Index to the book reviews available on the V8 website



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Updated: 230104



MGB - the superlative MG including the MGC & MGV8
by David Knowles, hardback, published 17/01/2022 by Crowood, pages 356 and ISBN: 9781785009419
.
Crowood have released details of a new book by David Knowles which will be another well researched and authoritative book on the model including the MGC and MGV8. A full review by a contributor will be posted here as soon as the book is available.
Crowood webpage 211219


Engine Builder's Handbook
How to Rebuild Your Engine to Original or Improved Condition
by Tom Munroe, p
ublished by HP Books in 1996, pages 176. ISBN: 978-1-55788-245-5
All of the information in this valuable companion guide is presented in terms easy to understand. It's packed with general tips, techniques and procedures that can be applied to all types of engine building, whether for musclecars, classics, hot rods, powerboats or all-out race cars. Peter Nixon says "it has 12 pages on camshaft theory and it covers the engine he has in his V8 Roadster, an SD1 with twin SU HIF carburettors as well as Range Rover 2.5 efi, 3.5 high compression and 3.5 low compression V8 engines". Review welcomed. 200604 More

How to power tune Rover V8 engines
b y Des Hammill, paperback 216 pages with good clear colour photos and diagrams, published by Veloce Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1787111769

This book is a brand new title in the best-selling SpeedPro series. It covers 3.5, 3.9, 4.0 & 4.6 litre engines from 1967 to the most recent. The information and advice helps you achieve maximum road or track performance and reliability for minimum expenditure. The book is suitable for the enthusiast as well as the more experienced mechanic. All the information is based on practical experience. See a review by Peter Nixon. 200403 Review


MGB Electrical System by Rick Astley
Moss Europe say "it covers everything from und
erstandable theory, to recommendations for upgrades and replacements for troublesome electrical components. The 185 page book is filled with colour photographs of components and simplified wiring diagrams of your MGBs electrical circuits. Both early, and late model MGBs are covered, as well as differences between UK and export models. We rate this book a "must have". The publisher Veloce says on its website the Updated & Revised New Edition was rated by bookauthority as the "best car electrical systems book of all time" but it shown as "out of stock".
200329 & 230104
Review
& Veloce & Moss webpage

MGB Story
Don Hayter

Softback, 96 pages with colour and monochrome photos. Published by Veloce in 2012. £14.99

This is the inside story of the workings of the MG Design and Development Office at MG in Abingdon from 1956 until the closure of the MG plant in 1980. More 180412

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. 170407 Review


Barrie's V8 Notes - maintaining an MGBGTV8 in the 21st Century
by Barrie Jones
Published by Barrie Jones, pp80 monochrome photos, softback
Barrie Jones is very well known to V8 enthusiasts for his fascinating series of reports of the rebuilding of his MGBGTV8 which has featured on the V8 website. In this neat 80 page A5 sized publication he has a wealth of information and tips on maintaining an MGBGTV8. Copies will be available from the V8 Register online shop. 150627 Review

How to give your MGB V8 power - new 4th edition
by Roger Jones
Veloce Publishing, pp224, softback, £45.00

Veloce have now published a softback printed copy of the revised fourth edition previously released as an e-book in June 2014 which is most welcome as a printed version is so much easier to browse as a reference book. Roger William's book has been regarded for many years as the authoritative guide to V8 conversions, but the revised edition incorporates useful updates and clarifications. The content covers the enhanced range of engine and suspension options that are now available and the consequent performance increases.
The 224 pages are generously illustrated with good photos and diagrams throughout. Veloce website & Review 150627

Take care if you buy a secondhand copy of this book on eBay or another online source because many of the earlier editions are offered rather than the new edition and it is not always made clear which edition is on offer!
Caution

Everyday Modifications for your MGB, GT and GTV8
by Roger Parker
Crowood Press, pp208 softback, £15.00 plus delivery

This new book by Roger Parker contains a wealth of useful tips on upgrades and improvements you can add to an MGB or GTV8. It's a well illustrated book with 362 photos, nearly all colour. It's a very thorough and authoritative book. 150109
Buy online at Crowood Press website & Review

Which Oil?
by Richard Michell
Published by Veloce, available as 128 page softback with 34 photos or as an e-book.

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 which of the plethora of oils available on the market todaywe should use inour classic or even older car? 140627
Review


How to give your MGB V8 power - revised 4th edition
by Roger Williams
Veloce Publishing, pp224 e-book format

This revised fourth edition of Roger Williams' book, regarded for many years as the authoritative guide to V8 conversions, incorporates useful updates and clarifications. The content covers the enhanced range of engine and suspension options that are now available and the consequent performance increases. It continues to be a book of real substance with an intelligent approach to thinking through the range of options and strategic issues you will need to focus on and weigh up at the outset when planning a V8 conversion of an MGB. Only available as an e-book at this stage its 224 pages are generously illustrated with good photos and diagrams throughout. The publisher Veloce is distributing the book through a selection of the leading digital book vendors like amazonkIndle, Google play, Waterstones and six other outlets from around £13.80. 140627 Veloce digital & Review


