1969 MGB GT v8
Powered by a Rover v8
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Car: 1969 MGB GT
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Engine: Buick-licensed Range Rover
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Displacement: 4.0 litre
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Horsepower: est. 200+
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Transmission: Borg and Warner T5
This 1969 MGB GT is built from the ground up for real-world drivability, while staying true to the MGB aesthetic.
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​Beginning in the summer of 1998, owner John Ulrich and Terry Worick Restorations gave this 1969 MGB GT a naked rotissary restoration. Since then, it's toured countless miles and traveled to numerous shows — never on a trailer — clocking 35 MPG trips.
Overview
Highlights
With a 308 rear end and modern V8 power, this MGB is built to cruise, turning a leisurly 2000 RPM at 76 MPH. It makes for a comfortable, quiet cruiser. What road noise there is at highway speed comes from the drip rails and other 1960s touches not found on newer cars.
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Good looks, easy roadability, and careful attention to detail may be why the car is a winner in its class at the Kansas City All British Car and Cycle Show.
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The 1969 was the last year with all real chrome badges on the back of the car; later years used plastic.
The original front overriders (vertical bumper bars) were removed, but left in place in back.
Centering the fuel tank to allowed room for a dual exhaust. The flip top fuel filler cap is from a Triumph.
The car was also resprayed in its original green color.
Seats are courtesy of a Mazda Miata
All GTs came with a suitcase back seat. But John took it out and fabricated a back shelf out of marine-grade plywood. A space saver-spare tire found in a Saab took the place of the car's full-size spare.
A 1977 MG dashboard is trimmed with two additional vents from a TR6 to accommodate the custom-fabricated air conditioning. The HVAC controls are stock from 1977.
The Air conditioning is all custom, pulling nothing from the Range Rover. It uses a modern high efficiency compressor.
The ignition on the donor engine was originally all electronic. It now uses a conventional system with a distributor cap — John wanted something that could be worked on anywhere with minimal fuss.
The steering wheel comes from a 1980 MG Limited Edition. The cruise control stalk is a stationary add-on.
Engine
This clasic car is propelled by an updated drivetrain, starting with a 1996 Range Rover 4.0 litre, 182 hp V8 engine. (The donor SUV suffered a roll-over in 1998.) The car was fitted with a Borg and Warner T5 transmission.
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With a slight cam change and high flow exhaust, the engine makes over 200 hp.
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Replacing the original inline four cylinder engine did not make the car heavier. The original 4 cylinder engine weighed in at 397 lbs. compared to 350 lbs. for the Buick rover V8
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Special Carroll Shelby wheels were sourced from a Saab. Rear brakes are from a Chevy S10, and the front roters come from a Ford Focus. A machine shop customized the rear end.
John has owned British cars since 1971. Other cars in his collection are a 1954 Triumph "long door" TR2, a "bug eye" Sprite, and a Triumph TR6. John wishes his collection still included his first car: a 1959 Fiat 600 coup sporting suicide doors.
