So far there have been "artists' renditions" of the MGB RV8 in at least
two publications: the August Road & Track and the issue of Autoweek that
covers the 24 Heures du Mans (what would that be, june 22?). The picture
in Autoweek actually looked almost decent; the one in R&T is pretty silly.
If memory serves, a "1980 model" would be the one based on the BL Metro
platform, right?
Um, no, not quite. They're introducing an MGB, not an MG Metro. The
venerable old B was in fact in production through 1980.
Rover or whoever it is has released two known facts and a lot of
speculation about the car:
1. It will be constructed from standard MGB bodyshells as made by
the British Motor Heritage from original tooling. (These have
been available for several years now, apparently BMH has built
seven hundred or so of them. BMH are also building Sprite/Midget
shells and complete TR6 bodies as well.) These standard BMH
shells will be modified somewhat to fit the other, as-yet
unspecified changes.
2. It will use a 3.9L, 185-bhp version of the Rover V8 engine, an
engine that, in 3.5L form, was used in 2,311 MGB-V8s made between
1973 and 1977 or thereabouts and is therefore known to fit.
The speculation starts at this point and includes guesses on the
suspension mods (IRS?), appearance (big flared fenders?), appointments
(leather and A/C?), and US availability (not officially).
--Scott
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