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News
of RV8s seen at auctions in Japan - archived
reports 6th
December 2003
Our fomer local correspondent reports from Tokyo that four RV8s have been seen at auction recently. Oxford Blue 0813 which is Grade 4 with 17,000km with the usual note on the auction report that the "seats are worn". 
Woodcote Green 0899 which is Grade 4 with 24,000km and a note that the "interior is dirty". As an early car, it has the front wheel arch flares. 
Woodcote Green 1520 was seen last week at auction in Tokyo after recently appearing at auction in Nagoya. It was interesting to note this car had gained an improved grading, up from 3 to 3.5, and still shows a mileage of 6,000km which might require a little more investigation as the auction sheet in Nagoya had a question mark next to the recorded figure! For photos, see report on 30th November 2003 below. Woodcote Green 2089 was spotted by Colin at auction on Friday with an auction sheet which notes accident damage repairs - the sheet notes it has been hit in the rear at some time. It has covered a recorded 53,000km. Colin comments "so it seems some Japanese RV8 enthusiasts do use their RV8s!". 
30th November 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports from Toyko that "as Winter sets in here in Japan we generally see a few more MGRV8 than usual arriving at auctions for sale. Certainly there have been a few, but not as many as we would have hoped. I am still noticing more and more enquiries for RV8s coming from other countries other than UK. Australia is still out of the frame because of the temporary strict import rules ( for background information on this see our RAWS note), but I think you may see a few new RV8 owners registering with you from surprising locations!" 1994 Woodcote Green 0995 "which is Grade 4 with 34,000km and an auction sheet noting "seats worn"."  
1995 Woodcote Green 1302 with 51,000km "has chrome after-market wheels, seats worn, soft top cut, an after market air cleaner and the body is scratched." 
1996 Woodcote Green 1520 Grade 3 "was seen this week in Osaka with an auction report which shows only 5,980 kms recorded but the auction managers have put a question mark next to the mileage box on the auction sheet. It is only a poor grade 3 and has some after market wheels too." 
5th November 2003 Gavin Brown from Tasmania reports that this car went through the auction in Japan on 5th November and it looks to have been a very good car with only 8,000km. Alas importing an RV8 is all but a dream for Australians at present. You will notice it does not have front wheel arch flares.  
24th October 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports from Tokyo that "the prices continue to hold firm regardless of the strong Yen which is close to Yen/GBP180. I had orders for most of the cars at auction but alas could not get close to the selling prices. UK buyers are not offering "Top Dollar" at the moment and there seems to be some bargain hunting going on". He has sent photos of two RV8s at auction. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0909 with 18,000km, Grade 4A.
20th October 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports that after many weeks of seeing Woodcote Green RV8s appearing at the auctions, there has been a flurry of RV8s in Oxford Blue. "What was surprising was that they were springing up at the regional auctions like Oxford Blue 0761 which popped up at Hanetan Auction in Kobe early in September. Kobe is a port city in western Japan famous for a huge earthquake a decade ago. Prices are steady just now but as is usual at this time of year, there are many more RV8s than usual coming through the auctions". Our fomer local correspondent adds that he is getting enquires for RV8s from obscure parts of the Globe so far as these cars are concerned, like Estonia and parts of Russia. The details he has sent through are: 1998 Woodcote Green 1790 with 28,000km, Grade 4A with minor chips on the bodywork.  1995 Woodcote Green 1976 with only 2,805km, Grade 5 was faultless but did not sell at auction, possibly because the reserve was too high or the owner may have changed his mind and decided to keep the RV8. Seen at the Nagoya auction.  
1994 Oxford
Blue 0570 with 36,000km, Grade 4 with a CD shuttle with CD cassette
missing and the soft top has some nicks. 5th September 2003 Last September, Gavin Brown reported seeing Woodcote Green 0644 at auction in Japan and wondered whether it would be exported to Australia. Well it has turned up at auction again in Tokyo and Our fomer local correspondent reports that this time it has gained a boot rack and an additional 1,000kms in the twelve months. 
