was plenty of room for the air displays by the Mustangs and Spitfires,
and the Lancaster. The racing was close and entertaining. Tim Hipwell
was at Goodwood for the whole weekend with and reports "Goodwood
lived up to it's "Glorious" title - the weather was superb
and the the racing was amazing over the 3 days. All in all an event
not to be missed. The highlight for us was the second part of the
St. Mary's Trophy race which was won by Rae Davis in an A35. This
incredible little machine kept the big Jags at bay". The
sight of a Jaguar saloon driven by Grant Williams lifting a wheel
at the lefthand St Mary's was extraordinary with a very spirited
drive as he attempted to catch the A35 after an enforced pit stop
to close an errant bonnet. (Photo: Tim Hipwell)
(12.9.04)
Goodwood
Revival 2004 photo report
Sandglow 2868,
recently registered by Philip James in Surrey, is a rare Factory
colour. (5.9.04)
Friday
3rd - Sunday 5th September 2004
The Goodwood Revival Meeting is a popular annual motor racing event
many classic car enthusiasts thoroughly enjoy for its mouthwatering
cars, breathtaking driving on the track and the wonderful period
feel of a race meeting with a mid 1960s ambiance. That period feel
- "a magical step back in time" - is from a combination
of the pre mid-sixties cars on and off the track and also the willingness
of most people attending to dress in a style and in clothing of
the period. In fact it's a good opportunity to chase out the moth
from an old and much loved sports jacket! Well over recent years
a group of V8 enthusiasts have met up over the three days and shared
a stroll around the circuit and paddock and watched practice and
the racing. The sight of Mk 7 Jaguars leaning into the bends, Astons
and Ferrari 250LMs drifting through Fordwater and the growl of the
Cobras are simply wonderful. The air displays with Spitfires, Hurricanes
and Mustangs are a joy to see and hear together with the fly past
of a Lancaster. This year it's a ticket only event with no tickets
available on the gate - so if you aim to go call the Goodwood booking
line without delay! The V8 Register contact over the Goodwood Revival
weekend is
Tim Hipwell on 07967 691010. (1.9.04)
For full details and location maps see Goodwood
2004.
V8 Roadster sorted by Al Barnett

Earlier this
year Al Barnett decided to sell his RV8 and on returning to the
UK, acquired a V8 Roadster (Indigo Blue 4279) through an advert
on the MGV8s for Sale webpage. He then set about sorting it. See
Al's report. (1.9.04)
Report on Indigo
Blue 4279

Report
spotted by Gerard Jansen in Auotmotive News Europe which he noted
in a posting on the V8BB. (23.8.04)
V8 Roadster Conversion
Bruce Cox (Glacier
White 4327) from Norfolk has built a stunning V8 Roadster Conversion
using much of the running gear from an earlier V8 Roadster which
appeared in a V8 Newsletter back in 1999. V8
Roadster Conversion. (23.8.04)
Extraordinary tale from the Le Mans Classic 2004
Franck
Morand (Mirage 0158) from Clermont Ferrand in France returns from
Thailand frequently and in 2004 timed a visit so he could attend
the Le Mans Classic race meeting in July in his MGBGTV8. The journey
to the Sarthe circuit proved a little more exciting than he had
anticipated! (19.8.04)
Le
Mans Classic 2004
Photos
from Le Mans Classic 2004
Enthusiast seeks an RV8 in Oxford Blue
Edward Schinkel,
an RV8 enthusiast in Belgium, is looking for a good quality RV8
in Oxford Blue. He says "I am actively looking to purchase
a really good MG RV8. The type of car I would like to acquire is
described below. If you feel you have such a car available or are
able to find such a car, I would be very interested to hear from
you together with a series of digital pictures of the vehicle you
would be able to offer me". For full details of the type
of car Edward is seeking and his contacts, see RV8
wanted.
BCV8 Championship - a successful club racing series that began over
30 years ago
The
BCV8 Championship has been one of the most successful Club based
motor racing series and continues to thrive by providing close racing
with full grids at a relatively low cost. For over thirty years,
BCV8 enthusiasts have been a group clearly set on enjoying both
the fun on
and off the circuit - with some notable offs one should
add! The annual dinners in the early years were
some
of the most lively and enjoyable social events you could have attended
and that spirit and sense of fun clearly continues today. The BCV8
Championship was formed
by Barry Sidery-Smith and Victor Smith back
in 1973, shortly after the launch of the MGBGTV8. Victor Smith
recalls how it all started and remembers some of the characters
at the time. (15.8.04)
BCV8 early years.
Fitting uprated Konis to the RV8
Dr Gavin Bailey
(RV8 BRG 0766) from Surrey describes the results of fitting the
uprated Konis supplied by Clive Wheatley in RV8NOTE210
which has been added to the series. (6.8.04)
Woodcote Green 2067 turns up on eBay
An RV8 auction
report back in December 2003 noted "1996 Woodcote Green
2067 is Grade 3.5 with an interior grade C so it is probably
well used which seems likely as it has an unusually high mileage
at 101,000km. These high mileage cars may not be so bad but clearly
need close inspection, but it is often the type of RV8 the discerning
buyer for a specialist RV8 reimporter in the UK would dismiss out
of hand". Fred Jenns reports
that what appears to be the same car is offered on eBay with, we
understand, only 65,200kms - he wonders whether it was drive backwards
all the way from Japan! (4.8.08)
Settings for RV8 adjustable Konis
Peter Tothill
(Woodcote Green 1636) from Oxfordshire has been working on his front
suspension set up for some time and has produced a useful note with
his views on the settings for the shock absorbers on an RV8. This
note has been addded to the RV8 Workshop Notes series as RV8NOTE214.
Another useful note on fitting the new uprated Konis supplied by
Clive Wheatley has been sent in by Dr Gavin Bailey and will be released
later this week. (31.7.04)
Uprated
Konis transform the RV8 ride & handling

Silverstone 2004 - MG80 weekend!
