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V8
Register visit to The Tank Museum, Bovington
Eight V8 Register members (an appropriate number!) visited The
Tank Museum in Bovington in Dorset. Julian Holmes arranged a
very enjoyable day trip to this excellent venue and even managed
to defy a rather dreary weather forecast, with copious amounts
of sunshine. SF
October 2024 More
|
 |
Photo
reports from the V8 North Lakes Tour 2024
With four days of
blue skies, no rain and clear air it was a wonderful tour visiting
interesting places in the Lake District. See the photo reports.
SF October 2024 More |
 |
Replacing
a V8 speedometer that had stopped working
When driving home to Remseck in Germany from the V8 50th Anniversary
week of celebrations in 2023 the speedometer needle on Kai Knickmann's
MGBGTV8 first started to swing more and more violently as a
he drove through the Netherlands. Closer to home it finally
stopped working altogether. His useful V8NOTE describes how
the problem was solved, plus some useful information provided
by fellow V8 members. SF September 2024
Note
|
 |
Visit
to the Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset
V8 members enjoyed an opportunity to see various tanks and learn
more of their role. See our photo report. SF
September 2024
Photo report < to be added following the visit |
 |
Rubber
Ball at Malvern
The 50th Anniversary of the launch of the RB MGBGTV8 model in
1974 was celebrated at Malvern with a display of nine RB V8s
in the Severn Hall which was arranged by John Davies. SF
August 2024
Malvern photo report & RB
MGBGTV8 article
|
 |
Check
your batteries
Upgrading the original arrangement of twin 6V batteries in an
MGBGTV8 to either a modern single 12V or twin 12V battery arrangement
is a modification well worth doing. SF
August 2024
Info Gateway webpage & 12V
battery upgrade article
|
 |
Frontline
front valance upgrade
Peter Berry sets out the case for this subtle upgrade and the
useful safety benefits. SF August 2024
More
|
 |
V8
engine stabiliser bar
A V8BB thread in 2002 provided useful information on fellow
members' experiences with fitting a stabiliser bar which was
then released as a workshop note, V8NOTE260. Recently Peter
Cook sought information on installing a stabiliser bar. SF
August 2024
V8NOTE260
& Guide
on installing a stabiliser bar |
 |
V8
AGM 2024
Committee members' reports were presented at the V8 AGM together
with the V8 Treasurer's report on the V8 Register accounts.
Members nominated for key key roles involving their active contribution
to key areas of the support and services provided as part of
the benefits for fellow V8 Register members were elected. The
minutes of the meeting were promptly produced by Ken Clayton
(V8 Secretary) and posted to the V8 Website. SF
August 2024 Minutes
& notice/agenda/reports |
 |
Curing
condensation in the RV8 VDO minor instruments
Steve Hunter posted on the V8BB regarding a problem he’d
suffered with his RV8 with the minor VDO instruments (temperature,
voltmeter and fuel gauge instruments). They are all plastic
sealed units (but not the clock which has a metal casing and
a removable lamp) all suffered by misting up with condensation
on warm days or when the heater was on. The note explains how
Steve solved the problem. SF July 2024 |
 |
Inter-Club
International Weekend at Malvern -
Friday 28th - Sunday 30th June 2024
V8 Rubber Ball marking 50 years of rubber bumpered MGBGTV8s
at the
Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. SF
June 2024 More
|
 |
V8
AGM 2024 - Sunday 30th June 2024 at Malvern at 12.30pm
See formal notice, agenda, nominations
and reports on the V8 AGM Info webpage. SF
June 2024 Info
|
 |
Fitting
an Electric Water Pump (EWP)
Long term member Mike Howlett has recently been looking into
the possibility of fitting a Davies, Craig electric water pump
(EWP) to his V8 conversion, which runs a 3.9 Range Rover engine.
Mike's engine runs extremely hot when standing idling, which
has been known to send the temperature needle into the oil pressure
zone on the dual gauge in the past! Mike launched a thread on
the V8 Bulletin Board and responses from Chris Armitage and
Peter Varley revealed some interesting issues with the EWP upgrade.
SF May 2024 More
|
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The
ultimate number plate
The registration plate "V 8" has now become available
through Regtransfers who say "it was issued by Lanark County
Council in 1904. It is increasingly rare for registrations of
this age to have survived. Many have been lost, as old vehicles
were written off or scrapped. This scarcity gives such an old
registration a special appeal, similar to that of an antique."
See a NEWS item released on this V8 Website in March on the
availability of a rare cherished plate - V 8. SF
May 2024 More
|
 |
Inter-Club
International Weekend at Malvern
The Club's main weekend event is on Friday 28th - Sunday 30th
June 2024 at
The Three Counties Showground near Malvern in Worcestershire
with a wide range of activities plus trips to local features
like the Morgan factory, Worcester and a Three Counties Road
Run ending at Malvern. See our information webpage. SF
May 2024 More
& More
V8 AGM - this will be held Sunday 30th June 2024 at 12.30pm
at the Three Counties Showground in the Stock Steward's building.
SF May 2024 Formal
notice |
 |
Rubber
Bumpers
The ‘rubber bumper’ home-market MGB and MGBGT came
with the ‘1974 ½’ facelift of the four and
eight cylinder MGBGTs, which were on display at the 1974 Earls
Court Motor Show. The driver behind the introduction of ‘rubber
bumpers’ was the legislative power that underpinned changes
to vehicle standards in the United States; then came the urgent
need for MG to meet those requirements as sales of MGs in North
America were vital to the future of the MG business at that
time. The way MG handled the introduction of ‘rubber bumpers’
to their models was both rapid and imaginative. SF
April 2024 Article
|
 |
Building
a V8 Roadster
Many year ago Peter Nixon had a Factory MGBGTV8 (Black 2293)
and feels he made the mistake of selling it. But he later thought
about converting his wife's 1976 MGB Roadster to V8 power but
she said firmly 'NO'! So in January 2017 Peter bought a rolling
rust bucket rubber bumper MGB Roadster off eBay which had no
engine, no gearbox, no MOT but lots of rust. His intention was
to rebuild it, convert it to chrome bumper and install a Rover
V8 engine and a five speed gearbox. Peter recently completed
what became a six year project to create his V8 Roadster.
SF April 2024 Article
|
 |
V8
exhaust manifold shrouds
Most V8s have lost their exhaust manifold shrouds over the years,
either when the cast iron manifolds have been replaced or simply
not fitted after induction system work or they have rusted away.
Yorkshire member John Davies wanted to return his pair of MGBGTV8s
to the standard Factory arrangement and needed two sets of shrouds.
Fortunately the uppers (BHH1297 and BHH 1298) are occasionally
available on eBay as "New Old Stock" but the lowers
(BHH1247 and BHH1248) are rarely available in good condition.
The challenge had been overcome by Paul Gill in Caerphilly in
Mid Glamorgan in the 1980s when he created a wooden pattern
former (using poor condition lower shrouds as a shape guide)
and a colleague fabricated a set. Now 35 years later, the wooden
former was called into action again - this time loaned to Yorkshire
restorer David Barber, currently recommissioning an early rubber
bumper V8 (Black 2102). Turning steel sheet into a small, complex
set of compound curves that emulate the original stamped component
is a significant accomplishment, albeit one that most people
who view the car will never see or appreciate!. SF
April 2024 Article
|
 |
Exactly
how many MGBGTV8s were built at Abingdon?
Most authors of publications covering the MGBGTV8 quote 2,591
as the total production figure for the model - but is it correct?
Well as information gradually came to light, the longstanding
V8 Register Historian & Archivist, the late Geoff Allen,
believed there were more than 2,591 V8s! In V8NOTE300 he explained
why. SF March 2024 More
& More & More
|
 |
Digital
Club Membership is here - switch now and enjoy a free offer
With a switch to digital membership you can get to see Safety
Fast! promptly online in the Members' area of the Club website
and at a reduced subscription too. We have a note explaining
how to make the switch together with details of the free offers
for V8 members who make the switch to Digital Club Membership.
SF February 2024
Information
on switch
Making
the switch explained
Free
offers when you switch |
 |
Digital
Club Membership is here - switch now
See the reduced membership subscription fees with a switch to
Digital Club Membership. There are our special free offers for
V8 members who make the switch to Digital Club Membership.
SF January 2024 Digital
Club Membership & Free
Offers |
 |
North
Lakes V8 Tour 2024
Monday 16th to Thursday 19th September 2024
Bookings are flowing in for the North Lakes V8 Tour that Tony
Smith is arranging as a four day tour in the North of the Lake
District based at the North Lakes Hotel & Spa near Penrith.
SF December 2023 More
& Bookings
made |
|
North
Lakes V8 Tour 2024
Monday 16th to Thursday 19th September 2024
Tony Smith has volunteered to arrange a wonderful four day tour
in the North of the Lake District based at the North Lakes Hotel
& Spa near Penrith. SF November 2023
More |
|
Digital
Club Membership is here - switch now
See the reduced membership subscription fees with a switch to
Digital Club Membership. There are our special offers for V8
members who make the switch to Digital Club Membership.
SF November 2023 More |
 |
MGV8-50
Anniversary Weekend - Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th August
2023
With good weather the weekend of MGV8-50 Anniversary events
was thoroughly enjoyable - a display of MGV8s on the Market
Place in Abingdon on Saturday morning followed by a buffet lunch
at the Dog House pub on the route of the old Factory test route
and on Sunday the major MGV8-50 Anniversary event at the Motor
Museum at Gaydon. See
the photo reports
The programme of events celebrated several notable anniversaries
- the 50th anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 model in
August 1973, the 45th anniversary of the launch of the V8 Register
five years later in October 1978, and the 30th anniversary of
the start of RV8 production and sales in 1993. SF
October 2023
|
 |
V8
Ducting from Shroud to Air Temperature Control
Jonathan Stein in the USA reports finding a useful source of
replacement ducting. He bought it from JBUGS.com in California
and their part number is 028129087A. AutoDoc offers this part
in the UK”. The AutoDoc website lists 6 different versions
of this piping from 4 different suppliers. Note that there is
also an earlier note, V8NOTE534
, on this topic contributed by Angus Munro in 2018.
SF September 2023
JBUGS.com
& AutoDoc |
 |
MG100
at Silverstone
On June 10th and 11th, the V8 Register attended the MG100 event
at Silverstone, as part of this year’s grand celebrations
to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the MGB GT V8
and the 30th anniversary of the launch of the MG RV8. The weekend
was uncharacteristically hot for Silverstone, so the V8 Marquee
was a welcome refreshment centre, offering tea, coffee and homemade
cakes, together with seating. See our photo
reports. V8 Marquee,
MGBGTV8 Parade Lap,
SF August 2023 |
 |
MG50-V8
Gaydon
On Sunday 20th of August, the V8 Register has its MGV8-50 major
event at Gaydon, where we will further celebrate the anniversaries
mentioned above, plus the 45th anniversary of the formation
of the V8 Register in 1978. There will be a dedicated MGV8 parking
area on the north side of the car park, in front of the Museum.
The focus of the event, planned by Julian Holmes will be in
the dedicated meeting rooms within the Museum building. In these
two rooms there will be a reception area with welcome refreshments
and a few trade stands. The second room will contain a modest
programme of presentations and slide shows, contributed by volunteers
and enthusiasts. Spaces are still available for this prestigious
event, which will not be repeated for many years to come. More
SF August 2023 |
 |
Vitesse
5 Speed Gearbox Conversion
With his early Factory V8 gearbox (with overdrive in 3rd and
4th) starting to show signs of age and wear, Peter Berry explains
how he considered the options and decided to go for a replacement
gearbox from Vitesse. It's a Mazda 5 speed gearbox, complete
with a conversion kit for use on several classics, including
the MGBGTV8. More
SF August 2023 |
 |
Stahlbus
Oil Drain Valve update
Peter Berry says that since fitting one of these devices to
his MGBGTV8 Brexit has occurred! Since then Stahlbus are no
longer able to export to the UK due to the red tape involved
now. Fellow V8 Register member Mike Howlett got in touch with
Demon Tweeks, a UK distributor for Stahlibus, and reported a
successful purchase of the necessary item. Mike says the correct
item doesn’t appear on their website. Dave Kimberley at
Demon Tweeks was very helpful and so other V8 Register members
are advised to contact Dave directly and quote Mike Howlett’s
name. More SF July 2023 |
|
MGV8-50
at Gaydon on Saturday 20th August 2023
The major MGBGTV8 50th Anniversary event is at the British Motor
Museum at Gaydon hosting our main event of the year, the 50th
Anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 in 1973. Access to
the parking area in front of the Museum on Saturday 20th August
will be available from 11am to 4pm and then you can buy a ticket
to the Museum exhibition and cafe. The focus of the event will
be in two meeting rooms for V8 Register members and their guests
inside the Museum for the V8 anniversary event - one with a
mix of trade and Club stands plus refreshments on arrival and
the other room for a number of presentations on the MGBGTV8
and RV8 models.
Make a booking
Note: the events in Abingdon the previous day (Saturday
19th August) are both fully booked - the MGV8 Display on the
Market Place and the Lunch at a pub to the west of Abingdon.
Please note, because of limited space at those venues further
bookings are not available and the car park at the pub will
be full to bursting point. More
SF July 2023 |
 |
Wrong
Fuse Blowing
Mark Ratcliff owns a ’75 factory V8 and recently experienced
a recurring problem, when the wipers on his car continually
blew the fuse. The problem was that the fuse in question (the
third one down on the standard fuse box) doesn’t protect
the wiper circuit – so how could this be? Mark found the
source of the problem; the in-line fuse on the accessory circuit
had failed. On closer inspection, Mark found that a new wire
had been ‘Scotchlocked’ to the original GK (green
with pink tracer) wire. On removal of this ‘additional’
wiring and the installation of a new fuse normal service was
resumed and everything worked as it should. Beware the wiring
bodgers, the use of incorrect wiring colours and the use of
Scotchlock connectors – they are the work of the devil!
More SF July 2023 |
 |
Pricewatch
auction report
Keith Belcher reports it is rare to see four MGBV8s at one auction,
but at the Silverstone Race Retro Classic and
Competition Car Sale in February 2023 there were three Factory
MGBGTV8s and one MGRV8 up for auction. The sale was very well
attended with deep pocketed bidders buying Emma Peel’s
Lotus Elan, Peter Seller’s Elan, the Duke of Edinburgh’s
Land Rover and Rowan Atkinson’s Lancia Integrale, all at
high prices. Also, a low mileage Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500
achieved a world record price. More
SF June 2023 |
 |
Updated
six monthly MGV8 Price Guides & Market Reviews
Based on the MGV8s seen advertised for sale, listed for auction
and in specialist traders showrooms by our Pricewatch volunteers,
our Price Guides and Market Reviews for the MGBGTV8 and RV8
models have been updated. They are available now.
Price guide for the six months to May 2023. More
SF June 2023
|
 |
50V8
Anniverary Events in June 2023
Update on bookings and ticket sales for the events in the
week before and at the MG-Triumph 100 event at Silverstone over
the weekend of Saturday 10th and 11th June 2023. Update
SF June 2023 |
 |
50V8
Anniverary Events in June 2023
Don't miss a booking for these events:
> Wednesday 7th June - visit to Rousham House &
Gardens in Oxfordshire with guided tour of the house. Info
& booking
> Thursday 8th June - visit to Sywell Aerodrome and an
informal lunch. Info
& booking
> Friday 9th June - the traditional V8 lunch at the
Hook Norton Brewery cafe. Info
& booking
> Saturday 10th June- MG-Triumph100 meeting at Silverstone
with the V8 Marquee and MGV8 Display. Info
> Saturday 10th June - MGBGTV8 50th Anniversary parade
around the circuit. Info
& booking
> Saturday 10th June - V8 Supper near Silverstone.
Info & booking
> Sunday 11th June - V8 AGM in the V8 Marquee at 1pm.
Formal
notice |
 |
MGV8-50
Events in August 2023
Don't miss a booking for these events:
> Saturday 19th August - early morning MGV8 display
on Market Place in Abingdon. Information
> Saturday 19th August - buffet lunch at the Dog House
pub, west of Abingdon. Info
& booking
> Sunday 20th August - MGV8-50 event at the British
Motor Museum at Gaydon. Info
& booking
Check the latest
bookings SF May 2023 |
 |
V8
Speedo Illumination – how to replace the bulb
MGB GT V8 owner Tony Head, experienced considerable difficulty
replacing his speedo illumination bulb last year when the original
bulb blew. Access is a real problem up behind the dashboard,
above the speedo drive, in amongst other wiring. Tony therefore
posted the question on how to reach this bulb on the V8BB to
other members. The V8 Webmaster responded that feedback from
Tony Lake was that he had experienced similar problems when
he bought 4 LEDs to replace the otiginal bulbs – a modification
which other members will have embarked upon, given the low light
levels of the original setup. More
SF April 2023
|
 |
DfT
Reassessment of MoT Exemption for Classic Cars
By the time you read this, the deadline to have any say over
this matter will have passed. However, the facts still make
interesting reading. The Department of Transport was seeking
the views of classic car owners on the MOT exemption for classic
cars over 40 years old, introduced in 2018. This exemption from
the requirement for an annual MOT test replaced an earlier legal
exemption from an MOT test for pre-1960 vehicles. Now it appears
the DfT is interested in the views of classic car enthusiasts
and the wider public on how they feel this exemption ruling
has worked and whether it needs to be reviewed. The deadline
for opinions was 22nd March 2023. More
SF April 2023 |
|
Soon
after the launch of the V8 powered MG in 1973 sales were hit
by difficult economic conditions
Launched in August 1973, the V8 powered MGBGT combined the popular
fixed head coupe body style with a powerful three and half litre
light alloy V8 engine. The Rover powerplant ran with a reduced
8.25 to 1 compression ratio but an increased torque compared
with the similar engines then used in the Rover saloons. The
result transformed the MGBGT, creating a very nimble car with
the luxury of multi-cylinder power. But within just a few weeks
of the launch serious international political problems arose
and the consequent economic difficulties hit sales of MGBGTV8s
in a major way. Here Victor Smith reflects on those difficult
conditions and the impact they had on the sales of an attractive
new MG. Article
SF March 2023
See links below for more information on items mentioned in the
article.
V8 - an old Buick design
The story of the Buick V8 engine which found its way across
the Atlantic to power a generation of Rover and Leyland vehicles.
More
MGBGTV8 at the 1973 Motor Show at Earls Court
Video of a BBC review of the motor show. More
& MGBGTV8 price
lists & bhp
comparison
Political problems and economic difficulties hit MGBGTV8
sales soon after the launch
See more on: Yom
Kippur War & 1973
Oil Crisis & Oil
Embargo & State
of emergency
Analysis of time between dispatch of MGBGTV8s from the MG
Plant to distributors and first registration (sale). More
Prices of secondhand MGBGTV8s remained fairly steady
for many years with modest growth until around 2010 when in
the period to 2017 they rose by around 117%. Since then there
has been modest growth of prices. Price
guide
|
|
50V8
Anniverary Events in June 2023
Don't miss a booking for these events:
> Wednesday 7th June - visit to Rousham House &
Gardens in Oxfordshire with guided tour of the house. Info
& booking
> Thursday 8th June - visit to Sywell Aerodrome and
an informal lunch. Info
& booking
> Friday 9th June - the traditional V8 lunch at the
Hook Norton Brewery cafe. Info
& booking
> Saturday 10th June- MG-Triumph100 meeting at Silverstone
with the V8 Marquee and MGV8 Display. Info
> Saturday 10th June - MGBGTV8 50th Anniversary parade
around the circuit. Info
& booking
> Saturday 10th June - V8 Supper at the Star Inn in
Sulgrave near Silverstone. Info
& booking
> Sunday 11th June - V8 AGM in the V8 Marquee at 1pm.
Notice will be released later
MGV8-50 Events in August 2023
Don't miss a booking for these events:
> Saturday 19th August - early morning MGV8 display
on Market Place in Abingdon. Information
> Saturday 19th August - buffet lunch at the Dog House
pub, west of Abingdon. Info
& booking
> Sunday 20th August - MGV8-50 event at the British
Motor Museum at Gaydon. Info
& booking
Check the latest
bookings SF March 2023 |
 |
RV8
Battery Change
Paul Keeler has been in touch this month regarding the troubles
he experienced replacing his battery recently. Changing the
battery; what could be easier? Quite a lot actually! Despite
being on a CTEK conditioner, the battery finally gave up. Records
show that the old AC Delco item (520 CCA) was fitted in March
2012. Not bad! Two earlier ones were fitted in March 2007 and
April 2003. A new Yuasa YBX5069 (650 CCA) was chosen. Paul then
explains how he overcame a number of issues fitting and securing
the new battery in his RV8. SF March 2023
See further information on replacement batteries. More
& More |
 |
Which
Oil?
