The humble V-8 – the torque-heavy driving force behind some of the world’s best muscle cars, the world’s best pickup trucks, and supercars; it is generally seen as the American engine, with brands like Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge all creating some special units in their time, but throughout the history of the auto world, we all know that from time to time, an anomaly is thrown in.
Back in the mid-20th century, a roadster produced by the British marque MG was fitted with a V-8, albeit a small one in comparison to what we are used to here in the U.S.A., but still provided some awesome driving dynamics, something different for the British sports car scene for the time, and a unique classic for today’s market. We are taking a deeper look at this V-8-equipped British roadster and have brought you all the information you might need about its pricing on today’s market, how it came to be, its performance specifications, and what makes it a collectible classic car.
Fun To Drive, Cheap To Buy, And A V-8 – The Perfect Combination
This small, cutesy collector’s dream from across the pond is somewhat of an anomaly for British cars of the mid-to-late 20th Century because it has a V-8 under the hood, but the 1962-1981 MG B Roadster V8 is becoming a very sought-after little car, and the best about it; it is not that expensive.
We love a V-8 here in the U.S.A., but it is no secret that classic muscle cars flaunting a massive V-8 are not the cheapest machines to buy, and yes, they are very powerful and very noisy, so we automatically love them, but if you are looking for a more affordable option but still want a torquey pull and low-end grunt, the MG B Roadster and its small-by-comparison V-8 may just scratch that itch.
1962-1981 MG B Roadster V8 At Auction
Currently, the average auction price of the MG B Roadster V8 stands at $24,870. Though there were originally 19 years of the Roadster produced, sales have been fairly few and far between in recent years, with only 10 selling via online auction in the last five years. The most expensive example went under the hammer for $31,149, and the cheapest fetched just $11,156 at auction, so depending on what year you look at, you can get a real steal.
From auction results in the last five years, the following MYs have been sold at auction:
- 1967 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $29,985.
- 1970 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $19,877.
- 1971 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $20,072.
- 1972 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $30,985.
- 1973 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $29,219.
- 1974 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $27,246.
- 1975 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $11,156.
- 1977 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $22,726.
- 1978 MG B Roadster V8. Average Auction Price: $27,773.
The Roadster V8 As A Collectible Model
So, despite the long-ish range of MYs, what makes the MG B Roadster V8 so collectible? There is seemingly a lot to choose from. The real reason they are collector’s items today is that they were never an official factory production of MG’s but a creation by MG enthusiasts, so model years are sporadic. Though it was a relatively common upgrade at MG B’s time of release, it is not the easiest task to find one nowadays.
Technically speaking, the MG B was never officially fitted with a V-8 powertrain, but the MG B GT V8, released in 1972, was. When released, the MG B GT V8, which the Roadster shares a lot of its underpinnings and equipment with, except for the fixed hardtop of the GT V8, is equipped with a 3.5-liter Rover V-8. So, fans of the MG B and its sporty setup, who couldn’t get a hold of a GT, fitted the 3.5-liter V-8 themselves, and the MG B Roadster V8 was created.
The MGT B GT V8 had a short run and was discontinued in 1976 due to the oil crisis of the same year, but the Roadster V8 continued the MG B V-8 days well on until the early 1980s, with some owners even retro-fitting some early MG B models with the V-8 to combine the über classic British style and chrome fittings with something a little more potent.
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What You Get From The MG B Roadster V8
Though classic British cars are not overly known for smuggling a raucous V-8, there is a largely forgotten British muscle car that can give some American muscle cars a run for their money, and the MG B Roadster V8 features one nonetheless. Though it isn’t as big or powerful as some American examples, it still provides some torquey throttle dynamics, a decent top speed, and great fun for this lightweight roadster.
A Small V-8 Under The Hood But A Lightweight Build
|
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3.5-Liter V-8 |
137 Horsepower |
193 LB-FT |
125 MPH |
The MG B Roadster V8 boasts a naturally aspirated SOHV Rover V-8 with two valves per cylinder and two HS6 SU carburetors. Horsepower output isn’t massive, but considering the MG B has a light curb weight of between 2,100 and 2,300 pounds, the torquey little powertrain gives the once-pedestrian MG B a bit of a meaner streak, especially if you turn up next to someone who thinks you are still making use of the inline-four that a lot of the converted Roadsters originally came equipped with.
For reference, the 1975 MG B boasts a 1.8-liter inline-four that can trickle out 85-horsepower, giving it a 0-60 MPH of approximately 11 seconds, so straight away, the upgraded Roadster is going to make you feel like you are driving something a lot more sporty off the bat. But, it also does a relatively good job of taking on other sports cars and muscle cars of the time. The 1974 Mustang II Mach I can amble to 60 MPH in around 12 seconds; the 1965 E-Type Jaguar fixed head coupé can sprint to 60 MPH in 7.6 seconds (so the Roadster is fractionally behind it); the 1975 Triumph TR7 can complete the dash in around 9 seconds; and the 1976 Chevy Camaro 350 SS (manual) can complete the run in 7.8 seconds.
