Anyone thought the un-thinkable?- mid engine GT ? or other ,British, $ sink-hole ?  roverman

Now, that sounds real interesting, Art!

If I had a little money and a lot of spare time, I'd go to England and buy a reasonably clean MGF (1995-2001) or MGTF (2001-2005), strip the 1.8L Rover engine out of it, and ship the rest home to U.S.A. as "used auto parts".  I've never driven or even gotten a good look at one, but what I've read seems to indicate that the basic platform is exceptional. I bet I could figure out a way to register it... but even if it were strictly a track day and autocross car it'd be a lot of fun to mess with - and I'd probably have the only hot-rodded MGF in North America.

Curtis, We eagerly await, "How it was Dreamed".I just don't seem to have, enough to think about-lol. So I tossed a mind-vibe. U-no, maybe a serius Rover, tranverse against a series II, MR 2, turbo t-axle ? Lotta, bang-per-buck. I wish we had pic's of, Rover's mid engine car. Oh, what coulda-been ! roverman.

QuoteI wish we had pic's of, Rover's mid engine car.

Well... we have some pics of this Rover mid-engined car: <a href="http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Leyland-Eight-GE-Release.htm">Introducing the Leyland Eight GE</a>



Thanks to David Gable, we probably have the best photos on the internet of this one.  I wish we had close-up photos of the chassis and the engine installation too.  I've always wondered if they were thinking "amphibious vehicle" when they did the "styling".

Love the bubble with the SUs sticking up!

My Nasty Boy Healey build:  http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,8264

Thanks David. Yes, some would consider the ,"styling"? un-fortunate, but the over-all performance was not. So notable, in fact, it reportedly out performed the Jag of same vintage. This of course meant, since Rover was also manged by, Lord Orfice?, no Rover would be put in production that beat the Jag. I got to veiw this, precious, first-hand, at the British Automotive Heritage Museum, London, 1983. As you might guess, the picture doesn't do it justice. Almost as pretty as a 914 ? roverman.

"Almost as pretty as a 914"  


you crack me up

Curtis,

I have seen a MGF with the Rover KV6 engine installed which didn't look too difficult, I would imagine there are some nice late model US transverse V6 engines that might slot in fairly easily.

MGF's are fairly cheap now and one with a blown engine through coolant loss  would be very little money and with the sinking pound even better.

Kevin

Yeah,Caddy 4.9!

Kevin, I believe you just found a niche to go into the export business! What would we have to pay you to find a blown up MGF and ship it to us as parts (less engine I suppose).

JB

Where mite one find pic's/etc. on such a mobile ? Mid engine you saay ? Smoggable ? "Workin on a mystery without any clues" roverman.

Found -em. I want the Bonneville car. roverman.

start here...  http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/

I got a nice phone call from John Targett yesterday. He's in England at the moment, buying up race car parts to bring back and sell stateside. I suggested and he agreed that an MGF would be a really nice Christmas present for me, if he has room in his carry-on bag. We'll see...

Jim,

Heres a selection on british e-bay, they seem to start from around £1000.00 for an early running car to up to £5500 for a late TF version which has the coil over suspension.

http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-/9801/i.html?_dmpt=Automobiles_UK&_fln=1&_mdo=Cars-Parts-Vehicles&_mspp=&_pcats=9800&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&Manufacturer=MG%252F%2520MGF

Can't see me setting up as the UK agent sourcing cars with blown engines as age (64 this week) and health problems, but there must be a few out there.

Do you think you can get them in under the radar if the engine and trans are removed and would it be cost effective with shipping costs etc although the exchange rate for you guys is getting better by the day.

Kevin.