1993 MG RV8

An original export market car, this 1995 MG RV8 was repatriated from Japan during April 2012, being brought back to the UK by a Mr Worsely in Fife, Scotland.

This first UK-based keeper kept the car garaged throughout their ownership, racking up an impressive 4,191 miles during his tenure with the car. It was then purchased by our vendor in December 2016, who has continued to keep the car in a warm, dry garage, and has amassed a total of 6,425 miles in their five years of ownership.

Used sparingly for a number of MG Club runs and rallies including tours of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Dales, our vendor has also fitted electronic ignition and installed an X36 Optimax chip on the engine to boost both economy and performance, improving upon an already excellent driver’s car.

Always maintained irrespective of cost, this is a fantastic example of the once-misunderstood MG RV8, which is now gaining a cult following among British sports car enthusiasts for all the right reasons.

Looking along the impressively modern lines of this RV8, the bodywork is in outstanding condition throughout and has evidently been cherished and pampered throughout its lifetime. There are no untoward panel gaps or fitment issues noted, nor any signs of impact damage.

Given the age and mileage of the car, we’d expect a few stone chips and commensurate light marks around the bodywork, but there are certainly no untoward scuffs, scratches or blemishes on the Oxford Blue paintwork.

In fact, the only noticeable signs of the cars age are the worn badges, and light scuffing to the plastic surrounds at the base of the windows, both of which can be seen in the photographs below.

All four wheels are in very good, presentable condition, though there are some signs of surface corrosion or lacquer peel, along with the badges on the centre caps being worn away. All five of the wheels have been wrapped in new matching Michelin rubber, with the vendor estimating that the four wheels on the car have covered only ‘around 500 miles’ since fitment, and the spare is still brand-new.

Key to a convertible’s condition and desirability is the folding soft-top, and we’re pleased to say that this example is in excellent order, with no noted damage and no waterproofing issues reported.

Inside, the ‘light stone’ leather interior has stood up well to the test of time, and presents in generally excellent order throughout.

The leather seats wear the usual creases and light marks from years of use, though there are no rips, tears or major scuffs to be noted. Similarly, the top of the dashboard, centre console and door cards are all in excellent condition, whilst the wooden inlay to the dashboard shows no cracks or damage.

High-traffic areas such as the window winders, door handles and inner sills show a few marks and a light ‘usage patina’ whilst the gearstick itself may benefit from replacement or refurbishment as it is the most worn part of the interior.

To the best of the vendor’s knowledge, and as far as we could tell on our photo shoot, there were no errors with any of the gauges in the cabin, and all systems appear to be working exactly as intended.

Giving some hint towards the car’s previous life, there are numerous Japanese stickers and labels dotted throughout the cabin, whilst the original kilometres-per-hour speedometer has been replaced by a miles-per-hour offering for easier use on UK roads.

Underneath, this RV8 has largely benefitted from spending most of its life in Japan, where the roads are rarely - if ever - salted, along with always being garaged during its time in the UK.

The chassis itself looks nice and solid - there is the odd smattering of surface corrosion and ‘bloom’ to the usual areas such as the suspension components and exhaust, but certainly nothing that seems untoward to us.

The V8 engine itself also looks to be in rude health, and the vendor reports that this certainly is the case, with the car having been maintained regardless of cost and left wanting for nothing. There are no noted oil or fluid leaks from the car, and no reports of any knocks, bangs, unusual noises or other problems from our photographer.

The most recent MOT exam on 05 October 2020 also reinforces the notion that this is a very ‘well sorted’ RV8, with no advisory items and a clean pass on the first attempt.

The documentation that accompanies this globe-trotting RV8 is certainly impressive, comprising of two sizeable folders from both UK-based owners, with numerous invoices and other documents in each folder.

In addition to this, the export/registration documents are present from the car’s journey from Japan to England, whilst there is a copy of the workshop servicing manual, parts list, two new and two used floor mats, V5 showing only one former UK owner, Heritage Certificate confirming the car was destined for export and the original specification, along with an invoice for a major service on 28 June 2020.

With retro styling, impressive performance and a sizeable UK fanbase, the MG RV8 may not have been an instant hit, but are certainly becoming more popular these days as people warm to their styling and on-road characteristics.

This 1995 registered, Japanese-market example is in outstanding condition throughout, and with an impressive history folder and low recorded mileage. On for the collectors and drivers alike, this MG RV8 would make an excellent and unusual addition to any garage or car collection, and we estimate the hammer to fall in the region of £19,000 to £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.