Our Classic of the Month for April is the ultimate MG, that combines classic British sports car design, with a luxurious interior, and a powerful 3,950cc Rover V8. This particular MG RV8 dates from 1994 and owned by PCVC member, Andy Papaiacovou.
The MG Rover Group produced the MG RV8s in the early 1990s as a modern interpretation of the much missed MGB which had sadly ceased production 10 years earlier. The new car incorporated updated technology, modern engineering, and greatly increased performance within a heritage styled body shell and was supposed to appeal to loyal MG enthusiasts as well as new markets.
RV8s were largely hand-built at the Cowley plant in Oxford, highlighting their quality and bespoke nature. This is reflected in the striking, luxury interior, with magnolia coloured, Connolly leather, seating and beautiful veneered dashboard, central console and door cappings. The two seat sports car is powered by the Rover 3.95 litre V8, which develops 200hp and driving through a 5 speed manual gearbox, produces an acceleration of 0/60 in less than 6 seconds and a top speed of 135mph.
However, all this performance and luxury came with a rather hefty price-tag, the UK list price being £26,000, and, whilst the MG RV 8 was well received at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show, with over 1300 orders being taken, UK and USA sales proved to be disappointing. During the 3 year production run less than 2000 were manufactured, which makes the MG RV8 a rare and very desirable modern classic car.
Andy`s RV8, which has the production number 564, was built in February 1994 and originally sold on the Japanese market. Being a Japanese car it is even equipped with air conditioning, which could come in useful during the Cypriot summer. His car was re-imported to the UK in 2007 and purchased by him last year, with the incredibly low mileage of only 20,240. He just had to buy it as he fell in love with it classic sports car lines, the luxurious leather interior and the magnificently finished Burr Elm woodwork, but, above all he loves the roar and power of that Rover V8 engine. Having recently imported his car to Cyprus and registered it as an Antik, Andy is looking forward to driving his very special classic MG sports car on every possible occasion. And, if you are wondering about the colour of this MG RV8, it is not British Racing Green but the more refined, Woodcote Green, which is original, although many 2020s cars are painted a similar colour.
If you would like to see this and other fantastic Classic Vehicles please come to one of our many meetings.
Full details can be found on our Facebook page, or, on our webpage www.paphosclassicvehicleclub.com
or, telephone, 97760997.