Always a popular
meeting for V8 enthusiasts with a full racing programme on both
days and much more including members' 20 minute track laps sessions
from 9am on Sunday morning, MG80 proved to be wonderful yet again.
The weather was kind with a beautifully sunny and fresh day on Saturday
and only a few local light rain showers during Sunday. The dedicated
V8 parking area alongside the V8 Marquee was in a new location between
the foot of the two bridges over the Club Straight - see the view
from the bridge embankment above. It proved a popular spot. The
V8 AGM at Sunday lunchtime, chaired by David Waterton, saw two new
Committee members elected - Al Barnett (V8 Events) and Mike
Russell (V8 Regalia). A
full report on Silverstone 2004 - MG80 will follow shortly.
See the New V8 Committee.
(26.7.04)
Original set of MGBGTV8 wheels for sale
 |
A
set of the original Dunlop alloy wheels is on offer on eBay.
David Biddle spotted them saying "not something
you see every day of the week!" He has provided
the link which is lengthy so see eBay
link. |
Another five RV8 Workshop
Notes
As we run
up to the V8 Gathering at Silverstone over the long weekend 23rd-25th
July, the editor of the series has made a push and added five
new notes contributed by members to Volume 7 to take the series
to RV8NOTE209. Gavin Bailey
has provided a comprehensive note on an Autec hydraulic ramp which
makes working on an RV8 a great deal easier.
Complete sets of the seven
volumes and
a copy of the RV8 Talk 2003 are available in Word and PDF format
on this CD,with an update concession for holders of existing CDs.
(18.7.04)
Proposed radar detector ban
Devices which
detect or jam speed cameras are to be banned in the UK under proposed
measures to be introduced by the Department of Transport in a
forthcoming road safety Bill to be presented to Parliament. This
news was reported in a whole page set of articles in the Times
on Friday 16th July 2004 by Ben Webster, Sam Coates and Alexandra
Frean. See our report on these proposals. Proposed
radar detector ban. (17.7.04)
The results
of the V8 tyre survey are now available. Although the sample
size is quite small, Michelin appears to be a popular choice for
MGBGTV8 enthusiasts whereas a greater range of tyre brands are
chosen by RV8 enthusiasts. This contrasts with the findings from
an earlier survey reported as RV8NOTE160
in early 2003 when some interesting results emerged - not least
the "age effect" on tyres which has a marked effect
on ride and handling. It seems that with classic cars with relatively
light use and low annual mileages, tyres will often need replacement
more on the basis of age than wear. Why? - well over time the
flexible characteristics of road rubber change as the tyres age.
With older tyres, the tyres can feel more like "wood"
than rubber. Many members have commented that after replacing
their tyres with a new set, they find the ride and handling of
their V8 is substantially improved. But tyres may not be the only
handling improvement option - Clive Wheatley has traced the original
high quality Konis that should have been fitted as original equipment
on the RV8 and Peter Wallis reports the "Konis from Clive
have transformed the handling for me together with my new Continentals".
You can still contribute to the V8 tyre survey by completing
a convenient online survey form which should take less than four
minutes to fill in. It's very similar to our "Registration"
form many members have already used. You simply complete the survey
form online, press the "Send" button, and then the data
is sent to the V8 Registrar as an automated email. (17.7.04
& 8.6.04)
V8
tyre survey report
Replacement tyre survey form
Replacement Konis
for an RV8
Another V8 sells rapidly on the V8 Website!
John Dutton
(Damask 0229) advertised his MGBGTV8 on
the V8 Website a few days ago at the attractive price of only
£5,500 and has reported today "the car is sold!
- the deal was struck over the telephone the day after this V8
first appeared on the V8 Website. Many thanks, John Dutton".
(15.7.04)
Another seven V8 Workshop Notes
As we run
up to the V8 Gathering at Silverstone over the long weekend 23rd-25th
July, the editor of the series has made a push and added seven
new notes contributed by members to Volume 9 to take the series
to V8NOTE307. That note is
a short tip on curing an intermittent fault with the horn! Gavin
Bailey has provided a useful note on an Autec hydraulic ramp which
makes working on a V8 a great deal easier, and another note is
on curing a frustrating overheating problem from Andy Kenning.
Complete sets of the nine volumes
are available in Word and PDF format on CD with an update concession
for holders of existing CDs. (17.7.04 &
12.7.04)
Bracken 1473 for sale - an exceptional V8
The MGV8s
for Sale webpage has a wonderful selection of V8s for sale
and Bracken 1473, a low mileage example which was Dinitrol treated
from new and regularly Waxoyled since, is a fine example. (10.7.04)
Beware of scam from an overseas V8 buyer!
Rick Morton
(Woodcote Green 1300) has reported a scam which members who are
selling a V8 need to note. Rick says "I just thought I
would update you on my experience with trying to sell my RV8 recently
before I withdrew it from sale. Both Jerry Winfield (Woodcote
Green 1684) and I heard from the same person but I also had several
other emails with roughly the same approach.
Basically this person who is overseas agrees to buy your car,
and will send you a cheque for more than the asking price to cover
shipping costs etc. He then asks if you could bank the cheque
and send the balance to his shipping agent via a money transfer.
The cheque bounces but only after you have sent the cash to the
shipping agent. This scam relies on your ignorance of how the
cheque clearing system works. Problems arise because banks update
their computers on day three of the clearing cycle. So if you
check with them at that time, you may very well be told that the
funds are available. It will only be on day four that the bank
realises that there is a problem, and on day five that they tell
you. Weekends and Bank Holidays all add to the delay. In my case
the scam merchant was going to send me a cheque for £3,400
more than I was asking for the car. I was to subtract the cost
of the car and send the remainder to his "shipping agent"."
