1969 MGC Roadster – 302 Ford V8 Conversion | 232 bhp | T5 5-Speed | Auburn LSD | Documented $100K+ Build

1969 MGC Roadster — 302 Ford V8 Conversion | 232 bhp | T5 5-Speed | Auburn LSD | Documented $100K+ Build

A stock-appearing MGC roadster hiding one of the most thoroughly engineered and expensively documented V8 conversions you will find — built by specialists, dyno-proven, and sorted over more than a decade of careful ownership.

The MGC was always intended to be a more powerful car than its MGB sibling. BMC’s choice of the 2,912cc inline six was a compromise that disappointed many at the time, and the conversation about what the C’s body and chassis could do with a more suitable engine began almost immediately after the car’s 1967 launch. The answer, as the factory’s own MGB GT V8 program would later confirm, was that the MG B/C bodyshell is exceptionally well-suited to V8 power — the engine bay was designed with room to spare, and the chassis responds well to the additional torque when the suspension and drivetrain are properly matched.

This 1969 MGC roadster is the fullest expression of that idea: a professional, no-budget-spared conversion built around the 302 cubic inch Ford small-block V8 — an engine whose compact dimensions, light weight, and enormous aftermarket support make it one of the most capable and proven powerplants for this application. The conversion follows the well-established methodology documented by specialists including Roger Parker (whose MGB V8 Conversions guide is included with the car) and was executed by Gassman Automotive Products of Waynesboro, Virginia — one of the most respected MG restoration and performance shops on the East Coast.

From the outside, the car looks exactly like a stock MGC roadster. Nothing other than the engine note gives it away.

History & Build

The car was purchased in September 2009 showing 2,785 miles on the odometer — almost certainly 102,785 actual miles at that point in its life. Work began immediately and comprehensively, with the build documented in a line-item expense record spanning from 2009 through 2025. Total documented expenditure exceeds $100,000.

The engine specified for the build was a Ford 302 small-block, rebuilt to Ford S/O 302 roller cam specification: bored .040″ over, new bearings, Edelbrock high-performance heads and intake manifold, street performance cam, and all new ancillaries. The Edelbrock 1405 four-barrel carburetor is correctly jetted and tuned. Valve covers are period-correct California Custom units. An Engine Works performance cam was fitted as part of the original specification, and the build was later complemented with K&N air filtration. The 302 is an aluminum-block design in this application — compact, relatively light, and ideally proportioned for the MGC engine bay.

Transmission is a T5X five-speed, paired with a heavy-duty 8″ Ford clutch and pressure plate. The rear axle was fitted with a 2.79 Ford ring and pinion and an Auburn limited-slip differential — a pairing that transforms the car’s behavior: strong, predictable traction from the LSD, and a rear ratio that delivers excellent mid-range pull without sacrificing cruising refinement. Custom-engineered half axles and a Panhard rod complete the rear end package. A new exhaust system was fitted to suit.

The build documentation binder includes the D&D Fabrications aluminum V8 specialist guide, Roger Parker’s MGB V8 Conversions reference, and the full Gassman Automotive service history — a comprehensive paper trail for any serious buyer.

Dyno Results

The car was chassis-dynoed twice at Abacus Racing in Virginia Beach. The initial session recorded 225 bhp and 267 ft-lb of torque. Following carburetor retuning — advancing timing, rejetted to 98/89 specification per Abacus’s recommendation — the car was re-dynoed in February 2013 and recorded 232 bhp and 278 ft-lb of torque. For context, the standard MGC produced 145 bhp in factory tune. This car makes 60% more power, delivered through a modern five-speed gearbox and a limited-slip rear end.

Despite those figures, the engine is genuinely well-mannered: it idles smoothly, does not overheat in traffic, and delivers its power in a usable, progressive manner. Fuel economy of 19–22 mpg has been recorded consistently in mixed driving — a figure the standard MGC would struggle to match.

Chassis & Safety

Alongside the drivetrain work, the chassis was comprehensively addressed. A full roll cage was professionally fabricated and installed, along with a race harness system. The roll bar is angled across the driver’s and passenger’s compartment with a heavy-duty, secure latching bolt system engineered to pivot clear for easy ingress and egress — a thoughtful solution that preserves practicality without compromising protection. The rear brakes were custom re-engineered to suit the modified drivetrain, and stainless steel brake lines were fitted throughout. A Panhard rod was added to locate the rear axle properly under hard acceleration.

Front-end alignment was professionally set. The suspension, brakes, and steering have all been appropriately modified and sorted to complement the power increase — this is not a car where the engine was upgraded in isolation.

Instruments & Gauges

The instrument cluster is correct and fully functional. A factory MGB V8 speedometer — sourced specifically for the conversion and calibrated to the existing mileage — is fitted, along with a factory V8 tachometer sourced from Switzerland. The speedometer has been verified accurate across its full range. Odometer reads approximately 7.5% below actual mileage — noted in the records and accounted for.

The MGC TrackStar wooden steering wheel was fitted by Mark Saylor and is a period-correct, handsome upgrade that suits the car’s character perfectly.

Exterior

Paint is excellent, with deep gloss and shine. The car was repainted by Gassman Automotive as part of the original build and professionally detailed by Omni Detailing in 2013 to remove any swirls and minor scratches. Chrome is excellent all around. Period chrome wire wheels — including a 72-spoke spare — are in excellent condition and correctly proportioned for the car. There is no rust anywhere in the chassis or body.

The factory MGC hardtop is included and installed — a rare and valuable accessory for these cars, adding genuine all-weather practicality and a purposeful GT appearance.

Interior

The interior was fully restored as part of the build, presenting very well throughout with quality materials and only minor blemishes consistent with careful use (see photos). The center console is correct for the period. The four-point race harnesses are properly mounted to the roll cage structure.

Current Condition & Notes

The car was always kept in a climate-controlled storage garage and received regular service and regular use through the driving season. The maintenance log shows consistent attention: oil and filter changes, fluid checks, fuel system maintenance, and immediate attention to any issue that arose.

Two items are worth noting in the interest of full transparency: a persistent small rear differential leak has been noted in recent service records — minor and not unusual for a car of this age with a modified rear end, but worth monitoring. A fuel pump issue arose in early 2026 and was resolved at Gassman Automotive prior to sale; the car runs properly.

This is a completely sorted, needs-nothing MGC V8 ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately.

Properly executed V8 conversions on MGC roadsters are rare. Most examples on the market are either under-engineered, under-documented, or both. This car is neither — it represents a decade-plus of serious investment by an owner who used the right specialists, sourced the correct components, and kept meticulous records of everything. The dyno figures are documented. The build costs are documented. The service history is documented.

At 232 bhp through a five-speed with a limited-slip rear end, in a car weighing approximately 2,200 lbs, the performance is genuinely exceptional. The fact that it looks like a standard MGC roadster to anyone who doesn’t know what to listen for makes it one of the more extraordinary sleepers in the British sports car world.