The MG R V8 was a Factory Restomod MG B

For many years, the MG B was the most successful sports car of all time. But after Mazda shocked the market with the MX-5, Rover knew they had a battle on their hands, and before their all-new MG F could launch, they brought the attention back to one of their greatest hits.
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[@davidhayes4814]

“It wasn’t the problem with the car itself but with the company that built it” …. Very poignant and so well said.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

The RV-8 - it shouldn’t have worked, but I think it worked brilliantly - an utterly gorgeous car in my opinion.

[@kevinburke6743]

Butt Ugly with the hood down! That big lump behind the seats! Rear view mirror redundant!

[@Simon-ui6db]

If I owned that car, I certainly wouldn't be worrying about the air vents. Its GORGEOUS!!

[@judethaddaeus9742]

I’m only 40, but I remember when the R V8 made it into the US magazines. My 9 year-old mind was blown that Rover would do something so audacious. Of course, critics ripped it to bits for not being a leather-lined Miata. But that made it no less glorious. It was then that I fell into a rabbit hole where I learned that the Mini was still in production and you could get convertible versions, too. I have always admired these and Rover for doing something so different and with such pride in its history.

[@CheeseScout]

I really wanted to buy this car, a dark blue LHD RV8 conversion for myself. I really love it. But considering I have a Miata NB already, and my eyes dry out too easily, I ended up with a Packard instead...

[@TheCounty90]

I remember being a similar age and being asked to remove myself from the steps of a Rover stand at the 1992 British NEC motorshow for taking a picture of it with my Fred Flintstone camera. I still got the shot and I look at it every now and then to remind myself of the first and last time I got one over on the corporate world.

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

There are MINIS & then there are overfed German things called "minis". The later things are a travesty of the real thing. The MGR V8 was at least an exercise in what the soft top MGB should have become.I think they succeeded,pure & simple.They are still a car I lust after,but I'm running out of time to make ownership a reality. Nightfire or Oxford Blue would do nicely thank you.

[@leerose9436]

I own a MGRV8 in Nightfire Red ! A truly wonderful British Hand Built car ! The V8 sounds amazing ! I personally love the history surrounding the car ! It looks fantastic in Nightfire Red ! Only 152 were built in this colour ! A great car to own and drive ! Always admired and now sought after ! One of the Best MGs in my opinion ! Proud owner ! Great video 👍🙏🏻❤️

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Lee :)

[@Paul-tk2my]

No car wears that colour better than an RV8. TBF though all the colours are fantastic

[@VickersDoorter]

This was a fabulous car to own. I purchased mine new in Oxford Blue in 1994 at from Lancaster Rover in Mile End, East London. The V8 sounded suitably deep and sonorous and balance-wise it was particualrly lively at the back end, which made bendy B roads quite exciting. I only sold it when I purchased a DB7 in 1997 only to prefer driving the MG RV8. The only let-down was the Rover dealership. Lancaster Rover were shockingly-bad. Driving out of Lancaster's after it's first service, it felt quite rough, so I pulled over, opened the bonnet and found two spark plugs loose in the engine bay, their two HT leads hanging aside and the ignition chamber holes open. No surprise Rover went phut, with rot like that as the customer interface.

[@TwinCam]

Sounds very standard for a Rover dealer post-BMW takeover :(

[@Rjhs001]

Nailed it again Ed. Your content knocks any car show on TV into a cocked hat. The only mystery is why you don't have more subscribers. Many thanks once again.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)

[@thatcheapguy525]

Ed, we need to convince Manor Park Classics to let you take these cars out for a blast

[@spaceace1006]

Many years ago..like in the 70s, My Cousin had a Sunbeam Alpine that had been retro-fitted with a Ford 289 V8. It had a Holley 4bbl, Doug Thorley Headers. 4 speed Ford Trans mission. Also the drive shaft and rear axle were modified Ford components. It was like a bloody rocket!!!

[@shaunicorn407]

A great video as usual. I watched the last few of these be made in cowley the next shed ( and that’s being polite) along in the plant was making bodies for rolls Royce. Properly made with great care and attention to detail, Lots of the production staff on the rv8 project bought these themselves.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@stvnkll]

As usual, well researched and well presented.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate 🙂

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Unbelievably charismatic car.