Now here is a most useful book for all of us who drive older
cars and who are perhaps confused about the correct choice of
oil. “Which Oil?” by Richard Michell sets out
to dispel the myths and misconceptions about the plethora of
oils available on market today we should use in a classic car
like an MGBGTV8 or MGRV8 with a Rover V8 engine. Nic Houslip
has reviewed this book and says "I believe this book is
particularly good value at £14.99 from Veloce and
would make a good birthday present". It's available as
a 128 page paperback with 34 pictures or as an e-book. SF
February 2023
See
the review |
 |
MGV8-50
anniversary events on Friday 19th & Saturday 20th August
2023
See information on each of the three events and booking details.
Events include
an MGV8 display on the Market Place in Abingdon, a buffet lunch
at the Dog House pub to the west of Abingdon on the old MG Factory
Test Route and the main anniversary event at Gaydon. SF
January 2023
More event information & booking arrangements
|
 |
V8
Curry on Saturday 11th February 2023
An annual V8 Curry has been a V8 Register tradition ever since
Peter Beadle arranged the first one in Epsom in 1979 near the
MG dealer University Motors where he was parts manager. With
the return of the MG-Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh on Sunday
12th, Ian Quarrington is arranging the V8 Curry nearby, south
of Solihull and the M42. SF January 2023
Information and booking arrangements |
 |
MG
anniversaries coming in 2023
The key events
will be:
MG 100 Anniversary event at Gaydon on Saturday 27th May
2023
MG 100 Live! 2023 celebrating the MG 100 & the MGV8
anniversaries over the weekend of Sat 10th & Sun 11th June
2023
MGV8-50 events at Abingdon on Saturday 19th and
at Gaydon on Sunday 20th August 2023
SF
December 2022 More |
|
MGV8-50
weekend of anniversary events in August 2023
See more information on each of the three anniversary events
over the weekend of Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August 2023
and booking arrangements. Events include an MGV8 display on
the Market Place in Abingdon, a buffet lunch at the Dog House
pub to the west of Abingdon on the old MG Factory Test Route
and the main anniversary event at Gaydon. SF
December 2022
More event information & booking arrangements |
 |
V8
Scottish Borders Tour 2022 reports
Ken Clayton and Tony Smith organised this year’s successful
V8 Tour in September as a wonderful long weekend tour in the
Scottish Borders based at the Barony Castle Hotel at Eddleston
near Peebles. The tour included a visit to the Jim Clark Museum
via the Lammermuir Hills where members were met by Doug Niven
who gave an introduction to the museum. See four photo reports
from contributors. SF December 2022
Report 1 -
Report 2 -
Report 3 -
Report 4r-
More
|
 |
RV8
exhaust clamp clash with front tyre – safety issue!
An RV8 failed an MOT test because the front offside tyre had
been worn down to the cords from a cut into the side wall. It
seems that an exhaust bracket had been fouling the inside wall
with the steering wheel on a right-hand lock. A blowout could
have been quite imminent with disastrous consequences had this
not been picked up. SF November 2022
More
|
 |
MGBV8
engine cooling
Tony Lake has contributed an article on a modification he has
made to his MGBGTV8 to deal with the perenial problem of V8
engine cooling. SF October 2022
More
& Drawing
of undertray
|
 |
Replacing
an exhaust system on a reimported RV8
Ian Hanstead had to replace the exhaust system on this RV8.
He also removed the aircon system to provide more legroom in
the passenger footwell and is planning to have an EZ EPAS system
fitted. SF October 2022 More
& EPAS
|
 |
Major
V8 anniversaries year in 2023
In 2023 we will have three significant anniveraries: the 50th
anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 model in August 1973,
the 45th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register five
years later in 1978 and the 30th anniverary of the start of
RV8 production in 1993. The MGBGTV8 was launched in August 1973
at the Motor Show at Earls Court in London. We will have more
information on the major MGV8-50 events in mid August 2023 to
be held in Abdingdon and Gaydon in the December issue of Safety
Fast! SF August 2022 More
|
 |
Rare
pre-production RV8
The first RV8 Adder, which was effectively the first pre-production
RV8 with the vehicle identity number "900000" and
build reference "ADD VAL03", is coming up for sale
at a Classic Car Auctions auction on 24th September 2022. It
was the first recognisable RV8 finished in the bold Flame Red
colour and still has its original registration "K638 WOK".
The proud owner is Peter O'Hare who bought the car from Richard
Higgins in 2006. At first glance it looks like a production
RV8 but a closer examination reveals a number of differences
from its pre-production role when it was used as a validation
spec test vehicle for performance tests and hood safety catch
security tests at high speed. The side cills of the body kit
are GRP rather than the "RIM" (reaction injection
moulding) plastic of the production parts made by the German
company Zender. SF September 2022
More |
 |
St
Swithin's Day on 56 Cylinders
Simon Williams writes to tell us of a seven car RV8 gathering
in Lostwithiel in Cornwall. With all cars arriving with their
tops firmly down, this must mean that they will be down on every
outing for the next 40 days! Peter Cutting (who has two examples
himself) extended a very kind invitation to a gathering, with
participants joining from the Tamar Valley through to Carrick
Roads. SF September 2022 More |
 |
MG
RV8 launch in 1992
As we reach the 30th anniversary of the launch of the MG RV8
model in 1992, we reflect on how the model was received by the
motoring press. As a new MG model, the RV8 was part of the essential
effort to keep the MG brand alive in the years after the closure
of MG Plant at Abingdon. See the Autocar magazine with its pre-launch
article on the MG RV8 in October 1992 and the Car magazine test
of the new MG RV8 in November 1992. SF
August 2022
More |
|
Major
V8 anniversaries year in 2023
In 2023 we will have three significant anniveraries: the 50th
anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 model in August 1973,
the 45th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register five
years later in 1978 and the 30th anniverary of the start of
RV8 production in 1993. The MGBGTV8 was launched in August 1973
at the Motor Show at Earls Court in London. The V8s featured
at the show were Citron 0798 on display on a ramp with the logo
"the new 124mph MGB GT V8" and Aconite 0799 on the
stand. SF August 2022
More
|
 |
MGV8-50
event in 2023
A major event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the launch
of the MGBGTV8 model is planned for Sunday 20th August 2023
at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon with a dedicated parking
area alongside the museum building and a dedicated room within
the building with several presentations on both the MGBGTV8
and RV8 models. Julian Holmes has volunteered to lead the planning
and arranging of this event and further details will be available
later this year. SF August 2022
More |
 |
Electronic
ignition gremlin
Mike Russell posted a report on the V8 Bulletin Board that "following
perfect running for months on end after some ignition system
fettling late last year, I suddenly couldn't get the MGBGTV8
to start. Fortunately it was in the garage at the time but if
it had been out and about it would have been a real problem.
He then removed the two steel self-tapping screws which were
securing the aluminium Lumenition case to the bulkhead, with
one also providing the earth connection. He noticed the screw
threads were seriously corroded. They were cleaned, together
with the earth connection, and then reassembled. He then wondered
what to do next but on starting the car it fired up easily -
much to his relief. SF August 2022
More
|
 |
Multifunction
reversing light
Peter Berry has always been keen to keep his V8 as safe as possible,
considering modern traffic and driving styles. When he came
across a company called Better Car Lighting, run by a knowledgeable
chap called Gil Keane (they advertise here in Safety Fast!),
he became interested in their reversing light conversion kit,
to combine reversing lights with additional braking lights AND
fog lights, all in one, by using a clever LED package - and
very importantly retaining the original reversing lights and
appearance. This ticked several boxes for Peter. This note is
his account of fitting this kit to his V8. SF
August 2022
More |
 |
BBC
calls time on Long Wave transmission
The BBC plans to close transmission on the Long Wave platform
in the near future, including many transmissions favoured amongst
V8 owners. Many V8 owners prefer to retain their period Motorola
or Radiomobile radios, although around 94% of all radio broadcasting
is in FM and DAB only. However, several companies are now offering
conversions to enable classic car owners to retain the period
look of their radios, while still being able to listen to more
modern and available broadcasts. Conversions include FM, DAB
and iPod connectivity. 'Stay tuned' for further details in this
column. SF July 2022
More |
 |
Six
monthly MGV8 price guide and market review
Our regularly updated MGV8 price guide and market review was
released in early May covering the six months to the end of
April 2022. SF July 2022
See the price tables, charts
and market review |
 |
V8
Scottish Borders Tour 2022
Friday 9th to Monday 12th September 2022
The next V8 Tour will be in the Scottish Borders and is planned
to give a taste of the attractions of this interesting area
which classic car enthusiasts enjoy touring. Tour organiser
Tony Smith says the tour will be based at a 4-star hotel near
Peebles where he stayed recently and found it very comfortable.
The tour will include a visit to the Jim Clark Museum. SF
July 2022
Event
information & Update
|
 |
MG40
- Big Birthday Bash
Together with the Club's Registers this two-day MG 40 Celebration
event will be located on a site adjacent to Toddington station
in Gloucestershire. It covers the MG models launched in the
40 post-Abingdon years and is on a steam railway line running
to the north east of Cheltenham. The event covers two days,
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July, when the RV8 will be celebrated
as one of the post-Abingdon MGs. SF
July 2022
More & More
|
 |
National Trust
Day Visit to The Workhouse at Southwell -
event cancelled
Thursday 9th June 2022
Ken Clayton has arranged a group visit to The Workshouse
in Southwell in Nottinghamshire. Built in 1824, The Workhouse
is the best preserved example of the hundreds of workhouses
built across the country. To join the visit, contact Ken Clayton
and book a place. Please note this Booking Form must be completed
and returned to the Organisers of the event. Parking and the
cafe open from 10.30am. A group visit with guided tour to
be arranged from 11.30am onwards. SF
June 2022
Event
information
|
 |
Lunch
at the cafe at the Hook Norton Brewery
Friday 10th June 2022 at noon
Visit one of the finest tower breweries in the UK and enjoy
a lunch at their cafe (Malthouse Kitchen) on the Friday of the
Club's annual MGLive! weekend meeting at Silverstone. Lunch
there is a tradition many V8 members enjoy. The cafe offers
a menu of light bites, sandwiches and mains made from locally
sourced produce. Do book early to avoid disappointment as Friday
is a popular day for lunch there! SF June
2022
Information
& booking details |
 |
V8
Marquee at MGLive! 2022
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th June 2022
Alongside Clive Wheatley’s MGV8 replacement parts stall
in the V8 Marquee, V8 members will be able to enjoy meeting
up with plenty of room to sit and enjoy their refreshments.
On Sunday we have the V8 Annual General Meeting at noon when
four new volunteers are standing for election to the V8 Committee.
SF June 2022
V8
Marquee briefing & V8
AGM notice/reports |
 |
V8
Scottish Borders Tour 2022
Friday 9th to Monday 12th September 2022
The next V8 Tour will be in the Scottish Borders and is planned
to give a taste of the attractions of this interesting area
which classic car enthusiasts enjoy touring. Tour organiser
Tony Smith says the tour will be based at a 4-star hotel near
Peebles where he stayed recently and found it very comfortable.
The tour will include a visit to the Jim Clark Museum. SF
June 2022
Event
information |
 |
MGBGTV8
hazard warning switch failure
Peter Spurrs reports the failure of his hazard warning light
switch during recent routine checks. He moved the switch to
the ON position and all four lights came on as normal. On turning
the switch to the OFF position Peter noticed some resistance
and no click. In V8NOTE640 he explains what he found. SF
June 2022
V8NOTE640
& V8NOTE603 |
 |
Good
news - replacement RV8 rear lamp is available
Many RV8 owners have endured the frustration of having a broken
rear lamp and, being unable to get a replacement, have in some
cases not been able to get an MOT pass so they can take their
car out on public roads. The good news is RV8 enthusiast Jim
Greenhill and RV8 spares specialist Clive Wheatley have made
good progress in getting a new supply of RV8 rear lamps made
using modern 3D printing technology and hand crafting the backing.
Also it's fortunate that the RV8 rear lamp is not handed. Clive
Wheatley has received his first batch of the RV8 rear lamp new
units. SF June 2022
NEWS |
 |
Want
to replace your brake servo?
Some years ago with reports of faults with servos leading to
a rapid loss of brakes, we ran a campaign to encourage members
to replace their brake servo as a preventative measure. Brown
& Gammons supported the campaign with a very good offer
to supply and fit a new replacement Lockheed servo. Brown &
Gammons have now made a special offer to supply a replacement
brake servo for the MGBGTV8 model at a discounted price of £195
plus VAT (£234.00) until the end of April 2022 or while
stocks last. With the normal price of £209 plus VAT (£250.80)
that's a useful saving. They can of course offer a fitting service
too if that is needed. SF May 2022
B&G
webpage & V8
brake servo failure cauton |
 |
Refurbishing
an RV8 brake servo at Past Parts
John Cumming adds he had his RV8 brake cylinder and servo refurbished
in May 2020 by a specialist, Past Parts in Bury St Edmunds.
John says "they renewed all the rubber parts in the cylinders
including the slave cylinder and anodised them in gold passivate.
They also anodised the throttle frame on the plenum chamber
that holds the throttle cable. The cost was £470 including
VAT which was not cheap but worthwhile". Past Parts also
offer "rebuild and return" services are for the Brake
Master Cylinder, Rear Wheel Cylinder as well as for the Brake
Servo mentioned above. Past
Parts website SF May 2022
|
 |
V8
Scottish Borders Tour 2022
The next V8 Tour will be from Friday 9th September to Monday
12th September 2022 in the Scottish Borders and is planned to
give a taste of some of the attractions in this attractive and
interesting area which classic car enthusiasts can enjoy touring.
Tour organiser Tony Smith says the tour will be based at a 4
star hotel near Peebles. and will include a visit to the Jim
Clark Museum.
See full details
and booking arrangements SF May 2022
|
|
MGLive!
2022 - Hook Norton lunch on Friday, V8 Marquee Saturday &
Sunday & V8 AGM at noon on Sunday
Lunch at 12.15pm at the cafe at Hook Norton Brewery. In the
V8 Marquee at MGLive! alongside Clive Wheatley's MGV8 replacement
parts stall in the V8 Marquee, V8 members will be able enjoy
meeting up with plenty of room to sit and enjoy their refreshments.
On Sunday we have the V8 Annual General Meeting at noon in the
V8 Marquee when four new volunteers are standing for election
to the V8 Committee. Formal
notice of the V8 AGM
SF May 2022
See details of the Hook Norton lunch and the V8 Marquee at MGLive!
& Volunteers
needed to help in the V8 Marquee
|
 |
RV8
replacement aluminium radiator
Julian Drew explains that he purchased an aluminium Radtec radiator
for his RV8 last September because he was a little concerned
that the relevant standard replacements available were probably
units that had been refurbished a number of times already. Having
experienced a couple of poor examples he felt a new fabricated
unit the way to go. This article has been released as RV8NOTE475.
SF April 2022 More |
 |
Future
V8 Tours
Ken Clayton (V8 Tour Coordinator) reports that there is exciting
news: a V8 Member has very kindly stepped forward to run the
forthcoming V8 Tour 2022. Further details will be announced
on the V8 Website, in due course. Future V8 Tours need volunteers
to step forward to plan and arrange them. We now need a volunteer
to step forward to run a V8 Tour in 2023 so if you are tentatively
interested, Ken would encourage you to contact him to discuss
how you can help to run that tour. His contacts are on our contacts
webpage. SF April 2022 Contacts
webpage |
 |
V8
AGM at MGlive!
The V8 AGM 2022 will be held on Sunday 12th June 2022 at noon
in the V8 Marquee at MGLive! at Silverstone. The formal notice
will appear in Safety Fast! and a copy can be seen on the V8
Website. Nominations from new volunteers are welcome to take
up tasks and roles as members of the V8 Committee team. Already
four members have done so: Keith Belcher (Pricewatch team),
Peter Berry (V8 Scribe), Peter Ellis (workshop notes editor)
and Duglad MacNeill (V8 Registrar). Victor Smith has to stand
down as V8 Chairman at the V8 AGM as it will be the end of his
term. See the formal notice and more information on the meeting
and nominations. SF April 2022
Notice
& Further
information |
 |
Replacing
a faulty bullet connector on an MGBGTV8
Jim Livingstone feels this note may seem trivial but the circumstances
at the time the problem occurred (on the eve of his departure
for a visit to Australia) made the failure of this simple bullet
connection quite dramatic. The observed symptom was a failure
to restart after a short stop. The cause was not immediately
obvious and as the light was fading the breakdown service was
summoned. It took all the detective skills of the RAC technician
to eventually trace the source to an open circuit in the connection
between the main harness and the rear harness just forward of
the brake and clutch master cylinders. This article has been
released as V8NOTE636. SF April 2022
More |
 |
Maintaining
the brakes and servo on an MGBGTV8
Recently Keith Belcher found a copy of the Lockheed brakes manual
he had received in 1974 from the Parts & Service Division
at Automotive Products Group (AP) in Banbury, with the handwritten
note on the cover sheet noting it "also covers MGB, MGBGT
& MGBGTV8 1973 onwards". He was unsure whether a Lockheed
type 6 or 7 vacuum servo was fitted to an MGBGTV8 but our parts
guru Peter Beadle clarified "that according to the Factory
MGB Workshop Manual AKD3259, the servo is a BHA 5076 single
line remote Type 6 servo fitted to chrome bumper MGBs and early
rubber bumper MGBs and all MGBGT V8s". SF
April 2022
Copy
of the AP Lockheed brakes manual & Servo
failure cautionary note & Brake
servo working note & New
servo & Offer
|
 |
MG-40
Celebration event
The Club's Registers covering the MG models launched in the
40 post-Abingdon years are supporting this two day MG 40 Celebration
event which will be located on a site adjacent to Toddington
station which is on the Gloucestershire to Warwickshire steam
railway line running to the north east of Cheltenham. Three
MGV8s were launched after Abingdon closed, not least the RV8
which will see the 30th anniversary of its launch in 1992 with
the main production underway in 1993. This promises to be a
great weekend with plenty on offer for the modern MG owner.
The organisers say "that due to the restrictions on car
parking the site can take 250 vehicles per day - please select
either Saturday or Sunday, regretfully we will not be able to
swap days". Tickets can be booked online. SF
April 2022 More
& Tickets |
|
Replacement
RV8 rear lamps are coming
Many RV8 owners have endured the frustration of having a broken
rear lamp and being unable to get a replacement so have in some
cases not been able to get an MOT pass and take their car out
on public roads. The good news is RV8 enthusiast Jim Greenhill
and RV8 spares specialist Clive Wheatley are making good progress
in getting a new suppy of RV8 rear lamps made using modern 3D
printing technology. The first batch of the new units will be
available soon and details of how to get one will be released
promptly on the V8 website and on the V8 Bulletin Board. Priority
will be given to V8 Members with a damaged RV8 rear lamp unit
which has caused an MOT failure. SF April
2022 News
of availability |
 |
Choose
anti-freeze for classic cars carefully
The "All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group"
has a website with a news item that says: "When you next
re-fill or top up your classic car with anti-freeze, take care.
Most stores and garages now sell red anti-freeze, which lasts
longer. However, it also can attack seals, gaskets and hoses
used in classic and historic vehicles. So, don't put your car
at risk, avoid the red stuff at all costs and stick to the more
traditional blue or green varieties". SF
March 2022 More
& Tony
Lake's advice & FBHVC
advice
|
|
RV8
rear lamp offered at an eye-watering £1,500!
Several V8 members have spotted an RV8 rear lamp unit offered
for sale on eBay at £1,500! The seller notes: "Used
MG RV8 rear light unit no longer made, this is likely the only
one in the world for sale currently". The advert adds "Extremely
rare item, all tooling for this unique part was destroyed by
the engineering company. You will see this item is advertised
by two UK suppliers, however they have had no stock for over
3 years, and no-one is manufacturing this item now so they will
not have any stock in the near future. This is likely the only
one available in the world for sale right now." As an update
on the seller's ill-informed claim there is in fact good progress
being made by Clive Wheatley and a fellow RV8 enthusiast with
their hard work of making a new RV8 rear lamp unit so a supply
of the units is now very likely to be available in the next
four weeks or so. SF March 2022
More
|
 |
Replacement
for an Otter switch
Tony Head provided information on a Febi Bilstein switch as
an alternative part he had used as a replacement for the Otter
switch on his MGBGTV8. He was fed up with the high cost of replacement
Otter radiator fan switches so when his last one failed about
four years ago he substituted a Febi Bilstein 28675 radiator
switch, as fitted to early VW Golfs and many other cars. In
this note Tony explains how he fitted the replacement and later
did tests to determine the ON at 93C and OFF at 83C temperatures
for the Febi switch. SF February 2022
More |
 |
Stunning
RV8 in Flame Red
A stunning RV8 in the rare Flame Red body colour was sold in
2021 by longstanding V8 member David Franklin. It was an early
1993 UK specification car and one of only 16 in that colour.
With 64,000 miles many extras, including a wind deflector, it
was in an outstanding condition with a full service history.
