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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - year of original V8 design?

Anyone know the year that Buick originally designed, or produced the alloy V8 engine, subsequently bought by Rover? Cannot find find the info in any of my books or on the archive. I had an idea that it was 1948?
Thanks
Warwick
Warwick Blench

designed - don't know. Produced - around 1962/1963 in the Skylark.
Do you have a copy of 'MGBV8 25 year on' by David Knowles, I thought there was a chapter in there on the origins of the engine.....
HTH
David Smith

interesting article from the period at
http://www.napanet.net/~scottdon/page1.html
and follow the pages. The designs and ideas may go back to '48 but it seems it did not exist in aluminium and at the 215 capacity until the late fifties.
HTH
David Smith

Was put in production cars from 1960-1963..Buicks primarily but also some Oldsmobiles & Pontiacs.
Tony Barnhill

David
That is an excellent article. Seems the origins of the engine go back to 1948, but the first aluminium version wasn't tested in cars until 1952.
I have a copy of Original MGB inc BGTV8 and MGC but the V8 engine article does not cover the origins of the motor, except to mention it's Buick parentage.
Thanks
Warwick
Warwick Blench

First calander year of production for the aluminum 215 was 1960, first model year was 1961. Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile F-85, Pontiac Tempest. Produced in model years 1961, 62, & 63. Available drive trains were 3-speed, 4-speed, & automatic transmissions.

In 1964, Buick replaced the 215 with an iron block 300 ci, which used the same front cover. This engine in 1964 only had aluminum heads. It is the 1964 Buick 300 from which the crank & heads are used to build 215 stroker motors up to 302 ci. Olds & Pontiac went to V6's & traditional V-8's.

During the Oil Crisis, there were rumors that GM was trying to bhuy back the 215 from Rover.
Jim Stuart

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2000 and 09/10/2000

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