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djw090
David Witham
Warwick UK
(115 posts)

Registered:
06/12/2008 11:20AM

Main British Car:
MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005

Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: djw090
Date: September 30, 2014 08:31AM

The car is called Marina Rolls Royce and sometimes Andrews Special. It uses an early Rolls Royce V8. It was racing in the pre '61 class but the only record I can see for it racing originally is in '63. I saw it at this year's Silverstone Classic.
Racecar.jpg
RollsV8.jpg

I guess the Rolls Royce V8 is larger than those commonly fitted to MGBs. Although without a size reference they look similar to a Rover V8. As the Roadmaster project put a big block Buick in a B it is just a matter of how much cutting and welding you are up for.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4575 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: Moderator
Date: September 30, 2014 11:36AM

I've learned a little bit about Rolls Royce engines over the years from my friend Walt at Moyer Motorcars. (Check out his very cool new website ;o)

Rolls Royce's V8 is an excellent design, but with emphasis strongly favoring refinement over performance.

I've often thought that the Rolls V8 might be a cool choice to swap into a Jaguar XJS. You'd be going from a 5.3L V12 to a 6.75L V8. They both have aluminum blocks. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rolls V8 actually weighs less, although I've never seen its weight published. The V12 is long and narrow (with a 60 degree V) whereas the V8 is shorter and wider. Both bolt to the same GM automatic transmissions, right? I wonder what responses you'd get at car shows.


Preform Resources
Dave Craddock
Redford,Michigan
(359 posts)

Registered:
12/20/2008 05:46PM

Main British Car:
72 MGB V6 3.4

Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: Preform Resources
Date: October 02, 2014 07:46AM

I thought somebody posted some pics of a RR V8 powered Bonneville roadster, a 27 T as I recall.
Dave


crashbash
david bash
st. charles
(215 posts)

Registered:
01/28/2008 10:53AM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Rdst V8 project, 1968 MGC GT, 1969 MGB Rd olds 215

Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: crashbash
Date: October 02, 2014 02:22PM

Someone I know in St.Louis has talked about selling his Rolls V-8...........Any interest? I'll ask if there is...........


DiDueColpi
Fred Key
West coast - Canada
(1364 posts)

Registered:
05/14/2010 03:06AM

Main British Car:
I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now!

authors avatar
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: October 02, 2014 05:56PM

It would be different for sure......but wouldn't you get tired of asking for mustard every time you stopped?.
Not to mention having to describe your horsepower as "sufficient".


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 05, 2014 01:47PM

Odd story. I knew a lawyer once (no, sorry, not another lawyer joke) anyway this guy owned a Rolls, probably about 70's vintage which was sitting in a parking lot with flat tires. So I asked him about it. Seems he had become very disillusioned with driving the car. For some reason he had bought it with the high, and some might say very unreasonable, expectation that when people saw him driving it he'd get a "thumbs-up" as in acknowledgement that he had finally made it. Instead he was most amazed, perplexed, and disappointed to find that the preponderance of gestures he received were the old third finger salute, in acknowledgement of which he eventually parked the car and simply walked away from it.

Now I don't know if it might have been his own actions that brought this about. I don't know if he runs down pedestrians, frequents the slums, or goes about with his chin in the air. I suppose all these things are possible. I do know that he bought a bar (a pretty nice, comfortable place) and was slowly migrating away from a corporate practice. Seemed a decent enough sort for a lawyer.

So I've just got to ask. Does this say something about RR, people in general, or some deep psychological buried jealousy humans harbour?

I've always wondered.

Jim


djw090
David Witham
Warwick UK
(115 posts)

Registered:
06/12/2008 11:20AM

Main British Car:
MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005

Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: djw090
Date: October 06, 2014 10:55AM

I have only ever had a Rolls Royce to drive for 24 hours as a 50th birthday treat. Fortunately, I did not have any of the problems your lawyer friend had. The car was nearly 40 years old which may make a difference and we live on a reasonably civilised area. We parked up for a while in a country park while we had our sandwiches and walk. When we returned to the car a couple with 2 children were taking their pictures by it.



Preform Resources
Dave Craddock
Redford,Michigan
(359 posts)

Registered:
12/20/2008 05:46PM

Main British Car:
72 MGB V6 3.4

Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: Preform Resources
Date: October 07, 2014 08:46AM

Found it, RR powered modified roadster at Bonneville, no info on the owner or driver.
13092007039.jpg


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
Posted by: roverman
Date: October 10, 2014 02:41PM

waydaminute....Rolls Royce Merlin ?? No wonder it "fliys"/sorry, too easy


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