So members need to be alert to this scam and any approach from
the scam merchant! (9.7.04)
First Australian RV8 on the RV8s for Sale webpage
(1995) Woodcote
Green 1514 with 32,000 kms, Japanese spec import. c/w all standard
features including alloy 3.9 litre EFI V8, leather interior, tool
roll, mats, a genuine full tonneau cover, engine immobiliser,
original wheels & tyres plus low profile mags and tyres to
suit. This vehicle is in excellent original condition. Victorian
registration RV 1514 until Aug. 2004. Offered by Wendy Lansdell
at AUD$46,000.00 (30.6.04)

Contact Wendy
on
61362451330
or
by
email at anthonylansdell@bigpond.com
RV8s
for Sale
Help trace a stolen V8 - Citron PKF 475 M
A rare MGBGTV8
(Citron 1036) has been stolen in Cheshire but there are
reports that the car has since been seen running around in the
Widnes area on false plates - PKF 475 M. The thieves chose
false plates which were similar to the original registration plate
- PRJ 426 M - so that fraudulent changes to the tax disc could
be made without too much difficulty. The police confirm the registration
number PKF 475 M is not in use. Colin Gabbott, a V8 enthusiast,
would really welcome your help in tracing his car. He reports
the thieves are clearly determined as they broke into the car
late one evening as it was parked on his drive in Warrington,
quietly pushed it away and then are believed to have loaded it
onto a trailer and towed it off. It was particularly upsetting
because Colin Gabbott, a V8 enthusiast, had prepared the car so
he could set off for France to attend the 24 Heures du Mans event
last weekend. The car is rare because it is one of only three
operational police Q cars formerly used by the Thames Valley
Constabulary back in the 1970s.
The car is taxed through to March 2005 and is likely to be on
the roads for quite some time, probably uninsured too. So do please
keep your eyes peeled for Citron V8 registration PKF 475 M
and let Colin have any information you have on 01928 714334
or post a message on the V8BB or email the V8 Registrar. Let's
get the V8 Register network working so we can trace this car and
hopefully nail the thieves too! Colin is offering a reward for
information leading to the recovery of his V8. (17.6.04)
Increased
interest in V8s from Germany
Allan Doyle
(Damask 1667) reports that "one reason for the recent
increased interest in MGBGTV8s in Germany is possibly the motor
tax regime here. Germany has a very complicated motor tax system
based on engine capacity and "cleanliness" based on
Euronorm. An old 3.5 litre V8 costs a fortune in motor tax whilst
a new, small-engined car is charged less than in the UK. However,
30 years after the date of first registration, this changes and
the car becomes an "historic vehicle" for which a lower
blanket tax figure comes into effect making a 1974 MGBGTV8 suddenly
very attractive!". " (16.6.04)
MGV8s for Sale
Price of speed
A recent
letter in The Sunday Times noted that an earlier correspondent
"who complained about an increased insurance premium after
a speeding fine, will not be pleased to know that his insurance
will be loaded for four years. That is despite the fact that the
DVLA remove the penalty points after three years!"
The
cost of that premium loading over four years is considerable.
Maybe now is the time to think about a radar detector as a safety
device to alert you to locations where statistically accidents
have occured? See our review of one of the most highly rated units
- the Valentine One/2. (15.6.04)
Radar
detector review
V8
Register contact in the US for Valentine One/2
Replacement RV8 cats
Most RV8
enthusiasts will face the prospect of replacing their exhaust
catalysts over the next few years but will experience a sharp
intake of breath on learning the last Rover price is reported
to be £571.81 plus VAT each!! Well the good news is Clive
Wheatley has been beavering away and found a source of good quality
stainless steel replacement cats which he can supply at a very
much more attractive price saving RV8 enthusiasts well over £500!
Clive will shortly be able to offer complete replacement RV8 exhaust
systems too. (15.6.04)
Replacement
RV8 cats
Replacement RV8 radiator shrouds
Many RV8 owners
will be familiar with broken RV8 radiator shrouds as the original
unit suffers from a weakness - the offside mounting point breaks
by the fixing hole. Well Clive Wheatley mgv8parts has sourced
a replacement which looks the same but has been modified very
slightly to make it easier to fit - and it has no sharp edges
like the original Rover unit, something members will welcome!
(14.6.04)
Replacement
RV8 radiator shroud
Clive
Wheatley mgv8parts - new workshops
Uprated Konis
transform the RV8 ride & handling
V8 engine production ends
The final Rover
V8 engine rolled off the production line at Land Rover's Lode
Lane plant in Solihull on 4th May 2004. Nearly one million V8
engines had been produced in the UK over nearly 40 years. The
story of how that engine came to be an important power unit for
BL, MG and Land Rover, not to mention Morgan and other specialist
sports car makers, is extraordinary. It was a GM engine based
on a design which went back to 1949. During a visit to GM by Rover's
managing director William Martin-Hurst, he spotted a spare V8
engine on the workshop floor and managed to get them to agree
to ship the engine back to the UK. He promptly installed it in
an "Aunty" Rover saloon - and the rest is history. Who
could resist the feel of V8 power! We will hunt out the article
on that fascinating tale. Allan Doyle, a V8 enthusiast in Germany,
spotted reports of the close of the V8 production line in his
copy of Professional Engineering (May 2004). Roger Parker, well
known around Lode Lane, feels it's "sad news indeed but
the whole production line has been up for sale for quite some
time". Industry observers have felt that "it
is not a particularly attractive opportunity because even though
serious investment in updating and renewal had gone in over the
last 4 to 5 years, it is far cheaper to buy a complete "crate
engine" from the likes of Ford and have something more powerful,
reliable and certified for the most stringent markets".
(9.6.04)
V8s sell well on the V8 Website
A modified Factory
MGBGTV8 (Flamenco Red
2350) is the latest V8 to be posted for sale at £6,500
on the V8s for Sale webpage by Trevor Bury. It's in excellent
condition with all the original parts to return the car to standard.
Another member, Jeremy Davies (Woodcote
Green 1009) recently reported "just a quick note to
say thank you for placing my advert so promptly on the RV8s
for Sale webpage. I am happy to say the car is now sold -
the advert generated a lot of enquiries and the car sold relatively
easily at within 4% of the asking price of £12,995".