[@charlesowen4728]

You always manage to transmit your love of cars in your videos. If you were trying to sell a car to me you would get a sale every time

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate, that's very kind of you to say :)

[@jgsheehan8810]

I love the idea of these. I wish we got them in Aussie. I’d love one.

[@leerose9436]

Hi..Lots of ex Japanese cars have found there way to Oz and New Zealand 👍🙏🏻

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

It looks like they took an MGB to a custom shop and then produced the car they got back. I love it. If I bought an old worn out MGB. This is probably what I would turn it into

[@timwingham8952]

From every angle - DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.

[@RodneyMunch8767]

Fantastic video, Ed! Giving the viewers the whole context behind this car was brilliant. I wish you could have driven it.

[@anthonystevens8683]

Very well presented Ed. This just wasn't a re-introduction of the MGB but as you mention a new re-birth of a classic legend. Personally I prefer the original shape but as you say the early 1990s was a different time when views were different. I'm OK with the BL... err sorry Rover parts bin bits as it probably not only kept the retail price down but the time to market as well. New bits = new tooling = testing = production and inventory. It's quite astonishing that these didn't sell like hot cakes even given the retail price close to that of a TVR that had it's own... foibles to deal with. Many thanks for sharing Ed.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Anthony :)

[@barryjackson8512]

Great video as always. Simply stunning car.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Barry :)

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

I remember these coming out when I was 9 years old, at the time I thought it was a old fashioned car, but now when. I see one I get goosebumps especially one in BRG, they sound lovely and look fantastic, maybe I was too biased towards my love of Fords back in the day!

[@nicksmpsn6546]

I'd buy this car on looks alone. What's not to love? Thank you for doing a video on one of my favourite cars of all time!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Nick :)

[@plym1969]

Fascinating video. I don't remember these at all. Not surprising as so few built. I think it looks great, both inside and out. Great video as always Ed👍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks as always mate :)

[@michaeltutty1540]

A magnificent colour of paint. The way it catches light is amazing. Add that delicious interior and I'm in love.

[@TwinCam]

Nightfire Red really is a fabulous colour.

[@johntaylor7904]

Very well presented. Thank you 👍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks John :)

[@simply_psi]

I always thought the side profile looked like a baby Bentley, it still is a jaw droppingly handsome car

[@matejheldak8104]

Great video. And now I am really looking forward to see an MG F on your channel

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :) It may happen next year, but I can't confirm anything yet!

[@chrisjones6017]

Absolutely brilliant video

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Chris :)

[@grayfool]

I always thought that the RV8 was a rather strange thing for ROver to build. Apparently I wasn't the only one hearing the production numbers. Very nice in it's own way but just no local market for it. Personally I would rather have a B GT V8 with a few mods to bring it up to date a bit. Can we have a vidoe featuring the Europa in the background? Pretty please?

[@TwinCam]

I'd love to, but availability is the problem. Earliest I could put that video out, the auction will have already happened.

[@grayfool]

@@TwinCam bum.

[@gregrsvr3947]

Seen a couple of these at classic car show in the Summer, they are stunning in the flesh

[@leeforeman3656]

Great review. Fantastic car, no doubt will sell at a high price.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Lee :)

[@asciimation]

I have a 78 B I restored and a Disco 1 with a Rover V8 in it. That could be handy one day! For anyone familiar with MGBs the doors on the RV8 stick out so much as being standard B items.

[@gangstagarf]

fantastic video

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Ed , great video what a beautiful car such a shame it not really take off . Thanks Ed.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Shaun :)

[@kelstra1997]

I've always really liked these. I had a few B's in my younger days but these were something else. That particular one here is magnificent. Presumably it's a restoration and a damn good one.That colour is fantastic too. Reminds me a lot of Mazda's 'Soul' colour. Excellent review as well.

[@TwinCam]

Nightfire Red was a fantastic shade. Was Rover's best colour of the '90s in my opinion. This doesn't look like a restoration to me, unless it was done many years ago.

[@rogerrees9845]

I completely forgot about this car...it looks fantastic....I thought B.L. jumped straight to the M.G.F.. Thank you so much for all your appraisals.. Roger

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Roger :)

[@blackvulcan100]

Beautiful looking car, especially in that colour.