The previous owner in Somerset had the car for eight years and
before that it was enjoyed by an owner in Dorset. SF
January 2022 More
|
 |
V8
in Sorento
During a visit to Sorento John Upton was following his satnav
and ended up in a narrow street which was a tight fit! He mentions
he read the article on MGBGTV8 models in the September issue
of Safety Fast! and couldn't resist buying one. John purchased
the car in the UK in 1992 and took it back to Malawi, Central
Africa, where he worked before retiring to France. SF
January 2022
See: MGBGTV8
in Malawi & MGBGTV8
goes to a wedding in Sorento & MGBGTV8
relaxing in France
|
 |
Why
did the temperature gauge go near the red and lead to a breakdown
recovery!
Victor Smith describes how his MGBGTV8 had an overheating problem
which resulted in a breakdown recovery. An investigation revealed
a coolant leak. The Gasket for the Inlet Manifold GEG665 was
found to be the source of the coolant leak, so the manifold
had to be removed. The article has two further accounts of members
who experienced overheating - Ralph Hardwick and Peter Berry
- who describe what they found. SF December
2021 See
the full article |
 |
E11
Type Approval Label
It was a long and painstaking process, but Rob Rose finally
succeeded in tracking down all the variants of the E11 Type
Approval Label. For MGB enthusiasts who want to maintain the
originality of their car replacement labels are now available
from Rob. For durability the replicas have been produced in
60-micron Polymeric Vinyl with a semi matt finish. They are
sold in pairs (to provide one as a spare) and are available
at £9.95 inclusive of postage and packing. For orders
or enquiries and payment options, contact Rob Rose by email
at spritemanfiveroses@gmail.com
SF December 2021 |
 |
Future
V8 Tours
Future V8 Tours need volunteers to step forward to plan and
arrange them and so far Ken Clayton (V8 Tours Coordinator) has
had no V8 member step forward to offer to run a V8 Tour in
2022. He adds that "without an offer I am afraid there
will be no V8 Tour in 2022 so please do contact me if you wish
to discuss what is involved". SF
December 2021 Ken's contacts are available here
|
 |
Buying
an "Exceptional" condition MG RV8?
When MG RV8s appear for sale as "Exceptional" examples,
often with less than 10,000 to 15,000 miles, a check of the
MOT history on the GOV.UK website can reveal the mileages at
each test. That can show whether the car has had long lay-up
periods. If a buyer wants to enjoy using a car, even for 3,000
miles a year, these "Exceptional" examples will usually
need substantial recommissioning work including checks on not
least safety issues like the brake hydraulics and seals and
replacing ageing tyres. Unless an Exceptional car is bought
as a "trophy" to be kept locked away in a protective
carcoon or in museum conditions, in many ways a good Condition
1 RV8 which has had moderate annual use and regular maintenance
provides better value for money for the real enthusiast. SF
December 2021
More & Updated MGV8 market
review & price guide |
 |
MGBGT
- tailgate removal and fitting a new outer seal
When V8 owner Jim Livingstone (Glacier White 1810) was caught
in a sudden downpour it soon became apparent that his tailgate
was leaking. Investigation failed to reveal a serious problem
in either the inner or outer seal and as the car's use is restricted
to dry weather, so further action was deferred. However the
visible surface of the outer seal had looked perished since
the car's purchase and a new one was obtained in preparation
for its ultimate replacement. See Jim's full, illustrated article.
SF December 2021 More |
 |
V8
Kent Tour 2021 & Cult V8 models available
The V8 Kent Tour 2021 took place during September and organiser
Ian Quarrington reports it was very heavily over-subscribed.
Members were keen to meet up again after the lockdown restrictions
were lifted after a very long period during which the tour had
been postponed from 2020 several times. Tudur Jones enjoyed
a once in a lifetime opportunity to play the newly installed
Organ at Canterbury Cathedral. Two new Cult Scale Models of
the Factory MGV8 were available in September, one in Harvest
Gold and the other in Bracken. Martin Ashby has provided an
interesting photo of his new Cult model alongside his own V8
(Bracken 1346). Steve Bowley bought the Harvest Gold model to
go with an existing Black model he had. Steve feels the new
Cult V8 model does not have enough detail to justify the current
price of £180 to £200. SF
November 2021 More
|
 |
Effects
of Ethanol on an MGBGTV8
It is now 18,000 miles since Barrie Jones completed a total
restoration of his MGBGTV8 (Damask 0450) which he reported in
great detail about 8 years ago. Having used E5 petrol for the
past 8 years he thought it was about time he would make a thorough
inspection of every rubber component in the fuel system. This
note describes what he found. It's applicable to all the Factory
V8s made between 1973 and 1976 and it also applies to the majority
of 1800cc MGBs made between 1973 and 1980.
SF November 2021 More
|
 |
Successful
joint Triumph & MG event at Malvern
With MGLive! 2021 cancelled again, an alternative major event
was held where the MG Car Club joined the Triumph clubs (TR
Register and TSSC) at what was the largest outdoor Triumph and
MG Show. It was held on the Malvern Show Ground at the foot
of the Malvern Hills and celebrated all things Triumph and MG.
With plenty of room at the showground with display halls including
the Severn Hall with the Register stands and display cars, parking
areas for each Triumph and MG model, a central arena with a
programme of events, the California Cup event and good catering
facilities it was a welcome opportunity to meet up with fellow
MG enthusiasts and also meet Triumph owners too.
SF October 2021 See
a photo report on the event &
V8
AGM report |
 |
Could
the RV8 have had PAS?
Shortly after the launch of the RV8, MG Rover recognised power
steering might be a welcome option for RV8 buyers, so in 1994
approached a specialist company, Steering Developments at Hemel
Hempstead, to undertake a PAS conversion. A dealer demonstration
RV8, Oxford Blue 900025 registered as K17 MGR, was made available
for the exercise and by early October 1994 the installation
was completed. The vehicle was returned to Maelin Evans at the
Cowley MGR sales office with a report highlighting the major
problem posed by the RV8 which was a lack of space available
to accommodate the more bulky replacement steering rack, the
additional pump and mounting bracket. It was good to see this
RV8 at Malvern with the present owner Tony Smith.
SF October 2021 More |
 |
Stunning
V8 Roadster in Inca Yellow on the V8 Stand at Malvern
Recently completed by Ralph Hardwick his V8 Roadster was the
display car by the V8 Stand in the main display hall at Malvern.
With its strikingly bold colour it attracted a great deal of
interest from many visitors throughout the long weekend. With
a Heritage shell it has Hoyle front and rear independent rear
suspension upgrades, rear disc brakes, a Vitesse 5 speed Mazda
gearbox, an injected engine, 15 inch alloy wheels and the larger
front brake callipers. SF October 2021
Photo |
 |
MGBGTV8
models
Peter Ellis mentioned he has seen two new 1/18 scale model V8s
are coming out in September 2021, one in Harvest Gold and the
other in Bracken. Both are described on the Cult Scale Models'
website as "1973" models but they have the rear number
plate illuminators mounted on the top of the bumper and not
in the side of the overrider as you see on the cars in the early
months of production. At 1/18 scale the models are quite large
at around 8.7" long (21.7cm) and 3.3" wide (8.5cm).
Prices vary from about £170 to just over £200 each!
SF September 2021
News of V8 models in September & Existing
models from Universal Hobbies
|
 |
E10
petrol from 1st September
From 1st September 2021 all forecourts in the UK will be required
to sell new E10 unleaded petrol as standard containing up to
10% bioethanol in each litre from the pump. Currently unleaed
across the UK contains 5% ethanol and is labelled E5. The new
E10 fuel will be labelled E10 on the petrol pump. A key point
to be aware of is that the "E5" logo on a fuel pump
indicates the fuel has up to 5% ethanol including fuels that
contain no ethanol. So in some cases, Esso Synergy Supreme+
99 Unleaded for example, the fuel has no ethanol. See our earlier
news item on this fuel from Esso. SF September
2021
NEWS on E10 & Ethanol
free petrol from Esso & What
is the extra cost of using Esso Premium? |
 |
Accelerator
pedal lubrication
The routine maintenance summary states 'Lubricate accelerator
control linkage and pedal pivot - check operation' every 6,000
miles. For the last seven years Peter Spurrs had dripped some
oil onto the pivot in the hope that it would run through to
the bearing surfaces. At the latest service, he decided to give
the pivot a full inspection and lubricate it properly. SF
August 2021 V8NOTE629
|
 |
Fitting
power steering to an MGBGTV8 or RV8
It's a topic often raised by V8 enthusiasts so here we have
a "gateway webpage" to the useful information on the
V8 website. 210708
PAS
information gateway
|
 |
Three
day event at Malvern
The Triumph & MG Weekend event at the Three Counties Showground
at Malvern (13th to 15th August) is an opportunity to meet up
with fellow enthusiasts after a lengthy period with lockdown
constraints. The V8 Register will have a stand in the exhibition
area (Severn Hall) where there will be a display of Anniversary
Cars. We also have the V8 AGM there at noon on Saturday 14th
August 2021. 210708
Information on the event & V8
AGM 2021 info sheet
|
 |
Options
with corrosion on Dunlop composites
The original wheels fitted to the MGBGTV8 model were a composite
wheel with an alloy centre (with ten raised trapezoidal cut
outs) mated to a chromed steel rim. Over time the recess, where
the inner edge of the steel rim is attached to the alloy centre,
can attract rust and if it's not controlled that corrosion can
develop to an extent the wheels are in a sad state and need
refurbishment. So what are the options with Dunlop composites
in need of refurbishment or more serious restoration? Here we
look at the current situation and what options are available.
SF July 2021 More
& Options
chart
|
 |
Dunlop
Formula "D" wheels - give your car real personality!
The origins of the Dunlop composite wheel, with an alloy centre
with 10 trapezoidal holes and a chromed steel rim, is a particularly
strong wheel and in the 1970s it was the type of feature you
would have more likely seen on exotic sports cars. They advertised
them as their "Formula D4 alloy/steel composite wheel"
to "give your car real personality!" In 1973 MG chose
these distinctive wheels for their new V8 powered MGBGT model
launched in August that year. In this article we have copies
of several of Dunlop's adverts in 1970. SF
July 2021 More
|
 |
Updated
6 monthly MGV8 market and price review
As the various regions in the UK move out of lockdown, advertising
and sales activity is likely to increase again when it's very
likely more MGV8s will be seen on offer through adverts, traders'
showrooms and at auctions with greater sales activity, particularly
when seasonal interest in classic cars tends to rise in any
case. Our charts provide a useful indication of current prices
for the MGBGTV8 and MGRV8 models. The guide is also useful for
reviewing the agreed value for your insurance renewal. SF
Jun 2021 More
|
|
V8
AGM at Malvern
The V8 AGM 2021 will be held at noon on Saturday 14th August
2021 in he Friesen Pavilion at the Triumph & MG Weekend
event at the Malvern Three Counties Showground. SF
Jun 2021
Formal notice and agenda & info
of the Malvern event & location
of Friesen Pavilion
|
 |
Enjoying
memorable routes
As we emerge from the lockdown constraints many fellow enthusiasts
will be keen to drive their MGV8s again and enjoy being out
and about visiting interesting places. A useful source of routes
is our Memorable MG Routes series with one over the Berkshire
Downs and on through Faringdon to Hook
Norton, one down to Goodwood in West Sussex, another round the
old Factory test route near Abingdon and three wonderful touring
routes in the NW Highlands. SF
Jun 2021 More |
 |
Satnav
air vent grille mount and satnav choice to beat the traffic
congestion
A convenient way of mounting a satnav away from the windscreen
in an MGV8 or a daily driver car is one of Garmin's air vent
grille mounts. Which? magazine recently highlighted a budget
satnav which has useful live traffic features which can help
you get round traffic congestion. Their budget choice
was the Garmin Drive 51LMT-S with a 5 inch TFT LCD touchscreen,
preloaded maps for UK, ROI and Europe, speed camera alerts,
free lifetime map updates and free lifetime traffic updates
to help you plan your route.
SF May 2021 More |
 |
MGBGTV8
on the North Coast 500
Richard Watton enjoyed the North Coast 500 route in his V8 a
couple of years ago, stopping at John O'Groats. His journey
took him along a Memorable MG Route around the Wester Ross Trail
in the NW Highlands from Dornie (near Kyle of Lochalsh) to Ullapool
passing Loch Ewe with the village of Altbea. Then on through
Assynt and on to Sutherland and along the top of Scotland via
Tongue to John O'Groats which he reached on a fine day. SF
May 2021 More
& MMGRs
|
 |
Door
mirror instability
Peter Spurrs found the two door mirror fixings on his MGBGTV8
were unstable. Here is how he solved the problem.
SF April 2021 More
|
 |
Interior
light intermittent fault
MGB owners find the interior light often fails to illuminate
when a door is opened on their MGBGTV8. Here is how to solve
the problem. SF April 2021 More
|
 |
Fuel
duty remains frozen for the 11th year
Fuel duty has been held at 57.95p per litre for petrol and diesel
since March 2011 and the freeze was continued in the Chancellor's
recent Budget Statement. SF April 2021
More
|
 |
E10
from September
All petrol stations in the UK will sell E10 fuel as the standard
from September 2021. Whilst all petrol stations will sell E10
as the standard fuel, the older E5 will still be sold but as
a more expensive super grade. That will enable owners of classic
cars to use the less damaging fuel for their cars. SF
April 2021 More
|
 |
Warranty
claims during RV8 production
Some interesting information has been revealed from recently
obtained archive material with RV8 warranty claims records.
SF April 2021 More
|
 |
Best
scratch remover
Which? magazine reports their Best Buy car scratch remover product
was Autoglym Scratch Removal Kit. It produced the best results
on the scratches they tested it on and left the best finish,
even after washing the paintwork with car shampoo. SF
April 2021 More
|
 |
Unique
MGB GT RV8 uncovered
A stunning MGV8 has been uncovered - it was specially commissioned
in the 1990s by the then managing director of British Motor
Heritage (BMH). It was built on a brand-new Heritage MGB GT
rubber bumper bodyshell with RV8 front and rear bumpers. The
rest of the car - engine, gearbox, running gear and interior
-- is predominantly RV8. The car has had two previous owners
since it was built and has been used sparingly, covering only
7,800 miles. See
our feature article and photos. SF
March 2021 |
 |
Early
RV8 goes to Europe
David Franklin reports a beautiful RV8 in Flame Red, one of
the first twenty production RV8s built in 1993, has been sold
to an enthusiast in the Netherlands. It's one of only 16 in
this bold colour and a UK spec car from new. Photos
SF March 2021
|
 |
Gate
3 at the MG Plant
One of our founder members of the V8 Register in 1978, John
Dupont, has sent in some photos of his visiting Gate 3 at the
MG Plant in Abingdon two days after the Plant closed for the
last time. See our"Looking back" series. Looking
back SF March 2021 |
 |
Using a battery
conditioner or a battery charger
Nic Houslip highlights the differences between a battery conditioner
and a more traditional battery charger and the care you need
to take with a charger. More
SF February 2021
See also our articles on related topics:
What are the popular battery conditioners for a classic car?
Link
Members’ feedback of their choice of conditioner. Link
Wall mounting a battery conditioner. Link
Prudent safety measures with electrical devices on a classic
car during a lay-up. Link
|
 |
V8
has a good home
Many MGBGTV8s have had an interesting life and Malcolm Nicholls’
car is no exception. The history of the car is revealed by Malcolm.
See his original article written on behalf of his V8. More
SF January 2021
|
 |
V8
Mug for lockdown tea and coffee breaks
When recovering from lockdown in mid-Winter a warm cup of tea
or coffee is a welcome sight and for that we have an ideal medium
sized bone china mug with an encouraging message for MGV8 enthusiasts.
It’s available now as a special seasonal offer at only
£9.95 each including UK post and packagingand VAT. Visit
the online V8 Shop. SF December
2020 |
 |
Routine
engine oil change on a V8
With lower use of their MGV8 during the Covid restrictions some
owners may have deferred routine vehicle servicing and may be
concerned over possible consequences. Clearly the safety related
aspects of servicing must not be overlooked and the regular
inspection of brakes, tyres, suspension and steering should
be resumed as soon as possible but here Jim Livingstone seeks
to address the less safety critical consequences of deferring
an engine oil change. See V8NOTE609
& RV8NOTE464 SF December
2020 |
 |
Repositioning
the rocker cover bracket on an MGBGTV8
Jim Livingstone had noticed on the rare occasions he had removed
the centre bolt in the air filter centre housing that he always
experienced difficulty refitting it. He found the cause was
misalignment between the air filter and its mounting bracket
on the rocker cover caused by the bracket being tightened in
the wrong sequence during a previous assembly. See his full
article. More
SF December 2020 |
 |
AC
DELCO repair manual
The service manual covers fault diagnosis, the removal and dismantling
procedure, component testing and the reassembly procedure. The
46 page manual is a useful reference and a copy is now available
for V8 Register members. More
SF December 2020 |
 |
V8
Face Masks
With 95% polyester and 5% Spandex and elastic loops that fit
comfortably around the ears. More
SF December 2020 |
 |
40
years ago - V8 Register Journal published in Summer 1980
A neat A5 sized book packed with useful maintenance tips for
the MGBGTV8 model. On the cover is Chris Dodds, an early member
of the V8 Register in Australia. Tragically he died far too
early in life but the V8 Register maintains his memory with
an annual award. It was the third publication following the
formation of the V8 Register in October 1978 which was followed
by the first V8 AGM held in May 1979 on the Sunday of the Club's
annual meeting at Silverstone. At that time the first volume
of the V8 Workshop Notes was well underway and soon to be published
as the "First Fifty". More
SF December 2020 |
 |
Fitting
a grille badge to an RV8
Soon after getting an RV8, Paul Wilson joined the Club in June
2020 and purchased the small grille badge. In a post on the
V8 Bulletin Board he sought help saying “the apertures
in the grille on the RV8 seem to be just too small to permit
the folding ‘wings’ of the badge to slip through.
Short of bending and ruining the integrity of the front grille,
is there an alternative way to secure your badge?” Here
Marion Quarrington explains how she fitted a grille badge to
her RV8. More
SF December 2020 |
 |
Buying
an MGV8
Which is the better choice when looking to get an MGV8 - a high
priced, low mileage example or a well maintained car with a
moderate mileage of more than 60,000 miles? In many ways the
justification for the premium for a low mileage car can be doubtful
because an MGV8 that has had such low use, sometimes with extended
periods in a lay-up, can develop problems that require considerable
expense when recommissioning them for even modest use. More
SF November 2020 |
 |
Cooling
system pressure testing and leak detection on the MGBGTV8
In a new V8 Workshop Note Jim Livingstone explains the issues
which need to be addressed if sealing the MGBV8 engine cooling
system is to be successful as it is challenging as the system
includes a large variety of joints both bolted and clipped.
More SF
November 2020 |
 |
Next
updated MGV8 market reviews and price guides
Our next six monthly market reviews and price guides will be
prepared at the end of October from an analysis of the data
gathered by our Pricewatch team over the last six months. The
review and guide will be released in early November on the V8
Website. The current six months have been an extraordinary period
with classic car auctions moving in various ways from physical
events to online auctions. MGV8s have appeared for sale, particularly
online, and clearly sales have been seen but inevitably during
the lockdown period with Covid restrictions on non-essential
travel, few potential buyers made trips to inspect cars for
sale offered by private or trade sellers. But with the gradual
easing of restrictions auction activity has continued but uncertainties
do seem to be slowing buyer interest and activity. See our market
reviews and price guides released in early May 2020.
SF October 2020 |
 |
RV8
rear lamp repair
A useful RV8NOTE has been contributed by Aidan Pavey in Australia
who had his rear lamp damaged in an accident. As he still had
the damaged lamp, and as they are in short supply, he thought
that he might try and repair it. His note describes what was
a "repair journey". See the full three page article
here. RV8NOTE460
SF September 2020 |
 |
V8
AGM 2020 online on Sunday 2nd August 2020 - information and
links
Information will be released here: first the formal notice
of the online V8 AGM 2020 with the agenda and then the various
reports, including the V8 Register's accounts for 2019 with
the V8 Treasurer's report, and the nominations of Members
wishing to stand for election to the V8 Committee. An online
voting form will be available so Members of the V8 Register
will be able to vote on the nominations and on any resolutions
and/or matters arising as items on the agenda. See the
formal notice of the V8 AGM 2020. Other information and
links will be available on the V8
AGM 2020 information webpage
200621 & 200712 V8AGM
report.