For details of how to advertise and the modest charges, see either
the
RV8s for Sale or V8s
for Sale webpages. (7.6.04)
totalMG -
the all-new MG magazine
goes
on sale at all good newsagents in the UK on
23rd June 2004 and Worldwide soon after
|
|
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|
The
first issue of totalMG contains features on a wild
supercharged ZR, wonderful 1960s MGC GTS, XPower-tuned ZR
105, a madly modified MGF, everything you need to know about
buying a ZT, how to upgrade suspension, Q&A, data on
all new MGs, plus pages of classified adverts and much more.
totalMG is the
"magazine that the MG world deserves".
(7.6.04) |
Find out more
at www.totalmg.co.uk
V8 hands free mobile phone option
Fitting a
hands free mobile phone in a classic car needs some care because
most enthusiasts want to avoid an installation which uses permanent
brackets or adhesive pads that would damage the dashboard or trim.
Well we think we have found a universal hands free kit and a mobile
phone holder which can be used together. This combination forms
an effective and portable option costing less than £35
which will appeal to many V8 enthusiasts! (5.6.04)
V8
mobile phone option
MG SV has arrived at Ames MG!
Ames
MG at Bury St Edmunds have an MG SV on display and available to
MGV8 enthusiasts with deep pockets.
The entry level model is powered by a 320hp 4.6litre all aluminium
quad cam V8 engine which propels the MG XPower SV to 60mph in
5.3 seconds and a top speed of around 165mph. We understand that
automatic and higher powered SV-R versions will be available.
Customers can also specify the engine from the 225mph MG ZT-T
Bonneville rated at 765bhp - and higher if required - which will
give top speeds of well over 200mph and suitably electrifying
acceleration. The first class performance of the MG SV is complemented
by its distinctive interior. In keeping with the vehicle's sporting
heritage, both front seats are specified with full inertia four
belt harnesses
which are lockable for serious driving by the flick of a switch.
Each cabin is trimmed with one of six leather finishes chosen
by the customer. Competition seats and fascias are available in
a combination of leather and Alcantra allowing each car to be
uniquely personalised. If you live within range of Bury St Edmunds,
do visit Ames MG and see this amazing new MG V8. (4.6.04)
More
photos from Ames MG
More MG SV information
RV8 windstop - neat installation

John Bolt
(Nightfire Red 1228) from Buckinghamshire arrived at the V8 Gathering
at Hazeley Heath with his new wind stop which is a particularly
neat installation. It even folds down and allows the tonneau to
cover the cockpit without the need to remove the wind stop first.
Full details are set out in RV8 Workshop Note 205 which is illustrated
with some useful sketches from John and photos from Gavin Bailey.
RV8NOTE205 (31.5.04)
New PO Box address for the V8 Register
You can
now contact the V8 Register by mail using the new PO Box Number.
The new address is below. (28.5.04)
V8 Register - MG Car Club,
PO Box 888, London SW14 7YT
Bill Ratcliffe - sad news
Sadly we hear
that Bill Ratcliffe, an
RV8 enthusiast from West Sussex who enjoyed the relaxed style
of open-top V8 power on trips to the South of France, has passed
away. Bryan Ditchman is in contact with Linda (Bambi) and has
sent our support and wishes. (28.5.04)
Free sample of "Cars for the Connoisseur"
David Biddle
(the longstanding V8 enthusiast who organises the annual V8 Curry
Night) recommends 'Cars for the Connoisseur', a subscription only
magazine, edited and published monthly by Charles Harbord. It
is written somewhat on the lines of Motor Sport magazine in the
golden age of the 60's when WB and DSJ were in their prime. Further
information regarding the magazine can be found on www.carsfortheconnoisseur.com/
Andrew Hedges, who became the most successful of the post-war
MG Works drivers, writes about his MG exploits for the June 2004
issue of the magazine. Charles Harbord has now generously offered
to send any MG Car Club member a free sample copy of the June
issue, which will contain the first instalment of the 'Andrew
Hedges Story' and much more of interest to enthusiasts. To get
a free copy, email Charles Harbord on charles@carsfortheconnoisseur.com
or phone him on
+44 (0) 1747 830755 mentioning the MG Car Club and the
V8 Register and that it is the June 2004 issue that you would
like to sample. (25.5.04)
Hot feet - curing a hot RV8 cockpit
Nick Grant
(Woodcote Green 0388) from Tyne & Wear was concerned that
the legwell air vents were permanently blowing hot air onto his
feet. - fine in winter but with the approach of the warmer Summer
weather he was wondering how to cure it! Fellow members responded
with some helpful advice. Our latest RV8 Workshop Note 204 provides
a useful way of solving this difficulty - something other RV8
members may be puzzling over at present! (May
04) RV8NOTE204

Bids close at 2359hrs on Sunday 23rd May 2004 for the First
V8 Online Auction. To see the progress of the bids,
go to the V8 Bulletin Board - just click the grey button "Bulletin
board" above.
To place a bid see First
V8 Online Auction and
V8 Online Auction Rules
(23.5.04)
Glorious sunshine at Hazeley Heath
V8 enthusiasts
met for lunch at the Shoulder of Mutton on Hazeley Heath on Sunday
23rd May including several new members. Photos and a report will
follow later this week but of particular interest was a neat wind
deflector installation on John Bolt's RV8. There will be a workshop
note out on that shortly together with a note from Michael Selwyn
on how to top up the oil on an R380 gearbox as the RV8 Repair
Manual only mentions that operation for an LT77S. Bryan Ditchman
was a little reflective having sold his RV8 just the previous
day to an MG enthusiast in Sussex who we anticipate will join
the V8 Register shortly. (23.5.04)
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First
V8 Online Auction of
a rare collection of literature used for the launch of the
MG RV8 in 1992 is offered in six lots. The auction runs
for 5 consecutive days starting on Wednesday 19th
May 2004 at 0001hrs and closing on Sunday 23rd May
2004 at 2359hrs. For full details of the six lots and
how to bid see:
First V8 Online Auction
V8 Online Auction
Rules |

Current RV8s prices are good value
Good quality,
low mileage RV8s are still available at prices which represent
extraordinary value but for how long? With fewer good quality
RV8s appearing at auction in Japan and with the Australians coming
back into the market as RAWS
ends, surely
prices will rise before long? If you have been thinking of getting
an RV8, it must be a good time now. On our RV8s
for Sale webpage there is a good selection of low mileage
cars in excellent condition including Woodcote
Green 0517 above with only 10,000 recorded miles at only £13,995!