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, Ed. Love this colour!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks as always mate :) Nightfire Red is very rare on them.

[@roberttaylor6295]

Nailed it again, Ed, you perspicuous professorial purveyor of persuasive, peremptory perfection of well researched and presented review gems! But, as always, it's a shame the clenched sphincter advertising depart of the auction house would not let you steal a march on their competitors by letting you behind the wheel of the excellent V8 and properly enhance its classical desirability. Hey Ho! Rob

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Robert, but it would have been illegal for them to have let me drive this.

[@alphatrion100]

I love this version the most

[@rogerking7258]

I still can't decide if the thing is a sick joke or a stroke of genius. Whatever, it's certainly fascinating. And describing it as a "factory restomod" makes me look at it in a whole new light. They certainly made it look more classy, the back end in particular seeming to come from Bentley. I'd love it if Ford did the same with the Mk3 Cortina.

[@TwinCam]

I think it's genius. They were never going to sell any, because anyone weighing up numerous sports cars would have been mad to buy one, but it's an exercise in branding and tradition, rather than a genuine stab.

[@StephenGreen-cv7ne]

As well as MG, Triumph and Jaguar. Austin Healey was from the same BMC/BL group, and that brand was also responsible for producing some superb sports cars

[@scarbourgeoisie]

If only GM had licensed the use of the Buick 215 rather than selling outright to the Rover. It's amazing how many cars this little V8 gem with Buick origins ended up in decade after decade. Americans invented Rock n' roll, but the Brits perfected it. Same could be said for the 215.

[@Low760]

GM did do the Buick v6 forever.

[@timgriggs8592]

It was the early 60s when the deal was done - you can imagine that almost no self-respecting GM exec was interested in anything less than 289 cubic inches... sigh.

[@cdjhyoung]

I've always questioned the wisdom expressed by BL when they decided to leave the sport car market in the late 1970's. And your comment that the Triumph brand was considered the stronger image by them is just dumb founding. In the US - their largest market - MG was held in much greater esteem that Triumph by a long shot. I must not have been studying the car magazine when this came out in the 1990's. It is a dream to look at. The specs you quote seem to fix the earlier problems of the B platform with the exception of retaining the rear drum brakes. Guess they wanted to leave room for improvement. That the Japanese market got the majority of the production at the same time the Miata B was being introduced really surprises me. Too bad Rover didn't bring it to the US market.

[@richardprice7763]

Always loved the wheels on these...

[@mcjdubpower]

Very gud vid 💯💥

[@GeneFraxby]

There's one just round the corner from me in a nice dark olive green... I've always looked at it and wondered... "That's a Rover V8.... What if if put the 5.0 TVR version and gearbox in, and then supercharged it? " I mean, it'll fit. Kind of....

[@TwinCam]

Would be scary! There is a Frontline MG B with a supercharger though...

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Only one way to find out :)

[@a11csc]

i was lucky to see 1 in the development shed at cowley

[@MrRicardo11]

I was with Rover when they launched the Rv8. I had two of them as company cars. My first one was blue and the fit and finish was beautiful and there was a great burble from the engine. However every one we sold including both the cars I had leaked like a siv and tried to kill you in a wet climate. However, on a dry day, they were phenomenal to drive and great fun and they could shift. I remember driving up the road in one with the rear end hanging out for about 300 yards and it steered perfectly and precisely. Try the same in the Wet and it would definitely try and kill you. I'd still buy one today

[@TwinCam]

Love it!

[@thomasfrancis5747]

IIRC the plan was always to only build around 2,000 but it sold so badly in the UK that the balance were virtually dumped on the Japanese market. Even so, I think the styling has worn well and with their 25 year import rule I could see quite a few now ending up in the States - pity they never made any LHD versions.

[@ravenouself4181]

I mean, look at it. It's adorable and must be protected.

[@hasbeengood]

Good show once again. If you want to talk about 'parts bin cars' have a look at the Lotus Europa behind and the many parts sources it had! Would make for antother interesting show.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@michaelhughes3302]

I want one, for sure!