200805 |
 |
Fitting
an air intake grille
Peter Spurrs found his fresh air intake chamber was full of
debris and was starting to rust. He needed to find a way of
gaining access to the grille surround to fit a mesh grille as
a useful upgrade. In his article he describes how he tackled
the job. V8NOTE596
SF August 2020
|
 |
Balancing
the idle speed on MGBGTV8 carburettors
Many articles have been written on the topic of balancing the
idle speed on SU carburettors and just as many suppliers have
come up with products to synchronise two or more of these admirable
instruments. With the exception of the tube in the ear method
they require expenditure on a specialised tool which will lie
unused in a toolbox for months if not years on end. Jim Livingstone
feels that if you are not happy with the subjectivity of the
tube in the ear approach, then the following method combines
minimalism with objectivity. V8NOTE597
SF August 2020 |
 |
Giving
a second life to a worn wiper drive
The Lucas rack and gear wiper drive was a popular fitment on
British post war cars. It had packaging and cost advantages
but suffered from premature wear due to the high loads on the
gears and has been superseded nowadays by the crank and link
mechanism. However, it did have one unique advantage: inbuilt
redundancy. Jim Livingstone first discovered this in the sixties
when investigating why the wipers in his Mini overshot the screen
edges. In his article he describes how this service item is
carried out. V8NOTE598
SF August 2020 |
 |
Evolution
of the MGB wiper arm and rubber blades
A seemingly standard part on MGBs and derivatives has an interesting
history and Peter Beadle explains how the part has evolved over
the years. V8NOTE599
SF August 2020
|
 |
V8
on the North Yorkshire moors
Mike Breedon has had MGBGTV8s since 1983, including his Factory
chrome bumper model (Blaze 0796) which he bought in 1984 and
still owns. He has been active in motorsport for many years
and used Blaze 0796 as his road car and raced it in the MG Car
Club's BCV8 Championship from 1984 to 1997. It was driven to
every race track he raced at in that time including three "annual"
races at Zandvoort (Holland) and Zolder (Belgium). V8
August 2020 More
& Stanage
Edge in Derbyshire
See aerial view
of Ribblehead Viaduct, one of Mike's favourite routes with his
MGBGTV8. |
 |
Overhauling
a fuse box
Jim Livingstone had found the fusebox on his MGBGTV8 has had
intermittent problems with the glass fuses since he acquired
the car a few years ago. He decided to give originality and
glass fuses a last chance with the purchase of a new box from
a reputable supplier. See a full article in which Jim sets out
the overhaul step by step. V8NOTE592
SF July 2020
|
|
E10
fuel and water
With the extended lay-up of many classic cars because of
the lock down, concerns over moisture getting into fuel in tanks
may arise. Tony Lake explains the issues and highlights some
myths in a concise note. He also suggests reading "Fuel
for Thought", first published in the Spring 2013 issue
of Motoring Classics by BMH Ltd (Witney) and copies of the reports
on E10 from EPA (the US Environmental Protection Agency) and
Mercury Marine. See E10
fuel and water SF July 2020
EPA
report & Fuel
for Thought & Mercury
Marine report & E5
available for 5 more years
|
 |
Refurbishing
the ash tray
Peter Spurrs has a useful refurbishment tip following his refurbishment
of the ash tray in his 1973 MGBGTV8. He says "the last
owner had spread pebble dash on it with a whitewash brush. For
the last few years I have put up with a moulded plastic tray,
but decided that it didn't really fill the bill. When I got
back down to the metal, it was all quite pitted and needed to
be painted. That job duly done, I needed to find some springs
for under the lid." See
the full article. SF June 2020
|
 |
Replacement
windscreen wipers
Tony Lake found that with driving in the bad weather and muddy
roads in March it showed up his wipers for what they were -
shot. They looked alright but close inspection showed the wiping
edge of the blade had detached from the heavier section in the
middle on one blade and at the end on the other. He had always
used Bosch as they are very flexible and wipe well and got them
from Halfords. I found Bosch SP13 blades online in the original
Satin Black colour and bought a pair which arrived promptly.
See the
full article SF May 2020 |
 |
Updates
on events
With the restrictions on mass gatherings and social distancing
requirements because of C-19 the situation with both V8 Register
and Club events is changing to follow Government guidance and
instructions. Follow this link for updates on our Recent Changes
webpage. SF May 2020 Recent
Changes |
 |
Catch-up
with recent news
Since the copy for the April 2020 V8 Newsletter was sent off
to the Editor in early March a great deal has happened, not
least with the Government's directions for self isolation, reduced
contacts and avoiding mass gatherings because of COVID-19. For
visitors to this "More" webpage you can see links
to all our more recent news items on our Recent
Changes webpage. |
 |
H4
headlamp upgrade
Using the available replacements -a budget unit or thegood quality
Wipac, Cibie orLucas units. They take a 60/55W standard Halogen
bulb or you can use Zenon 60/55W bulbs which produce 90% more
light”. Installing DRLs in replacement H4 Halogen MGBGTV8
headlamps. See V8NOTE572
and V8NOTE573. SF
April 2020
Comparing
halogen lamps with sealed beams and Holden
video and checklist
of components and
H4 headlamp unit and parts for the 2-adjuster unit |
 |
Bulb
upgrades
Many MGBGTV8 car owners who have a installed replacement H4
Halogen headlamps as an upgrade to improve the visibility ahead
at night from the relatively poor lighting provided by the original
sealed beam units will need to choose suitable bulbs. But which
bulb will be the question for many? Chris Hunt Cooke has found
a useful website - ABD - Automotive Brilliance, Delivered
- with information that helps clarify the headlight bulb options.
See V8NOTE578. SF April 2020
More |
 |
Are
LED bulbs legal?
Aftermarket LED bulbs are not road legal according to the Road
Vehicles Lighting Regulations as they are not E marked. Sections
4 & 5 state that dipped beam and main beam headlights are
required to have an approval mark - usually E mark or a British
Standard mark. See V8NOTE581. SF
April 2020 More |
 |
Fitting
relays
The advisability of fitting relays to the main and dipped beam
headlight circuits is covered in detail elsewhere. It boils
down to an electrical load of 10 amps being fed through the
very small contacts on the indicator/dip stalk switch. Using
modern relays to switch the load on and off avoids possible
damage to the ageing switches. SF
April 2020
See V8NOTE577 and V8NOTE582
and using
relays |
 |
Stove
enamel refurb option for Dunlop composites
With Motor Wheel Services at Slough ceasing their specialist
wheel refurbishment service for Dunlop composites a few years
ago there are few if any other firms with the necessary skills
and high standards prepared to carry out a full refurbishment
service, so what are your options with corroded wheels? The
stove enamel refurburbishment option is one many MGBGTV8 owners
will have to consider if their Dunlop composites are badly corroded.
SF April 2020 See stove
enamel refurb and options/V8NOTE575 |
 |
New
update options for sets of workshop notes
Three update options have been launched on the V8 Shop for members
who have previously purchased a full set. SF
March 2020
More
and More |
 |
DfT
consultation with concerns over petrol availability after 2035
The Prime Minister announced on 4th February 2020 that the UK
Government is seeking views on bringing forward the end to the
sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040
to 2035, or possibly earlier if a faster transition appears
feasible. SF April 2020
See Government
announcement and NEWS
item and Public
consultation document and E10
as standard grade fuel. |
 |
Visit
to the Workhouse at Southwell in July
Ken Clayton has arranged a group visit to The Workshouse in
Southwell in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 5th July 2020. Built
in 1824, it is the best preserved example of the hundreds of
workhouses built across the country. SF
April 2020
Full information
and booking details |
 |
Concerns
with the relative visibility of classic cars
With the growth of bright Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on modern
cars, which have become much larger, the relative visibility
of a car like an MGBGTV8 is becoming a real concern. When you
drive on UK roads today you sense that MGV8 is much smaller
than many modern cars which seem to get larger and larger -
not to mention the explosion of the numbers of even larger SUVs
and 4x4s. With the combination of these factors a classic car
driver naturally feels concerned their car from the 1970s is
less noticeable on a relative visibility basis. SF
March 2020 More |
 |
What
are the day time lighting options for a classic car?
The question for many MGV8 enthusiasts is what are the daytime
lighting options? In an article released on the V8 Website we
reviewed three options: using dipped headlights upgraded with
Halogen bulbs and fitting DRLs either within the headlamps or
as separate units in the grille or elsewhere. We have an article
on installing DRLs in replacement H4 Halogen headlamp units
using a rubber bumper reflector with a pilot light fitting for
a sidelight which is used for the DRL. SF
March 2020 More |
|
Visit
to the Workhouse at Southwell in July
Ken Clayton has arranged a group visit to The Workshouse in
Southwell in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 5th July 2020. Built
in 1824, it is the best preserved example of the hundreds of
workhouses built across the country. SF
March 2020
Full information
and booking details |
 |
V8
Events in 2020 - V8 Curry at Knowle & Visit to the Workhouse
at Southwell
See information below in the "More" section for the
January 2020 issue for information and booking arrangements.
SF February 2020
V8 Curry information
& booking details
Visit to
the Workshouse information & booking details |
|
Blasting
and coating suspension parts
On completely dismantling the front suspension and removing
the sub-frame from his MGBGTV8 Conversion Chris Bound, he found
it seemed solid but had a lot of surface rust on it, so he thought
he might have it grit blasted and coated. But before taking
that step he wondered about the options including etch priming
and chassis paint, galvanising, powder coating or hot zinc spray.
See the full article. SF February
2020 More
|
 |
Keep
your back axle breather clear
Ralph Hardwick recently purchased an MGBGTV8 and dropped it
off with Brown & Gammons for a check over and service during
which Ralph reports "they picked up a few issues, so it
will remain there for a while until they are sorted. One issue
they found was it appears that the rear axle breather was blocked
- the resulting condensation build up together with having only
covered 1,000 miles in the last seven years, has caused some
corrosion and bearing issues". SF
January 2020 More
Update: replacement brass back axle breathers available from
Brown & Gammons. 200207 NEWS |
|
V8
Curry at Knowle in February
Traditionally our first event of the year, the V8 Curry is on
Saturday 8th February 2020 at the Lloyds Restaurant in Knowle,
just west of Stoneleigh where the annual MG-Triumph spares show
will be held the following day. SF
January 2020
Full information
and booking details |
|
Visit
to the Workhouse at Southwell in July
Ken Clayton has arranged a group visit to The Workshouse in
Southwell in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 5th July 2020. Built
in 1824, it is the best preserved example of the hundreds of
workhouses built across the country. SF
January 2020
Full information
and booking details |
 |
V8
Kent Tour 2020 in September
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based near Tenterden
in Kent from Monday 21st to Friday 25th September 2020. The
week's activities and visits will include trips to Canterbury,
Rochester, and Chatham to include the famous dockyard, Leeds
Castle, Winston Churchill's home at Chartwell, Sissinghurst
House and two other National Trust properties, plus a full tour
around the south and east coast of Kent. SF
January 2020 Update: as the tour is now fully booked
there is a standby list.
Full information
and booking details |
 |
MGBGTV8
at NEC auction
An MGBGTV8 in Tundra listed in the auction catalogue as "an
incredibly original V8 that has covered only 4,425 miles"
with an estimate of £30,000 to £35,000 sold at the
Silverstone auction held at the NEC Classic Car Show on Saturday
9th Novemver 2019. See our report on the auction result. SF
December 2019 More |
 |
High
priced V8s sold in 2019
In May this year an exceptional fully restored early V8 in Damask
sold at the Historics auction at Brooklands £33,600 including
buyer's commission and VAT which shattered its estimate"
in the auction brochure - a surprisingly low £13,000 to
£18,000. In October this year. another exceptional MGBGTV8
in Damask was sold at an SWVA auction for a total of £35,524
including buyer's commission and VAT, again shattering its estimate
in the auction brochure - a surprisingly low £18,000 to
£19,900. See our reports. SF December
2019 Report
& Report
|
 |
Updated
MGV8 market review and price guide
Our six monthly update of our MGV8 market review and price guide
was released early in November 2019. SF
December 2019
See the updated review and guide
|
 |
News
from Retronics - an innovative auto electronics company
See our NEWS item on their all new Version 2 RWTM windscreen
timer module, Hazard light kit and Wiper Timer Module for non
self-parking wipers. See our report. SF
December 2019 Report
|
 |
A
day with PRU
Keith Belcher had a call from a long time petrol-head friend
in 2016 asking his opinion on an MGBGTV8 that had appeared for
sale on the V8 Register website. Keith replied he had seen it
at MGLive! 2016 and felt it was probably the best he had ever
seen. It was Howard Guiney's multi award winning concours Factory
V8 Teal Blue 0528. The next day his friend called and said "I
have provisionally bought it. You know your MGs, would you go
and check it over?" Keith agreed to go and inspect the
car and drive it back from Northumberland. He recalls the day.
SF December 2019 See
Keith's two page article |
 |
MGBGTV8
replacement alternators
What are your options if your alternator on an MGBGTV8 is faulty
or needs replacing? This is a question that is increasingly
raised by fellow members. Peter Beadle, former parts manager
with University Motors in Epsom at the time the model was launched
and then in production and later with Moss, recalls "the
AC DELCO was shorter in the body than the Lucas ACR alternator,
which was then the standard unit used for the BL range of cars,
and was used because MG had originally hoped to sell the V8
in the USA where AC DELCO was a US product. SF
December 2019 More |
 |
Season
specials from Clive Wheatley
Clive Wheatley has launched his season specials on his website
with useful replacement parts that include V8 and RV8 rocker
covers, a new RV8 expansion tank, V8 top and bottom silicon
cooling hoses, V8 alternator cradle and EZ PAS kits all at attractive
prices at https://www.mgv8parts.com/
SF
December 2019 NEWS
|
 |
Reprint
of MG RV8 - The Manufacturing Story
With continuing interest from MG RV8 owners wanting to get a
copy of the book MG RV8 - The RV8 Manufacturing Story the V8
Register has commissioned another reprint which is on offer
now. SF December 2019 Buy
now |
 |
V8
Curry 2020 at Knowle
Our annual V8 Curry on Saturday 8th February, the evening before
the Stoneleigh show on Sunday 9th, will be at the Lloyds Indian
Restaurant in Knowle which is a few miles to the west of Stoneleigh
and just east of the M40. SF December
2019 More |
 |
Early
RV8 on display at the NEC show
An early RV8 in Oxford Blue (VIN0024) was on display on the
Club's stand at the end of season NEC Classic Car Show in November.
It drew many visitors to the stand to look over the Connolly
leather seats and Elm Burr trim which give the model such a
luxury appearance and feel. The car had been carefully restored
by Brown & Gammons and was then sold to an RV8 enthusiast,
Marion Quarrington. SF December 2019
NEWS
|
 |
V8
up for auction at the NEC
A Factory MGBGTV8 in Tundra, described as incredibly original
with only 4,425 miles, is listed for auction at the NEC Classic
Car Show in early November. The auction catalogue has an estimate
of £30,000 to £35,000 and says "in May 2014
with just 4,059 miles, it was purchased by its most recent owner
who has a penchant for totally original, low mileage classics
and added it to his collection, storing it correctly and using
it only occasionally. It will be interesting to see how the
auction goes. SF November 2019
More |
 |
New
method of making replacement parts
A new method of reproducing replacement parts, one that could
recreate the panels and metal parts for any classic car no matter
how rare, has appeared as a new innovation. Classic Car Weekly
reported in a feature article last month that "Nissan says
a panel, component or pressing can be remade as long as the
drawings exist. If no drawings are available but a single part
remains, it can be scanned and copied. SF
November 2019 More |
 |
Memorable
V8 Lincolnshire Tour 2019
Richard Withington reports brilliant Autumn sunshine was enjoyed
by 35 members all in MGV8s as they began to explore Lincolnshire's
rural roads over the long weekend 12th to 16th September visiting
a variety of venues including the International Bomber Command
Centre, Lincoln Castle, Heckington Mill and Lincolnshire Aviation
Museum. SF November 2019 More |
 |
Back
axle surprise
Peter Nixon is restoring an MGB Roadster with a V8 conversion
and on checking a second hand V8 back axle before installation
he was surprised by what he found. He noticed a broken piece
of a bronze thrust washer from the planet gears lying in the
oil - not what one wants to see. As the remains of the planet
gear thrust washers had signs of wear, there would also be wear
in the sun gearing thrust washers, and this wear would produce
a noticeable clunk from the rear on moving away. But there was
more. See the full article. SF October
2019 More |
 |
Larger
"Touring" fuel tank
Moss offers a "long range" touring fuel tank for £96
and says "this tank has a 13.3 gallon capacity and is compatible
with the standard tank sender. The additional capacity of 1.3
gallons (10.8%) could produce a useful additional range of between
35 and 39 miles for an MGV8 averaging 27-30 mpg." See the
full article. SF October 2019 More |
 |
Webasto
sunroof
Chris Bound reports he found from a quick search on the internet
that the well-known Webasto sunroof installations service provider
"R&S Coachbuilts" has ceased trading and that
the "Trimming Centre" in Lewes in Sussex is now the
sole distributor of Tudor Webasto coachbuilt sunroofs worldwide.
On their website they also offer a repair service for the Britax
Weathersheild sunroofs. See the website NEWS item. SF
October 2019 More
|
 |
News
for a rebuild
Mike Breedon took the brave step of bidding for a seriously
neglected MGBGTV8 at an ACA auction earlier this year and has
been stripping it down. Serious corrosion is everywhere but
Mike has decided to cut out and replace all the rusted panels
rather than go for a reshell as he wants to maintain the originality,
but it is a relentless task. An uplifting moment came when Graham
Hayman contacted Mike via the V8 Registrar saying "I have
come across the restoration article on this V8 that I owned
in 1983. I often wondered what had happened to it but was saddened
to see the photos." SF September
2019 More
|
|
Future
availability of "protection grade" E5
Recent press reports on the expected introduction of "cleaner
E10 petrol" in the UK have made no mention of a lower ethanol
alternative, known as the "protection grade", despite
its widespread endorsement by the All-Party Historic Vehicle
Group (APPHVG) at Westminster. Assurances over the future availability
of "protection grade E5" from suppliers of bioethanol
fuel seem to leave future scope for wriggle room. For a typical
enthusiast doing between say 2,000 to 4,000 miles pa, the effect
of a higher price for E5 97 of say 15p a litre could be between
£38 and £76 pa. SF September
2019 More |
|
Early
RV8 sold to an RV8 enthusiast
An early RV8 in Oxford Blue (VIN 0024) has been sold by Brown
& Gammons to an RV8 enthusiast, Marion Quarrington. B&G
purchased the RV8 as a car in need of restoration from a father
and son who had moved to Cheshire from Hertfordshire. It has
been through their workshop and is now in "almost as new
condition" with only 43,000 miles showing. Marion says
says "I had always tried to use 2150 on my marshalling
duties wherever they are in the country and see no reason why
I should not use 0024 in the same way."
SF August 2019 Article |
 |
V8
Technical Day 2019
With glorious weather in June and meeting at a study centre
on a farm overlooking the River Thame near Watlington in Oxfordshire,
the event was an opportunity for members to meet up and to enjoy
presentations on interesting MGV8 technical topics. See our
NEWS item with reports on each presentation. SF
August 2019 NEWS
item |
 |
RV8
parts news
Clive Wheatley has been beavering away sourcing replacement
parts and is offering a new complete clutch kit for the RV8
with the new improved heavy duty steel carrier with bearing
which replaces the plastic carrier that had given some problems."
He adds the RV8 clutch slave cylinder is being remade by the
original manufacturer and he is getting the RV8 brake servo
re-manufactured also by the original company and is in discussion
with a supplier regarding new replacement RV8 leather seat covers
in soft Stone Beige Connolly leather. A supply of new RV8 rear
lamp units is being obtained. SF August
2019 mgv8parts |
 |
MG
3621 - restoration of a rare V8 Roadster
Peter Ellis, V8 enthusiast and former Safety Fast! editor, feels
fortunate to have been able to purchase a rare V8 Roadster built
by Beer of Houghton for Barry Boyd. It is in need of some work
to recommission it as it had been off the road for over 30 years.
Here he relates the story. SF August 2019
Article |
 |
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019 & preliminary information
on the V8 Kent Tour 2020
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. Details of the V8 Kent Tour in 2020 will be released
at the V8 Lincolnshire Tour by Ian Quarrington. SF
August 2019
Briefing and booking |
 |
RV8
escapes to the chateau
Robert Jackson's RV8 parked in front of a Chateau de la Motte
Husson where his youngest daughter and partner got married in
May earlier this year. Robert adds "we travelled down in
the RV8 and it performed well on the 700 mile round trip despite
an increasingly noisy water pump on the return leg. SF
July 2019 Photos |
 |
RV8
starter motor problem solved
Jamie Colville found that for "50% of the time my RV8 starts
first time, the starter motor spins the engine with strength
and away she goes, but for the other 50% everything primes,
turn the key and just a single click from the solenoid. Martin
Cridford responded referring to his earlier post when he was
having starting problems with his RV8. Various online searches
revealed that the starter solenoid was the likely candidate
for contact failure as a dull click is heard when the key is
turned, but the starter failed to spin every time. SF
July 2019 Replacing
the starter motor solenoid
|
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF July 2019
Briefing
and booking |
|
Subtle
upgrade of intermittent wipers!
Retronics is a joint venture formed by two classic car enthusiasts
with over 40 years' experience in electronics who have set about
designing, developing and testing a Windscreen Wiper Timer Module
for classic cars. Many classic vehicles have windscreen wipers
that are either on or off and some like the MGBGTV8 have the
added "sophistication" of two wiper speeds, so driving
in drizzle or moderate rainfall means constantly reaching for
that toggle switch! This subtle decice is a helpful upgrade.
