Presented here is a very rare left-hand drive 1994 MG RV8, a Japanese-market convertible finished in its original Pearlescent Oxford Blue over beige Connolly leather with walnut trim. This example is powered by a 3.9-litre fuel-injected Rover V8 paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Imported to the Netherlands from Japan and converted to left-hand drive there prior to its arrival in Canada in 2015, the car has been under current ownership for approximately ten years. The odometer shows under 97,000 kilometres, approximately 45,000km added by the seller. Included in the sale are two sets of keys, Dutch and English owner’s manuals, a factory MG tool roll (complete), tonneau cover support bars, a trunk mounted spare tire, a car cover, another partial cabin cover for windshield base to back of top, new uninstalled fuel injectors, an A/C belt, fan belt, and a bottle of touch-up paint. The car is owned by a very active member of an MG club who does much of his own servicing in his home shop – note the oil change date marked on the oil filter in our gallery. Ontario buyers, please note: an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate is included in the sale.
While specific numbers are difficult to precisely ascertain, it is believed that this RV8 is one of approximately ten examples in Canada and one of only two converted to left-hand drive; none left the factory with this layout. Still finished in its factory Pearlescent Oxford Blue (MG Paint Code JSJ), this is one of 238 examples produced in this colour during the model’s limited run from 1993 to 1995, which produced approximately 2,000 cars. Exterior features include a blue fabric Stay-fast replacement convertible soft top with clear vinyl window and a stone beige leather parade boot to match the interior. Additional exterior features include colour-matched front and rear bumpers, front and rear fog lamps, a chrome fuel cap, and exhaust with polished dual tips.
Basketweave-style 15-inch wheels with MG-branded centre caps are fitted with 205/65R15 BF Goodrich Profiler tires date-coded 14/10. The tires were in place when the car was imported into Canada; current tread condition is shown in the gallery. Braking is by ventilated disc brakes in the front and drums with servo assistance in the rear, and the brakes have been replaced all around under current ownership.
The cabin features air conditioning, stone beige Connolly leather with matching door panels and carpeting, accented by Burr Elm veneer accent trim on the dash and centre console (Trim code SMJ), creating a rich driving environment. Amenities include a wood shift knob with leather boot and matching emergency brake handle as well as an upgraded electric power steering system installed during the left-hand drive conversion. Both Dutch and English owner’s manuals accompany the car, these are photographed in the gallery. A wind deflector is integrated behind the seats, visible only when the convertible top is lowered and works in conjunction with the boot cover. Bright sill covers feature the MG emblem in the door jambs and a compact fire extinguisher is fitted in the passenger’s footwell. A functional VDO head unit with an RDS system is complemented by a manual antenna and a battery cut-off switch is present behind the drivers seat.
The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel fronts VDO instrumentation which includes a 260 km/h speedometer, a 7000 RPM tachometer, a fuel gauge, panel light dimmer, and a rear window defogger. Centre gauges and switches include a coolant temperature gauge, tachometer, a battery voltage meter, hazard lights button, and a rear fog lamp button. Warning indicators below the factory radio include parking brake warning, low brake fluid, hazard, oil pressure, and catalytic converter overheat.
This RV8’s powerplant is a 3.9-litre Rover V8 with electronic fuel injection, rated at 187 hp and 234 ft. lb. of torque from the factory, all in a package weighing under 3,000 lbs. This engine came from the factory with a 94mm bore, 71.12mm stroke, and a compression ratio of 9.32:1. Within current ownership, the seller reports replacing the distributor, catalytic converter, new headlight assemblies with LED lighting, and a recent oil change with filter in November 2024. There is a small crack in the passenger’s side headlight cowl above the headlight, visible in the gallery.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a Rover R380 five-speed manual transmission. This example was converted from right- to left-hand drive in the Netherlands prior to its importation to Canada. Under current ownership, the front wheel bearings were replaced. The suspension setup consists of an independent double wishbone design up front with coilover springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar. At the rear, a live axle is paired with twin taper leaf springs, telescopic dampers, twin lower torque control arms, and an anti-roll bar. Notable upgrades include SPAX adjustable shock absorbers and polyurethane suspension bushings.
This very rare left-hand drive 1994 MG RV8 is offered by the seller with two sets of keys, an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate, Dutch and English owner’s manuals, a factory MG tool roll, tonneau cover support bars, a trunk mounted spare tire, a car cover, a cabin cover, new fuel injectors, an A/C belt, fan belt, and a bottle of touch-up paint in Whitby, ON.