Project Drive - Illustrated - Page 8

Thomas · 10th May 2009, 22:32

Jules you asked about the steering being lighter on later models, I have the bulletin in my toolbox for project drive and the release of facelift models, the later models had a quicker steering rack fitted.

StevenWilliams · 11th May 2009, 06:45

regarding lighters.

My car has the one on the right and it is a 2000 registered car.

The car was owned by a non smoker since new so I have no reason to believe it was replaced.

Reebs · 11th May 2009, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenWilliams

regarding lighters.

My car has the one on the right and it is a 2000 registered car.

The car was owned by a non smoker since new so I have no reason to believe it was replaced.

Yeah Steven your right.

I took the lighter on the left from a 2000 reg Classic at a breakers (again unused) thinking it to be the original one listed in RAVE, but have now checked three other members early cars, and it isn't.

I just haven't got round to photographing an actual original one yet, to replace it in the post.

The real one looks very similar to the one on the right, except it has a shallower black cap top. Also the base of that top section has a small lip to it, if I remember correctly.

You could post up a picture of yours if you like, and I could confirm which one it is.

EnEnGee · 14th May 2009, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reebs

Thanks Russ, I don't have an exact date for the deletion of the Leather headrest logo, so that helps place it better, if others can report their build date or last VIN digits I can narrow it down further, then re-order it in the post.

Re: the seat belt finishers, it's possible, I suppose, that you car had already gone through the seat belt fitting assembly line prior to the 4th May change point, but wasn't complete and ready for delivery until the 5th June 2001, I wonder if your VIN number is higher than 218882 - the change point one for the finishers?

Thanks for a really informative piece. Can I add a few nuggets to the story?

I own Vin No ..209690 registered in November 2001 on a '51, but built much earlier in the year. It is Conn SE spec and has seatbelt fixing bolt cover buttons, but the seat headrests are plain non embossed. Hope this of assistance in this ever infuriating search for the truth on 'Drive!

The key has the Rover logo and the Owners Book is in the thin plastic wallet, though whether the original, who knows?

Greeners · 14th May 2009, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRuss

Just a couple of points though, my early Tourer built 5th June 2001 has the lower seatbelt plastic covers and the headrests have no embossed logo.

According to my old EPC, last vin was 247377 for headrests with logos.

Greeners · 14th May 2009, 23:00

Rover 75 bonnet catch was changed to ZT style at 3D 271838

HTH

Reebs · 14th May 2009, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeners

According to my old EPC, last vin was 247377 for headrests with logos.

Yes David, that's an odd one, as at least two members with VIN numbers around 209690 and slightly higher have reported the absence of the logos.

I've updated the info on the bonnet release too, thanks for that, I really should have studied the EPC more closely.

Thanks also to EnEnGee for the VIN update regarding the headrests, I've amended point 3a.

Greeners · 15th May 2009, 07:20

Having seen some very early Rovers go through SMC, I suspect that the line fitted what ever was to hand, especially if there were delays in components to the assembly line.

ChineseRover · 3rd July 2009, 17:08

Well I feel the need to add my appreciation and praise for the details in the original post. It is a tad depressing to see how the Leyland boys who bought Rover from BMW reverted to their old cost cutting nature and suspect this proves they learnt nothing from the years with BMW! To quote John Ruskin “There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man's lawful prey.”

One minor point, the post states that the plastic dash came in with vin 238547. My car vin is three thousand before the change and still has the plastic dash on a 2.5 Connie SE Tourer that we have owned from new.

Last weekend I corrected this oversight and must say that the real wood is SOOOO much nicer!

Jules · 3rd July 2009, 18:20

Paul
Not sure if I've posted the following couple of observations:

Around 03 Reg
Bonnet Release
The release cables no longer have metal collets fitted to white ends.
Divider block was a shiney finished plastic, replaced by a weaker mottled effect.
The nipple block was a much tighter "snap" fit than later type.

Air conditioning condensor
Had a Black gloss coating on them & were very corrosion resistant.
Later types were bare aluminium.

Pics to follow

Regards
Jules

11th May 2009, 06:45	#72
StevenWilliams This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 British Racing Green. 81,000 miles and counting Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 6,183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	regarding lighters. My car has the one on the right and it is a 2000 registered car. The car was owned by a non smoker since new so I have no reason to believe it was replaced. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

14th May 2009, 23:00	#76
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Rover 75 bonnet catch was changed to ZT style at 3D 271838 HTH __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

15th May 2009, 07:20	#78
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Having seen some very early Rovers go through SMC, I suspect that the line fitted what ever was to hand, especially if there were delays in components to the assembly line. __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

3rd July 2009, 18:20	#80
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	Paul Not sure if I've posted the following couple of observations: Around 03 Reg Bonnet Release The release cables no longer have metal collets fitted to white ends. Divider block was a shiney finished plastic, replaced by a weaker mottled effect. The nipple block was a much tighter "snap" fit than later type. Air conditioning condensor Had a Black gloss coating on them & were very corrosion resistant. Later types were bare aluminium. Pics to follow Regards Jules __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

10th May 2009, 22:32	#71
Thomas This is my second home MG6 1.8T GT SE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Falkirk Posts: 9,510 Thanks: 106 Thanked 173 Times in 128 Posts	Jules you asked about the steering being lighter on later models, I have the bulletin in my toolbox for project drive and the release of facelift models, the later models had a quicker steering rack fitted.

3rd July 2009, 17:08	#79
ChineseRover Banned Rover 75 2.5 Conn automatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 152 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well I feel the need to add my appreciation and praise for the details in the original post. It is a tad depressing to see how the Leyland boys who bought Rover from BMW reverted to their old cost cutting nature and suspect this proves they learnt nothing from the years with BMW! To quote John Ruskin “There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man's lawful prey.” One minor point, the post states that the plastic dash came in with vin 238547. My car vin is three thousand before the change and still has the plastic dash on a 2.5 Connie SE Tourer that we have owned from new. Last weekend I corrected this oversight and must say that the real wood is SOOOO much nicer!