[@MGB-learning]

Nice R V8

[@warrenny]

Wonderful car. I've watched this video a few times. Such a beautiful car. Not sure if you made mention of it but the front end is channeling a Porsche 911.... I suppose to give it a more sports car look.

[@TwinCam]

Funnily enough, those are 911 headlamps.

[@warrenny]

@@TwinCam haha. Brilliant!

[@Paul-tk2my]

Beautiful looking car. Notoriously difficult to sell though. They tend to go to eclectic buyers as ‘B’ owners stick with what they know. I gave up trying to sell ours and we’ve decided to get the much needed power steering upgrade and keep it.

[@user-pv2qq6fv1w]

I had a BGT v8 and got better mpg than with my MG as the engine was never working as hard as the 1.8. The MGRV8 is a brilliant vehicle. I would have one today with improved brakes, suspension and steering. Great driving car.

[@simmadpaul2880]

Now this kind of thing is all the rage now. Its called restomodding. Can we say MG were ahead of the game for once.

[@billsmith1770]

never knew they existed , thanks . back in the 1980s i helped with an all ford power car show . someone showed up with a completely stock appearing mgb . when told his car couldn't enter , he opened the hood (america) to reveal a ford v8 (289 or 302 cu in) very neatly installed . the only tipoff that it hadn't been factory installed was the reversed exhaust manifolds (left side to right , right to left) and flex exhaust pipes exiting into fenderwells in the front . i always wanted one of my own .

[@Low760]

The rv8 is an amazing thing given they used the same suspension that the minor had, in 1992! There's a MGB gt with rv8 front and rear welded in. It's very cool and well done.

[@markw4263]

I know this is an off-topic comment, but you'd be uniquely qualified to look at a car I've always been fascinated by - the eccentric British make of Bristol. You were probably not born by the time they folded, but I'd love to see an Anglo-centric review of one of those old beasties. I've seen a total of one in person - an older model at a repair shop in Sonoma, California - but would love to see an in-depth review of one. Consider it a long-term goal :)

[@TwinCam]

Bristol went on for longer than you'd think, until 2011! Someday, if ever I'm offered one (slim chance I know!), I'd jump at it!

[@kao3115]

約20年共に過ごしましたがとても味がある車でした。ただ3年目の最初の車検までは快適でしたがそれ以降は故障との戦い。メーカーも潰れてなかなか部品の調達も難しく、年間に100万円を超える支出の年も有り貯金がどんどん減ってしまい、最終的に手放す事となりました。

[@samrobinson566]

Cool video, but is that a Europa in the background? How about a video on that too please? 😁👍🏻

[@MetrosCarBlog]

You need to watch the Wheeler Dealers Europa episode - that's the very car from it.

[@TwinCam]

I'd love to, but it's time that's the problem. By the time I could upload it, the auction will have happened!

[@samrobinson566]

@@TwinCam Thats a shame. However, keep up the good work, because your channel is great and deserves many more subscribers 👍🏻

[@samrobinson566]

@@MetrosCarBlog thanks mate 👌🏻 😊

[@pwensor]

Rover Group never intended to built more than 2000 of the MGR V8 - I'd highly recommend David Knowles book, "MG V8" to get the full story.

[@ronwade5646]

Such fun to drive though, no matter which battery terminal goes to earth.

[@CheeseScout]

From a program managing perspective, there is no car in history I can recall, requiring so little of investment, with a more satisfying result.

[@TwinCam]

I think you might be right there.

[@lib556]

I want one.

[@ianclegg9572]

I used to work at a rover dealership in Bury they had an RV8 in the showroom as i was the valeter it was my favorite car to keep in tip top condition, I used to do my fruit if the sales team got theit grubby fingertips all over it just for the sake of touching it, obviously i kept my mouth shut if a customer had done it as they where the potential new owner she was a Green one absolutely gorgeous it was

[@christopherwilliams9418]

Hot take but I prefer the 70s bumpers over the 60s ones. :P

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

Why no LHD models ?

[@TwinCam]

I just don't think there was a demand in LHD markets.

[@rogerwilco4736]

A wonderful politician i want to live in poland!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Very nice car, but I'd go for a Mazda. And I say that as someone who owns both a Mazda and a Jaguar.

[@TwinCam]

I would as well, but they really aren't comparable.

