1980 MGB with Buick 215cid V8 (owner: Bill Oliver)
About the Magazine
British V8 : The Online Journal of the Modified British Sports Car Community
In June 1993, writing a "From the Editor" column in the first-ever issue of the
new "MG V-8 Newsletter", Kurt Schley explained "I have been actively seeking
any and all information about the conversion and the 215 engine. This search has
almost become a second hobby... The idea for the newsletter was born when a
conversion owner mentioned that it would be nice if there were some way that MGB V8
owners could communicate among one another and share their experience and tips."
Acting on that bold and wonderful initiative, Kurt proceeded to edit and publish seventeen
issues of his newsletter, handling essentially all early research, writing
and promotion. He was also instrumental in organizing successful early meetings of
V8 re-engined British sports cars. Although Kurt handed over editorial and publishing
responsibility for the newsletter in 2001, he continued generously and actively building
the knowledge base for our hobby through quality research and writing.
In May 2001 Kurt handed-off the proverbial football so another man could run with it.
Under the direction of Dan Masters, the newsletter became more obviously inclusive
and much more colorful. Renamed the "British V8 Newsletter", V6 engines, Ford V8
engines, and Triumph sports cars that had all been welcome from the start became
much more prominent both within the newsletter's pages and among its readership.
Running a high-quality, content-heavy, small-circulation newsletter is very tough
work. Dan deserves great praise for growing the newsletter through eight issues.
Like Kurt, Dan has proven his leadership and initiative in other ways too: like
organizing the marvelously successful 2003 and 2006 British-V8 meets.
In January 2004 editorial and publishing responsibilities transferred to James
Jewell. Under James's leadership the newsletter continued and grew some more, but
once again the arduous work of managing subscription lists, printing schedules, and
mass mailings (on top of editorial and writing responsibilities) proved a heavy and
tiresome burden. James published seven great newsletter issues.
In April 2006 editorial responsibility transferred once again, this time to Curtis
Jacobson. Curtis brings a long-term interest and experience with British cars. His own
MGB V8 conversion ('71 BGT, Buick 215, T5, 8.8 axle) was registered in 1992 and has seen
countless modifications and improvements over twenty years of spirited driving.
Curtis accepted the hand-off with a challenge to transform "British V8" from a printed
paper newsletter to an online magazine, to make it FREE for all readers, to dramatically
increase readership, and to make it EFFECTIVE for advertisers.
As of February 2013, BritishV8 serves about 3500 unique website visitors every single day.
Over 3400 opt-in subscribers receive e-mail notification of new editions.
2800 registered users have placed 35,000 messages concerning 4000 different message
topics on our state-of-the-art message board. The magazine and website are primarily funded by
forty paid advertisers.
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