Quote:
Originally Posted by Rev Jules
I have a BX 04 LWB, not got time at the moment but later today, will write up an interesting insight into its life.
Rev
|
My LWB was born on the 20/01/2003 but was not registered until 22/04/2004.
Due to financial constraints and uncertain demand, production of the Limousine was initially contracted out by MG RoverGroup to the vehicle conversion specialists S Macneilie and Son, who had been in discussions with Rover for some time about building a replacement for th six door Rover 800 Regency.
Macneillie had their own jigs and press shop, and were able to make body panel, wiring and trim components as necessary. To Produce the longer car, the body shell was cut just behind the front seat, and a 200mm section inserted.
A new overhead console in the rear covered the gap in the headlining, and new carpets and rear doors were fitted.
About fifty of these cars were sold through Rover main dealers as the Rover 75 Vandern Plas, with traditional Vandern Plas badges, and the Macneillie logo on the rear door window glass, Macneillie also built 6 door Rover 75 Saloon conversions and hearses for the funeral trade based on an extended version of the Rover 75 Tourer.
Some time during 2003 the Vanden Plas name was dropped and a final batch of eight cars was produced using the model designation Rover 75 LWB.
At the beginning of 2004, the Rover 75 facelift models were introduced with a new design of front and rear bumpers and many other change, and in March the Rover 75 V8 was launched with a new premium grill, production of the LWB cars was then transferred onto the main assembly line at Longbridge and the Rover 75 Limousine was finally launched as a facelift model on the 24/05/2004.the last Rover 75 Limousine was built on th 05/04/2005.
My car BX04WRK (Four week challenge car) is an interesting vehicle indeed although clearly a facelift model complete with functions exclusive to the 2004 facelift. WRK came off the production line in Jan 2003, registered in April 2004 and PDI'd in November 2004 by MG Rover Fleet Services.
The timeline for the Vanden Plas to LWB brand change suggests that WRK is the press vehicle featured in the LWB launch pack, albeit minus the V8 Premium Bumper, although finished to depict a Longbridge built LWB, the car is a Macneillie conversion which may go to answer the large gaps between build and registration.
Factory records show that production of the face lift models began 10/02/2004.
When three cars, a Saloon, a Toure , and a Limousine followed each other down the Longbridge production line in quick succession, it is possible that this car, having been given its 200 mm stretch earlier by Macneillie, folded them down the line shortly after.
Some 35 facelift models were built at Longbridge, with the last one being completed on the 05/04/2005. About 12 of these were exported, including one that was sent out to China,in October 2004. MG Rover Group had announced its cooperation agreement with SAIC in June 2004, and one vehicle was built in 2004 with an extention of only 103mm.
This subsequently became the basis of the SAIC Roewe 750.
The service book is stamped MG Rover Group Ltd Fleet Vehicles.
She was converted to LPG in 2006, and is fully functional.
This text is from information that has been passed to me,
Rev