Project Drive - Illustrated

[Fraser Mitchell]

Hi.
My 75 was registered on 26th November 2001, and I have always considered the dash to be 'look-alike plastic' walnut. However, my VIN is before the date of the change, and looks like the top picture, so which is which of the two pictures ?

I have to say my dash looks good and if it's plastic, what the hell !!

Other question is are the walnut auto gear levers and steering wheels real wood or not ?

It feels like driving a little Bentley, and I suspect if VW had bought British Leyland they might still be in charge, and our cars still in production.

[Jules]

Excellent post Reebs

Having sold a couple of hundred 75's in Last 5 years, I noticed the changes "in the flesh" so to speak.

It would be interesting to hear from a Longbridge accountant exactly what the total saving of Project Drive actually was? I believe it did MGR more harm than good i.e Potential Rover buyers started buying Jag Merc etc.

The differences that stood out for me was the real dash turning into the fake one. It looked so much cheaper, if you look at it closely the Vents are a much finer fit on the Wood version whereas there are Gaps all round the vent frames on the plastic dash.

Now the throttle box I did notice & is IMO actually an improvement on the later cars!! It has less travel & a noticeable lighter action (weaker spring)

Steering also feels lighter on Later cars (not sure why)
Real thick carpets turned into thin nylon felt type feel.

Don't know weather this was mentioned in the list but the bonnet release divider block case & block were cheaper softer plastic after 2003, hence why 95% of bonnet cables "pop out" on the later ones.

Overall for me I witnessed the massacre of a quality car into "still quite a nice car" & a great shame it had to happen.
Many of the changes were obvious just on first impressions in the showroom, rather than the hidden changes.
ie Soon as you opened the drivers door
Red reflectors, door frame surrounds, carpets head rests, seat trim & dash.........in your face quality reductions.
Perhaps they thought no one would notice

The same sad thing happened to the Triumph Stag & Dolomite range. ie Savings hence quality reductions between the MK1 & MK11

[miketata]

I think there's some evidence export cars were immune from most cuts for a while longer. My mid 2001 has all the original features (even leather bound manual) save the d pillar badges which I've since restored. Japanese cars had the highest spec,(perforated leather, cooled seats, illuminated door lights, embossed headrests iirc ) so perhaps all export cars benefitted.

However facelift cars seem the same as UK spec with features progressively returned until final demise.

[allegroman]

Originally Posted by Reebs

Robert, excellent spot about the service book holder, forgot that one.

Interestingly, the leather folder that came with my Pre-mainsteam production T reg Conn SE also didn't have the '75' emblum either, and they didn't get much earlier than that car.

Can you email me/P.M a larger photo of it, for inclusion in my post.

Also, has anyone got a photo of the later clear plastic document wallet, so I can add that too.

Thanks guys in advance.

My 2001 Tourer has neither that lovely '75' embossed wallet or the plastic one, its a red leather-look one with small Rover Badge. Will get a pic...

[JohnDotCom]

Many owners would source Wallets from the Rover range to swap for some of the Plastic and other nasty ones around.
I did.

[Reebs]

Originally Posted by Fraser Mitchell

Hi.
My 75 was registered on 26th November 2001, and I have always considered the dash to be 'look-alike plastic' walnut. However, my VIN is before the date of the change, and looks like the top picture, so which is which of the two pictures ?

I have to say my dash looks good and if it's plastic, what the hell !!

Other question is are the walnut auto gear levers and steering wheels real wood or not ?

This is the Real Wood Dash, notice it has the word 'AIRBAG' written in gold lettering onto the wood, and as Jules rightly points out, the air vents sit flush to the wood dash.



The plastic dash is identifiable by the 'Airbag' recessed badge instead of the gold lettering, also there is a noticeable gap around each air vent.



I will go back into the thread, and add these points, as I think a few members are unclear as to which is which...sorry for the confusion.

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by Reebs

This is the Real Wood Dash, notice it has the word 'AIRBAG' written in gold lettering onto the wood, and as Jules rightly points out, the air vents sit flush to the wood dash.



The plastic dash is identifiable by the 'Airbag' recessed badge instead of the gold lettering, also there is a noticeable gap around each air vent.



I will go back into the thread, and add these points, as I think a few members are unclear as to which is which...sorry for the confusion.

I really wish you had not pointed out the plastic defect!!

Now I'm on the look out for a a proper wood job

Don't care that much, really, it still looks good

[Jules]

Originally Posted by allegroman

My 2001 Tourer has neither that lovely '75' embossed wallet or the plastic one, its a red leather-look one with small Rover Badge. Will get a pic...

Yes this sounds like a Wallet from the R600 800 Range although when I tried one, 75 Manual doesn't quite fit into it

[Reebs]

I've added a couple additions to the original post, and copied them here too, need info of when they were introduced though, if you can help:

24a) Unknown Date & VIN – 75
The original leather style vehicle document wallet underwent a subtle change from having 'Rover 75' embossed on the inside flap, to having a blank flap without it.



In addition, some time later, the leather wallet was replaced by a thin translucent plastic pouch.



And also:

37a) Unknown Date & VIN – All Derivatives
The bonnet release 'claw' mechanism was replaced with the conventional MG Rover 'stick your hand in' release catch.

[juzza0]

Reebs, i still have the bonnet release 'claw' mechanism on mine (209999)