SF June 2019
More |
 |
Cost
of car insurance has dropped
The Which? magazine reported last month that "the cost
of car insurance has dropped £100 between December 2018
and February 2019, according to the latest online Premium Drivers
Index. The average annual premium now stands at £690.
The decrease follows new Government reforms to the personal
injury compensation system introduced last year. It comes as
welcome news for drivers across the UK who have faced significant
increases to their car insurance premiums over the last few
years. Let's hope we see the effect pass through to classic
car insurance. The fall in car insurance costs
follows the UK Government passing the Civil Liability Act in
December 2018 to change the way that whiplash claims are calculated.
SF June 2019 More |
 |
V8
Technical Day 2019
The event will be held on Saturday 1st June at a study centre
near Watlington in Oxfordshire, just west of the M40. The programme
for the day will provide a compact series of presentations on
topics which will be interesting for fellow members together
with refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments.
SF June 2019 Briefing
& booking |
|
MGV8
market review
Our latest market review and price guide to the beginning of
May notes V8 and RV8 prices continue to recover from the fall
from a peak in 2017. The premium for chrome over rubber bumper
V8s appears to have continued reducing, down from 11% to 8%
and similarly the premium for RV8 Other Colours over Woodcote
Green has reduced from 9% in November 2018 to only 3% in May
2019. Increased interest in RV8s from US buyers as the model
reaches 25 years old, enabling RV8 reimports to be made to the
US, has been seen with several purchases in the market and may
become a demand factor. SF
June 2019 More |
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF June 2019
Briefing
and booking |
|
V8
Technical Day 2019
The event will be held on Saturday 1st June at a study centre
near Watlington in Oxfordshire, just west of the M40. The programme
for the day will provide a compact series of presentations on
topics which will be interesting for fellow members together
with refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments.
SF May 2019 Briefing
& booking |
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF May 2019
Briefing
and booking |
 |
V8
Kent Tour 2020
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be from Monday 21st
to Friday 25th September 2020 and based in Kent with tours and
visits to places of interest in the area, like Chartwell, and
Sissinghurst, Rochester for the Cathedral and Castle and Chatham
for the excellent Dockyard Museum. The tour organiser is Ian
Quarrington. SF May 2019
Briefing information will be released
in September |
|
V8
Technical Day 2019
The event will be held on Saturday 1st June at a study centre
near Watlington in Oxfordshire, just west of the M40. The programme
for the day will provide a compact series of presentations on
topics which will be interesting for fellow members together
with refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments.
SF Apr 2019 Briefing
& booking |
 |
Events
in the week running up to the MGLive! weekend - MGLive!
dates lost, see announcement
On Wednesday June 12th Nic Houslip is arranging a visit to the
Forge Mill Needle Museum which celebrates Redditch's history
of needle and pin production in the UK. On Thursday June 13th
a visit to Birmingham Symphony Hall see what goes on behind
the scenes to cater for the world's leading artistes in both
classical and modern music. The organ is a truly amazing masterpiece
and the tour guide's stories are legendary. Briefing webpages
and booking details for Needle
Mill & BSH.
Seeking news. SF
Apr 2019
|
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF Apr 2019
Briefing
and booking |
 |
Re-registration
after substantial change
Reporting changes made to a vehicle to DVLA that affect the
V5C is required so DVLA can consider whether it is a radically
altered vehicle. This is where the DVLA "eight point"
rule comes from. See our NEWS item for more information. SF
Apr 2019 More
|
 |
Consultation
on a ban on 10 year old tyres
An announcement on the GOV.UK website says "the Government
will consult on options to ban older tyres from use on buses,
coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to help keep road
users safe. This follows a research project, launched by the
Government last year to look at whether the age of a tyre has
a direct impact on its safety". Hopefully this recognition
of tyre age safety concerns and prudent guidance will extend
to other categories of vehicles in the UK including classic
cars. . SF Apr 2019 More
|
 |
How
old are your tyres?
You may have heard of the tragic accidents involving vehicles
reported to have had a failure of a tyre which was over 18 years
old. In the case of a horsebox on the M5 in 2017, the driver
experienced the failure of an 18 year old front tyre and in
an earlier case a coach crashed on the A3 in 2013 that claimed
three lives. It is reported the coach had aged tyres, one almost
20 years old. Links to the crash reports. SF
Apr 2019 More
& More |
 |
Mild
tune, big pleasure
A 19 page lead feature in Classic Cars magazine took "six
current best value V8 grand tourers on a shakedown tour of the
Peak District" and the result was "the MGBGTV8 was
a real surprise. Forget what year it was made, it's a thoroughly
enjoyable sports tourer that won't break the bank". Journalist
Ross Alkureishi sums it up: "throttle blips of beefiness
elicit a recurring smile". See a review of the Classic
Cars feature article. SF Apr
2019 More |
 |
V8
tacho conversion
Chris Bound is carrying out a V8 conversion of his 1977 MGBGT
fitted with a type RVC1414/00 tachometer, one of the last 80mm
rev counters for a 4 cylinder car. It works with electronic
ignition systems but needed either modifying to accept the eight
cylinder signal or a replacement. But he wanted to keep the
look of his existing gauge, which has a long white needle and
it matches the speedometer pretty well. In V8NOTE556 he explains
how he obtained a conversion. SF Mar 2019
More
|
|
V8
Technical Day 2019
The event will be held on Saturday 1st June at a study centre
near Watlington in Oxfordshire, just west of the M40. The programme
for the day will provide a compact series of presentations on
topics which will be interesting for fellow members together
with refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments.
SF Mar 2019 Briefing
& booking
|
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF Mar 2019
Briefing
and booking |
 |
Classic
car theft is increasing
With rising classic car values, sadly thefts of classic cars
are increasing. Many are stolen by determined criminals, in
some cases to be broken for spares. What a fate for a cherished
classic car! So how can you monitor and locate a classic car
to provide a good defence against thieves? Well that's where
a vehicle tracker is essential - it's a vital device for classic
car enthusiasts. SF Feb 2019
More
|
|
V8
Technical Day 2019
The event will be held on Saturday 1st June at a study centre
near Watlington in Oxfordshire, just west of the M40. The programme
for the day will provide a compact series of presentations on
topics which will be interesting for fellow members together
with refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments.
SF Feb 2019 More
|
|
V8
Lincolnshire Tour 2019
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Lincolnshire
and will include touring and visiting places on interest in
the area. SF Feb 2019
Briefing
and booking
|
 |
Highlight
events for 2019
The programme for 2019 begins with the traditional V8 Curry
in Knowle on Saturday evening 9th February not far from Stoneleigh
where the annual MG Show will be held the following day. See
the Rolling V8 Calendar for more details of the programme of
events for MGV8 enthusiasts in 2019. SF
Jan 2019 More
|
 |
Workshop
notes reach 1,000
Our two successful workshop notes series, with servicing and
spares articles contributed by fellow members, reached a total
of 1,000 notes in November - an extraordinary milestone. SF
Jan 2019 More
|
 |
Updated
MGV8 Price Guide
An active market over the six months to November 2018 and a
recovery of Condition 1 MGBGTV8 chrome bumper prices to close
to the peak in prices seen in May 2017 were features in our
updated six monthly Price Guide released in November. A less
active RV8 market also showed a similar price recovery to near
the peak seen in November 2017. See our updated MGBGTV8 and
RV8 price guides and market reports.
SF Jan 2019 More |
 |
Replacement
Vitesse 5-speed Mazda gearbox
Peter Berry relates his experience with Vitesse Global, the
installation of their 5 speed Mazda gearbox, the aftersales
service he received and his overall impressions with the new
gearbox. Peter concludes saying "Apart from the significant
cost (the kit at £2,525 and installation at a reasonable
£450, both plus VAT), the decision to fit this gearbox
was a no-brainer. These cars are for driving and I've just future-proofed
that experience by some margin". SF
Dec 2018 More
|
 |
V8
Events in 2019
You can follow the news on events in 2019 and booking arrangements
via our Rolling V8 Calendar. SF
Dec 2018 More |
 |
Classic
car theft is rising
"One classic car a day is stolen" was the headline
for the lead article in the popular Classic Car Weekly a few
weeks ago. One of the best ways of protecting your classic car
is to get a tracker fitted which will give you a prompt alert
on your mobile phone of interference with your car with mapping
information as to where the car is to aid a successful recovery.
SF Dec 18
More
|
 |
Autumn
Budget 2018
Following the Chancellor's Budget statement our usual prompt
online report on the few measures announced of interest to the
classic motoring enthusiast. See our report. SF
Dec 2018 More
|
|
Fuel
duty freeze continues
In October the Prime Minister confirmed the pledge to freeze
fuel duty by ruling out any increase in fuel duty in the Budget
later in the month. There had been speculation that the annual
fuel duty freeze, in place since 2010, might have come to an
end, with an inflation-linked rise used to pay for the £20bn
in extra annual funding promised for the NHS. SF
Nov 2018 More |
 |
Bo'ness
Revival - Caledonian Centre
The Caledonian Centre has supported the Bo'ness Revival event
since its inception eleven years ago and this year they had
a large attendance of V8s of all types, MGBGTV8s, MG RV8s and
MG 260s. Caledonian Centre celebrated the 2018 Launch Anniversary
- 45th for the MGBGTV8, 25th for the RV8 and 15th for the MGZTT260.
SF Oct 2018 More |
 |
V8
rolling road day at Aldon
The V8 Register's dyno day at Aldon Automotive in Brierley Hill
was interesting and well attended. We had a line-up of RV8s
and a single BGTV8 and everyone got a run on the dynamometer.
We will full publish details later, but two interesting points
emerged: one RV8 had a noticeably noisy engine when the bonnet
was opened, it sounded like tappets, but it's owner said the
noise was from the injectors. He had replaced them with set
of aftermarket parts and the truth emerged when the dyno indicated
a measly 144BHP. SF Oct 2018
More |
 |
Rolling
Road Session at Aldon
Steve Newton reports booking rolling road sessions at Aldon
in the West Midlands on Saturday 8th September have proved
popular. The event will be of interest to members who want to
see rolling road sessions in action, so if you would like to
attend as a spectator do contact Steve and let him know you
will be coming. For his contact details follow the "More"
link. SF Sep 2018 More
|
 |
Nearly
1,000 workshop notes
Our popular V8NOTES and RV8NOTES series launched in April 1979
and September 1999 are packed with spares and maintenance tips
contributed by fellow members. Currently there are 986 notes
so we only need a further 14 workshop notes to reach
the milestone of 1,000 notes. Hopefully that will be achieved
in this our 40th Anniversary year. SF
Sep 2018 More
|
|
Introduction
of E10 fuel not good news for classic cars
The DfT launched a consultation in July on whether and how it
should introduce E10 fuel to the UK market. E10 contains more
bioethanol than traditional petrol. The consultation closes
on 16th September. See the GOV.UK link where you can participate
in the consultation. SF Sep 2018
More |
 |
Make
sure you classic is not caught out by tax renewal and MOT tests
Whilst you don't have to pay road tax for an "Historic"
vehicle you do have to ensure that you either "tax"
the vehicle at the NIL value VED rate or declare it as off the
road on a SORN. A vehicle doesn't automatically become VED exempt
when it reaches 40 years old - you need to apply for this on
retaxing your car at a Post Office. You also need to renew your
"road tax" annually even for a VED exempt vehicle.
Many classic car magazines and servicing specialists advise
having a voluntary test and with the legal duty a registered
keeper has of maintaining their vehicle in a roadworthy condition
a voluntary test makes sense. SF
Sep 2018 More |
 |
V8
launched in August 1973
The iconic advert for the "new 124mph MGBGTV8" never
ceases to underline the announcement of the launch
of the MGBGTV8. Launched in August 1973, the V8 powered MGB
combined the popular fixed head coupe body style with a powerful
three and half litre light alloy V8 engine. The Rover powerplant
ran with a reduced compression ratio but an increased torque
compared with the similar engines then used in the Rover saloons.
The result transformed the MGB, creating a very nimble car with
the luxury of multi-cylinder power which is both flexible and
economical - features which continue to have a special appeal
for V8 enthusiasts today! More
SF Aug 2018 |
 |
Options
if your Dunlop composites need refurbishing
The original wheels fitted to the MGBGTV8 model were a 14"
composite wheel with an alloy centre with characteristic features
mated to a chromed steel rim. Over time the recess, where the
inner edge of the steel rim is attached to the alloy centre,
can attract rust and if it's not controlled that corrosion can
develop to an extent the wheels are in a sad state and need
refurbishment. Now a refurbishment service is no longer available
the options are: look after your wheels, advertise for a set
of used Dunlop composite wheels in good conditionre, place with
Clive Wheatley's 15" all-alloy lookalikes or with Minilites.
More
SF Aug 2018 |
 |
V8
Derbyshire Tour 2018
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be in Derbyshire
from Sunday 2nd to Thursday 6th September 2018. The event will
include visits to Haddon Hall, Crich Tramway Village, Denby
Pottery and Renishaw Hall. The event will include touring beautiful
scenic routes around the Derbyshire dales and the Peak District
National Park. Bookings are now full but there is a reserve
list. Further information is available on the tour briefing
webpage. SF Aug 2018 More
|
|
Rolling
Road Session at Aldon
Steve Newton reports booking rolling road sessions at Aldon
in the West Midlands on Saturday 8th September have proved popular.
The event will be of interest to members who want to see rolling
road sessions in action, so if you would like to attend as a
spectator do contact Steve and let him know you will be coming.
SF Aug 2018 More
|
|
Important
update - extraordinary development with the MOT exemption procedures
An addendum issued by the FBHVC in June 2018 notes the UK
Government agencies responsible for managing the MOT exemption
changes have decided that it would be impracticable to introduce
these changes following precisely what had previously been set
out. They are therefore effectively assuming that all 40
year old vehicles are MOT exempt up to the time when their licence
becomes due for renewal. See our full news report. More
Also see our amended "MOT exemption procedure" flowchart.
More
180628 |
 |
V8
Technical Day - Saturday 14th July 2018
The next V8 Technical Day will be held on Saturday 14th July
2017 at Club Office in Abingdon. The programme includes presentations
on the new Mazda replacement five speed gearbox from the supplier
Vitesse and on rechipping RV8 engines from Mark Adams of Tornado
Systems, a specialist in in engine management technology, with
a particular focus on the Rover V8 engine. There will also be
a "question time" session and a light lunch. Send
in your questions now for the Q&A session. SF
July 2018 Event-briefing
& Update
- Unfortunately this event was cancelled because of very low
bookings. 180701 |
 |
Donington
weekend event - Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July 2018
The V8 Register will have a mini marquee at the event on both
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July with a welcome for fellow
MGV8 enthusiasts. SF July 2018
More |
|
Aldon
rolling road day - Saturday 8th September 2018
Steve Newton reports booking rolling road sessions at Aldon
in the West Midlands on Saturday 8th September have proved popular.
The event will be of interest to members who want to see rolling
road sessions in action, so if you would like to attend as a
spectator do contact Steve and let him know you will be coming.
SF July 2018 More
|
 |
V8
enforcement car for sale
When the Police Review magazine reviewed the model as an enforcement
car in its August 1973 issue, it was keen on the MGBGTV8 saying
it "combines a businesslike appearance with a reasonable
performance, and capable of carrying a surprising amount of
equipment which should make it one of the finest enforcement
cars available". One example finished in "Police White"
which was loaned to several forces for evaluation purposes came
up for sale in mid-June. SF July
2018 Advert
& More
|
 |
V8
40th Anniversary 2018 programme of events
For our anniversary year we have a programme of events several
of which are held in the week running up to the Club's annual
weekend MGLive! meeting at Silverstone. Details of the whole
V8 40th Anniversary programme are available via the link below.
The V8 AGM is held on the Sunday at MGLive!. SF
June 2018 More
|
|
Substantial
Change/VHI and declaration as an MOT exempt vehicle from May
2018
Clear information for MGV8 enthusiasts on the MOT exemption
available for cars manufactured or registered for the first
time at least 40 years previously, of a type no longer in production,
has been historically preserved or maintained in its original
state and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical
characteristics of its main components in the last 30 years.
To discuss any matter relating to the DfT Substantial Change
Guidance, VHI status or eligibility for MOT exempt vehicle declaration
contact the V8 Registrar for assistance.
SF June 2018 Checklist
of NEWS items Extraordinary
development with MOT exemption. More
180628 |
 |
Why
doesn't the RV8 boot open remotely via the switch on the dash?
A useful reminder from Peter Garton who could not
get the boot to open remotely via the dash switch. He tried
via the ignition, plus the switch, but nothing worked, so he
got out the last resort action - the handbook! There he saw
to hismy indignation that he did not have the handbrake on!
See page 82, Owner's Handbook AKM7144ENG. SF
June 2018 More |
 |
Nextbase
dash cam continues to be recommended by Which? magazine
In our review of dash cams in late 2016 the best buys with a
Which? magazine rating and typical store costs indicated the
Nextbase dash cams were a good choice. In the latest Which?
magazine for May 2018 they highlight the Nextbase In-Car Cam
312GW Deluxe at £92 continues to be a good choice. SF
June 2018 More |
|
Substantial
Change/VHI declaration/MOT exemption from May 2018
Clear information for MGV8 enthusiasts on the MOT exemption
available for cars manufactured or registered for the first
time at least 40 years previously, of a type no longer in production,
has been historically preserved or maintained in its original
state and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical
characteristics of its main components in the last 30 years.
To discuss any matter relating to the DfT Substantial Change
Guidance or VHI eligibility or MOT exemption contact the V8
Registrar for assistance. More
SF May 2018
More MOT changes also come in in May 2018. Article
Update news item. More
180428 |
 |
Data
protection changes from May 2018
With the new GDPR data protection regulations in May 2018, we
have briefing note on the purpose and use of the data the V8
Register collects and holds. Contact the V8 Registrar to update
your data, make enquiries as to the data held on the V8 Database,
have access to your data and make any corrections, or give notice
if you wish have your data erased. Briefing
SF May 2018
|
 |
V8
launched at the 1973 Motor Show
The MGBGTV8 was launched in August at the 1973 Motor Show at
Earls Court in London with two V8s on display - Citron 798 on
display up on a ramp with the logo "the new 124mph MGBGTV8"
and Aconite 799 on the stand. SF
April 2018
Motor Show 1973 & Motor
Sport review & Police
Review article & Looking
back series |
 |
Marketing
brochures for the MGBGTV8
The marketing brochures for the V8 still look as exciting as
ever over 45 years later. SF
April 2018
MGBGTV8 brochures & Looking
back series |
 |
V8
Register formed in 1978
The first meeting of the V8 Register was held at the Crossroads
Hotel at Weedon Bec on the Sunday evening of the Club's annual
meeting at Silverstone in May 1979. By then the V8 Register's
activities were well underway with the launch of the first volume
of V8 Workshop Notes from contributions of useful spares and
servicing tips by fellow V8 enthusiasts. SF
April 2018
First V8 meeting & Looking
back series |
|
V8
40th Anniversary 2018 programme of events
For our anniversary year we have a programme of events several
of which are held in the week running up to the Club's annual
weekend MGLive! meeting at Silverstone. Details of the whole
V8 40th Anniversary programme are available via the link below.
The V8 AGM is held on the Sunday at MGLive!. SF
April 2018 More
|
|
MOT
exemption, Vehicles of Historic Interest and Substantial Change
Guidance
After some uncertainty and speculation, the UK Government has
clarified its approach to the implementation of its obligations
under the EU Roadworthiness Testing Directive and how it will
affect the UK MOT test as it applies to historic vehicles, and
specifically Vehicles of Historic Interest (VHI). SF
April 2018 Article
& FBHVC
news & DfT Substantial Change Guidance &
MOT exemption flowchart
For reference: VED
exemption flowchart |
|
Time
to get a tracker?
Thefts of vehicles have been growing in recent years with thieves,
particularly organised crime gangs, using sophisticated techniques
enabling them to remove cars rapidly which make tracing and
recovering them very difficult. Without prompt information that
a theft has occurred together with the vehicle's whereabouts,
the chances of tracing and recovering a stolen vehicle are often
low. Here we have a review of trackers. SF
April 2018 More |
 |
V8
Technical Day 2018
This year's V8 Technical Day will be held on Saturday 14th July
2018 in the John Thornley Suite at the Club Office in Abingdon
commencing at 10am and finishing at around 3.30pm. The organiser
is Steve Newton. For the Q&A session, please submit your
questions in advance to Steve
Newton or Nic Houslip.
See our briefing
webpage. SF March 2018
|
|
V8
40th Anniversary 2018 - programme of events
See full details of of the programme of events and the booking
arrangements for each event. Briefing.
SF March 2018 |
 |
V8
Curry at Knowle
Our annual V8 Curry, usually held at the beginning of the year,
will be at the Lloyds Indian Restaurant in Knowle near Solihull
in the West Midlands on Saturday 10th February 2018.