[@robybabe4461]

No sign of it on the manor park website 😭😭😭😭

[@TwinCam]

I can't see it either, weirdly.

[@thomasreilly6362]

All of this could have been avoided if the Daimler SP 252 went into production filling the gap between a big Healey and MGB. Its a beautiful looking car and the refined front is nothing like the catfish look of the SP250. An opportunity missed 🤦‍♂️

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

A factory restomod.

[@jetsons101]

I even like the color.....

[@TwinCam]

Nightfire Red was a cracking shade.

[@jetsons101]

Years back I had a old 67 XKE that was Regency Red, great jag color/colour. mike @@TwinCam

[@ethan-is7dn]

The mg b is my dream car

[@leonardosimm3536]

I'm going to be an outlier here I know, but I can't bring myself to like that car. It strikes me as a bloated MGB/C and it's lost the elegance of the original lines, although I can see what they were trying to achieve. The tyres (how high are those side walls?) are a big part of what to me looks like a stodgy, heavy/ungainly car; a different wheel design with lower profile tyres would improve all the lines, I think. The production numbers you quoted answered one of the queries I had, which was that I couldn't remember ever seeing one in the flesh. Maybe they look better to the naked eye? I'm all for restomods when done tastefully, but this updated version of a classic shape misses the mark for me. Still, if we all though the same way, it would be a boring world, wouldn't it? Thanks for all the informative videos; keep 'em coming...

[@TwinCam]

It is certainly less elegant, but I think it still suits its haunches brilliantly. The front end is what lets it down in my opinion. As for the tyres though, this is 1992. The vast majority of cars had tyre sizes very similar to this, as did the original MG B, just with less width.

[@leonardosimm3536]

Happy to have a different opinion on the styling without any rancour. I was 27 in '92 and my point about the tyres is that the car doesn't suit its own wheels/tyres, and they're another jarring styling mistake in my opinion. @@TwinCam

[@pgilb70]

Leaf springs. Lol

[@TwinCam]

Leaf springs are still widely used in vehicles today. They aren't sophisticated, but they work.

[@arthurdardalis]

Front headlights from a 911

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

The RV8 was the car the MGB always should have been

[@pwensor]

The ONLY reason you couldn't bring back the TR7 is that the body tooling literally no longer existed.

[@TwinCam]

That’s one reason. It’s the major one. But it’s not the only reason.

[@user-yy8gm9ri4p]

It is interesting that lots of relative youngsters these days are commenting on BL/Rover models and their history. Unfortunately they seem to have picked us a lot of fairly stories, some of these being positive and some negative. Sprinkled amongst these fairy stories are bits of truth. I have to say that over 50% of this commentary on the MGRV8 sounds true to me and some more sound plausible but about 25% is fairy story. I know as I was there within Rover Group at the time. More research would probably not have produced such an exciting story but would have been moe factual.

[@TwinCam]

Anthony, what parts of this are ‘fairy story’?

[@davidw6469]

I’d be interested to know which parts you disagree with Anthony. Perhaps present some facts with appropriate evidence and then we can form a view.

[@user-yy8gm9ri4p]

