For The Love of Cars
Discussion
rubystone said:
Scuffers said:
blimey! that's tragic!
And what rover engines Stag's? (The stag's V8 is nothing to do with the Rover V8, if it has been, the car would have been a huge hit).
The Rover engine was a popular modification for Stag owners who tired of replacing their engines after every trip out.And what rover engines Stag's? (The stag's V8 is nothing to do with the Rover V8, if it has been, the car would have been a huge hit).
JonRB said:
Indeed. Dropping a Rover V8 in was a very popular conversion. Ironically, Stags with their original engines are now worth more because of originality, but at the time it made a lot of sense.
I had a number of Stag owners buy my book on the RV8 and at one time I was considering an additional section to cover fitting it to other cars. However, I was told by a member of the Stag Owners' Club that RV8-engined Stags were looked down on.I went to a classic car show and met a chap displaying an RV8-engined Stag. It was immaculate without being over-the-top. I was seriously considering one.
He'd bought my book and we got chatting. He said that he'd gone in for concours events but was treated with disdain because of the foreign engine. He said that on runs with other SOC members, the RV8 ones habitually were the more reliable. He spoke of one event where five cars set out and only three arrived at the destination: two RV8-engined ones, one of which was towing a Triumph V8 engined one. He enjoyed telling that one.
He reckoned that he was considering replacing the RV8, which was struggling with a worn camshaft, with the original engine now that most of the problems were 'solved', mainly overheating evidently. He said a larger and more efficient radiator with fans was the best option, but there were a couple of engine rebuild companies that guaranteed their products.
But the only reason for reverting was to enter councours events with a chance of winning.
Derek Smith said:
I had a number of Stag owners buy my book on the RV8 and at one time I was considering an additional section to cover fitting it to other cars. However, I was told by a member of the Stag Owners' Club that RV8-engined Stags were looked down on.
I went to a classic car show and met a chap displaying an RV8-engined Stag. It was immaculate without being over-the-top. I was seriously considering one.
He'd bought my book and we got chatting. He said that he'd gone in for concours events but was treated with disdain because of the foreign engine. He said that on runs with other SOC members, the RV8 ones habitually were the more reliable. He spoke of one event where five cars set out and only three arrived at the destination: two RV8-engined ones, one of which was towing a Triumph V8 engined one. He enjoyed telling that one.
He reckoned that he was considering replacing the RV8, which was struggling with a worn camshaft, with the original engine now that most of the problems were 'solved', mainly overheating evidently. He said a larger and more efficient radiator with fans was the best option, but there were a couple of engine rebuild companies that guaranteed their products.
But the only reason for reverting was to enter councours events with a chance of winning.
Sounds like a similar story to that of the TVR "T-cars" (Tuscan, Tamora, T350 and Sagaris). The Speed6 engine got a terrible reputation and some owners went for the ubiquitous LS* engines (which are the 21st Century equivalent of the RV8). Yet now the problems of the Speed6 are thoroughly understood and sorted, and I am sure there will be a similar story on originality in the future on them. I went to a classic car show and met a chap displaying an RV8-engined Stag. It was immaculate without being over-the-top. I was seriously considering one.
He'd bought my book and we got chatting. He said that he'd gone in for concours events but was treated with disdain because of the foreign engine. He said that on runs with other SOC members, the RV8 ones habitually were the more reliable. He spoke of one event where five cars set out and only three arrived at the destination: two RV8-engined ones, one of which was towing a Triumph V8 engined one. He enjoyed telling that one.
He reckoned that he was considering replacing the RV8, which was struggling with a worn camshaft, with the original engine now that most of the problems were 'solved', mainly overheating evidently. He said a larger and more efficient radiator with fans was the best option, but there were a couple of engine rebuild companies that guaranteed their products.
But the only reason for reverting was to enter councours events with a chance of winning.
Not knocking those that did go for the LS engine - it's a great engine.
I'm rather sad to hear your anecdote though - snobbery and intolerance are abhorrent.
Seems appropriate to post one of my favourite ever TV ad's
Brilliant attention to detail
https://youtu.be/kENnmEGodzo
Brilliant attention to detail
https://youtu.be/kENnmEGodzo
JonRB said:
Sounds like a similar story to that of the TVR "T-cars" (Tuscan, Tamora, T350 and Sagaris). The Speed6 engine got a terrible reputation and some owners went for the ubiquitous LS* engines (which are the 21st Century equivalent of the RV8). Yet now the problems of the Speed6 are thoroughly understood and sorted, and I am sure there will be a similar story on originality in the future on them.
Not knocking those that did go for the LS engine - it's a great engine.
I'm rather sad to hear your anecdote though - snobbery and intolerance are abhorrent.
I felt the chap was the master of his own misery. I know little about concours but I do know that originality is a requirement. Not knocking those that did go for the LS engine - it's a great engine.
I'm rather sad to hear your anecdote though - snobbery and intolerance are abhorrent.
I once went to an MG Car Club meeting and there was a concours event for pre-war MGs. One looked like it had just come from the showroom, with immaculate paint and interior. The engine sparkled. The judges gave the prize to one which had worn seats.
I went to a track day for a couple of LS converted Sagari. They were nicely engineered:
And the engine was nicely fitted:
but the aircon went on one car and the driver came in with a blood red face.
So still some problems to iron out I felt.
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