(14.5.04)

V8 Roadster project - from a dream to reality!
Many V8
enthusiasts who feel a V8 Roadster is close to the ideal sports
car will see the award winning conversion completed by Geoff King
(Tartan Red 4029) from Kincardineshire as particularly attractive.
It has a wonderful specification and performance with a 3.5 litre
injected engine and a 5 speed gearbox, independent rear suspension,
unequal length double wishbones, and coil over dampers front and
rear. The brakes have been upgraded with disc brakes front and
rear, and four pot calipers on the front. It looks standard -
but it isn't! Full details will be in an interesting article which
will be published soon. (12.05.04)

The
V8 Bulletin Board is available again which will be welcome
news for many members who have been in touch with the V8 Webmaster
indicating the V8BB has been a popular V8 Website feature for
them. Just click the grey "Bulletin board" button
above.
In creating the new V8BB we have tried to carry over some of the
style of the earlier bulletin board but above all aimed for a
layout which has a friendly and relaxed feel. A key decision was
to make it a "free, open to all" service and
not restricted by a members' password like many other bulletin
boards. The aim of the new V8BB is to attract good quality
postings which are accurate and informative. Hopefully the
style and content of the postings will encourage other users to
follow that lead. Many of the earlier technical postings have
been spares or maintenance tips, some of which have been
taken to the two successful workshop notes series. In terms of
layout we have tried to avoid the rigid tabular formats
used by many other BBs - they may be a familiar layout for frequent
surfers but our feeling is our members prefer a layout which needs
less mouse clicking to view the thread of responses to an initial
message. The new V8BB has quite powerful search facilities
- by date, word or subject which members will find very useful
- and a search can cover the Archives too! When members post a
new message or response, they are required to add their email
address so the V8 Webmaster can contact them in case of need or
in connection with any moderation, but you will see the email
address is not disclosed on the postings on the V8BB. This is
because we are aware that spammers and their miserable associates
are harvesting email addresses from websites using automated programmes
that scavenge each webpage!
Do let the V8 Webmaster have your views or comments on the
new V8BB! (9.5.04)
V8 Webmaster
John Hornabrook on tour in the UK
John Hornabrook (Oxford Blue 1781) from Queensland Australia
is in the UK on his six month tour. He is up in Yorkshire with
V8 enthusiast Alan Dakeyne. Hornabrook
schedule. (20.4.04)
Low
mileage chrome bumpered V8 for sale
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 |
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Glacier
White 0552
with only 47,000 miles, Webasto roof, a body renovation,
and a stainless steel exhaust. All in excellent condition
and offered at only £6,250. Further
details (16.4.04) |
Pama Clip"N" Go Hands Free System
The Clip "N"
Go is a universal hands free system which can be used with most
mobile phones with the minimum of effort. It seems a useful, low
cost, portable kit for V8 enthusiasts.
See our Clip "N"
Go note.
(13.4.04)
RV8 auction prices turning up?
For some time
now we have been watching to see what happens to RV8 auction prices
in Japan the first half of 2004, not least the effect when the
Australian RAWS measures are eased this year. Chris Watkins of
HS Imports has previously reported that the flow of RV8s coming
to auction has slowed and the quality has varied. He feels that
"it is safe to say that average condition cars (Grade
4) are now certainly commanding the prices we used to pay for
top grade (Grade 4.5) cars". From the report of Woodcote
Green 1236 at auction in Tokyo today he feels "top grade
cars are expected to return much more than they did a year or
so ago. I suppose this is a sign of things to come as the supply
dwindles". See our latest RV8 auction report and price
trends note. (13.4.04)
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Damask 1721 refurbished
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Theo
Klick, a V8 enthusiast in Germany, has sent us a photo following
the restoration of his MGBGVT8. (11.4.04)
See Damask 1721 |
Remote email access options
A
frequent challenge for people on the move away from home or the
office, is how to send and receive any POP emails. As most email
accounts are of this type, what are the options? Victor Smith
is often out of his office and has worked for periods in mainland
China and Moscow and still maintained email contact. In Moscow
he continued to function as V8 Registrar and Scribe using email
so knows it can be done even from places like that.
(8.4.04)
Remote
email access options
Email addresses on the V8 Website
We have published
members' email addresses on the V8 Website, particularly those
who play an active part in V8 Register life, as we have been keen
to help our members exchange information with ease and be an open
group. Unfortunately we have been forced to change that policy
because there are some sick individuals who "scavenge websites"
for email addresses and harvest them with the aim of supplying
them to spammers. Some of these scavengers even have automated
programmes that trawl websites identifying the email address format
in the text of webpages and then harvest the addresses. As a consequence
most V8 Committee members are now getting huge amounts of spam,
most with infected attachments, so we are removing all email addresses
from this website. Where necessary they will be available in an
alternative format name(at)v8register.net
which we feel sure you will be able to follow! Let's just hope
the scavengers pass by! (9.4.04)
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V8 Roadster for sale
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 |
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Rosso
Red 4015, a 1968 V8 Roadster fitted with an
injected Vitesse engine, Quaiffe LSD, full body rebuild
only 5,800 dry miles ago. Offered at £10,500.
