V8 Roadster for Sale
Private Sale of a Trevor Taylor V8 Roadster Conversion

Al Barnett had an RV8 (BRG 1839) from new which he enjoyed a great deal when he was working in Mainland Europe, and participated in several Prx des Alpes. When he retired to the UK at the end of 2003 he decided to sell the RV8 and work on a project - he bought a V8 Roadster Conversion. Now he has heard his RV8 is for sale again following the sad death of the owner and feels he would like to buy it back, but will have to sell the V8 Roadster - hence this offer for sale. Its on offer for a quick sale at £10,500. Location Surrey, not far from Guildford.
In 1995 I purchased a new RV8 that I took with me when I went to work overseas; I had a very happy time with the car and kept it until the end of 2003 when I retired back to UK. I was a bit concerned that I might find retirement boring and for various reasons decided that I should sell the RV8 and buy something more involving and which I could work on. Hence just 12 months ago I bought MGT 613L, a V8 Roadster Conversion.

The car had been professionally built by Trevor Taylor Conversions, at a cost of £19,000, in time to be delivered to the owner at the beginning of 2000. As you would expect for that money the shell was rebuilt and virtually every panel replaced. The engine is a stage 3, 3.5 litre SD1 V8 with the block blueprinted by Oselli, the heads are Real Steel stage 3 and there is a high lift cam and Rhodes lifters. The engine was dyno tested at 252 bhp! The original owner kept the car for 2 years and I purchased it from the second owner who had rarely used the car and even more rarely done anything to it. It was therefore in need of some TLC and I embarked on a programme to sort out the minor electrical snags and make the highly tuned engine as flexible as possible. I had intended to use the car for long distance rallying and touring so everything I have done has been to the highest standard.

This week I have been informed that the man I sold my RV8 to was taken ill shortly after he took delivery of the car and unfortunately died last year. His widow has contacted me and tells me the car has only travelled 200 miles since I sold it and she has now asked me if I would like to buy the car back. If I am to do so then my V8 Roadster will have to be sold. Including the purchase price, I have spent almost £17,000 on the car. I am offering it for a quick sale at £10,500 - nobody said hobbys were cheap!


V8 Register - MG Car Club
What is the specification of this V8 Roadster?
In the year I have had the car I have renewed the following, starting from the front:
> Engine front cover, oil pump and timing chain
> Radiator, replaced with Clive Wheatley high capacity model
> Cooling fans
> Kenlowe temperature controller
> Brakes - new EBC grooved and drilled discs with Greenstuff pads
> Headlights
> Plugs,leads, points and cap for the Mallory distributor
> All hoses
> RV8 style thru the wing manifolds leading into a new single box (noisy) stainless steel exhaust system
> Fuel flow regulator
> Mirrors
> Carpets, including full carpeting of the boot
> Sound Insulation, not that you would notice
> Full tonneau and rails
> Prop Shaft and UJs
> Back Axle (Clive Wheatley exchange)
> Stainless steel luggage grid specially adapted to carry a spare wheel when touring
> Five new minilight 5.5X14 alloys, 4 Goodyear NCT Eagle 185/70 tyres, wheels and tyres were fitted last week! The car also comes with 4 used 6X14 GB alloys fitted with half worn Avon 195/60s
The list does not cover minor items and the receipts total over £7,000.

If anyone is interested I can supply copies of the build sheet and any prospective buyer can examine all the receipts. So if you are interested in a quick, good handling, totally rust free V8, which is not concours but very smart, then send me an email or call me on 01306 875786. I live in Surrey not far from Guildford.


BRG 1839 formerly owned by Al Barnett on the Prix des Alpes. (Photo: Al Barnett)