The Fifth Gear TV car. *SOLD*

[sjc]

Ok, so as to not at least give someone the chance of saving it, I'm going to offer up my car before it gets broken.
It's the car that starred in the Fifth Gear TV show, driven by Tiff Needell, link to thread below. I have loads of photo's and video clips of the day,and a DVD from the researcher.

The car is lovely, a two owner 2.5 V6 Connie SE May registered 2001Y reg Auto,done 90K miles, but has had a pressure build up at some point and been diagnosed with HGF. I bought the car at 28K miles from an 83 year old chap in 2009 and no expense has been spared up to this point, the belts have been done twice etc
Seancar, Jules etc have seen this car and all commented on it.
The body is pretty much unmarked (no dings or scrapes) and the interior ("proper" Sandstone leather !) is also unmarked. It has a Radioguy unmarked walnut steering wheel, unmarked leather walnut gear lever etc etc.
The only thing I'd like to take off for my new car are the Meteors as they have new tyres and the cruise control as the new car doesn't have it.
If someone had their labour free, this could be a magnificent example again, with a bit of nice history thrown in. I have a massive file of paperwork, including the original bill of sale, and I'll chuck in the original DVD of the show I was sent from the researcher, which is a nice memento.
As far as I can recall, my 75 has never even had an advisory at MOT time. It appears I was simply unlucky. It's such a shame as it feels so much more like a luxury car ( or "real" Rover)than my new replacement 54 plate Connie SE 36K mile example I collected today.
Although it's worth a lot more in bits (alas) I'll take £525 as it would be really nice if someone kept it alive, and with a drop in engine or repair they would have a cracking ( and unique I'd guess) example to cherish for years to come.
The original thread.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=143049


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOP1_1KA-w

[Departed 32016]

500 views and no takers yet... Very surprised, get tiff on the phone!

[rich17865]

I think, this is the harsh reality of the end of these cars.

Despite its heritage it is not worth the asking price, it will almost certainly be broken up for spares. You can buy working V6 models with mot for less. Granted they will be of lesser quality, but the average buyer of care this age doesn't cars.

When you factor in the costs of repairs, you need an enthusiast with more money than they know what to do with to take it on.

Sad but true.

[Departed 32016]

Originally Posted by rich17865

I think, this is the harsh reality of the end of these cars.

Despite its heritage it is not worth the asking price, it will almost certainly be broken up for spares. You can buy working V6 models with mot for less. Granted they will be of lesser quality, but the average buyer of care this age doesn't care.

When you factor in the costs of repairs, you need an enthusiast with more money than they know what to do with to take it on.

Sad but true.

£525 for this car? Nah got to be worth that surely... and normally I'm very subjective. Good history, excellent condition, spec and mileage and with a known repairable issue

[rich17865]

Originally Posted by kieranswood

£525 for this car? Nah got to be worth that surely... and normally I'm very subjective. Good history, excellent condition, spec and mileage and with a known repairable issue

I quite agree, it probably is worth that to the right person, but you need to find them.

I sold a Zt V6 yesterday for £375 with 12 months mot, it needed boot leaks fixing and two tyres. It had some service history and ran ok.

As an enthusiast, I would like to see it put right and kept, much like you. But I am also a realist.

Take a look at the majority of threads, all about fixing your car on a budget of 87p.

[whitevanman]

Originally Posted by kieranswood

£525 for this car? Nah got to be worth that surely... and normally I'm very subjective. Good history, excellent condition, spec and mileage and with a known repairable issue

Maybe, but I agree with Rich on this, How many on here would do our own headwork & belts on a V6. maybe 1or2 in a 100 members. Which means garage work for the rest, not going to happen imo..So out of that 1 or 2% you need someone who either wants this particular car or will do the work to move it on at a little profit and maybe after the work that profit might not be there..

Sad, but I think that's the way it is atm with prices being what they are..

[Departed 32016]

best of luck with the sale. someone will be prepared to pay the asking price. Value is subjective.

[sjc]

All valid points.I have been offered a price not to far away from what I'm asking by the specialist, just wanted to pop it on here first.
Really hoping someone takes it.
I've only just about got the heart to take the mats out so far!

[Forestgreen]

Out of curiosity, how much would it cost to fix a head gasket failure on a 2.5? I get the impression that fixing a 1.8 is a couple of hundred or so, would a V6 be saignificantly more than that, and would the fix be permanent? After all it's often said HGF in a V6 is very rare.

Alternatively how much would a second hand V6 cost, and how much would it cost to swap engines?

After all, the Fifth Gear brief was to find a luxury car for £1000 - and the Rover's nearest competitor the S-type was £3000. Fixing the engine of the S-type's competitor the Bentley alone was £3k.

So maybe (hopefully, even), fixing this car would make financial sense to somebody.

[sjc]

I'm in negotiations with an extremely well respected member, so hopefully I'll have some news soon. even is it's worth more in parts, it just seems wrong.