Pre production/prototype V8 on e bay
 

Pre production/prototype MG ZT 260 V8 - registered May 2002 -said to be 003 - price is reasonable but some questions around the mileage but if it is such an early 260 then maybe worth a punt.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184944395...UAAOSw86Rg8B8s

I actually looked at, well thought about, 003 some time ago before I bought #243. It was then at a garage in Bristol and Paul (Reebs) had a look at it for me one evening, he didn't give it a glowing report then (the fuel gauge needle was lying at the bottom of the gauge!) and sounds as if little has changed. What put me off the idea was that there are considerable differences between the prototypes and production cars.

I want that car so badly - it's a piece of history right there. How rare are these cars going to be in another 10 years.

Go for it but go for it with your eyes open. The clutch being cable operated is only a minor difference to production 260s, the prototypes differ electronically as well (ECUs etc) and not sure how much help a T4 (or TOAF) would be. That's what put me off.

I had photos Paul took of 003 residing in the Bristol garage but not sure where they are :shrug:, suspect they're on a memory stick somewhere.j

You need a left leg like Atlas with the cable clutch.

I can't it'd be too heavily penalised both with import duties and road tax as a private import. I believe around 800 per annum road tax. Need to wait until they're 30 years old and can be registered as vintage. :getmecoat:

Good point re electronics.

what happened between 2006 and 2007?
It failed the mot in 2006 but did not pass until 2007, 11 months later. the mileage discrepancy also seems to appear at this time.

macafee2

Did some digging in my email and found this from Tim of the 260 forum. I emailed asking what he could tell me about 003, this was back in 2014:

One of the development cars and the oldest road worthy 260, so some history there.

Came off the production line on 18th July 2002 and was registered as a test car to MGR. When the company went into administration 003 was marked for destruction along with all the other dev cars however this changed as the car was in working order so was put through for sale to maximise the receipts for the debtors.

There is no record of any crashes etc, however you’ll need to be aware that some bits in the engine bay did not make it to the full production car. These were electrical and air breathing in nature and I would say are not a big issue but if you were trying to keep it original may need a good understanding of cars. That said you can always talk to the members on the forum who have the best knowledge base around.

***** the previous owner though liked the car for what it was did not have much mechanical knowledge so did not have much interest in making sure it ran well. Not saying there is something wrong with the car but will need an enthusiast to keep it tip-top.


I found the photos Paul took but they're not a great representation of the car as its covered in frost!

You're not wrong there! I push poor Megs clutch through the floor after I've had Millie out for a spin.

I'm fairly sure this belonged to someone I used to work with. He loved the car but it cost him a fortune in constant repair bills. The failed Mot in 2006 and not passing until 2007, sounds about the timing that he had hells job trying to get a new ECU sorted. I believe he ended up having to have an ECU from a then new mini, and then someone eventually managed to get it working. Cosmetically it always looked nice, but in those photos it certainly looks worse for wear now.

I think there was also something about the rear subframe was different on the prototypes, or more prone to rust or something, but again, I think he had this sorted around 2009, but may well be wrong on that point. His name was 'Happy' Dave.