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Car Of The Month :
June 2013




'Diana, the Green Goddess' by Roo



I well remember the first time I saw a Rover 75 and a MG ZT, the 75 was a brand new Tourer spotted whilst on holiday in Devon, the ZT at a local Motor Show. Both, I recall, had a lasting effect on me - so much so I vowed one day to own one.

Life goes on as they say and the idea slipped from my mind until a chance visit from Ian aka Britscrim69 a few years later in his newly purchased MG ZT-T in Biomorphic Supertallic, very much a “Marmite” colour finish

Named Diana after Diana Moran, the Green Goddess of television fame, obviously I’m much too young to remember her. She was a thing of beauty, I had never seen before such a colour that could work so well on a Tourer.



Registered on the 3rd April 2002, BX02 OTG was first assigned to MG-Rover’s Press Garage as part of the Management Fleet. In December 2003 after covering 18,000 miles she was sold to a Mr. Smith of West Yorkshire. New owners in 2008 kept her until 2011, when at 77,000 miles she changed hands through a Trade Dealer to Ian.

A great deal of work was carried out during Ian’s ownership both mechanically and cosmetically including:-

• Cam belts replaced
• VIS motors rebuilt
• Alloys refurbished
• Xenon headlamps retro-fitted
• Alcantara grey seats installed
• Cruise control retro-fitted
• Message centre IPK retro-fitted
• Chrome mirror caps
• Chrome sill plates

Throughout Ian’s ownership I had constantly reminded him that should he ever wish to sell I would be very keen to take over custody of her.

That day came late last year and the deal was done. Diana was sent for her MoT and passed after a new back-box was fitted. Further to that a replacement clutch, slave and master cylinder have been fitted to see her well into the next decade.



Since ownership Diana has been everything from a Show Car to a dog transporter, to the daily driver I love. I thoroughly enjoy owning, driving and looking after such an important piece of British motoring heritage.



In addition to routine maintenance, which has included two replacement rear shock absorbers, I have added to Ian’s upgrades:-

• Genuine reverse parking assist
• Genuine front mud-flaps
• BRG dashboard inserts
• Green alcantara seating
• Auto dimming mirror



Future plans are for:-

• Rain sensing wipers
• Heated seats
• Illuminated sun visors
• Powerfold door mirrors
• Cubby auxiliary power socket
• Cubby rechargeable torch

I had great pleasure in displaying her at this year’s Pride of Longbridge at Cofton Park, Birmingham and she will also be in attendance at the BL Day in Peterborough, hopefully alongside my Rover 820 Mk1 Tickford Turbo, I’m only a couple of miles from the venue so it would be rude not too

If you see Diana and me out and about, feel free to come and say hi, it’s great to talk to fellow 75 & ZT enthusiasts.

I’m even hoping I may be in the “Was it you” section on the forum one day!



Article written by member Roo

The Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club Ltd 2006-2023