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5/27/2025, 8:52:04 PM
British police had 5 MGB GT V8's; 2 were used as demo cars, and the other 3 were actively used in service as a form of plain clothes interceptor for Thames Valley Police. Here's an article on the interceptors, for those interested -
"During the early seventies Thames Valley Police had three MGBGTs to perform the role of "plain enforcement cars". They were finished in a "plain" color but not white and with no police markings. They were effective in apprehending persistent speeders, usually those well in excess of the speed limit on motorways in the Thames Valley police area.
During 1974 they were replaced with three MGBGTV8s. They were used by the Thames Valley Police during 1974 and possibly 1975 and carried no external markings. They were known at the time as "Q" cars.
Fairly early in the life of the three V8s with the Force one lost several teeth from third gear, in turn splitting the gearbox casing. After fitting a new gearbox all three cars had the overdrive wiring disconnected as a protective measure. One local show-biz personality wrote to "Motor Sport" magazine at the time complaining that he had been chased by an MGBGTV8 which overtook him and raised the "POLICE-STOP" sign; he warned other road users to beware of this car. Some of the world's fastest production cars at the time saw this sign in action at speeds well in excess of 100mph.
At the time of the end of the production of the V8 model, the late Geoff Allen recalled the Factory grapevine suggested the Police had asked BL to build three more V8s to replace theirs. Sadly however it was too late as the build was about to finish. A comment heard at the time from staff at Thames Valley Police was "had it not been for the demise of MG at Abingdon we would still be using these now". All three cars were eventually sold off after covering 80,000 miles, sold at auction for £2,150.96, £2,159.96 and £2,243.53 respectively."
"During the early seventies Thames Valley Police had three MGBGTs to perform the role of "plain enforcement cars". They were finished in a "plain" color but not white and with no police markings. They were effective in apprehending persistent speeders, usually those well in excess of the speed limit on motorways in the Thames Valley police area.
During 1974 they were replaced with three MGBGTV8s. They were used by the Thames Valley Police during 1974 and possibly 1975 and carried no external markings. They were known at the time as "Q" cars.
Fairly early in the life of the three V8s with the Force one lost several teeth from third gear, in turn splitting the gearbox casing. After fitting a new gearbox all three cars had the overdrive wiring disconnected as a protective measure. One local show-biz personality wrote to "Motor Sport" magazine at the time complaining that he had been chased by an MGBGTV8 which overtook him and raised the "POLICE-STOP" sign; he warned other road users to beware of this car. Some of the world's fastest production cars at the time saw this sign in action at speeds well in excess of 100mph.
At the time of the end of the production of the V8 model, the late Geoff Allen recalled the Factory grapevine suggested the Police had asked BL to build three more V8s to replace theirs. Sadly however it was too late as the build was about to finish. A comment heard at the time from staff at Thames Valley Police was "had it not been for the demise of MG at Abingdon we would still be using these now". All three cars were eventually sold off after covering 80,000 miles, sold at auction for £2,150.96, £2,159.96 and £2,243.53 respectively."
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