The significance of Woodcote Green 0644 is it is the first production RV8 fitted with the later R380 gearbox 25th August 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports Rover has resumed its presence in Japan and the after sales support is yet again available to Japanese RV8 owners. He feels this could boost confidence in the model locally and help to hold up prices but with the Australians out of the market until well into 2004 that will remain to be seen. 21st August 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports that now the Obon holiday has passed, the car auctions have started again and RV8s are appearing, one for the second time. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0514 grade 4 with 33,000km with the usual notes that the
seats are worn and dirty (see the explanation above) and that the
boot lid has been replaced and their are scratches on the alloy
wheels. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0659 grade 4.5 with 19,000km and a note that the seats
are 1995 Woodcote
Green 1454 but we have no details. 10th August 2003 Gavin Brown from Tasmania reports he has seen this RV8 is for sale in Japan. 1995 Woodcote Green 1774 - it will be interesting to see if this RV8 appears at an auction in Japan. 5th August 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports from the auctions in Tokyo that "four RV8s have passed through the auctions in the last two weeks and they were all Woodcote Green as usual. It would be nice to see a Nightfire Red car for a change". 1994 Woodcote Green 0659 grade 4B with 18,268km. 1995 Woodcote Green 1822 grade 4B with 35,622km. 1996 Woodcote Green 2066 grade 4B with 25,500km. 1996 Woodcote Green 2107 grade 4C with 251,000km. We are trying to get confirmation of the year of registration but it is probably 1996. Any member who would like a copy of the condition report (in Japanese) or a photo of any of the RV8s above, just contact the V8 Registrar. 22nd July 2003 Our fomer local correspondent reports from the auctions in Tokyo that "almost all the RV8s at auction over the past few weeks have been Woodcote Green with about the same mileage and condition. Only one or two have been of high quality and they have made very good money. There have been no Nightfire Red cars and only one Oxford Blue which you are aware of from my previous report on 12.7.03. I do not think all the Woodcote Green cars are making their reserve at the auctions and are taken away for a while and then presented again at a later date. You have noted this from the repetition of the VIN data in the auction sheets I send you with my regular reports. If these average RV8s have sold, it may be they have gone to a speculator who is hoping to find a UK buyer or who does not have the experience of what to look for when buying an RV8. Rusty windscreen frames and cracked timber dashboards are an example of common problems. Most UK buyers, trade or private, are very much focused on quality and low mileage. So really good Woodcote Green RV8s are still making "top dollar" prices but the prices of average cars are falling. Any colour other than Woodcote Green will always sell for more!" "As I have mentioned in previous reports, there is a seasonal price movement at auctions in Tokyo because of the Japanese holidays - we are now building up to the August Obon exodus, a time when all makes of car will peak for a while. However the auctions in September should be very interesting with Australia still out of the frame!" 12th July 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports that "after many weeks, if not months, the first non-Woodcote Green RV8 appeared at the USS auction in Tokyo on Thursday this week. There was the usual comment on the auction report sheet for the vehicle about a dirty interior. To me and many others gathered around the car, the condition of this RV8 was pristine - and indeed the price it sold for was a handsome one too". The car was Oxford Blue 1334 which is Grade 4.5 with 12,100km. 21st June 03 Our fomer local correspondent has sent details of four RV8s seen recently at auction in Japan. It is clear that some of these cars have been to auction before - for example Woodcote Green 1267 appeared on 27th March 2003 almost three months ago and again on 17th May 2003. It may be the first sign that the block on imports to Australia is beginning to take effect. For details of the Australian block, see the news item on the homepage. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0978 which is Grade 4 with 33,000km. The report notes
"seats worn and screen cut". 1995 Woodcote
Green 1267 which is Grade 4 with 28,000km. The report notes
"interior dirty". 1995 Woodcote
Green 1485 which is Grade 4 with 23,000km. The report notes
"seats dirty". 1997 Woodcote
Green 2166 which is Grade 4 with 28,000km. The report notes
"seats dirty, rear screen cut and scratches on AW". 9th June 03 Gavin Brown in Tasmania has sent in a report. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0635 which is Grade 4 with 47,700km. Gavin mentions "we
are not bidding on this car". As a pre VIN 0644 car it will
have been fitted with the LT77 gearbox. 6th June 03 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo reports two RV8s for sale at the auction on 5.6.03 in Japan. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0576 which is Grade 4.5 with an astonishing 5,000km which
Colin understands did not sell and may come up again at the next
auction. It has the early LT77 gearbox rather than the later R380.
Our fomer local correspondent says "I offered it to many of
my prospects prior to the auction, but nobody wanted it". 1995 Woodcote
Green 1485 which is Grade 4 with 23,000km with after market
wheels. 17th May 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports there is a "steady flow of RV8s at recent auctions around Tokyo over the last couple of weeks. I say "Tokyo" because the sellers around the country send their RV8s to the auctions in Tokyo because it has become known that many RV8s are bought at these auctions for export". Our fomer local correspondent also mentioned "that sadly Australia buyers have had to stop buying RV8s at auction for export to Australia, or any other car for that matter, because of new import regulations introduced in Australia. If anyone is interested in the new rules (known as RAWS) they can be seen. The cars recently seen at auction are: 1995 Woodcote
Green 1267 which is Grade 4b with 27,300 km but dirty seats.