@@davidw6469 MG RV8 The start of the demise of the TR7 was the unofficial strike in 1977 that went on for more than 3 months (Back from the Brink, Sir Michael Edwards, published by William Collins & Sons, 1983, ISBN 0 00 217074 4, pp 65) at Triumph’s Speke factory. Closure of Speke No.2 Assembly was not just decided based on the factory’s IR issues but also because of overcapacity in the Cars part of the organisation. TR7 production was to be moved, ultimately, to Solihull alongside other Triumph car assembly (Back from the Brink, pps 69-72). The TR7 was only maintained on the basis that it was being given a chance to become less of a loss maker and it’s transfer to the Midlands was justified on the basis that it would support the BL distribution network in the US. Similarly, MG had made a £26 million loss in its final year at Abingdon. As losses continued within BL there had to be a reduction in headcount by an additional 25,000 over and above those identified by the board. To achieve this Triumph production at Canley would cease and MG models produced at Abingdon would be discontinued. The unfavourable $/£ exchange rate was causing issues and it was calculated that this was causing an unsustainable loss in the region of £900 on every car sold in the USA. The age and the MG models and uniqueness of components counted against them (Back from the Brink, pp 98). The company could not support such a drain on resources. Had there been any thought of promoting Triumph as a sports car manufacturer rather than MG then MG EXE would not have been built as an MG, it would have been a Triumph TR9, I guess. Triumph was taken along the route of well-appointed cars ending with the Triumph Acclaim in 1984 built at Cowley, just before MG EXE was revealed as a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985. In the summer of 1989 John Towers called a meeting to investigate the reintroduction of an MG sports car from the ‘Stock parts/parts bin solution’. Nick Stevenson, head of engineering and design at Rover was supportive of an MG sports car and a meeting was held at Canley attended by, amongst others, David Bishop from British Motor Heritage (BMH) and Roger Parker, a former Midlands motorway police officer, who took along his home built MGB V8 Roadster. Discussions revolved around the issues of, and barriers to, building a new MGB roadster based on the Heritage bodyshells. It was the sight of Parker’s car that rekindled the idea of a reborn MG (Project Phoenix the birth of the MGF, Ian Adcock, published by Bloomsbury, 1996, Chapter 8). In late 1989 RSP (Rover Special Products) were tasked to look at niche products within Rover Group. This led to them developing an MG roadster revival, following viewing of Parker’s V8, as well as investigating producing an all-new small, technically advanced, MG sports car. Development of the V8 roadster based on the MGB bodyshell, that had been returned to production in small volumes by BMH, commenced to follow the development route of the Porsche 911 launched in 1963 and despite being completely re-engineered still recognisable in its current iteration today (Project Phoenix the birth of the MGF, Ian Adcock, published by Bloomsbury, 1996, Chapter 9). The development of the V8 roadster based on the MGB bodyshell was given budget of £5m and Project Adder was born with an ultimate plan to build no more than 2,000 cars, hence the low production volumes - BMH had only been producing up to 15 bodyshells a week for enthusiasts wishing to rebuild their rotten MGs and (real) Minis. At the same time Project Phoenix was launched which led to the launch of the MGF as an affordable mid-engined sports car. You can find more about this car in ‘Project Phoenix the birth of the MGF’ by Ian Adcock, published by Bloomsbury (ISBN 0 7475 2695 8) 1996, Chapter 12 on. I hope that this helps with a better understanding of the development and launch of the MG RV8 how the Triumph TR7 did not play any part in the development of it. Anthony Osborne Former Works Historian Rover Group/MG Rover Group

[@marcelbeaty8671]

Mines in oxford blue .

[@Paul-tk2my]

Another fantastic colour

[@Dominic-mm6yf]

Spot on,they looked cool but were overpriced and not as fast as they should have been.

[@TwinCam]

Very overpriced. I'm not convinced on the speed though. I think they were plenty quick enough for 1992. Just didn't have the dynamics to keep up.

[@bmwnasher]

They only made one old English white colour, apparently they mocked about with the chassis numbers to confuse people.

[@dcpete5475]

You forgot ALFA ROMEO HA HA HA

[@TwinCam]

I’m not sure what you’re talking about and why that matters, but I do mention Alfa Romeo.

[@dcpete5475]

@@TwinCam The Alfa Romeo Spider was from 1966 till 1993 on always the far better car.............

[@TwinCam]

@dcpete5475 I don’t see your point at all. What is the point you’re trying to make?

[@dcpete5475]

@@TwinCam whatever

[@dcpete5475]

@@TwinCam It would have been far more interesting to talk about 2 seaters of the same era as the MG B like the Alfa Spider, Fiat Spider 2000, lancia etc. I like your program but this is my comment.

[@venenareligioest410]

As usual the British car industry, as we laughingly called it, misread the runes! They abandoned the sports car market in the 80’s and left it wide open for Mazda, Toyota and Nissan to sell millions of sports cars!

[@TwinCam]

The key, barring the MX-5, is where did they sell those sports cars?

[@venenareligioest410]

@@TwinCam Globally.

[@TwinCam]

That’s part of it - but think about their best performing markets and where Rover were able to sell cars. They don’t line up one bit.

[@venenareligioest410]

@@TwinCam Probably because the market penetration of ‘The British Car Industry’ was limited due to their appalling reputation for poor quality and reliance throughout the world.

