V8 Roadster Conversions downunder


Waiting to start another special stage (Greenhills)

This V8 Roadster (Tartan Red 4246) is one of three built by the MG Car Company in New Zealand in 1990-91 for the New Zealand Motor Corporation using new Heritage shells. The car has a fuel injected Rover V8 engine with a Holley 4 choke carburettor tuned to produce 200HP with a cam shaft profile change. It has a five speed Rover gearbox driving a LSD rear axle. The car is in concours condition, upholstered in grey leather and fitted with 72 spoke wire wheels. Charles Clark owns the car in Wellington and says "for me it is the ultimate sports car in looks and performance, handling and driving pleasure". This V8 is VIN RBNZ90V 007 and carries the distinctive registration plate MG 3500.

The three V8 Roadsters were built by Rod Brayshaw who has retained one (VIN RBNZ90V 006) with the registration plate MG V8 and the other (RBNZ90V 008) is in Christchurch. They are significant because their construction was commissioned by New Zealand Motor Corporation who were the master agents for BLMC in New Zealand back in the nineties.


MG 3500 waiting behind a Ferrari BB512 - "yes we kept up with him!" says Charles Clark


At the start of the Traga Narva in Auckland - a concours V8 Roadster which is used by Charles Clark for competition events in New Zealand

Photos: Charles Clark

Murray Walker navigated for Chris Amon in a five day rally in New Zealand autographs a book for a fan

"These photos were taken on a recent five day rally from Auckland to Wellington covering over 2,000 km and thirty special closed road stages" says Charles Clark. "We had a great week and the V8 drove immaculately. You may recognise the gentleman in the photo above - yes, it's Murray Walker who navigated for Chris Amon. The combined age of the team was 140 years and they finished 8th in class with a standard Toyota 3.0 litre V6 Camry". The five day rally was the Dunlop Targa Narva held in October 2003.


At Manfiled Autocourse, a Car Club circuit in the Manawatu District

MG 3500 with the hood up showing the livery