If we use the average auction price of $24,870, and you manage to buy a Roadster at this price, you’ll be paying roughly $182 per horsepower. That can be seen as relatively expensive, but you do get a very stylish, fun, and different little roadster for the money.
Classic British Styling And Oodles Of Fun
The first thing you’ll notice is how the MG B looks. It has taken many forms over its MYs, but throughout, it has always kept hold of the classic British roadster styling with sharp lines, a sloped hood, a short deck, and rounded headlights – it certainly does ooze classic British charm. The inside is as nostalgia-inducing as the exterior design, with round clocks, a large steering wheel, switches along the dash, and leather upholstery (which a lot of owners have added themselves in more recent years to make it look even classier).
If you opt for a pre-1974 model, you’ll also get the much-preferred chrome bumper, whereas post-74 models come equipped with a black rubber bumper, much to the dismay of a lot of MG fans, but considering there are so many aftermarket parts and spares available, we aren’t against this already technically modified model being changed a little more.
What makes the Roadster V8 a pleasure to drive, though, is its classic rear-wheel drive and front-engine configuration, light overall weight, and near-perfect weight distribution. Add a small, lightweight (only 370-pounds) V-8 to the mix, and you have yourself a fun, little, awesome-looking classic roadster. On top of all of that, the MG B boasts coil-spring suspension at the front and leaf-spring suspension at the rear combined with rack-and-pinion steering, so you get direct steering and relatively sporty handling.
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What Owners Think Of Their MG B Roadster V8
It is hard to find any reviews of the V-8-toting Roadster online for the reasons we have just mentioned, but as the MG B GT and the MG B GT V8 are the closest models we have to it, we have found a fair few that shine a light on owning one. Out of the reviews left on Car Survey.org for the MG B GT, 71 percent of owners said that they would own another MG based on it, while across the board, it receives mediocre-to-good reviews for performance, comfort, running costs, and reliability.
- Average Comfort Marks. 6.5/10.
- Average Running Costs Marks. 6.8/10.
- Average Performance Marks. 6.8/10.
- Average Reliability Marks. 7.6/10.
There is only one review left on Car Survey.org from an owner who has owned a V-8-equipped MG B, and they gave it a glowing review and scored it 8 out of 10 for performance, 7 out of 10 for reliability, 6 out of 10 for comfort, and 5 out of 10 for running costs.
Very good acceleration, particularly in high gears. Great sounding car.
– Owner review of their MG B GT V8 on Car Survey.org
MG ownership numbers are a lot higher in the UK and in Europe, so MG fan clubs are a lot more abundant, with The MG Car Club and The MG Owners’ Club being two of the biggest around. But even here in the U.S.A., some are cropping up, mostly on social media, but if you keep an eye out, you’ll find a fair few MG models, mostly MG Bs, on the roads or at classic car shows. Like any classic car, owners pride their rides more than anything, and the MG scene has a very dedicated, albeit small, scene here in the U.S.A., but if you own a Roadster V8 – you are bound to make friends quickly.
Owning One Today And What To Look Out For
As with any classic car, British or not, there are a fair few things that you have to keep an eye out for when buying one, and the MG B, MG B GT, and converted Roadster V8s are no exception.
If you are looking at buying a 1962-1980 MG B Roadster (before or after having the V-8 fitted), you’ll want to look out for rust in the door sills, under the floorpans, and at the bottom of the doors, leaking cooling systems, failing brakes due to not being serviced in a long time, and if the model you are looking has been fitted with overdrive, especially look out for wining or crunching sounds coming from the transmission – it could indicate a lemon – good price or not.
If you are looking at buying a 1973-1976 MG B GT V8, you’ll need to take a close look at the condition of the engine and if there are any oil leaks around the head, knocking from the bottom end, and metallic rattling noises, which could indicate that the bearings need some attention. Also, check the trunk floor for signs of fuel leaks from the tank, which is prone to rust; check for non-matching paintwork which could indicate someone has changed body panels after a crash; and check that the steering is light, and you don’t feel any ticking or rough patches when turning the wheel.
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Other Affordable Classic British Cars In 2025
MG models aren’t for everyone, and considering some of the things you need to look out for before buying an MG B Roadster V8, your search may be steered in a slightly different direction. But, the good news is, British sports cars and sports sedans, or some of them at least – if you don’t look at Aston Martins or , are relatively affordable.
We have found four Classic British models that offer some decent power (though we wouldn’t consider them intensely powerful), awesome classic stylings, and fun driving dynamics, with average auction prices of less than $30,000 that are bound to scratch that classic car itch.
- 1987-1994 TVR S Series. Average Auction Price: $11,542. Maximum Horsepower: 240 Horsepower.
- 1972-1980 Triumph Dolomite (2nd Generation). Average Auction Price: $17,756. Maximum Horsepower: 127 Horsepower.
- 1968-1972 Triumph TR6. Average Auction Price: $21,564. Maximum Horsepower: 150 Horsepower.
- 1978-1987 Ford Capri MKIII. Average Auction Price: $28,143. Maximum Horsepower: 148 Horsepower.