Cowley Sills

[roverbarmy]

Originally Posted by Sonic ZS

Realistically, whichever of the two styles you choose, they are both relatively hidden at the bottom of the car so will go unnoticed by 99% of people....except the 'spotters' like me !!

It's practicality for me. With all the spread and spray Norfolk road repairs your lucky to get away with clean painted sills! Ask the Harley riders who suffer with gravel perforations on their drive belts when the grit gets between the belt and the metal toothed wheel!Not long before the perforations become snapped belts!

[Dorset Bob]

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

Same with my Cowley 2.5 except I have body coloured sills (JEL)

Originally Posted by The Mighty Quinn

From what I understand, there were a small number of Cowley-made cars that left the factory with body-coloured sills. This was a no-cost option, apparently.


Cheers,
Karl.

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

This looks to be the case with mine. There's no sign of anything ever having been black.

It would be interesting if you have a very late Cowley car with a VIN after M175542.

According to research by James Taylor, in his excellent book "Rover 75 & ZT - The Complete Story", from this VIN, at Cowley, they were finished with body coloured sills and bumpers.
After the sale to Phoenix (MGR), the very last Cowley cars were produced, by BMW, to the Longbridge spec. MY01 prior to the production transfer to that plant.

I have such a car, built at Cowley on the 30th June 2000.

Very rare and worth a lot of money.

[The Mighty Quinn]

Realistically, whichever of the two styles you choose, they are both relatively hidden at the bottom of the car so will go unnoticed by 99% of people....except the 'spotters' like me !!

True. But then, I'm one as well!

Hopefully, it'll turn out ok. I'll put up some pics in a few weeks, when I get her back.


Cheers,
Karl.

[Lord of Hog]

Mine was first registered in October 2000. From what I can gather it was built in July of that year.

[Dorset Bob]

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

Mine was first registered in October 2000. From what I can gather it was built in July of that year.

You are lucky as mine was built 30th June 2000 and registered on the 1st March 2001, the very day they upped the road tax with the emissions system.

The last one off the Cowley line was M181590 on the 5th July 2000.
I suspect that yours came off the line in late June.

If you are interested to find out, it is worth sending a PM to SKS Disco (formerly xpart02) who has access to the build records.
He can give you the exact date.

[Lord of Hog]

Originally Posted by Dorset Bob

You are lucky as mine was built 30th June 2000 and registered on the 1st March 2001, the very day they upped the road tax with the emissions system.

The last one off the Cowley line was M181590 on the 5th July 2000.
I suspect that yours came off the line in late June.

If you are interested to find out, it is worth sending a PM to SKS Disco (formerly xpart02) who has access to the build records.
He can give you the exact date.

Just managed to find mine: M180438. So a June build I assume.

[Dorset Bob]

Looking at your VIN, I would guess the last week in June 2000.
SKS Disco will know, for sure.