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
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.
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 (4577 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
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
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
Someone I know in St.Louis has talked about selling his Rolls V-8...........Any interest? I'll ask if there is...........
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DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
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 (6470 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Tempted to drop one in a B
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
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.
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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
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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
waydaminute....Rolls Royce Merlin ?? No wonder it "fliys"/sorry, too easy
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