Where is this Pre-Prod MGBGTV8 now?

With the 50th Anniversary of the 1974 launch of the rubber bumpered MGBGTV8 approaching in 2024, John Davies has volunteered to plan an event to celebrate the RB model. He is trying to get together as many of them as he can, not least the pre-production examples, and the first and last of the rubber bumpered models and a few other "notable" RB cars.

One of the notable RB V8s John is trying to find is an an early pre-production V8 which the Development Department at Abingdon used for an experimental fitting of rubber bumpers. It was last seen with COG Classics in Germany just a few years ago - does anyone know where it is now and who has it? Do let us know - email

Photo credit: COG Classics GmbH

Posted: 231219
Above is an early pre-production MGBGTV8 which the Development Department at Abingdon used for an experimental fitting of rubber bumpers. Built in 1973 it was used as a test vehicle for the MG Special Development Division for testing various components such as brakes, springs, tyres, wheels and much more. A vehicle diary was created documenting each test drive and was maintained meticulously until 1984. The car has the registration number URX 741N and is in the colour Blaze. The car was sold to a development department engineer Basil Smith and later passed to his son Graham in Somerset. Before it had covered 15,000 miles it had a complete engine and transmission overhaul. It was seen for sale with COG Classics in Germany and later reported as SOLD. See a photo report