First production V8 to be commissioned at the MG Plant reappears for sale with a 60% uplift! Our Pricewatch volunteers have spotted this car is advertised for sale with a trader in Yorkshire at £39,995 - it was previously sold in 2017 when posted for sale on the V8 Website by a V8 Register member at "offers over £25,000". The car had been fully restored prior to the sale in 2017. The current advert says "a very special car not only in terms of condition but provenance and original specification", however it has had an interior trim upgrade with leather seats replacing the original cord covered seats in Navy Blue and the addition of "V8/BL" badging on the offside wing. Clearly the car is now offered at a premium price even for an "Exceptional" condition car. In our regularly updated market and price reviews we mention a growing feature in the market for MGBGTV8s - a parallel market for "original" and for "tastefully upgraded" cars. See the note below. Tasteful upgrades In our previous reports in November 2017 and May 2018 we felt that from our analysis there were signs the attraction of tastefully upgraded MGBGTV8s was growing in the marketplace. That trend seems to have continued over the last six months (to November 2018) with the continuation of two parallel markets for Condition 1 cars – one for near original Factory spec cars and another for upgraded cars, often tastefully upgraded with leather seats and trim and a bodywork colour change during restoration. Market/price review MGV8 Price Guide update Last update to the end of October 2018. More Driving an "Exceptional" classic car rather than storing it as an investment - what are the costs? See our article Posted: 181221 £39,995 - online advert in December 2018 Trade sale - 1973 MGBGTV8 - 1st Factory V8 The online advert says "it was the first production V8 commissioned (the step before a car was Mounted on the Assembly line), still in its original Damask Red, original trim colour of Blue, original V8 engine and Factory options of alloy wheels, overdrive and inertia reel belts are all still with the car. Supplied new by Hartwells Garages in Oxford, it spent its first year in Oxford and in 1974 went to Devon where it spent most of its life. For many years it was barn stored and in 2007 discovered requiring major work with a recorded mileage of 85,000. It was completely rebuilt over 3 years with Classics Monthly magazine covering the full restoration story. The body required significant restoration and new panels included sills and castle rails. The body was turned on its side, and the outer shell completely rebuilt and repainted to an exceptionally high standard in the correct original colour of Damask Red. The engine was found to be seized and on strip down it was surprisingly found to be in pretty good, original condition. The engine was treated to higher compression pistons and new main and big end bearings. On completion of the V8 rebuild, the engine was refitted to the nicely prepared engine bay along with various new or reconditioned ancillaries. The brakes, suspension, steering, cooling and fuel systems were overhauled as required, the interior completely re-trimmed in its correct colour and renewed brightwork, excellent original V8 alloys and new tyres finished off the restoration to a very high standard. According to the history file over £33,000 was spent on the restoration. After 42 years in Devon, almost two years ago it came to us from one of our regular, long term customers in Devon who further enhanced the car with a brand new stainless steel exhaust system, new electronic fuel pump and various other detailed items. It sold immediately on arrival and has since been with another long term customer in Derby who is now changing the GT for a Roadster. Since completion of the rebuild the car has covered 4000 miles and is offered onto the market in excellent condition. The bodywork is superb, the underneath body colour and structurally exceptional, chrome work is first class, as are the V8 wheels and the engine bay is very well presented. Having been professionally re-trimmed the upholstery is first class and the car presents as a sharp, correct, stunning example that is ready to drive and be enjoyed. There is no doubt this is a very special car not only in terms of condition but provenance, original specification and of course being the first commissioned Factory MGBGTV8. Location Yorkshire. 181219 Offers over £25,000 - advert in January 2017 Private sale - 1973(M) Factory MGBGTV8 in Damask Red Advert said "a Day 1 Factory production vehicle (car number 0139 which is believed to be the first ‘Production’ designated car number). Damask Red bodywork with navy blue trim interior. This car has been fully restored and is a Condition 1 vehicle. Over £15,000 spent on the bodywork and interior in the last 4 years. Prior to this it underwent a full mechanical strip down and rebuild. With 88,376 miles and only 2,500 miles in last 6 years it has been kept garaged and only run in dry weather. Five new tyres and MOT til August 2017. BMHIT certificate available. Registered with the V8 Database. Road tax exempt. Genuine reason for sale. Location Devon. No canvassers please". Car was reported SOLD in mid March 2017. 170125 Leather seats upgrade Was it the " first production V8 commissioned"? From a review of a copy of the Factory production records (made by the late Geoff Allen) the following can be seen: As the Date through Paint Finishing is usually accepted as the "Build Date", then Damask 0144 was the first production V8 built but yes Damask 0139 was the first production V8 Commissioned. But Damask 0146 was a Pre-production public relations V8 (HOH 934L) so if you ignore that Pre-production PR car, then Damask 0139 was also the first Despatched from the Factory.