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Car Of The Month :
December 2013




'Black Beauty' by Trebor



My love affair with the Rover 75 started about 8 years ago when I bought a Rover 75 Connoisseur CDT in British Racing Green. Every time I sat in it I knew it was the marque for me, retro style, walnut dash, very comfortable leather seats, a lot of the bells and whistles, economical for such a large car and I had the urge to look back at it every time I parked it.

After a few years of pleasurable ownership I replaced it during 2007 with a facelift CDTi finished in Pearl Black. It was purchased from Souls of Olney near Milton Keynes, the original supplying MG Rover dealers it had taken as part exchange against another vehicle. When I bought the car, at a cost of £9000, it was 2 years old and had travelled 39k.

I had the front grille chromed plus fitted chrome aftermarket wheels and the car was then featured in the 2009 club calendar for the month of April with this picture


Black is such an unforgiving colour, it takes a great deal of effort to keep clean, as I hate dirty cars I just have to keep cleaning, enrolling in two car detailing courses and buying a pro polisher to keep the car looking good.


As a Connoisseur SE the car already had some nice features but I just couldn’t resist continuing to add and modify and a couple of years ago I changed the bumper to a premium style with MG 7 grille and changed the wheels to 19 inch aftermarket alloys.


I probably spend far too much of my time on Rover forums and have made many good friends along the way, I am one of the founders of the Midland “Nano” Meets, which are a great experience; you will normally find me there.


I like a challenge and it was nice to see the replacement motor gears for bullet power fold door mirrors come to fruition in 2013 after 3/4 years of trying.

I am semi-retired, only working 3 days a week Monday to Wednesday, I’d love to spend all my time in MG Rover land but, as with other owners, I have to squeeze in some paid work now and again to settle the bills!

The 75 is my daily drive to work 3 days a week for the 50 mile round trip, it never misses a beat and gets a few good looks and nice comments.

My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Factory Build Data:

• VIN: RJZLHC5D336653
• Factory: Longbridge
• Off assembly date : 2004-07-14
• Off assembly time: 10:22:30
• Registered : 2005-1-24
• Brochure model code: RJZLH
• Brochure model desc: R75 C3 Saloon 2.0 M47 Diesel (116)
• Sales model derivative: RJZAD
• Sales model derivative desc: Rover 75 2.0 CDT (131Ps) Conn SE
• Model year: 2005
• Home export: HOME
• Country: GREAT BRITAIN
• Exterior paint: Pearl Black
• Interior trim: Sandstone Leather (Black Piping)
• Engine: 2000 Diesel 135Bhp
• Trim level: Connoisseur SE
• Bodytype: 4DR
• Manual auto: M
• Hand of drive: RHD
• On Road Price: £21,995

My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi Standard SE Specification:

• Leather upholstery in Sandstone Beige
• Electric windows (all round) inc driver’s side one shot up & anti trap
• ATC Automatic Temperature Control (climate control)
• Front passenger seat lumbar adjustment
• Electric front seats
• Heated front seats
• Rear map pockets in front seat backs
• Rear cup holders
• Front fog lamps
• Tilting front headrests
• Twin illuminated covered vanity mirrors
• Chrome coloured wing mirrors
• Space saver spare wheel
• 16 inch Forked Alloy Wheels
• Cruise Control
• Driver’s seat position memory
• Powered rear sunblind
• One piece folding rear seat with through loading facility

My Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi SE Modifications added by me:

The modifications I have done since purchase are many and will be a good test of my memory:

• Light Oak dash replaced with real walnut
• Sandstone & Walnut steering wheel
• Walnut handbrake handle
• Walnut Gear knob
• Sandstone gearstick and handbrake gaiters
• Additional walnut trim on door, light and seat switches
• Double Din media system with GPS Sat Nav
• Ambient lighting inside car
• Warning lights on door edges
• Puddle lights on door bases
• Footwell lights
• Drivers grab handle
• Drivers Cup Holder
• Embossed Front headrests
• Rover Torch in centre console
• Power Socket in centre console
• First Aid Kit in rear armrest
• Uprated Heated seat stats
• Illuminated warning triangle in boot
• Additional twin power socket in boot
• Carbon wrapped Engine and Battery Box Lid covers
• After Market 19 inch wheels and tyres
• Premium Bumper with MG7 Grille and bespoke Rover 75 badge
• Chrome Bullet Powerfold Mirrors
• Chrome Door Finishers
• Ultimate Remote Mod
• Plenum Spyhole Mod
• Bonnet Release Mod
• Sunroof Drain Mod
• Handbrake Compensator Mod
• Replaced engine mount
• Synergie 2 with Pierburg MAF
• Specialist Components in line stat housing with 92 degree stat
• Fuel Burning Heater with exhaust silencer
• Fuel Burning Heater auto timer and windscreen warning LED

Mods in progress:

• Traction Control



Article written by member Trebor

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