Details
(2.4.04)
|
MGBGTV8 windscreen washer
pump
Bryan Ditchman
reports the original windscreen washer pump (original part number
BHA5146) is still available for the MGBGTV8 under Unipart
No GWW125 for around £20 so fellow enthusiasts might
feel it is time to stock up with a spare. (19.3.04)
Report on the RV8 parts deal
Brown &
Gammons have announced they have "completed the purchase
of all the remaining RV8 stock from MG Rover, thereby becoming
the sole source of MG RV8 parts worldwide. Combined with this
purchase, B&G has acquired all the tooling for the RV8 windscreen
frames, wings and rights to other components". This is
a very interesting development for both RV8 enthusiasts and other
specialists supplying RV8 parts and services, and of course for
MG Rover who need to be seen supporting the RV8 to reassure customers
of its commitment to its current models. It's also a major step
for B&G using the capabilities and experience of the existing
B&G parts holding and distribution system. The deal was first
mentioned on 4th February 2004 on this website when we highlighted
"reports suggest MG Rover is close to signing a deal with
a third party to take over the RV8 parts holding and distribution
system although the identity of that third party is not yet known".
(19.3.04,
11.3.04 & 24.2.04)
RV8
Spares Deal - full report
RV8
Spares Deal - brief report
MG ZT 260 V8 review
The 4.6 litre
V8 engine in the MG ZT 260 V8 and its estate variant, the MG ZT-T
260 V8, is only half the story, the chassis has been completely
re-engineered to provide superb performance through a new rear wheel
drivetrain. It is not for the faint-hearted driven hard, but it
is a wonderfully relaxing car for drivers with a smooth style. Just
a touch of throttle in any gear and the eager engine delivers a
surge of power without fuss or strain which eases the car forward
with a subtle change of pace as only a V8 can do! The outward signs
and badges of the 260 V8 are just as subtle - simple V8 logos and
a double twin exhaust with no go-faster stripes. Here Victor Smith
describes his impressions from a run in a MG ZT 260 V8 loaned for
an hour or so by MG Dealers, Ames MG at Bury St Edmunds.
(11.3.04)
MG
ZT 260 V8 road review
Difficulty finding the Car No or VIN?
An increasing
proportion of new registrations are recorded on the webpage
welcoming new members as "NNNN"
because the new member has not provided the Car Number (MGBGTV8)
or the VIN (RV8). You can find these vehicle identification numbers
very easily using the helpful guides below.
MGBGTV8 and MG
RV8. (8.3.04).
V8
Shropshire Tour 2004
Friday 24th to Monday 27th September 2004
Derek Spencer
Jones reports the rooms reserved at the hotel for the tour have
sold out - far earlier than he and Ellen had expected - and
they have a waiting list. The V8 Tours have become more popular
with every year! (2.3.04)
UK auction news
Bryan Ditchman
reports three V8s passed through the BCA auction in Hampshire the
other day - a one owner, late rubber bumpered MGBGTV8 (Black
2788) in sound condition with a refurbished interior for which the
price was likely to have been around £4,500 and two RV8s
which both went to one buyer for £19,000. The RV8s were recent
Japan spec reimports (Woodcote Green 0635 which was seen at an auction
in Japan in June 2003 and Woodcote Green 0681. (26.2.04)
V8
Register windscreen badge
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A
distinctive plastic film badge with a blue V8 Register
logo on a white background. It can be used on either the
windscreen or the tailgate glass. Order by
V8 Mailorder or use the
V8 Online Sales service.
|
Available by
V8 Mailorder at only £2.00 each
including postage from V8 Register, Club Office, MG Car Club,
PO Box 888, London SW14 7YTor by V8
Online Sales. (23.2.04)
RV8 articles & reviews checklist
RV8 enthusiasts interested in looking back over the reviews and
articles on the RV8 in the motoring press will find the checklist
prepared by Dr Gavin Bailey (BRG 0766) useful.
See RV8 articles &
reviews. (17.2.04)
How to get a V8 with a SORN to an MOT test!
On getting
an acknowledgement of a SORN on Form V956 there was a unconditional
warning not to use the car on the roads without a valid road fund
licence! So how could you tax the car if you could not drive it
to an MOT testing station? Well a helpful fellow at DVLA has provided
a clarification. See
SORN3
Missed the earlier item? - see SORN1
and SORN2 (16.2.04)
Exactly how many MGBGTV8s were built at Abingdon?
Most authors
of publications covering the MGBGTV8 quote 2,591 as the total
production of the model - but is it correct? Well as information
has gradually come to light, the longstanding V8 Register Historian
& Archivist, Geoff Allen, believes there were more than 2,591
V8s! See Geoff's views on the true total.
MGBGTV8 production story!
(15.2.04)
V8 Workshop Notes - Volume 8 is completed
The series
has reached Note 299 at which point the Editor, Victor Smith,
has closed Volume 8 and is off with a working draft of Volume
9! Update discs are available for members who have previously
purchased a copy of the Notes or CD. For details of the series
and how to order a CD online or by mailorder, see the detailed
Contents listing. (6.2.04)
RV8 Talk DVD not suitable
for US DVD equipment
The
RV8 Talk
DVD
is suitable for DVD players using the UK regional format. The
DVDs we have supplied seem to work satisfactorily in Australia
but we have found they do not work in the USA.
Gavin Bailey has concluded that he is unable to make changes to
his DVD burning equipment without running a risk of causing damage
to the kit so is unable to produce DVDs for the US market or other
areas using US regional DVD format.
RV8
Talk DVD
(4.2.04)
Speed cameras - safety system or cash
generator
The increasing
use of fixed and mobile speed cameras and other detection devices
is certainly changing the driving behaviour of many motorists
- often very welcome changes - but in some areas of the country
many careful drivers are beginning to feel the location and use
of some cameras is not reasonable. So spotting speed cameras is
now essential to avoid an automated speeding fine and points,
particularly when driving in areas not visited regularly. Probably
one of the simplest detection devices that can be fitted to a
classic sports car is a clip-on radar detector that can be moved
from the car. The Valentine One does just this and performs
very well. Valentine One
review. (4.2.04)
Members' views on speed
cameras & detectors
You can lose your licence in
France!
AMES MG Rover wins Parts Team Championship!

