This webpage has been updated
See RV8 Reimporters

If the flow of reimported RV8s seen during 2000, 2001 and 2002 continues, we anticipate the stock of reimported RV8s in the UK will overtake the original UK specification machines during 2003. But who are the firms reimporting this flow of RV8s? Well the V8 Register has been compiling a list of the specialist RV8 Reimporters & Traders from reports from RV8 enthusiasts sent to the V8 Register. Further entries are welcome or further comments about specialists already listed!

For members considering getting an RV8, you need to know the specialist MG magazine MG World has had two excellent articles on the RV8. Recently a topical article on RV8s from Japan in the October/November 2002 issue and earlier an eight page comprehensive review of the MG RV8, which included a buying guide in the February/March 2001 issue. Back copies of those issues can be obtained from MG World - for details just click MG World.

HS Imports
23 Clevedon Road
Nailsea
Bristol
Avon BS48 1EW
Tel: 01275 866200
hsimports@byclick.com
www.hsimports.com

HS Imports have been repatriating RV8s from Japan for over six years now. They hand pick cars in good order with a full service history which they translate. Most of their sales are made before the cars reach the UK by providing customers with a full description and a digital photograph of each vehicle together with a money-back guarantee where a deposit has been paid. HS Imports bear all the costs of putting the car on the road in the UK without increasing the pre-agreed sale price once the deposit is paid. Therefore if on arrival in the UK the car requires new tyres or mechanical attention, HS Imports provide it all. They sell their cars inclusive of 6 months road tax. The business is run by Chris Watkins who has worked in Japan and has good connections there for sourcing good quality RV8s and translating service documentation. They have an informative website. Mark Seagrove (Woodcote Green 1070) from Avon reports a good service and notes they are "pleasant people to deal with". Keith Rowson (Oxford Blue 1764) from Hertfordshire was also delighted with the service from HS Imports. Chris Watkins features in the "RV8s from Japan" article in the October/ November 2002 issue of MG World magazine.

Autoroute UK
Prestige, sports & multipurpose vehicles
Landview Service Station
Ongar Road (A414)
Essex CM1 3NS
Tel: 01245 248881
Fax: 01245 248988
sales@autorouteuk.com
www.autorouteuk.com

John Kavanagh (Woodcote Green 1256) reports Autoroute UK are importers of vehicles from Japan and reimport RV8s for stock and to customers' requirements. They go out to Japan and hand pick cars themselves, one of which was supplied to John Kavanagh from Essex. He had his 6,000 mile car examined prior to purchase by LV Engineering in West Hampstead who identified a checklist of pre-delivery items for attention. John Kavanagh's contact at Autoroute was Chris Costa.

Brown & Gammons
18 High Street
Baldock
Hertfordshire SG7 6AS
Tel: 01462 490049
Fax: 01462 896167
sales@ukmgparts.com
www.ukmgparts.com

Colin Leigh (Oxford Blue 1552) and Ian Lloyd (Woodcote Green 0619) are just two of the members of the V8 Register who have acquired their RV8s from B&G. This long established MG specialist has reimported a steady stream of RV8s from Japan and is experienced at preparing them for the UK roads. The contact there is Malcolm Gammons.

Autocare
1 Old Creamery
Huntspill Road
Highbridge
Somerset
TA9 3DF
Tel: 01278 789024
Fax: 01278 793533

Autocare have reimported a number of RV8s from Japan and are experienced at carrying out the necessary conversions and preparation for UK roads. Bryan Ditchman (Caribbean Blue 0265) has had contacts with them concerning their radio converter (see RV8 Workshop Note 76 in Volume 3 of the series) which saves the cost of replacing the radio. The contact there is Tony Walters.

Specialist Cars
Tavistock Street
Bletchley
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire MK2 2PG
Tel: 01908 374000
Fax: 01908

John Bolt (Nightfire Red 1228) acquired his RV8 through them and reports they are general reimporters of "grey market" cars. He believes they have had about nine RV8s. The contact there is David Richmond.

