The MGB GT V8 was produced by MG between 1973 and 1976, a closed-coupe GT bodied around the standard MGB GT shell, fitted with the 3528cc Rover V8 engine and accompanying V8-specific drivetrain, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems. Approximately 2,591 cars were produced over the three-year run, making the V8 a relatively rare specification of the MGB family. The factory V8 was offered in chrome-bumper specification (1973 to autumn 1974) and rubber-bumper specification (autumn 1974 to July 1976), with no factory roadster version produced.
Engine
The Rover V8 engine in the MGB GT V8 displaces 3528cc, 88.9mm bore, 71.1mm stroke, 8.25:1 compression, producing 137bhp DIN at 5000rpm. Engine numbers are 8-figure starting 4860, with the main production series running 48600001 to 48602596. The engine number plate is at the rear of the cylinder block, on the left-hand side near the bellhousing. The engine weighs approximately 320lb, around 40lb less than the four-cylinder MGB unit, helped by the all-aluminium construction of the cylinder block, heads and inlet manifold.
V8-Specific Components
The MGB GT V8 differs from the contemporary four-cylinder MGB GT in several major areas: the engine itself (Rover V8 in place of the BMC B-series), the cooling system (cross-flow radiator with twin electric fans, higher system pressure), the fuel system (twin SU HIF6 carburettors on V8-specific two-piece inlet manifold), the exhaust system (cast-iron V8 manifolds with V8 twin-pipe system), the gearbox bellhousing (V8-specific to suit the V8 flywheel), the front-end substructure (V8 sidemembers and modified front crossmember), the wheels (V8-specific Dunlop composite alloys), the wiring loom (V8-specific VL601/VL602), the fascia panel (V8-specific HZA4916E), and the V8 badging.
Production History
The MGB GT V8 entered production in 1973, with the first pre-production cars from V8 101 (December 1972) and series production starting at V8 124 (April 1973). Notable production stages include V8 1149 (November 1973, oil pressure gauge added), V8 1825 (June 1974, gauge calibration revised), V8 1956 (September 1974, heat shields added to four middle plug leads), V8 2266 (February 1975, heat shields added to two front plug leads), and the rubber-bumper changeover in autumn 1974.
The final factory V8 was completed in July 1976.
MGB GT V8 Categories
Parts and information for the MGB GT V8 are organised into seventeen top-level categories: Engine, Cooling, Fuel, Exhaust, Clutch Gearbox and Axle, Suspension and Steering, Road Wheels, Brakes, Electrics, Heating and Ventilation, Bodywork, Brightwork, Interior, Weather Equipment, Service and Lubrication, and Car Care. Each category covers the V8-specific components for that subsystem with sub-sections for individual product types.
MGOC Spares
MGOC Spares supplies the full range of MGB GT V8 parts and accessories, see individual categories for details.