The Ames
MG Rover team celebrate their Parts Team Championship win - (left
to right) Service Manager Mike Heffer, Parts Manager Keith Baylis,
Warranty Manager Kevin Wickham and Parts Adviser Donna Ward. (Photo:
Chris Bourchier)
See report from
Ames MG Rover. (30.1.04)
News & Information for V8 Enthusiasts
A News &
Information page gathers together news and other information which
is of continuing interest for V8 enthusiasts. In many cases the
items will have first been posted on the NEWS
panel of the Homepage. It's
likely to be a useful resource for V8 enthusiasts! Here are some
links to recent items. The latest news is a new EU Vehicle
Registration Certificate to replace the familiar VRD was introduced
in January 2004. (29.1.04)
News
& Info page
RV8 Workshop Notes
- Volume 6 is completed
The series
has reached Note 199 at which point the Editor, Brian Moyse, has
closed Volume 6 and is off with a working draft of Volume 7! For
members who have recently ordered a copy of the RV8 Workshop Notes
CD, their CD will be made shortly and mailed to them with an email
pre-advice as usual. Update discs are available for members who
have previously purchased a copy of the Notes or CD. For details
of the series and how to order a CD, see the detailed Contents
listing. (26.1.04)
V8/RV8 prices - what are the trends?
It's clear
some low mileage MGBGTV8s advertised for sale over the last six
months have been extraordinary bargains but where will prices
go in 2004? Well there are signs prices are beginning to turn
as more enthusiasts are recognising what an amazing classic car
package an MGBGTV8 is! With RV8s, the key factor in 2004 will
be the end of the RAWS effect blocking Australian reimports.
See our V8 price guide.
(23.1.04)
V8 Spares for Sale
We have
launched a new free service
for V8 Register members - a new webpage where V8 Spares for Sale
can be advertised.

For details
of how to post an advert, see our note. (11.1.04)
V8
Spares for Sale
Advance
warning - disruption expected on the M25
Brian Moyse commutes from Surrey to near Hammersmith in West London
every day and reports serious congestion seems likely as the M25
is due to be dug up between Junctions 12 & 15 (on the
western side near London Heathrow Terminal 5) from the 5th
January 2004. Brian mentions a useful webpage on the Highways
Agency's website. Fortunately Brian is being relocated to
the Camberley office of his organisation just in time to avoid
the commute and the chaos! (17.12.03)
M25
road works chaos
(3.1.04)
Winners of the four V8 Puzzles 2004
The winners
of the four seasonal V8 Puzzles this year included Tim Hipwell,
the winner of the third puzzle, who produced the fourth puzzle.
The organiser of the puzzles was Chris Hunt Cooke, the winner of
the V8 Puzzle 2003, who will be looking for Stuart Forbes (winner
of the first puzzle) to arrange and manage the V8 Puzzle 2005!
(15.1.04)
Solutions and winners
Replacement Panasonic radio for reimported RV8s
We noticed
in an advert Mike Simmonds (Woodcote Green 1504) from Berkshire
posted on the V8 Website offering his car for sale, that he had
fitted a "new" UK market radio rather than the alternative
of a frequency band expander on the original Japan market radio.
Mike has provided a brief note which identifies the model you need
to look out for at car boot sales. (10.1.05)
RV8NOTE221
Radio frequency expanders for reimported
RV8s
RV8s exported
to Japan were fitted with radios produced for the Japanese market
which can only receive 76 to 90 MHz on the FM band. The UK radio
broadcast frequency band is 88 to 108 MHz so there is only a small
portion of overlap on the two bands - 88 to 90 MHz. In effect a
Japanese market radio in a reimported RV8 will only receive Radio
2, so if your listening tastes are a little wider, then you have
to consider either fitting a frequency band expander or replacing
the radio with a UK market unit. The latest workshop note was inspired
by a recent email from Roger Aldridge. (9.1.05)
RV8NOTE220
and the earlier
note RV8NOTE76
Radar detectors likely to be outlawed
Proposals in
the new Road Safety Bill going through the UK Parliament include
a ban on devices that alert you to radar guns and mobile speed cameras.
The Bill has its second reading on Tuesday 11th January 2005. A
report in the Sunday Times notes "more than 10,000 radar
and laser detectors have already been sold in the UK" and
that the "Government's plans face a late challenge from
Car Parts Direct, the company that sells most of the devices, which
is mounting a legal case citing European human rights legislation
to make the Government pay up for part refunds CPD has offered to
make to customers who have bought its detectors". CPD say
"our radar detectors do exactly what a speed camera is supposed
to do: it advises motorists to check their speed and keep within
the limits of the law". However the Government's transport
department is not planning to reconsider the ban saying "radar
and laser detectors infringe the right of the police to carry out
covert enforcement". You cannot help feeling the jobsworths
in the transport department, and one or two over-zealous senior
members of the police, have lost sight of the desired outcome -
conditioning motorists' behaviour to drive more carefully and to
a better standard - and instead have become over-focused on controls
and income generating prosecutions. Some responsible motorists genuinely
feel the use of any device that helps them be more aware of speed
limits and potential danger spots (for that is where speed cameras
are located) and ensure they comply, is wholly responsible and correct
- even a device in the car which reminds them of their speed - a
speedometer! Maybe jobsworth intends banning them too! Responsible
drivers cannot object to speed cameras located where accidents rates
justify their use, but wouldn't resources be better used on tackling
the continuing sight of handheld mobile phones used in cars and
centre lane hogging on motorways than on banning detectors?
The forthcoming Road Safety Bill does double the fine for using
a handheld phone while driving to £60 but is it high enough
for the danger involved? (9.1.05)
Radar detectors and Mobile
phones

No longer a period of grace on motor insurance renewals
As classic car enthusiasts face the renewal of their motor insurance,
they need to be aware that as a result of the EU 4th Directive on
Motor Insurance, an important change was introduced during 2004
requiring insurers to send up-to-the-minute data to the central
Motor Insurance Database, or risk penalties for late submission.
