In 1970, engineer Ken Costello began selling MGBs converted to take the 3.5-litre Rover V8, prompting British Leyland to follow suit. Considerably quicker than the four-cylinder MGB, the V8 could reach 60mph in under 8 seconds and had a top speed of 125mph, respectable figures even today. Introduced in August 1973 and built only in GT coupé form, the MGB V8 was supplied exclusively to the UK. This restored V8 won numerous concours premier awards at major MGCC and MGOC events throughout the UK between 1989 and 1998, before an injury to its enthusiastic lady owner (ex-Chair of the MG Car Club’s V8 Committee) limited subsequent use to occasional outings. The car has been used extensively for touring, taking part in V8 Register Tours of Scotland, Wales, Kent and Somerset, as well as London/Brighton Runs and the Tour of the Continent in 2000, culminating at the Nurburgring. Widely recognised as one of the very best of its type, ‘UMV 210M’ has featured in several magazines and other publications, including Classic Car Weekly (July 1990), Moss Europe Ltd guide to V8 restoration (1991), Auto Express (compared with the new RV8 in 1993), Popular Classics (May 1997), MG World (December 1997) and Classic magazine (April 1998). Copies of the foregoing are available. Finished in distinctive two-tone green metallic with black interior, ‘UMV 210M’ is offered with restoration photographic record, current road fund licence/MoT and Swansea V5 document.