[@doommonger7784]

​@@TwinCam Living in Australia in the 70s and 80s hardly saw an MG or TR7. Plenty of Datsun later Nissan Z cars along with Toyota Celica, Supra, and Mitsubishi Starion sports cars, all better build, better quality and reliability.

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

A REAL MGB with thr roof off would've been nice instead of a GT. Apples with apples

[@TwinCam]

Are you actually annoyed about the body style of an old MG used for B-roll? 🤣🤣

[@user-pb8vc8vp8w]

@@TwinCam Not annoyed,but the RV8 was never a hardtop gt.Compare a soft top "B" with the soft top RV8 is showing like for like.Yes the gt went V8 but the roadster never did.The RV8 shows quite markedly how the original open car could become with little vision needed.There are quite large numbers of earlier open "B"s now with V8 conversions but extremely few as polished as the RV8. Only my view,but I don't think I'm alone.Nothing personal,I still enjoyed your critique.

[@martinclapton2724]

Hi, yes the hot hatch killed the traditional sports car . Not only for practicality, with the availability of load space , but from a manufacturers point of view , it was more economical to produce. Essentially, they were beefing up a car already in production and the advent of macpherson strut suspension, and FWD with end on gearbox technology, the engine /transmission/ front brake assembly/ suspension layout , could be installed in one manoeuvre , a third of costs compared to a traditional RWD layout. Fiat possibly set the template with the 128 design , but they to, like BL , continued to build traditional sports cars , the Fiat 124 spider and X19 , even though the hot hatch changed the market. They farmed out the production of these to their respective designers , Pininfarina and Bertone , when the figures didn’t add up,, , but still sold well., proof the market was still there albeit in smaller numbers. I agree, the MGB/GT range has fantastic good looks , obviously in earlier chrome bumper guise, but often not appreciated mainly due to its popularity, or even snobbery. When this reincarnation came out it caused one hell of a stir , for the very reasons you mentioned being an older base design, but it also helped sales , I believe they sold as quick as they made them

[@jamesmatheson5115]

The MGC should have been a V8, but BMC was pretty useless with their ability with what people really wanted.

[@TwinCam]

The MG C could not have been a V8 unless BL would have developed one from scratch.

[@gzk6nk]

V8 power and leaf spring suspension.... What could possibly go wrong? I'll stick with my MX5 thanks.

[@TwinCam]

As I say in the video, the MX-5 was not a competitor.

[@Paul-tk2my]

Don’t get all the forore about Japanese cars. We can all take someone else’s idea and improve on them. When they design something from scratch we get the Honda Civic

[@gzk6nk]

@@Paul-tk2my or the MX5 which you clearly haven't driven. You also seem to be under the misapprehension that the MX5 isn't 100% a Mazda design and build car. I suppose you think the Jag E Type was a TR2 rip off as well. Jeez!

[@TwinCam]

I have to agree here, Paul’s comment is uneducated at best, especially as successive Civics are deified as some of history’s greatest drivers cars. Japan made undoubtedly the best cars in the world in the 1990s, and there’s no wonder that Japanese cars are central to car culture in the vast majority of people under 30.

[@Paul-tk2my]

@@TwinCam Have you got a Civic?

[@loosabway3400]

Drive the ****ing thing ffs!

[@TwinCam]

I’ll await your insurance to cover me?

[@loosabway3400]

@@TwinCam c'mon, you drive loads of priceless stuff. I watch your channel (fab). There must be enough money to cover this.?!?

[@TwinCam]

@loosabway3400 KZbin doesn’t pay that well, though I wish it did! My insurance (now sadly lapsed) only covered previously privately insured cars, and that was third party only. These cars are not privately insured, which means driving them would be illegal. Regardless, I don’t think driving cars will be a thing at all next year. Was a loophole I sneaked through anyway, and being 23, no insurance company is interested in covering me.

[@loosabway3400]

@@TwinCam That is a touch tragic. I'm a relatively well-heeled old fart but surely there are better-heeled old farts that can fund you for this? The reactions of a 23-year old to the stuff we used to drive are pretty priceless.

