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Car Of The Month :
December 2012
'Mccano’s Italian Flair' by J1MBO
Those who attended the 12th National during April 2012 will remember a rather impressive Italian registered MG ZT-T.
This example in 'Black Pearl' is owned by member mccano who has been a confirmed anglophile since the age of six when he was given his first Meccano set.
He has interests which include Meccano, Airfix models, toy collecting and driving his MG. His occupation is also rather apt as he sells British shoes to Italians.
He bought his ZT-T Cdti brand new in 2005 to replace a much loved Rover 75 Connoisseur Tourer. Not being a plus model he found the interior décor rather uninspiring and rather disconnected,
plus he hated the technical grey finish to the dashboard and plastic switch panels.
He decided that some improvements were in order and had the dashboard, after removing the clock, plus all the other technical grey panels professionally re-sprayed in pearl black.
The seats, door cards and cubby box lid were then re-trimmed in dark red leather. The gear lever was fitted with a gear knob from another marque and a replacement
Pioneer Avic GPS head unit was fitted.
The ZT-T now sports a set of eleven spokes and the paint has been stripped from the side rubbing strips and below door trim to reveal the chrome.
He still loves the car after so many years which has now travelled 276,000 km,
it’s an absolute rarity in Italy which makes him very happy and it will be very difficult to find a suitable replacement.
He did try a Chrysler 300 for a couple of years which was faster in a straight line but way too big and unwieldy for the crowded Italian roads.
I had the great pleasure of meeting him at the 2012 Classic Motor Show at the NEC as he was over on business and popped in for a flying visit.
Future upgrades on the horizon include a 'pre-project drive' foam tool set holder for the spare wheel well, along with a Chinese Double Din Sat Nav unit.
He also tells me he is currently on the look out for a lower mileage replacement.
Article edited by member J1MBO
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