Your expert guide to MGB & MGBGT problems and how to fix them
By Roger Williams
Veloce Publishing pp175
A reprint of this useful book is welcome as it has proved to be a
valuable source of help and advice for many enthusiasts with the
MGB and MGBGT. The book was the first in an Auto-Doc series of
vehicle maintenance books from Veloce Publishing which aims to
provide a single publication that covers the majority of faults
and problems enthusiasts are likely to encounter with a
particular model. They say “an e-book version is coming soon. See Veloce at www.veloce.co.uk and www.velocebooks.com . Review
130903

MG V8
By David Knowles
Hardback with 320 pages and colour and monochrome photos
Published by Crowood Press in 2013

David Knowles digs deep to deliver a rich and detailed account of the series of powerful MGs with V8 engines seen over the last four decades. Through further research he has uncovered extraordinary detail of how the various V8 powered models were conceived, developed and produced. But what makes the book so attractive is his ability to combine the variety of insights gained from his contacts with many people directly involved at the time with his detailed knowledge of the paper records that have survived. The insights the book reveals on MG V8 history are both interesting and authoritative.
Review 130301

MG - The Untold Story
by David Knowles
Hardback, 256 pages

Following 12 years of research the book was published in September 1997. ISBN-10 0-7603-0408-4. More 120721

So you want to buy an MGBGTV8 or MG RV8?
by Victor Smith
Softback, 56 pages with colour photos

This MGV8 buyer's guide is packed with advice on how to research the MGV8 models, how to check a car offered for sale, negotiate a deal, make a safe payment and check you have the necessary documents. It's all in a useful a 56 page book and is some of the best information available with a five part guide to buying a classic MG, a sample receipt and advice on making a vehicle data check. More 100427

MG RV8 - The Manufacturing Story
A research paper by Christopher Allan & George Wilder
Softback, 113 A4 pages with colour and monochrome photos, tables and diagrams. Published by the MG Car Club 2011.

A detailed factual description of the RV8 manufacturing process together with an outline of the staff involved. The content is based on material in the Club's archives, interviews with the management and production staff involved with the RV8 production. The 113 page paper ensures that this fascinating detail of RV8 history is not lost to posterity. More 091111

Barrie's Notes on the MGB - Maintaining an MGB in the 21st Century
by Barrie Jones
Published by Barrie Jones as a softback with colour photos
.
Barrie Jones is very well known to V8 enthusiasts for his fascinating series of reports of the rebuilding of his MGBGTV8 which has featured on the V8 website over the last Winter and Spring. In this neat 82 page A5 sized publication he has released through the Club's MGB Register, he has a wealth of information and tips on maintaining an MGB. Much of the material naturally applies to the MGBGTV8 so it will be of interest to V8 members too. Copies are available via the Club Office. More 090719


opJöck
mit dem Oldtimer unterwegs durch Europa
von Claus Esser und Theo Klick

The title is "opJöck“ (Cologne dialect for "travel“, “on the move”) and describes a tour made by two German V8 enthusiasts and their adventures with their MGBGTV8 between the North Cape and the Strait of Gibraltar.
Review 090329

MG V8 - Twenty-One Years On . . . From Introduction to RV8
by David Knowles and the V8 Register with co-authors Roger Parker, Geoff Allen & Dave Wellings
Hardback, 130 pages with colour and mono photos

Now out of print and with very few copies available, prices of this useful book have risen as V8 enthusiasts have sought copies on eBay and at traders' stalls at MG events. The scope of the book ranges wide from the MG heritage through the MGB and MGC models to the launch and production of the MGBGTV8 model. Review
See a photo review of the book. Photo review

MG's Abingdon Factory
by Brian Moylan
Paperback, 96 pages, 160 colour & mono photos

Another book in Veloce's 'Those Were The Days' series which joins a series covering Goodwood, The Brighton Speed Trials, Brands Hatch and Crystal Palace. This book chronicles every aspect of the Factory from its opening amidst great euphoria in 1930 to its closing amidst sadness and recriminations in 1980. Review


How to give your MGB V8 Power - revised 3rd edition
by Roger Williams
Veloce Publishing

This totally revised third edition of a book regarded for many years as the authoritative guide to V8 conversions is now even better. The content has been developed in many useful ways covering the enhanced range of engine and suspension options that is now available and the consequent performance increases. Review 071122

Take care when you buy a copy of this book online because many of the earlier editions are offered and it is not always made clear which edition is on offer! Caution

Your expert guide to MGB & MGBGT problems and how to fix them
by Roger Williams

This is the first in a new Auto-Doc TM series of vehicle maintenance books from Veloce Publishing which aims to provide a single publication that covers the majority of faults and problems enthusiasts are likely to encounter with a particular model. This book covers the MGB and MGBGT but not the V8, but of course there is much common to both MGB and V8 so the book should be useful to both groups of enthusiasts. Review
V8 Register - MG Car Club - the leading group for MG V8 enthusiasts at www.v8register.net