[@TwinCam]

@loosabway3400 To he really honest, it’s less a money thing, more an age thing. The insurance providers are just not interested at all. It’s difficult enough getting insurance on my BMW this year!

[@finlayfraser9952]

Not as pretty as the MGA! Weren't you allowed to take it for a drive?

[@TwinCam]

I know the MG A is widely regarded as being very pretty, but I've just never seen it. I wish I could have, but no insurance to do so makes it illegal.

[@simonuden8450]

So, not so much coming back from the dead, as Dead on Arrival. It was never a success by any measure. Yes, it's the MG that everyone wanted, but at the wrong price, and with too much bling and not enough technical improvement - solid rear axle, drum brakes and leaf springs in 1992? No wonder it failed.

[@TwinCam]

It was a success by Rover’s expectations. That’s the very definition of success. Everything you mention about mechanics, as explained in the video, is immaterial. Everyone knew it was an old car, but it was a vanity project to keep the name in minds. By that metric, it did just as well as anyone could have hoped.

[@larryayres4592]

I completely disagree with you that the TR7 was a better car than the MGB. It was ugly, cheaply made, had putrid paint colors and tacky plaid seats, claustrophobic inside and I bet, if it is like other Triumphs, a rattle-trap. I've owned Triumphs, 2 MGBs, a TD, and 2 Jaguars and loved them all and was never even tempted by the TR7. You couldn't give me one.

[@TwinCam]

None of what you say there makes it worse than an MG. For starters, most of that is personal taste, while the quality part is a none issue as both cars were poorly made. As for the claustrophobia, that’s simply untrue. The TR7 is a much larger car with a much larger interior. To say it’s more claustrophobic than an MG B is borderline ridiculous. The TR7 was more practical, more comfortable, more efficient, faster, more capable, and had surer handling. By every non-personal metric, the TR7 was a better car. After all, it was thirteen years newer.

[@larryayres4592]

Fair enough. But personal taste is what sells cars and none of my friends in various car clubs in the USA had or liked the TR7. Also, I never thought of my MGBs as poorly made. They had their quirks or weak points (in the design) like all cars though, but those are easily remedied.

[@forestghost7]

​@@larryayres4592I own 2 show cond MGBs, 80 roadster and 72 GT hatch, factory shortcomings weren't hard to fix, my 2 are dead reliable and driven daily

[@larryayres4592]

Agreed. I put a SU electronic fuel pump on my MGTD and a pertronix ignition and drove it 25 miles to work each day for 3 years. Never failed me. On my MGBs I always carried a spare throttle cable as mine broke and left me stranded once. Easy to fix with a spare, but impossible without one. @@forestghost7

[@marcelotorreani5754]

Overpriced, bloated dinosaur...a boring rehash of a glorious past...no wonder Rover went belly up

[@TwinCam]

You win today’s prize for falling a mile away from the target 🤣

[@Bobblenob]

Too much history. Wanted to watch the MGB V8 not a history lesson

[@TwinCam]

Please go elsewhere then. Twin-Cam isn’t about tired cliches and superlatives, dumbed down for a mainstream audience. Twin-Cam is about historical and engineering retrospectives for enthusiasts.

[@MakerfieldConsort]

The sort of videos you're after are ten a penny on KZbin. The reason this channel has achieved 46,000 subscribers in just four years is that he's offering something different. We like to learn not only about the cars, but also their context. And yes, we do also like to see them driven, when it's possible. Not all these videos are as static as this one. Still, if it really isn't your thing, then fair enough - no single style can appeal to everyone.

[@GeneFraxby]

First time watching this channel?

[@simongray2533]

🤣🤣 The history is exactly what the channel is all about and why many of us come. There are loads of channels offering what you want!

[@philhealey4443]

​@@TwinCamWell put. You're up with Hubnut and Big Car, so fully entitled to call the shots. Keep up the good work; Triumph 2.5PI and VDP 4 Litre R would make great reviews.

[@meltuchman3280]

If this revitalized and gorgeous Mgb, 8 cylinder had come to America. As a full production import. In the nineteen eighties it would have been a fabulous selling car..... Every single triumph owner and m GB owner in the 60s and 70s would have jumped to buy this car. It is so beautiful and so civilized and so classy.... But of course, the british missed the mark and for whatever reason, never brought it to america