Cleevewood Garage
Cleevewood Road
Downend
Bristol
Avon BR16 2SF
Tel: 0117 956 7144
Fax: TBA

Tim Hipwell (Oxford Blue 1133) from Devon reports Cleevewood is run by Ray Hardacre and Norman Hughes who specialises in classic cars and good quality reimported RV8s and MGFs. Tim found them "very helpful and willing to put things right with any "reimport" before handing it over to the customer". Another member, Tony Grimes (Woodcote Green 1070) from Avon felt their service was very good and he has been pleased with his RV8. Tony reports Cleevewood had four RV8s in stock including one in Nightfire Red and another in Oxford Blue.

Cox & Perry - classic & sports car specialists
Frettenham Road
Horstead
Norwich
Norfolk NR12 7LB
Tel: 01603 737195
Fax: TBA

Further details awaited.

West End Classics
Keith Evans runs this RV8 specialist which trades in hand picked, first class low mileage RV8s. All RV8s are thoroughly checked over and any work carried out before delivery.

West End Classics
West End Garage
129-130 High Street
Somersham
Cambridgeshire PE28 3EN
Tel: 01487 842085
Fax: 01487 843142
keith@wec.uk.com

Recommendation: Clive Wheatley recommends Keith Evans as someone who is very fond of the RV8 model. Clive comments "his cars are superb, like brand new with all snags dealt with before sale. Clive also stresses West End Classics is not an RV8 reimporter but a trader of good quality UK and reimported specification machines.

Tokyo Auto Trading
2-10-8-417
Nishi Gotanda
Shinagawa Ku
Tokyo 141-0031
Japan
Tel: +81 90 8773 0907
motors@gol.com
www.mgrv8.net

Colin Shea lives permanently in Japan and works with this car export firm in Tokyo which buys MG RV8s for export to RV8 traders and individual enthusiasts around the World. Colin mentions "I am a member of all the quality auctions in Japan and over the last three years I have bought in excess of a hundred RV8s for export, mostly to the UK and Australia". He offers "a service as a direct supplier of RV8s at auction prices in Japan, thus saving your members a great deal if they choose the DIY route". David Boniface (Oxford Blue 1598) in Tokyo knows Colin well.

MG Car Centre
James Brown (Blaze 1656 and Woodcote Green 0693) and his son Gavin run the MG Car Centre in Tasmania and import RV8s to Australia. All cars are "ADR complied" and can be delivered anywhere in Australia. The "ADR compliance" means the RV8s have a compliance licence confirming modifications have been carried out so the vehicle conforms with the Australia Design Rules. These measures are to regulate the market and protect the Australia car market from "grey" imports. The MG Car Centre provides a full servicing and spare parts service for RV8s and MGBV8s. They have supplied a number of RV8s to customers downunder and can provide customer testimonials if requested.

The MG Car Centre
2-10 Herbert Street
Invermay
Launceston
Tasmania
Australia 7250
Tel: 0418 133494
Fax: 03 6334 9546
nothing_but_the_best@hotmail.com

James Brown was based at Brentford in the UK with Eaton Corporation back in the early 1990s so knows the UK and MG very well.

RV8 Cars Australia Pty Limited
Bruce Webster (Woodcote Green 0722) in Sydney reports that the owners of RV8 Cars are both ex presidents and ex MGB registrars of the MG Car Club Sydney and really know all about modern MGs.

RV8 Cars Australia Pty Limited
26 Cowper Street
Granville NSW
Australia
Tel: 612 9637 6204
Fax: 612 9637 0199
www.rv8cars.com.au

MG Imports
Bruce Webster (Woodcote Green 0722) in Sydney comments that whilst he does not know agreat deal about this company, he understands that many of the RV8s imported to Australia are "ADR complied by the company.

MG Imports
PO Box 3787
Loganholme
Queensland 4129
Australia
Tel: 0418 786214
Fax: 617 3208 4823

List updated to 18.12.02