As that is the evening before the MG-Triumph Show at Stoneleigh
on Sunday 11th it will be convenient for fellow members travelling
to the show and stopping overnight nearby as the restaurant
is not far from Stoneleigh. We hope the access arrangements
at the Stoneleigh site will be better this year. See an information
note and booking details. SF
Feb 2018 |
 |
MOT
exemption and substantially changed vehicles
Two announcements from the DfT are of particular interest to
classic car enthusiasts: MOT exemption for cars 40 years and
older which secure Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI) status
but also cars 40 years and older where modifications have been
made more than 30 years ago will also be eligible for VHI status
and MOT exemption. More
Feb 18 |
 |
Replacement
ducting above the hot air shroud on an MGBGTV8
Angus Munro purchased a good Condition 1 MGBGTV8 in 2017 and
later, whilst working through various maintenance and refurbishment
items, decided he would have to replace the ducting above the
hot air shrouds on the "Lobster Claws" attached to
the air cleaners. The shrouds are located just above the exhaust
manifolds. In his post on the V8 Bulletin Board he mentioned
that he had found replacements were "No longer available"
but a tip from Tony Lake had the answer. More
Feb 18 |
 |
V8
Shop open again
Our new online V8 Shop is open again offering a wide range of
attractive goods and useful services for MGV8 enthusiasts. The
online V8 Shop has been rebuilt - alongside is our shop window.
Sets of workshop notes on a Twister memory stick, V8s for Sale
or Wanted adverts so you can reach enthusiasts who are either
looking to buy an MGV8 or considering selling, V8 Spares for
Sale or Wanted adverts are free to current members, V8 Register
grille badges and a range of clothing, books and other items
from the Club Shop and from TopSigns. More
SF Jan 18 |
 |
Special
six month update of our MGBGTV8 & RV8 Price Guide
Usually we have an annual review with an updated price guide
released in May but as our Pricewatch team felt there were indications
of some interesting trends, we have produced a six month update
to our Price Guide. See our market and price review. More
SF Jan 18 |
 |
Less
information from DVLA?
The information revealed by an MOT history check on the
GOV.UK website seems to have changed because until very recently
the check would show the test location for each MOT test together
with the date of the test and mileage plus the expiry date.
Now the name and address of the test location are no longer
revealed. See our NEWS item. More
SF Jan 2018 |
|
V8
Curry at Knowle
Our annual V8 Curry, usually held at the beginning of the year,
will be at the Lloyds Indian Restaurant in Knowle near Solihull
in the West Midlands on Saturday 10th February 2018.
As that is the evening before the MG-Triumph Show at Stoneleigh
on Sunday 11th it will be convenient for fellow members travelling
to the show and stopping overnight nearby as the restaurant
is not far from Stoneleigh. We hope the access arrangements
at the Stoneleigh site will be better this year. See an information
note and booking details. SF
Jan 2018 |
 |
Road
speed sensor for the RV8 and Reed switch
The Reed Switch was invented in 1936 and is widely used in automatic
telephone exchanges until replaced by the fully electronic versions
we have today. More information can be found at Wikipedia
but it is important to realise that it is a low current switch
only, so shorting the output to ground might damage the contacts.
See
the full article SF Dec 2017 |
|
V8
Anniversaries Year 2018 - V8 Register 40th and the 45th
anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8 in 1973
For the 40th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register
in October 1978 and the 45th anniversary of the launch of the
MGBGTV8 model in August 1973 we have a programme of eight main
events in 2018. V8
40th Anniversary programme & 
SF Dec 2017
We also have a "Looking Back" feature on the
V8 Website with articles of highlights from the launch of the
MGBGTV8 and RV8 together with the development of the V8 Register
over those 40 years. Looking back - MGBGTV8
& MG RV8 |
 |
Enjoyable
V8 Tour in North Yorkshire
Driving over the moors of North Yorkshire with the heather still
in bloom was a real pleasure for members on the tour. They were
on their way to visit Castle Howard and its beautiful gardens
recalling their connection with Brideshead Revisited. Later
during dinner at the tour hotel, Dunsley Hall near Whitby, members
heard an amusing and informative talk on the Dracula connection
with nearby Whitby. Another
run over the moors, surely some of the most beautiful routes
in the UK, visited many of the villages and landmarks seen in
the Heartbeat television series. SF
November 2017 Full
report |
|
V8
Derbyshire Tour 2018
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be in Derbyshire
from Sunday 2nd to Thursday 6th September 2018. The event will
include visits to Haddon Hall, Crich Tramway Village, Denby
Pottery and Renishaw Hall. The event will include touring beautiful
scenic routes around the Derbyshire dales and the Peak District
National Park. Further information and a booking form are available
on the tour briefing webpage. SF
November 2017 More
|
 |
MGBGTV8
coping with high temperatures on tour
When Andrew Collins first started making plans to join the Club's
European Event of the Year in Portugal this year, his planned
route added up to about 1,500 miles in Spain and Portugal in
July and August. He thought about engine cooling, and decided
that at the least he needed some way of accurately knowing the
temperature of coolant leaving the engine. SF
October 2017 More |
 |
V8
Derbyshire Tour 2018
Sunday 2nd to Thursday 6th September 2018
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in Derbyshire.
The event will include touring the beautiful scenic routes around
the Derbyshire dales. There will be a tour of the Peak District
National Park, visiting both Derbyshire White Peak and Dark
Peak. SF October 2017
More
|
 |
Stuart
Mumby's RV8 has been sold to a US buyer
Stuart's RV8 in Nightfire Red was sold to a US buyer in 13 days
on the RV8s for Sale webpage and another RV8 in the same colour
was sold on that webpage within 2 hours of posting the advert!
SF October 2017
More |
 |
V8
Roadster project out on the road for the first time
Mike Macartney's V8 Roadster project emerged from his workshop
in August to travel to an appointment with his local MOT test
station. It was a milestone for both Mike and the many fellow
members who have been following his wonderful series of over
160 illustrated reports of work in progress which started in
January 2015. The detail, honesty and frequency of those reports
have made them a feature on the V8 Website many have found fascinating
and informative. SF September
2017 More |
 |
Starkey
elm burr gear knobs available again
Stuart Middlemiss has been in touch to say "following
the sudden and sad death of Terry Starkey, I decided to take
over production of the famous Starkey solid burr elm gearknobs
which will continue to bear his name. Terry's wife, Brenda,
is proud that Terry's "legacy" is being carried on
and the production team of craftsmen is unchanged, as is Terry's
pricing which was always non-profit making of course. Last week
I sent off the first two gearknobs, numbers 278 and 279, both
for RV8s with one destined for Abingdon, no less". SF
September 2017 More |
 |
Future
classic car use
A controversial report
from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) on
how to tackle the increasingly choked roads in many parts of
Britain provides disturbing news for classic car enthusiasts.
It was the lead story in the issue of Classic Car Weekly on
26th July 2017 which reported "classic cars could be segregated
on to different roads from other road users from the 2030s"
with the greater use of autonomous, alternative fuelled vehicles".
A letter published in the Daily Telegraph from Ron Gammons had
concise and well argued comments on the plans announced by the
Government . SF September 2017
More |
 |
MGV8s
at MGLive! 2017
MGLive! was very warm this year - an unusual experience when
at Silverstone on the site of a former RAF airfield up on a
normally windswept plateau at 500ft. The tasty refreshments
provided by Debbie Brading and the comfort of the seating in
the V8 Marquee were popular with V8 members and friends, providing
an opportunity to meet up and chat. Our guests in the marquee
this year were the members of the Vintage Register. Peter Jevons
(alongside) arrived in his RV8, clearly enjoying his drive to
Silverstone on a fine day. SF
August 2017 Photo
report |
 |
Concerns
with LED bulbs
Lighting standards in modern cars have improved with the greater
use of halogen bulbs and the beneficial effects have been improved
visibility for drivers after dark or in poor conditions and
better daytime "relative visibility". That has become
a real concern for classic car enthusiasts. In his article Nic
Houslip says if you are suffering with headlights on your MGV8
that are dim, all is not lost. He outlines the essential features
of lamp technology and the concerns when considering an upgrade
from the original incandescent bulbs originally fitted to MGBs.
SF August 2017 More |
 |
Mistake
in the RV8 manual over setting the timing
Mike Macartney and Nic Houslip believe the description of setting
the distributor in the RV8 Repair Manual AKM7144 is not correct.
The correction is needed on page 7 of the Maintenance section
of the manual. You can download a copy of the extract from the
manual and the correction here to place in your manual as a
reminder. SF August 2017
RV8NOTE435 & Note
for your manual
|
 |
Do
"wanted" adverts work?
There are signs that this type of advert is proving to be an
effective way of attracting interest from owners of MGV8s who
are beginning to think of selling their car. As many are becoming
elderly tend to feel the time is nearing when they should sell
their car but would like it to go to a good home. The do not
want the hassle of "tyre kickers" and dealers rolling
up at their home but the alternative of their responding to
a wanted advert and dealing with an enthusiast who would give
the car a good home seems a great deal better. SF
August 2017 More
& Commission
sale arrangements |
 |
MGV8
prices continue to rise
Whilst there are signs the effects of the “alternative
investment” activity in the classic car market have reduced
over the 12 months to May 2017, our analysis of our online MGV8
Pricewatch reports indicates prices for Condition 1 MGV8s have
continued to rise over the 12 months to May 2017. MGBGTV8 prices
are up by between 7% and 10% and RV8 prices by between 8% and
11%. See our updated price chart
and MGBGTV8
and RV8
market and price reviews. Our Pricewatch
webpages from our two volunteers carry reports of MGV8s
seen advertised for sale and listed for auction. SF
July 2017 |
 |
MGLive!
2017 & a short programme of events in the week before the
meeting at Silverstone
In the week running up to the Club's annual MGLive! event at
Silverstone over the weekend 11th & 12th June we have a
programme of events from the Wednesday. Full details are available
on the "More" webpage on the V8 Website. Over the
weekend at MGLive! we will have our usual V8 Marquee with free
refreshments and seating where you can meet up and chat with
fellow members. This year we have invited the Vintage Register
members to share our V8 Marquee at MGLive! See details of the
programme of events. More
SF June 2017 |
 |
Historic
stumble across an aluminium Buick V8 engine
It was only by chance that during a visit to the US that Rover
managing director Bill Martin-Hurst stumbled over a V8 engine
lying on a workshop floor. His interest in the engine led to
the V8 engine being crated up and sent over to Rover in the
UK. Rover developed the engine for production and use in the
UK and since its UK debut in 1967 it has been installed in a
wide range of vehicles from Rover saloons, Land Rover vehicles
and sports cars like Morgans, TVRs and MGs. This year marks
the 50th anniversary of Rover's UK launch of the V8 engine.
More
SF June 2017 |
 |
Skinners
Union
by
Mike Harvey, published
by The SU Carburettor Co. Hardback with 320 pages and many black
& white and colour illustrations. ISBN 97834234-0-6
A comprehensive and well researched history of the design of
a unique type of carburettor from inception to production that
we still know today, the SU variable venturi carburettor. Technical
and non-technical readers alike will benefit from this book,
especially if they own a car fitted with SU carburettors, particularly
the MGB and the MGBGTV8. See a review by Nic Houslip. Review
SF May 2017 |
 |
Getting
information on your classic from DVLA
David Worthington describes how you cn make a V888 application
to DVLA for information on your car. He received copies of registration
documents and notifications of changes of registered keepers
over the years so he had a complete history of his MGBGTV8 with
the dates of transfers of keepers. See DVLA's 30 page information
leaflet MIS546
and the full
article. SF April 2017 |
 |
Refitting
the drian tube to the fresh air intake
Nic Houslip spotted the drain tube for MGBs and GTs had come
back into stock at Brown & Gammons - "it's that strange
shaped rubber tube device that dangles down from the underside
of the plenum chamber which supplies fresh air for the heater
box on MGBs and derivatives". Nic was recently working
on his V8 Roadster and as he had full access to the plenum chamber
he decided to fit the new type of drain tube as a replacement
for the ageing original item. Here he describes the task. See
the full
article. SF April 2017 |
 |
Gas
struts for an MGBGTV8 luggage platform
Have you ever thought you needed three hands when delving into
the space below the luggage platform of the MGBGTV8 or any MGBGT
come to that? David Worthington decided that there must be a
better solution than a wooden prop he has used, so he did an
internet search for gas struts and there he found the solution
- two gas struts designed to support the carpet covered liftable
luggage platform above the spare wheel of all series of MGBGTs.
See his full
article and a link to the supplier's fitting instructions.
SF April 2017 |
 |
RV8
self purging top hose insert
Anyone who has done the job will know what a pain it is to refill
the RV8 cooling system when changing the coolant, or following
work on the system. Stuart McGuigan has devised an improved
solution in the form of a self-purging top hose insert fitted
in the top radiator hose. A prototype fitted to his car is performing
well. Stuart is planning to make a batch of the self-purging
inserts which should be available shortly through Clive Wheatley
at MGV8parts. SF
April 2017 More |
|
Links
to other items in the V8 Newsletter April 2017
You can see more information at:
replacing rubber fuel lines
classic car insurance photos
speed awarness course notification
E10 in the UK and more. SF
April 2017 |
 |
Replacement
5 speed Mazda gearbox for the V8
Vitesse has been offering a replacement 5 speed Mazda gearbox
for MGBs for some time but they now also offer it for an MGBGTV8.
It's come at a time when the availability of some replacement
gearbox parts and original complete gearboxes for the MGBGTV8
are increasingly difficult to find. Many owners have looked
to alternative gearboxes as replacements like LT77 and R380
boxes but they too are becoming less easy to find. So the news
that Vitesse now offer a 5 Speed Mazda Gearbox Conversion Kit
for the MGBGTV8 is very welcome. SF
March 2017 More
|
|
V8
Technical Day 2017
This year's V8 Technical Day will be held on Saturday 20th May
2017 in the John Thornley Suite at the Club Office in Abingdon
commencing at 10am and finishing at around 3.30pm. The organiser
is Roger Aldridge who is putting together an interesting set
of talks and presentations. See our briefing webpage. SF
March 2017 More
|
 |
North
Yorks Moors V8 Tour 2017 - Thursday 7th to Monday 11th September
2017
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in the
North Yorks Moors. The event will include touring the beautiful
scenic routes around the North Yorks Moors National Park taking
in Heartbeat country Goatland, Castle Howard, Helmsley and many
more interesting villages. There will be a tour of the Cleveland
Ironstone Mining Museum and a visit to Eden Camp, a multi-award
winning Modern History Theme Museum housed in a former WW2 prisoner
of war camp. SF March 2017
More & Bookings |
 |
RV8
25th anniversary 2017
This year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the launch
of the model in 1992. Event details will be announced in March.
See our "Looking back" series.
SF March 2017 More
|
 |
Concern
with LED bulb upgrades on classic cars
The DfT says LED aftermarket conversions are only permitted
when the entire lamp unit, not just the bulb, is replaced by
a Type Approved lamp. The concern for classic car owners is
relative visibility on today's roads. What is clear is
the regulations have not caught up with the new technology.
See our recent NEWS items on concerns over lighting upgrades
and our earlier items. SF February
2017
More & More &
More & More
& More
& Information
Gateway |
 |
Useful
hands-free speakerphone from Jabra
The increased crackdown on the use of handheld mobile phones
and smartphones whilst driving is overdue and necessary, so
a neat hands-free speakerphone is a welcome option. The device
is called Jabra Drive and is convenient to use - it's simply
clipped to the sun visor overhead and when "paired"
to your mobile phone they link automatically by Bluetooth. The
phone can stay safely in your pocket out of sight and touch.
To answer a call you simply lift your finger and touch a button
on the face of the Jabra Drive - the microphone picks up your
reply and the 2 watt speaker conveys the caller's voice clearly.
SF January 2017 More |
 |
V8
Register review 2016
This review reports we have 3,881 registered members with MGV8s
in the UK, Mainland Europe and Overseas and our database has
information on 4,581 MGV8s - covering Costellos, Factory V8s,
GTV8 Conversions, V8 Roadster Conversions and RV8s. The report
is illustrated with charts showing where our members and the
MGV8s are in the UK, Mainland Europe and Overseas. See the report.
SF January 2017
More
|
 |
V8
Pricewatch
Our two volunteers, Andy Goves and Keith Belcher, spot adverts
and auction listings with MGV8s for sale for our V8 Pricewatch.
Ther next update of our MGV8 Price Guide will be in April 2017.
SF January 2017 MGBGTV8
Pricewatch & RV8
Pricewatch |
 |
Sorrento
by BGTV8
John Upton enjoyed having his MGBGTV8 in Africa when he
lived there for many years before returning home and then moving
to France. Here he describes another adventure taking his V8
to Sorrento for his daughter's wedding. It proved to be a trip
of a lifetime. See his full article and some of the wedding
photos. SF December 2016
Full
article & Wedding
photos |
 |
V8
Anniversaries coming up
As we approach the 45th anniversary of the launch of the MGBGTV8
model in August 1973 and the 40th anniversary of the formation
of the V8 Register five years later in 1978, we are planning
events and website features to mark those milestones in 2018.
Similarly the 25th anniversary of the launch of the MG RV8 model
is another significant feature in our planning - the announcement
of the model in 1992 and launch in 1993. We have already launched
on the V8 website two series of "looking back" articles
and features on the MGBGTV8 and RV8 models. SF
December 2016 MGBGTV8
& MG
RV8 |
 |
Rebuild
series reaching 100
Rebuild and restoration reports have been a popular feature
on the V8 website for many years with the restoration of an
MGBGTV8 found behind a garden shed by Barrie Jones and a nut
and bolt rebuild commissioned by Dr Chris Ward as two examples.
A current rebuild of an MGV8 Roadster Conversion by Mike Macartney
has been followed closely by many members as he has produced
regular detailed reports posted to the V8 website. They usually
run to eight pages and appear twice a week and sometimes every
two days, so it's no surprise the series is reaching the 100th
report. SF December 2016
More |
 |
Understanding
the RV8 engine management system
The RV8 had an early engine management system and in a comprehensive
article Dave Morris explored its operation, fault detection
and diagnostics. Assisted by John Anthistle, John Hale and Nic
Houslip they outlined options for owners upgrading their RV8
by 'chipping' or 'remapping'. Some basic knowledge is assumed
so anyone unfamiliar with Fuel Injection Systems should first
read Nic Houslip's excellent article introducing the RV8 ECU.
SF December 2016 Full
article & Introduction |
 |
Best
buy dash cams
Since we last looked at dash cams they have continued to improve
in terms of functionality and performance. There has also been
a surge in the popularity of dash cams, so the results of the
latest product test by the leading consumer group Which? are
a useful guide if you are thinking of getting one. SF
November 2016 More
|
 |
V8
Roadster rebuild project
Following a major restoration of an MGBGTV8 previously owned
by Dugald McNeill, Mike Macartney met up with his old friend
and as Dugald was so attached to the car, Mike generously let
it go back to him! But Mike had thoroughly enjoyed driving the
V8 so the MGV8 bug had bitten him! We soon heard Mike had bought
another MGV8 for restoration. SF
November 2016 More |
 |
V8
Hampshire Tour 2016
The V8 Tour 2016 was be based at the Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst
in the New Forest over the long weekend of Thursday 1st to Monday
5th September and included visits to a local vineyard, the famous
Buckler's Hard where ships of the line were built and finished
with a buffet lunch on Monday at the Museum of Army Flying at
Netheravon prior to members leaving for home.
SF October 2016 More
|
 |
V8
Curry at Knowle
We have another autumn V8 Curry at the Lloyds Indian Restaurant
in Knowle near Solihull in the West Midlands on Saturday 8th
October 2016. Please book ahead with Nic Houslip on 07768
766315. SF October 2016
|
 |
Stubborn
stalks
The column mounted stalk controls on an MGB or derivative are
prone to stubborn and erratic smooth operation as they age.
A tip Nic Houslip has found useful over the years is the application
of WD-40 on a relatively infrequent basis (say twice annually)
as it is beneficial to all switches in cars. See our brief but
useful note. SF September 2016
More |
 |
Connecting
a battery conditioner
During a call from an enthusiast who had just bought an RV8,
he enquired whether a battery conditioner like an Accumate could
be connected to the power socket in an MGV8 as a simple and
convenient way of maintaining the battery condition and charge
when the car is parked in a garage for a while. See our illustrated
notes. SF September 2016
More |
 |
Mike
Macartney's rebuild series
One of the popular items on the V8 website is the series of
illustrated reports from Mike Macartney of the major rebuild
he has underway on a V8 Roadster. See the series of reports.