In a recent renewal package from Peter Best Insurance Services,
a leading independent specialist classic car insurance broker, they
mention that "as a continuation of the Directive, we have
to inform you that there is no longer any period of grace with
renewals with any of our insurers". The general adoption
of this policy by most if not all motor insurers had been anticipated
by PBIS earlier in 2004 when they notified clients that "in
the case of Allianz Cornhill, all policies will have to be renewed
on or before the due date". (6.1.05)
V8NOTE318
and RV8NOTE218
Members' Track Day at
Silverstone
Tuesday 6th April 2004
Another
exclusive Members' Track Day has been organised by the MG Car Club
when members will have an opportunity of driving their road cars
on the National Circuit at Silverstone for six sessions of 20 minutes.
These sessions are planned and run by MGs on Track, a branch of
the MG Car Club which specialises in planning and running track
days for Club members. For full details of this event and how to
book a place, see
Members'
Track Day.
(2.4.04 & 27.1.04))
Clive Wheatley mgv8parts has moved!
Over
the Christmas period, Clive moved into new premises out in the country,
seven miles slightly west of Wolverhampton. His new workshops are
now completed and he has been up and running at the new location
since mid January 2004. (28.1.04 & 15.12.03)
For
further details see
mgv8parts
has moved
New mgrv8.com website looks good!
The popular
website run by Jim Dolbel which is devoted to the RV8 has been substantially
revised. The new design has a clean and purposeful feel and is much
faster than the original dark green website. See
the new mgrv8.com (2.1.04)
V8s sell well on the V8 Website!
Michael Madge reported just before Christmas Eve that his very
low mileage RV8 (Nightfire Red 1214) has been sold in under a month.
He still has an RV8 hood for sale - see RV8s
for Sale. There are some good looking RV8s for sale on the V8
Website - Andy Klava has Woodcote Green 0532, an Oxfordshire member
has the ex-Mike Satur Zircon Silver
0355, Nic Handy has Woodcote Green 1889 and Allan Sheehy has
Caribbean Blue 2123 for sale, not to mention RV8s offered by Classic
Chrome, HS Imports, Clive Wheatley mgv8sparts and Adventure Autos.
If you looking for an MGBGTV8, then just click V8s
for Sale. (26.12.03)
Membership & V8 Website hit reports for 2003
With 278 new registrations, the flow of new members during 2003
has been particularly strong - up 11.0% (net) on 2002. Some
45% (125) were RV8 registrations and 34% (94) were MGBGTV8s. With
56 new registrations of MGBV8 conversions, clearly they continue
to be very popular amongst V8 enthusiasts. But what have been the
factors contributing to that strong performance? See our membership
report. Also the V8 Website hit rate has
increased substantially over the last 12 months - the trend line
is up by 44% over the year from January 2003.
Our rankings with the leading search engines
are good too - just try a Google search for "SORN DVLA"
or "MGBGTV8" and see for yourself! (11.1.04
& 1.1.04 & 31.12.03 & 23.12.03)
Found - Oxford Blue 0451 stolen in Brisbane
John Hornabrook
reports "good news, it's been recovered fitted with NSW
plates from another car stolen in that state. It was used for a
jewellery heist! The considerate thief left it locked and alarmed".
Earlier John had reported that he had "just had word that
this RV8 has been stolen in Brisbane Australia and feels it might
be worth noting in case it finds its way to European shores either
in parts or in one piece!" (15.1.04
& 5.1.04)
White Gold 2176 is sold in just 7 weeks!
 |
1997
P White Gold 2176, a UK spec one owner RV8 with only
1,882 miles has been sold after only 7 weeks on the RV8s
for Sale webpage! The purchaser promptly registered with the
V8 Register! |
We are delighted
to welcome John Izdebski from the West Midlands as our latest new
member in 2004. (15.1.04)
See White Gold 2176
Last word on the RV8 from
Autocar- ugh!
This
article is hot from the back page - maybe even the back passage
- of a recent issue of Autocar magazine. It's an illustration
of the type of "lazy bar room prattle" you would
expect to hear from airheads quaffing pale lagers! "Never
knowingly well informed" springs to mind when you read
this type of weak material - it's opinion and assumption presented
as fact. The comfort is that the people behind this article are
no longer V8 enthusiasts - presumably they wear designer sweatshirts
and baseball caps and have a silver ring through their ego to remind
them where it is! Far
from the "last word" on the matter, do send in your views
to help Autocar gain a better understanding of the RV8, certainly
a classic sports car much liked by V8 enthusiasts. Autocar
last word. (24.11.03)
Rover on course to crash or crash
through
A reprint of an interesting
article on the prospects and risks at MG Rover carried in the
Financial Times on 29th October written by John Griffiths, the journalist
who is a former BCV8 Championship competitor. (30.10.03)
B&G
first with MG Rover Approved Garage award
Brown & Gammons at Baldock
has been awarded the MG Rover Approved Garage status. Ron Gammons
commented "we met the same demanding standards as MG Dealers
for quality of service facilities and can now do warranty work on
Rover Group cars". He was particularly pleased to be the
first non-MG Dealer garage in Europe to receive the designation.
(24.10.03)
RV8
hoods offer from B&G
B&G have a supply of new hoods
from the original equipment manufacturer, including header rail
and rear screen, for £900.00 plus VAT and delivery. The rear
screen alone is £200.00 so this offer is worth investigating
if your hood is nearing the end of its operational life. See B&G
offers. (24.10.03)
RV8
Technical Information CD - lower prices
Both Ames MG and Brown & Gammons
are now offering the CD at only £49.95 including VAT,
postage and packing for a UK customer. For details of the CD we
have a copy of the front cover of each document and a brief description
of the contents for you plus prices for supplying the CD to other
countries. (24.10.03)
See Ames MG offer
or Brown & Gammons
offer.
Useful
book just out - ideal for present!
Veloce Publishing has just launched "Your expert
guide to MGB & MGBGT problems and how to fix them" by Roger
Williams as the first in a new series of Auto-Doc TM
books. Whilst it does not cover the V8, there is a great
deal of useful diagnosis and fault fixing information on the common
parts that it would interest a V8 enthusiast and make a good present
at any time.
See our book review. (23.10.03)
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