Finally got number 2

[BigRuss]

Thanks for clarifying that for us Dave

Going to contact the dealer tomorrow to see if they have any details about the car. May not get anywhere but worth a try.

Russ

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Duotone

The pre-launch brochure no.5588 shows the 75 fitted with Serpent 17" alloys published in 1998.

Thanks for this Dave. When you say "shows", do you mean a publicity photograph in the brochure? If so, then does your brochure list those wheels in the Technical specification chart?

I agree that there are many wheels in the Approved Accessories brochures, but those were aftermarket dealer-fitted wheels. When a car is ordered from the factory it must be supplied only with the wheels listed in the sales brochure. Are you saying that Y Spoke wheels are listed in the Technical specification chart of your 1998 brochure?

Simon.

[Duotone]

Simon..

The 1998 brochure was only a "taster", so only shows pictures, there are no details.

You may be correct about the "technical specification" chart seeming to show that the various wheels were only fitted by the dealer.

But..

I and few other members bought our 75's brand new.

I bought my first in 2000, when you ordered your new 75 you were able to specify that it was delivered from the factory with any alloy wheels available.

How you did this was by sitting with the salesman at his PC [this was connected to the factory] and specifying from various drop down boxes any alloys you wanted, and the cost [less than dealer fit] was added to the total price.
When you had completed the deal and agreed the spec and price, the order was sent via the computer to the factory.

Quite a few members were lucky enough to visit Longbridge on a factory tour,
When a 75 reached the part of production line where the alloy wheels were fitted you saw types of alloys arriving from the floor above [including a lot of Serpents] depending what had been ordered with each car.

The only parts that were dealer fit to my 75 were door finishers and chrome mirror covers.

Dave T

[Fraser Mitchell]

And the same colour as mine, too !!

The Wedgwood Blue just has to be one of the top 5 colours in my view.

[majedm75]

Originally Posted by majedm75

I have seen the serpents in export brochures. I will try to find a brochure this evening when I get home. Off course I stand to be corrected (but I'm sure I have a 1999 brochure at home).

Russ: Lovely motor. I hope she treats you well :lol:

Further to my input hereabove, I just checked the brochures that I have:

- EO1623: complete brochure dated June 1999
- EO1624: accessories brochure also dated June 1999

Both show the Serpents and the Y spokes. I do not have prices however.
Moreover, the Y spokes wheels are shown in the main brochure (not mentioned if optional or not), while the Serpents are shown in the accessories brochure.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Duotone

... when you ordered your new 75 you were able to specify that it was delivered from the factory with any alloy wheels available.

How you did this was by sitting with the salesman at his PC [this was connected to the factory] and specifying from various drop down boxes any alloys you wanted, and the cost [less than dealer fit] was added to the total price.
When you had completed the deal and agreed the spec and price, the order was sent via the computer to the factory.

Well, thank you Dave; I stand corrected.


Simon.

Memo to self: Treat brochure specs. with a huge heap of salt.

[laser558]

Originally Posted by BigRuss

Thanks for clarifying that for us Dave

Going to contact the dealer tomorrow to see if they have any details about the car. May not get anywhere but worth a try.

Russ

Richardsons went into receivership prior to Rover going bust. Garage has same phone number but is now part of the large Vospers group who sell Ford throughout the south west (along with some other makes). Nobody who was there back in 1999 is still employed there as far as I am aware.

You could try Dr Dave who was the service manager there at the time.

[BigRuss]

Thanks for that laser558.

I will get in touch with him and see if he can remember anything about the car.

Russ

[Duotone]

Further to the discussion about the cost of Serpent alloys when ordering a 75 from the factory.

In 1999 the cost of 4 Serpent alloys when ordered [ilo 15" Alloy] was £700.
The cost of the 15" Y Spoke alloy was the same as the 16" Union alloy £350 [ilo standard 15" alloy]

The price of the "dealer fit" Serpents was £1449 including tyres.

Also, I assume at this price you got to keep your 15" alloys and tyres, so you ended up with 4 spare alloys with tyres.

Dave T

[Rabett_Rover]

The March 1999 car that big russ spotted on Ebay
is the very car I have just purchased I am picking it up on the 6th December
and I will do a post about it when I pick it up
Lewis