1995 Woodcote
Green 1698 which is Grade 4b with only 10,000 km but worn seats. 1995 Woodcote
Green 1741 which is Grade 4b with 14,626 km but dirty seats
and a wavy back panel. 1997 Woodcote
Green 2166 which is Grade 4c with cracks on the elm cappings
and windscreen, dirty seats and cuts on the hood. 1995 Woodcote
Green 2179 which is Grade 4b with only 8,036 km but a worn interior. 21st April 03 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent reports of four RV8s seen recently at auction in Japan. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0461 which is Grade 4 with 30,030 km and a worn interior. |
Our new local correspondent in Tokyo and Gavin Brown in Tasmania are in constant touch with the auction houses in Japan and send the V8 Registrar news of the RV8s appearing at auctions there with photos of each car, including a copy of the condition report. For members looking for an RV8, and prospective members, this column should provide useful information on the level of activity and quality of RV8s at the auctions in Japan. For an explanation of how cars are sold in Japan and the condition report, see the RV8s at auction in Japan webpage. The aim of this webpage is to let V8 Register members and prospective purchasers of RV8s have news of the RV8s passing through the auctions in Japan. This RV8 auctions news webpage began in November 2002. For translations of the Japanese terms used on the condition sheets, see our RV8 auction report translations webpage. Many of the RV8 auction reports have the note "seats worn and dirty" which is puzzling as many of the RV8s at auctions in Japan tend to be low mileage vehicles. See our note on "dirty seats" for an explanation. Continued - RV8 auction news reports 27th March 03 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent photos and auction data sheets for the following cars. 1994 Oxford
Blue 0481 for which an auction data sheet is awaited. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0742 which is Grade 4 with 18,700km. 1994
Woodcote Green 0942 which is Grade 4 with 17,690km. 1995 Woodcote
Green 1267 which is Grade 4.5 with 27,243km. 24th March 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports two RV8s at auction recently. 1994 Woodcote
Green 0640 which is Grade 4 with 68,460km. 1996 Nightfire
Red 2182 which is Grade 4.5 with a matching hood and 29,480km. 28th February 03 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo reports "I am always surprised at the lack of use of the RV8s appearing at auction in Japan". He has sent details of the two RV8s seen at the same auction in Tokyo this week. Woodcote Green
1308, a grade 4 car with only 7,000km. Woodcote Green
1902, a grade 4.5 car with only 9,000km. 19th February 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports that "only a solitary RV8 seen at auction this week but the mileage is too high for my clients but it will suit someone who wants to "use" the car". The RV8 is Woodcote Green 0681 which has 42,000 km and is classified as grade 4.5 but the interior is worn and it has a non-standard aftermarket air cleaner. 13th February 03 Our fomer local correspondent has sent details of Oxford Blue 1713 which has 41,679 km and is due for auction soon. Oxford Blue is a popular colour with RV8 enthusiasts.  
12th February 03 Gavin Brown reports "Nightfire Red 2186 with 21,000km went up for auction on Wednesday 12.2.03 but it was grade 0 as it had had accident damage at some stage in its life - we didn't bid on it". A pity as Nightfire Red is an exceptionally attractive colour for an RV8!   
11th February 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports "only one this week - I am hoping March will pick up as the financial year in Japan starts on 1st April". Oxford Blue 0970 is on offer with 33,000km but the seats are worn and there are some cuts in the soft top. But there are not that many Oxford Blue examples on offer at the auctions in Japan.   
6th February 03 Our fomer local correspondent reports "not much happening this year so far but it is looking better this month". These three cars went through the auctions recently. Nightfire Red 1214 with 41,823 km. Jim Dolbel will note this car has flares on the front wheel arches. 
Woodcote Green
0680 with only an amazing 4,120 km, it appears in excellent
condition. It should have the later R380 gearbox which came in at
VIN 0644. Woodcote Green
2072 with 22,354 km. The report says the seats need cleaning
and the "soft top cover is missing" - which we assume
is the half tonneau. 20th December 02 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent details of three RV8s at auction on 19.12.02. Woodcote Green 0539 with front wheel wheel arch flares.  
Oxford Blue
1591 - a popular colour amongst RV8 enthusiats. Woodcote Green
1980, a later car. 11th December 02 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent details of Woodcote Green 1230 seen at auction recently.  
4th December 02 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent details of Woodcote Green 1311 seen at auction recently.   
3th December 02 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo has sent details of Woodcote Green 1118 seen at auction recently.  
27th November 02 Our fomer local correspondent in Tokyo reports "a bumper crop of RV8 offers is coming up at Thursday's (28.11.02) auction, some with front wheel arch flares, some without. Prices are getting a little steadier as the year ends and as usual most are Woodcote Green. It will be interesting to track these cars for future reference as they are registered." Woodcote Green
0588, and early pre R380 gearbox RV8 is on offer. Woodcote Green
0988 is on offer. Our fomer local correspondent notes this car
does not have front wheel arch flares but thinks they may
have been removed although the condition report does not note any
previous accident damage. Woodcote Green
1300 (apologies for the photo quality here). Oxford Blue
1722, a relatively rare colour which is popular with RV8 enthusiasts
in the UK and Australia. It appears to have non standard wheels. Woodcote Green
1937. Woodcote Green
0588, a 1994 RV8 seen passing through an auction in Japan in
early November 2002. Oxford Blue
1592, a good looking 1995 RV8 seen at auction around 18.11.02.
Where will it turn up next? Other
useful notes
RAWS impact on Australian RV8 imports Reassurance
with RV8 reimports "Dirty seats" on RV8 auction reports Understanding RV8 auction reports RV8s for Sale - private & trade adverts Copyright
reserved by the V8 Register of the MG Car Club, PO Box 251,
Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX14 1FF
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