SF August 2016 More |
 |
Modification
to reduce MGV8 sump gasket leakage
A thread on the V8 Bulletin Board in May 2016 discussed the
suitability of several sump gaskets for the RV8. One contributor,
Tony Lake, mentioned how a problem with the pressed steel sump
is the light steel section used. He noted "the V8 sump
is one of the best candidates I've seen for leakage, along with
the valley cover". He then mentioned he had some sketches
of the stiffening pieces he had made to overcome the problem
and solve the leaks. SF August
2016 More
|
 |
MGBGTV8
has a rebuild
Peter Ellis originally purchased his MGBGTV8 in 1980 - Damask
2632 - and it was used as everyday transport for two years,
then as a second car for 14 years. Peter sold the car in 1994
when the bodywork was starting to show signs of needing some
major surgery. In 2008 he repurchased the car. The bodywork
still needed surgery and so he started the strip down. The bodywork
and painting were completed in early 2010 and the rebuild took
place over the following four years culminating in an MOT in
November 2014. SF
August 2016 More
|
 |
What
are the likely effects of Brexit on the UK classic car market?
In a lead article reviewing the effects of Brexit on classic
car demand and prices in the UK, the popular weekly newspaper
Classic Car Weekly noted recently that "demand from international
buyers will rise, values will remain strong and classic friendly
legislation will be more easily achieved". SF
August 2016 More
|
 |
Checking
a small mod on a Japan spec RV8 has been done
When a Japan spec RV8 is reimported to the UK or exported elsewhere
you need to change over the vacuum advance to the UK spec as
recommended in RV8 Workshop Notes 60 and 258. If you buy one
of these cars it is well worth checking a simple modification
has been carried out. SF August
2016 RV8NOTE120
& RV8NOTE258
|
 |
MGV8
concours wins at MGLive! & at the European Event of the
Year 2016
The MGBGTV8 in Teal Blue entered by Howard Guiney in the premier
concours class at Silverstone and came first beating some well-known
previous winners. At the European Event of the Year in France
another V8 enthusiast Roger Glover reports his RV8, in British
Racing Green, won the Modern concours section. SF
August 2016 MGLive!2016
& EEOY 2016
|
 |
Reimporting
an MGBGTV8
A search for an MGBGTV8 resulted in Robert Rose finding one
with an enthusiast in New Zealand and then reimporting it to
the UK. The car has now arrived by shipping container in the
UK. Although Robert Rose eventually wishes to regain the car's
original UK registration number through the DVLA Form V765 process,
initially he will be submitting a DVLA Form V55 to obtain an
age related UK plate. SF August
2016 More |
 |
Exposed
thread of a bolt through the airbox on an MGBGTV8
If you have an exposed thread it is essential you fit a nut
and serrated washer as a matter of urgency. There are still
some MGBGTV8s around with an exposed thread. See V8NOTE53.
SF July 2016 More |
 |
Replacing
the HIF6 floats
Victor Smith found on starting up his MGBGTV8 that petrol was
running from the overflow hose which is routed to discharge
below the car. It was traced to the float in the nearside HIF6
carburettor that had leaked so it was partially full of fuel.
In V8NOTE507 he describes replacing the floats with a new pair
from Burlen. See V8NOTE507.
SF July 2016 |
 |
V8
Technical Day 2016
Members attending the V8 Technical Day 2016 enjoyed a series
of presentations and then following a buffet lunch travvled
to Steventon near Abingdon for a tour of the Frontline Development's
factory. The programme for the day covered various aspects of
owning a an MGV8, with six principal speakers.
SF July 2016 More |
 |
Brass
alternative to a plastic back axle breather
Checking your plastic breather pipe is not missing from the
top of the offside of your back axle was highlighted in this
column in the February issue. Subsequently Richard Withington
spotted a brass alternative and Jonathan Buckley then contributed
some useful information on his experience with rethreading and
fitting one. SF May 2016
More |
|
V8
Technical Day 2016
Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015,
Roger Aldridge is planning another for Saturday 21st May
2016 in the John Thornley Suite at Club Office with three
speakers in the morning, lunch and then a move over to Frontline
Developments in Abingdon for presentations on their activities
and a tour of their new factory. There will also be a chance
to look at their new MGBs. Briefing and booking details are
available on the V8 website. Contact Roger Aldridge to book
a place. SF
May 2016 More |
 |
V8
Autumn Tour 2016
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in The
New Forest National Park from Thursday 1st to Monday 5th
September 2016. The tour will be through beautiful areas
of the forest and visiting various establishments, including
a winery, the famous Buckler's Hard where ships of the line
were built and finishing at the Museum of Army Flying for a
tour followed by a buffet lunch prior to departure for home.
Contact Mike Lane for bookings and information. SF
May 2016 More |
 |
Fault
with the starter 6RA relay
The 6RA forward of the fuse box controls the twin cooling fans
and the other on the bulkhead side controls the engagement of
the starter motor. Recently Steve Newton examined a faulty 6RA
relay and found the contacts in the switch came together under
the magnetic force of the coil in the relay but did so at an
angle and not parallel to each other as they should, so there
was a reduced area of surface contact between the contacts.
With the large current drawn by the starter motor, the result
was a fusing in one spot. Take care, there are some poor quality
parts in the market. SF Apr 2016
More |
 |
GTS104
thermostat - drilled vent or undrilled?
Dave Morris sought clarification on whether the MGV8 thermostat
is vented. Nic Houslip says "When you look for a replacement
GTS104 thermostat you need to check carefully the replacement
part has a vent and bobble valve". SF
Apr 2016 More |
 |
V8
Workshop Notes series passes the 500 milestone!
Launched in April 1979 the V8 Workshop Notes series began with
a note from John Dupont on removing and refitting a V8 water
pump and in February 2016 the 500th note was released reporting
a fault seen with 6RA relays supplied as replacement parts.
The series of RV8 Workshop Notes was launched in in September
1999 and has reached 415 notes, so a combined total this month
of 918 notes. With 31 notes generated over the last 12 months
it's likely we will reach a thousand notes by the time we celebrate
the 40th anniversary of the formation of the V8 Register in
October 2018. SF Apr 2016 News
& V8NOTES
& RV8NOTES |
 |
Visit
to the Black Country Living Museum
Steve Newton has arranged a group visit to the Black Country
Living Museum on Saturday 9th April 2016 meeting at 11am.
Located in Dudley in the West Midlands it is one of the finest
and largest open-air museums in the United Kingdom. Book a place
with Steve Newton. SF Apr 2016
More
- see report on the event |
 |
V8
event before the European Event of the Year 2017 in Portugal
For MGV8 enthusiasts planning to travel to Portugal to attend
the MG Car Club's European Event of the Year 2017 will welcome
the news that a preliminary event - "Visiting Portugal
2017" from Saturday 29th July to Thursday 3rd August
2017 - is being planned there for V8 enthusiasts by the
Swiss V8 Group run by Victor Rodrigues and his Swiss wife Evelyne.
Although he has lived for many years in Zurich in Switzerland
he originally comes from Portugal and has used his local knowledge
to arrange the additional event. SF
Apr 2016 More
|
 |
RV8
Spring Run in Yorkshire
Stuart Mumby is organising a Spring Run on Sunday 24th April
2016, primarily for MG RV8s, but all MGV8s welcome. This
coincides with the FBHVC Drive-it-Day and will offer an ideal
opportunity to get your car out and be seen on this important
annual event. The route will take in Bronte and Summer Wine
Country in the scenic Yorkshire Pennines. SF
Apr 2016 More
|
|
V8
Technical Day 2016
Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015,
Roger Aldridge is planning another for Saturday 21st May
2016 in the John Thornley Suite at Club Office with three
speakers in the morning, lunch and then a move over to Frontline
Developments in Abingdon for presentations on their activities
and a tour of their new factory. There will also be a chance
to look at their new MGBs. Briefing and booking details are
available on the V8 website. Contact Roger Aldridge to book
a place. SF
Apr 2016 More |
|
V8
Autumn Tour 2016
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in The
New Forest National Park from Thursday 1st to Monday 5th
September 2016. The tour will be through beautiful areas
of the forest and visiting various establishments, including
a winery, the famous Buckler's Hard where ships of the line
were built and finishing at the Museum of Army Flying for a
tour followed by a buffet lunch prior to departure for home.
Contact Mike Lane for bookings and information. SF
Apr 2016 More |
 |
Repairing
an electronic key fob
Finding your electronic key fob has developed a fault - for
example one of the buttons has fallen out or it simply stops
working - can leave you with a puzzle as to how to get the fob
repaired or replaced without too much hassle or expense. In
RV8NOTE399 Alan Rennie mentioned a specialist company in Peterborough,
Automobile Locksmith, who provide a good quality repair service.
SF Apr 2016 More
|
 |
Where
is a V8 I used to own?
An increasing number of enquiries are coming from enthusiasts
who are trying to trace an MGV8 they had once owned and enjoyed
in earlier years.Do let the V8 Registrar know if you do so we
can help this painting pass to the current owner of the car.
SF Apr 2016 More
|
 |
Curing
a leaking heater matrix
Paul Atkinson experienced a leaking heater matrix on his RV8
and found the replacement of the matrix was easy involving moving
the washer bottle, carbon canister and immobiliser unit to the
side (without complete detachment from the car) then undoing
the hoses and the two screws which hold the matrix into the
heater box. The heater box remains in situ, but I took the opportunity
to clear the debris from the deteriorated foam seal with a powerful
vacuum cleaner. SF Mar 2016
More |
|
V8
Technical Day 2016
Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015,
Roger Aldridge is planning another for Saturday 21st May 2016
in the John Thornley Suite at Club Office with three speakers
in the morning, lunch and then a move over to Frontline Developments
in Abingdon for presentations on their activities and a tour
of their new factory. There will also be a chance to look at
their new MGBs. Briefing and booking details are available on
the V8 website. SF
Mar 2016 More |
|
V8
Autumn Tour 2016
The next V8 Tour in the popular series will be based in The
New Forest National Park from Thursday 1st to Monday 5th September
2016. The tour will be through beautiful areas of the forest
and visiting various establishments, including a winery, the
famous Buckler's Hard where ships of the line were built and
finishing at the Museum of Army Flying for a tour followed by
a buffet lunch prior to departure for home. Contact Mike Lane
for bookings and information. SF
Mar 2016 More |
 |
MGV8
PriceWatch
Classic car prices have been on the move over the last few years
and several V8 members have been following the auction news
and adverts with useful reports, analysis and price guide updates,
not least from Keith Belcher, Adam Fiander and Andy Goves. Their
research and news on auction results and MGV8s seen for sale
in adverts is the key part of our MGV8 PriceWatch series on
the V8 website. SF Mar
2016 More |
 |
Back
axle breather pipe check
Derek Squires saw something lying on the floor under the back
of his RV8 and found it was a plastic rear axle breather which
had had sheared off at the top of the short threaded section
that holds it into the top of the offside part of the back axle.
With that part missing he had an open hole of about 7mm diameter
in the top of the axle to let in water and grit. If it had fallen
off when on the road, he would have never noticed that it was
missing. He found replacement parts are readily obtainable from
Brown & Gammons as ZXC5726 for the RV8 and 21H6060
for the GTV8. It's worth checking your breather pipe is there.
SF Feb 2016 More |
|
V8
Curry at Knowle
Our annual V8 Curry, usually held at the beginning of the year,
will be at the Lloyds Indian Restaurant in Knowle near Solihull
in the West Midlands on Saturday 20th February 2016.
As that is the evening before the MG-Triumph Show at Stoneleigh
on Sunday 21st it will be convenient for fellow members travelling
to the show and stopping overnight nearby as the restaurant
is not far from Stoneleigh. We hope the access arrangements
at the Stoneleigh site will be better this year. See an information
note and booking details. SF
Feb 2016 |
 |
MGV8
PriceWatch
Classic car prices have been on the move over the last few years
and Keith Belcher and Andy Goves have been following the auction
news and adverts with useful reports and price guide updates
for both V8 and RV8 models. Those reports are our MGV8 PriceWatch.
In January Andy Goves reported on two RV8s sold at auction in
December 2015 - see the reports
and analysis. See our MGV8 PriceWatch page. SF
Feb 2016 MGV8
PriceWatch
|
 |
RV8
coolant bleed insert
Anyone who has done the job will know what a pain it is to refill
the RV8 cooling system when changing the coolant or following
work on the system. Here Stuart McGuigan describes a modification
he has made which makes the job far easier. SF
Dec 2015 More |
 |
Check
the age of your tyres
Tyre safety is a topic we have highlighted on many occasions,
not least the age effect on tyre rubber and the consequent reduced
braking and roadholding performance. Over time the suppleness
of tyre rubber reduces so that by around 7 to 8 years old the
ageing effect will have reduced the flexibility of the rubber
as it hardens and begins to take on the characteristics of wood.
SF Dec 2015 More
& Replacement
tyres information gateway |
|
V8
Technical Day 2016
Following the successful V8 Technical Days in 2014 and 2015,
Roger Aldridge is planning another for Saturday 21st May 2016
in the John Thornley Suite at Club Office with three speakers
in the morning, lunch and then a move over to Frontline Developments
in Abingdon for presentations on their activities and a tour
of their new factory. There will also be a chance to look at
their new MGBs. Briefing and booking details will be available
on the V8 website from January 2016. SF
Dec 2015 More |
 |
Autumn
V8 meeting near Zurich
Victor Rodrigues, who runs the Swiss V8 group in Switzerland
(SWISS-MGV8/IG), reports that they held the traditional Autumn
gathering at his attractive garage near Zurich on Saturday 24th
October 2015. SF Dec 2015
NEWS
& illustrated report |
 |
Tax
class changes to "Historic"
As very nearly all MGBGTV8 models are now eligible for road
tax exemption, most owners will want to arrange for the tax
class change from PLG to Historic as soon as the opportunity
arises in April as the eligibility for the 40 year rolling VED
exemption arrives. So if your car is approaching that point
it is worth noting a clarification the FBHVC has received from
the DVLA. SF Dec 2015
More |
 |
Changes
to vehicle tax rule
When the paper tax disc ended some changes to the vehicle tax
rules appeared - but there was confusion. After some delay a
clarification has been released on the GOV.UK website which
says "when you buy a vehicle, the tax or SORN doesn't come
with it. But the explanation from DVLA is still not quite right.
We explain why. The key point is DVLA are not notified of the
change of registered keeper until the they receive the paper
V5C from the seller. SF Dec 2015
More
& Recent VED updates |
 |
Check
your antiroll bar drop links
Recently there have been some failures of the front antiroll
drop links. These connect the outer ends of the antiroll bar
to their respective lower suspension arm. Nic Houslip feels
it is probably worth spending time checking the condition of
the drop links. Failure of the link will affect handling, by
allowing much more body roll in corners. SF
Dec 2015
More
Drop links information
gateway & Update
on drop links article |
 |
V8
Tour in Germany
A prompt report on the V8 Tour 2015 to Germany was prepared
by Kai and Claudia Knickmann. Kai volunteered to translate the
report and prepared it whilst on a flight to the Far East. SF
Nov 15 More |
 |
Churches
tour around Watlington
With good weather the tour of six churches around Watlington
in Oxfordshire was an enjoyable and interesting day. Breakfast
at the Coach & Horses in Chiselhampton, lunch at the Chequers
Inn at Fingest, tea at Ewelme church and dinner at the Red Lion
in Chalgrove. SF Nov 15
More |
 |
V8
Register Grille Badge available again soon
The V8 Register Grille Badges will be on offer through the Online
V8 Shop at £33.75 (UK including P&P and VAT), £39.99
(Mainland Europe including airmail P&P and VAT) and £39.99
(Overseas including airmail P&P). You can order a badge
using the online order form. SF
Oct 15 Order
form |
 |
Update
your agreed value
The indications are a Condition 1 MGBGTV8 chrome bumper is now
around £18,545 (up 7.5% in six months) and a rubber bumper
model at around £15,320 with exceptional cars at higher
prices. In earlier years many V8 enthusiasts reviewed the value
of their car every 2 to 3 years but in the present market it's
essential you do this annually to ensure you have an agreed
value on your policy which reflects the current market price
of your car and are not underinsured. SF
Oct 15 NEWS
|
 |
Classic
car theft - increased security now essential
Recent classic car press articles report thefts increasing to
the point where one car is being stolen virtually every day.
One way of protecting your car is to fit a GPS tracker which
will alert you by text message of any tampering with the car
and provide its location if stolen so the police will be able
to recover it. SF Oct 15
NEWS
& Tracker
|
 |
RV8
at the Castle of May
Marion Quarrington was on the Caledonian Centre's Tour of Orkney
and on the return route visited the Castle of Mey near Caithness
on the north coast of Scotland. Marion mentioned they enjoyed
good weather so had the hood down for most of the time, only
putting it up overnight. The eight day tour had an overnight
stop in Tain on route to the ferry at Gill's Bay, followed by
three nights on Orkney and then via the west coast with overnights
in Tongue, Loch Broom and Fort William before returning to Stirling.
SF Oct 15 NEWS |
 |
SV-R
wins two cups at MGLive!
John Newey reports his MG X-Power SV-R with its 5.0 V8 engine
won its class in the "Pride of Ownership" at MGLive!
and then went on to win the Roger Latham trophy for overall
best in show too. SFSep15
NEWS
& MGLive!
2015 report
|
|
Tour
of Churches around Watlington
A tour of six churches in the Oxfordshire countryside around
Watlington on Saturday 3rd October 2015. The tour will start
with refreshments at the Coach & Horses in Chiselhampton
from 9.30am. The first church is just a short walk from the
large car park at the pub. The tour has been organised by fellow
member and local farmer Charles Peers. The first church we will
visit, St Katherine's, was built by his distant ancestor, another
Charles Peers. There will be a lunch break at the Chequers Inn
at Fingest and tea at Ewelme church followed by a V8 Dinner.
SFSep15 Tour
information & booking details |
 |
V8
Register Grille Badges available again
An initiative by Angus Munro attracted over 50 pre-orders for
a new supply of small V8 Register Grille Badges. If you missed
the online promotion in August then limited stocks remain available.
SFSep15 More |
 |
What's
in a set of MGB Workshop Notes?
The series for MGB owners has over 300 useful technical notes
for the MGB and MGBGT with a range of service and spares tips.
Sets of the notes are available
on a convenient USB memory stick bearing the MGB logo. Tracing
information on a topic is very straightforward with the detailed
index to the series. Examples of the notes you will find in
Volume 4 are a comprehensive note on waxoyling an MGB, a modification
to avoid a failed bonnet catch, tips on using Jubilee clips,
cleaning out the fresh air vent chamber drain tube known as
"Ted's knob" to avoid wet carpets and a review of
luggage rack options for MGB Roadsters. SFSep15
More
& See also V8NOTES & RV8NOTES More |
 |
Classic
car thefts are increasing
Recent classic car press articles report thefts increasing to
the point where one car is being stolen virtually every day.
One way of protecting your car is to fit a GPS tracker which
will alert you by text message of any tampering with the car
and provide its location if stolen so the police will be able
to recover it. SFSep15
Classic
Car Weekly report & Classic
Car Buyer report & GPS
Tracker & Underinsurance |
 |
Crimping
bullet connectors and faston terminals
Whether you are doing maintenance on the electrical system on
a classic car like an MGB or installing new wiring for additional
equipment, getting a good crimped bullet connector or faston
is essential. Using good crimping tools helps achieve reliable
crimped connectors. SFSep15
Crimping
article & Fastons
& Video |
 |
V8
Register group launched on Facebook
The V8 Register has launched a Facebook group and it is already
attracting members in the UK and overseas. It will enable V8
Register members to exchange views and information on enjoying
their MGV8s, contact friends and exchange messages. An "Admin
Trio" will run it as a "closed group" for members
of the V8 Register and friends who are current members of the
MG Car Club or a current member of a recognised overseas branch
of the MG Car Club. Why not join the V8 Register group on Facebook
now! 150721
NEWS
& Visit
the V8 Register Facebook group now & Join
the V8 Register Facebook group |
 |
Summer
Budget 2015 report
The headline news from the Summer Budget 2015 statement made
in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
George Osborne, on Wednesday 8th July was: no fuel duty changes
this year, fuel duty is frozen, no further changes to Vehicle
Excise Duty rates and bands, Vehicle Excise Duty classic
vehicle exemption continues as announced in the Budget 2014,
a 3.5% insurance premium tax rise from 1st November 2015
with the standard rate of IPT increasing from 6% to 9.5% and
reform of the regulation of the insurance claims management
sector by the Government. 150708
More |
 |
Autumn
V8 Dinner on Saturday 3rd October 2015
Dinner at the Coach & Horses in Chiselhampton will be a
good way of ending what promises to be a most interesting tour
of local churches that day. Some members travelling long distances
are staying overnight at this pub which offers good bed and
breakfast accommodation. Note, this dinner replaces the previous
plans for a V8 Curry at the Last Viceroy in Bourne End near
Marlow later in October 2015. (SF
August 2015) Briefing
Booking
details |
 |
Tour
of churches around Watlington in Oxfordshire - Saturday 3rd
October 2015
Charles Peers is arranging an interesting tour of churches around
his home near Watlington starting with St Katherine's church
in Chiselhampton built by his ancestor. Full
details of the tour are on the V8 website together with an online
booking form. A detailed guide book to the tour with information
on each church, the places passed on the tour and information
on the routes between churches will be available. The day will
start with breakfast in Chiselhampton then lunch in Fingest
and finally tea at Ewelme. (SF
August 2015) More
& Tour
programme |
 |
CHIPnTRAC
GPS tracker - our review and guides to setting up and installing
this self monitoring GPS tracker
Following our review of this tracker published in the July 2015
issue of Safety Fast! we have produced two guides on setting
up the tracker and installing it in an MGB, V8 or RV8. The set
up guide is available here but the installation guide is not
published online for obvious reasons, but a copy is available
to current members of the MG Car Club who have registered an
MGV8 with the V8 Register and who have provided us with the
details of the invoice issued with their CHIPnTRAC tracker supplied
by RBS Property Marking. (SF
August 2015) More |
 |
Barrie's
Notes - Maintaining an MGBGTV8 in the 21st Century
Many MGB enthusiasts have enjoyed reading the tips and advice
on maintaining an MGB in a neat A5 sized 82 page book called
Barrie's Notes written and illustrated by Barrie Jones. It sold
well through the Club's online shop. Barrie has now produced
a new book of his notes for the MGBGTV8 with useful information
and tips on maintaining the model. Publication has recently
been launched on the V8 website and copies are available on
the Online V8 Shop. (SF August
2015) Review
& More
|
 |
Successful
event before and over the MGLive! weekend
Visits to Nuffield Pace (home of Lord Nuffield), Bletchley Park
and the Hook Norton Brewery together with lunch at the Pear
Tree Inn and a well attended V8 Supper at the Three Conies near
Silverstone were popular ahead of the MGLive! weekend. The annual
weekend meeting at Silverstone was packed with interest and
many members called in for the hospitality and warm welcome
at the V8 Marquee arranged by Debbie Brading. See our reports
on the events. (SF August
2015) Reports |
 |
Club's
Nuffield Cup presented to the V8 Register at MGLive! 2015
The President's International Dinner at MGLive! was a well attended
event the V8 members present had a surprise when the Club Chairman
announced the presentation of the Club's Nuffield Cup to the
V8 Register for providing support and services for V8 enthusiasts,
recruiting new members and assisting other registers over the
years. Debbie Brading and Victor Smith received the trophy,
known as the "Gold Cup" - a very valuable item which
is usually locked in a bank vault! (SF
August 2015) More
|
 |
Review
of the CHIPnTRAC - a self-monitoring GPS tracker
This small device monitors your car so that you can be alerted
if your is tampered with or stolen with messages to your mobile
phone. If the car is stolen those messages provide information
on the location of the vehicle, essential when working with
the police to recover the car promptly. (SF
July 2015) Tracker
review & Dash Cam |
 |
V8
Technical Day
The programme for this year's V8 Technical Day in June at Club
Office in Abingdon included Mike Macartney's fascinating tale
of rebuilding the V8 Roadster featured in his popular rebuild
reports on the V8 website, Mark Wanstall on carrying out Hoyle
Suspension upgrades and George Wilder and Chris Allan on their
book "RV8 - the Manufacturing Story". The event was
organised by Roger Aldridge with the support of Nic Houslip.
(SF July 2015) Report |
 |
V8
Summer BBQ
Bob and Carolyn Owen are hosting a V8 Summer BBQ on Sunday 19th
July from 11am at their home in Mortimer, SW of Reading in Berkshire.
Full details from Bob on 0118 933 2533. SF
July 2015) More
|
 |
V8
events before and at MGLive! 2015
In the week before MGLive! on 20th/21st June we have visits
to Nuffield Place (Wednesday) and Bletchley Park (Thursday),
and on Friday a tour of the Hook Norton Brewery, lunch at the
Pear Tree Inn in Hook Norton and a V8 Supper at the Three Conies
bear Brackley not far from Silverstone. All V8 members and friends
welcome. At MGLive! there will be a warm welcome at the V8 Marquee
where V8 members and friends can meet up and in the Club's Main
Marquee we will have Nic Houslip's track day V8 Roadster on
display. Full details of the events, booking forms and bookings
lists available online. (SF June
2015) More |
 |
V8
Technical Day on Saturday 6th June 2015
This year's V8 Technical Day will be held at a new venue, the
John Thornley Suite at the Club's office at Kimber House, Abingdon.
The programme for the day will cover various aspects of owning
a V8 MG, with three principal speakers: Mike Macartney on rebuilding
a V8 Roadster, Mark Wanstall on carrying out Hoyle Suspension
upgrades and George Wilder and Chris Allan on their book "RV8
- the Manufacturing Story". Full details and a booking
form online. (SF June 2015) More |
 |
V8
Summer BBQ on Sunday 19th July 2015
Bob and Carolyn Owen are hosting a V8 Summer BBQ on Sunday 19th
July from 11am at their home in Mortimer, SW of Reading in Berkshire.
Full details from Bob on 0118 933 2533 and online.
(SF June 2015) More
|
 |
Lunchtime
Meeting for RV8 and V8 enthusiasts in the South West
Peter Ferguson has arranged another meeting for RV8 and V8 members
for Sunday 31st May 2015 from noon onwards at the The Dartmoor
Inn at Lydford located on the A386 between Tavistock and Sourton
on the western edge of Dartmoor. This follows the most successful
inaugural meeting in September 2014. All are welcome, owners,
wives, partners and friends. Contact Peter by email to let him
know you plan to join the lunch party. Email
& More (SF
June 2015) |
 |
Vehicle
tax renewal
Tax renewal or SORN online is a very convenient way of managing
this routine chore. You simply go to the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/vehicletax
and type in the 16 digit reference number on your V11 reminder
which starts the 4 stage process. What evidence of a current
vehicle tax or SORN do you have now that a paper tax disc is
no longer issued? Well you can print off the stage 4 confirmation
webpage and keep a copy in the glovebox so that you can produce
it for the traffic police in the UK or on Mainland Europe as
evidence your car is "taxed" in the UK.
(SF May 2015) More |
|
V8
Technical Day on Saturday 6th June 2015
This year's V8 Technical Day will be held at a new venue, the
John Thornley Suite at the Club's office at Kimber House, Abingdon.
The programme for the day will cover various aspects of owning
a V8 MG, with three principal speakers: Mike Macartney on rebuilding
a V8 Roadster, Mark Wanstall on carrying out Hoyle Suspension
upgrades and George Wilder and Chris Allan on their book "RV8
- the Manufacturing Story". Full details and a booking
form online. (SF May 2015) More |
 |
RV8
cats heat shield available
RV8 cats heat shields in a high grade heat resistant fibreglass
are now available from Clive Wheatley. The shields are fixed
between the cats and the underside of the floor of the bodyshell
to reflect heat generated in the exhaust system.They are bolted
to the underside of the car. In some cases the heat generated
around the cats can burn the underside of the floor in the passenger
compartment. The RV8 cats heat shield is available from Clive
Wheatley mgv8parts at £99 including VAT plus carriage.
(SF April 2015) More |
 |
ECU
upgrade power amplifier fixing check
The remote ignition amplifier fitted to an RV8 by sticking it
to the side of the engine bay fell off Paul Baker's car and
landed on exhaust manifold and burnt out! The installer's aftersales
support was good and they repaired the unit which Paul refitted
more securely using the secondary support of cable ties as a
safety mechanism so if it did come unstuck it would not fall
down onto the exhaust again. The important message is if you
have had one of these power amps fitted you might want to make
sure you put some cable ties around the wires at each end to
make it more secure. (SF April
2015) More |
 |
Planning
a trip to le Mans
In most years a group of V8 enthusiasts has gone to the annual
24 hours sportscar endurance race at le Mans. It's an event
that combines a sense of expedition, an opportunity to drive
on some relatively uncluttered French roads, the enjoyment of
good food and wine, and of course spectating the race! Here
Victor Smith provides a guide to planning your trip.
(SF April 2015) More |
 |
Popular
rebuild series
Following a major restoration of an MGBGTV8 previously owned
by Dugald MacNeil, Mike Macartney met up with his old friend
and as Dugald was so attached to the car, Mike generously let
it go back to him! But Mike had thoroughly enjoyed driving the
V8 so the MGV8 bug had bitten him! We soon heard Mike had bought
another MGV8 for restoration, a V8 Roadster conversion. As he
was preparing the car to start the restoration Mike then offered
to send in regular reports of the restoration which you can
follow here. (SF April 2015)
More |
 |
Events
in the week before MGLive! 2015
A visit to Nuffield Place, the home of one of the most remarkable
men of the 20th century and founder of the Morris Motor Company,
on Wednesday 17th June has been arranged by Ian Quarrington.
The following day Nic Houslip has arranged a visit to Bletchley
Park with its WW2 code breaking history and on Friday 19th June
we have a tour of the Hook Norton Brewery followed by lunch
at the nearby Pear Tree Inn both arranged by Debbie Brading.
On Friday evening an informal V8 Supper at the Three Conies
near Brackley has been arranged by James Brooks Fisher. (SF
April 2015) More |
 |
Tax
exempt evidence when driving in Mainland Europe
With the end of paper tax discs in 2014 you will now need to
carry evidence that a tax exempt classic car has a current NIL
value VED when driving in Mainland Europe. The main source for
checking current road tax status is the Vehicle Enquiry System
on the GOV.UK website where you will need to call up
the record for your car and print off a copy. The first line
will say "12 month rate - £0.00" and further
down "Vehicle status - tax not due".
(SF April 2015) More |
|
Anti-theft
GPS tracker for classic cars
With increasing concern over classic car theft, a self-monitoring
GPS tracker that alerts you if your car is tampered with or
stolen is good news. It's about the size of a box of matches
and can be easily fitted in a concealed location and connected
to the car's electrical system. Monitoring your car is done
using your mobile phone - even a basic mobile phone will do
because there are no apps to be loaded. It's all done with simple
text messages. (SF April 2015)
More |
 |
Updated
MGV8 price guide
As part of our regular update of our MGV8 Price Guide released
recently on the V8 website, Victor Smith and Adam Fiander highlight
some of the background to the price trends over the last 12
months. The increased interest in classic cars noted in our
price guide released in 2014 has continued over the last 12
months. We have seen prices of good quality MGV8s moving up,
particularly for MGBGTV8s. (SF
April 2015) More |
 |
Cars
built in 1974 eligible for the rolling VED exemption
From 1st April 2015 cars built in 1974 will be eligible for
the rolling VED exemption introduced in the Budget in March
2013 and made a 40 year rolling feature last year. The key date
for eligibility is the "build date" and not the date
of first registration. Enthusiasts with an eligible car need
to apply for a tax class change from PLG to "Historic"
and then for the NIL value VED at a local Post Office or direct
to DVLA Swansea. Our updated guide and flowchart will help you
through the process. (March 2015)
More |
 |
New
13 part Channel 5 series on classic cars featuring the respected
motoring journalist Quentin Willson
A new television series will put the world of classic cars in
your front room and the promoters say there's not an overblown
stunt in sight. A new 13 part series made its debut on
Channel 5 on Thursday 5th February at 7pm fronted
by Quentin Willson and Jodie Kidd. The first programme in the
series was a patchwork of parts seemingly aimed at various groups
with an interest in the classic car world. An MGBGTV8 features
in the promotional video flying by on a straight country road
with Quentin Willson at the wheel. We think the V8 will appear
as passionate case for a £5,000 bargain classic car buy
later in the series. (March 2015)
More |
 |
V8s
sell well at auction
Keith Belcher spotted three V8s in an Anglia Car Auctions' catalogue
and felt it is a rare auction when three chrome bumper V8s make
the rostrum in mid-winter. The three V8s sold well in January
when the star was a 1975 much restored but largely standard
Tundra V8 with a distinctive registration number and modified
with a walnut dash and full leather interior which made £17,010
against an estimate of £14,000 to £16,000.
(March 2015) More |
 |
Early
signs of an engine mounting failing
Bob Smith from Gloucestershire has a Sebring bodied MGBGT built
as dual purpose road legal and track day car with a 300bhp V8
engine. He mentioned how he traced a problem to weak engine
mounts -a useful reminder for RV8 members and a few GTV8 owners
with inner wing cut-outs for the exhaust. See the illustrated
V8NOTE485. (February 2015) More |
 |
Replacing
dashboard instrument bulbs with LEDs
Richard Withington posted a query on the V8 Bulletin Board seeking
help in how to get at the dashboard instrument bulbs to replace
them as he had had finally got round to acquiring some LED panel
lights for an upgrade from Classic Dynamo Conversions near Lincoln.
The first two bulbs were easy to install for the petrol gauge
and lower speedo, but the others seemed more challenging. His
first inclination was to lower the steering column so that he
could access the others because he felt he needed to be a contortionist
to get hold of them! Nic Houslip's reply proved that was the
case! (February 2015) More
|
 |
Everyday
Modifications for your MGB, GT and GTV8
A new book from Crowood Press in their "Everyday Modifications"
series by fellow V8 enthusiast Roger Parker contains a wealth
of useful tips on upgrades and improvements you can add with
the modifications he describes. It’s a very thorough and
authoritative book and one most MGB and GTV8 enthusiasts will
find a useful source of information and advice. At the discounted
price of £15.99 plus delivery from the Crowood Press online
site it is also very good value too. (February
2015) Crowood
Press website & Review
|
 |
Headline
events for 2015
For 2015 our first event is a V8 Curry held on Saturday 28th
February in Knowle near Solihull the night before the Stoneleigh
MG Show on Sunday 1st March. The core events include a visit
to Bletchley Park on Thursday 18th June in the week before the
Club's annual meeting, MGLive! at Silverstone, and the annual
V8 tour will be to Germany this year with a five day tour
(plus an optional additional day at Nürburgring) organised
by longstanding V8 members Walter and Brigitte Kallenberg. See
the Rolling V8 Calendar for full details and links.
Rolling V8 Calendar (January 15) |
 |
First
RV8 in Caribbean Blue sold
The first of the RV8s finished in Caribbean Blue was sold in
December by a longstanding member, Godfrey Barnes, to Jim Henderson.
The car, a UK spec car from 1993 is in Condition 1 with a hydraulic
power steering retrofit and an Optimax ECU upgrade, was car
previously owned by Bryan Ditchman, the original editor of the
RV8 Workshop Notes series and a regular contributor for many
years. Godfrey had previously owned an MGBGTV8 in Glacier White
in which he travelled with his Norwegian wife all the way to
North Cape well above the Arctic Circle in Norway and back.
(January 15) Caribbean
Blue 0265 |
 |
Emergency
contact disc
With the end of paper tax discs in October 2014 having an emergency
contact disc or ECD on your screen in place of the old tax disc
is certainly a useful idea and one which could provide essential
information at the scene of a collision or medical emergency.
(January 15) Download
an ECD
|
 |
Dash
cams - what are they like?
it is clear dash cams are being used in all types of vehicle
so why have one, what do they do, how do you set them up and
how do you get one? Victor Smith sets out what he found. Review
(December 14) Special
offer
See an illustrated seven page document
with details of the Digi-Cam Action Camcorder kit (what does
it look like and how do you set it up and use it) and examples
of the recording quality compared with the NextBase402G dash
cam. More &
Legals |
 |
Retrofitting
DRLs to a classic car
See the full article highlighting the relative visibility concern
for classic car drivers, particularly at night, and an installation
on an MGBV8 Roadster carried out by Vic Todman. More
(December 14) |
 |
Paying
road tax by Direct Debit
Following the end of paper tax discs in October the DVLA has
introduced a system where you can pay VED by Direct Debit. More
(December 14)
|
 |
Winter
layups
See our information gateway on winter layoups for a classic
car. More
(December 14)
|
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Major
MGV8 restoration
Dr Chris Ward at Applecross in the Highlands is close to finishing
a major restoration of his MGBGTV8. More
(December 14) |
 |
MGB
Workshop Notes on a USB Twister
The new MGB Workshop Notes series has many useful technical
notes for the MGB and MGBGT with service and spares tips contributed
by fellow members since 1978. The complete series with over
300 notes in four volumes and a detailed Index is available
on a memory stick with a special rate for current members of
the MG Car Club. (December 14)
More |
 |
Seasonal
Offers
Presents - what can I get a V8 enthusiast? We have a range of
V8 Regalia, offers from Brown & Gammons and Clive Wheatley
and copies of a reprint of "RV8
- the Manufacturing Story" and a few rare signed copies
of David Knowles' book "MG
V8" available. See the Seasonal
Offers webpage. (December 14) |
 |
Avoiding
a fine for incorrect number plates
A useful reminder to check you have the right number plates
for the year your classic car was built. More
(November 14)
|
 |
Getting
a replica tax disc for your MGV8
A small company near Barnsley in Yorkshire, Creative Tax Discs,
provides a good service. More
(November 14)
|
 |
Green
Hell - V8 at Nurburgring motor racing circuit
Enjoy a lap with Guy Konz. More
(October 2014)
|
 |
RV8
enthusiasts in Devon & Cornwall - Sunday 21st September
2014
Peter Ferguson is planning a meeting of RV8 members in Devon
and Corwall at the Dartmoor Inn. For full
details & booking see his briefing note. Contact Peter
at email.
All MGV8 members welcome. (September 14)
|
 |
Goodwood
Revival - Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September 2014
The annual three day festival of motorsport with a relaxed feel
and period setting. We have an informal V8 Gathering at the
event. See our outline
and briefing
for details of how to get a ticket, where to park, the layout
of the circuit. Goodwood bookings and ticket hotline 01243 755055
and Goodwood
website. Contact Victor Smith 07770 822977 on Friday
12th September to coordinate meeting up at the Circuit. See
a route
guide to Goodwood. (September 14)
|
 |
Early
pre-production development V8 sold at auction
Glacier White 0096, which was up for auction at the Silverstone
Classic Sale on Saturday 26th July 2014, is reported to have
been sold for £9,315 including auction fees and VAT. We
understand the hammer price was £8,100. (September
14) More |
 |
RV8
enthusiasts in Yorkshire
Stuart Mumby is planning a meeting of RV8 members in Yorkshire.
Do get in touch with him on 01430 871078. (August
14)
|
 |
V8
Garden Visit in Shropshire
For Sunday 17th August 2014 Clive Wheatley is arranging a private
visit to the beautiful gardens at Lower Hall, a privately owned
16th century timber house in the centre of Worfield, a village
3½ half miles east of Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Contact
Clive Wheatley for bookings
and more information on 01746 710810 or by email |
 |
Workshop
notes available on a USB memory stick
We have launched the new system of distributing sets of the
V8 and RV8 Workshop Notes using an easy to use, rapid loading
memory stick with the V8 Register logo on the case. So you will
be able to spot it easily when you need to check up on a particular
workshop note.. (August 14) More |
 |
Check
your agreed value when you renew your insurance cover
With the increase in MGV8 prices over the last couple of years
now is the time to check the agreed value in your policy. See
our updated price guide. (August 14)
More |
 |
Seat
belt repair
See our note on how and where to get your seat belts repaired.
(July 14) More |
 |
RV8
cooling problem traced to a small crack in the enck of the expansion
tank
See our detailed note on this
cause of overheating with an RV8. (July
14) More
|
 |
LED
lights conversion
Following the article on the LED bulb upgrade in the V8 Newsletter
in the April 2014 issue of Safety
Fast! the Editor received a letter from Keith Hobday who offered
a useful small correction and one piece of additional information.
A copy of Keith's letter was published in the June 2014 issue
of Safety Fast! together with a response from the author of
the article via a comment from the Editor. See a copy of Keith's
letter and the response from the author of the article plus
an updated table of replacement bulbs. More
See a copy of the revised article on LED lights conversion.
More
|
 |
MGBGTV8
brake servo failure - caution again
Fortunately brake failures from servo
problems are rare but there have been 14 reports from V8 members
of a near instant loss of braking. The latest report was from
Barrie Jones who said it had happened to a local V8 in Cornwall.
So our earlier advice to fellow V8 enthusiasts urging them to
have their brake servo checked is repeated. Please do have your
servo checked and better still either refurbished or a new servo
fitted as a replacement. It is simply not worth scrimping on
such a key safety issue. More |
 |
V8
events over the MG90 weekend
On Friday 20th June the traditional informal lunch at
the Pear Tree Inn at Hook Norton and later a V8 Supper
at the Three Conies Inn at Thorpe Mandeville. On Saturday 21st
and Sunday 22nd June the V8 Marquee at MG90 at Silverstone
will provide a warm welcome for V8 members and friends with
free tea, coffee and cakes and in the Club's Main Marquee
there will be an interesting MGBGTV8 display. The Club
dinner on Saturday evening will be popular with some V8
enthusiasts. On Sunday 22nd June the V8 AGM will be held
at 12.30pm at the V8 Marquee. Four MGV8s will be in the MG90
Timeline display over the weekend. More |
|
Successful
tax class change and free tax disc
See our updated guide to getting your tax class change from
PLG to Historic and apllying for a free road tax disc. See also
our helpful flowchart on how to apply either at a local Post
Office or direct to the DVLA Swansea. (May
14) Guide
& Flowchart |
 |
See
our earlier "More" pages
You can see the more information webpage
on articles and news items published in earlier
V8 Columns and V8 Newsletters. |
