Directors

Christopher - Owner & Club Director

Christopher found his perfect car in a Rover 75 (R70 FVE) in July 2005 after a succession of meaningless connections with Ford cars and an odd phase when he drove a Datsun Sunny Station Wagon in deepest darkest New Zealand!

He originated from sunny Malta and is a biomedical engineer by profession, he spends his days devising new and exciting ways of measuring the outputs of people's brains (it is easier in some than in others!) has a Maltese wife, a New Zealand born son and a Canadian born daugther. Together with his 8 cats and 1 (slightly nervous) cockatiel they all live in Rugby. He now spends his weekends trying to make R70 FVE shine even more than it does and adding that ultimate accessory. For the club he sorts out the webpages and administers the running of the site.

Pete - Club Director

Well known for many things, and pretty much none of them pleasant or printable, Pete was the creator of the first web site for the club. His Rover 75 was in fact a landmark as it was the first purchase he made of notable taste. Sadly he has been unable to repeat this feat to date.

Very much a sleeping partner these days through personal and family commitments, Pete is happy to have Christopher at the helm, ably assisted by his moderation and technical teams on the forums.

Moderators

Reebs - Administrator / Lead Moderator

Reebs, or Paul to his friends, first came into Rover 75 ownership in 2001 with the purchase of a pre-launch Copperleaf Red Connoisseur SE. Thoroughly smitten, he then changed it for the first of what would become three Monogram Lagoon Supertallic cars. The V6 derivative seems to run in his blood, as all have a 2.5 KV6 power plant under the bonnet. Paul says, the only problem these days is deciding which car to take, the smooth elegance of the 75, the sporty practicality of the ZT-T 190, or the more modern styling of the ZT 180 Sports Auto.

Away from his cars, Paul spends much of his time attending to the daily operation of the club forums, liasing directly with Christopher and helping guide the rest of the team.

Dragrad - Moderator

Dragrad, a.k.a. Andrew, to those that know him, first went looking for a diesel car to suit his lifestyle. He had a 220 diesel and was impressed by that, but needed a larger car to cope with his requirements in the voluntary work he does in his community with events etc. So in July 2007 he set about looking for a car to suit his needs. He eventually settled on the R75 Tourer CDT and on the day he bought it, he subscribed as a member of the club.

Although suffering some severe setbacks in the first 2 years of ownership (due to the previous owner being duped by their garage) he is happily driving around in his chosen steed. With the up-grades, preventative 'medicine' and Mods provided by this great Club, the car is a totally different beast from the mild mannered one he bought. With the elegant ambiance of the car, the power and the total lack of 'road rage' that the car imbues upon the driver, it was well worth the money spent.

Duotone - Moderator

Dave got his club name Duotone after ordering a rather unique two tone Rover 75 CDTi saloon directly from the dealership while MG Rover were still in operation. Part of the Monogram range of special paint finishes, this car was one of only a handful ever commissioned by excited MGR customers.

Dave has always been a keen supporter of the R40 design, having previously owned an Arden Green 1.8 Club, followed by a British Racing Green diesel Connoisseur SE, but the most powerful 75 to have graced his driveway has to be the 4.6 litre V8 Rover 75 Contemporary SE in Monogram Poseidon that he cherished for several years before handing over ownership to fellow moderator J1MBO.

J1MBO - Moderator

J1MBO, or Jim as he's known in the real world, having owned a Moonraker Blue SD1, several Rover 400’s and a Rover 45 over the years, one day decided to approach his good lady about getting something more sporty such as a TF. Unfortunately he was only to be told that he was too old to have a mid-life crisis! So began his hunt for a Rover 75. He initially purchased a 2.5 litre Connoisseur called “Connie” and that cemented his love for all things ZT & 75.

In 2010 Jim found his dream car in a Rover 75 V8 Contemporary SE which had a Monogram Poseidon Chromactive paint finish. A very enjoyable two years followed improving the car and showing it at meets around the country, but unfortunately all good things come to and end and he recently had to let it go. Undeterred, Jim is on the look out for a replacement and it’s only a matter of time before he is behind the wheel of one of these great cars once more. Away from his role as a moderator within the club, Jim's main hobby is shooting and editing video of, guess what? cars!

Parker - Moderator

Phil has been a Rover enthusiast from the day he got his licence back in 1981 when his first car was a Rover 3500s auto picked up from the car auctions he worked at as a young auctioneer. Many other Rover cars followed including a Rover 75 1.8 in 2008 which brought him to the club through the well known fault of the separating fuel pump. In early 2012 he purchased the car he always wanted a 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE auto fully loaded with all the extras, with quite a bit of walnut and chrome added too.

He owns his own company in consumer electronics and supports the charity SADS (sudden adult death syndrome). His hobby is of course the 75 cherishing his 2.5 no expense is spared in keeping this fine vehicle on the road in immaculate condition.

Phil - Moderator / Technical Advisor

Phil has been an Austin, Rover, Leyland fan for as long as he can remember and is an avid collector of all things MGR. He has owned no less than six Rover 75's to date and many more Rover cars before that. Phil’s current vehicle is a Copperleaf Red Connoisseur SE CDT. The other great passion in his life is his Morris Marina which he keeps in pristine condition.

As an experienced workshop technician, Phil has served as one of the club’s Technical Advisors for many years. He was interested in mechanics from a very early age, and says he is at his happiest with a spanner in his hand. As one of the club’s moderators he is on hand to assist members in whatever way he can.

Simondi - Moderator

Simon lives in Ayrshire with his wife and two kids and has been a convert to MG Rover since 2003 when he took ownership of a Rover 400. Two years later he got a 75 in the form of a 1.8 Classic SE. Over the years this car was heavily modified as he upgraded to a full leather interior, walnut dash, steering wheel and so on.

In October 2012 he changed vehicles and became the very proud owner of a ZT 190 SE. Amongst his other duties Simon has responsibility for the Regional Secretary program.

Thomas - Moderator

Thomas has cars running through his veins, having worked over the years for Nissan, Jaguar, VW and of course MG Rover Group where he served his apprenticeship. He lives with his wife and young son & daughter in Scotland, and along with Simondi, makes up a quarter of the moderation team residing north of the border.

Thomas drives an Odyssey Blue Connoisseur SE CDTi facelift 75, and has not long added to the fleet with a 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE in Copperleaf Red. To finish the line up, he also has a 1975 series 3 Land Rover to get to places the saloons just cannot reach.

Technical Advisors

Greeners - Technical Advisor

Greeners or David as he was named by his parents is a man of many talents. In his time he has been a telecoms analyst, a florist, and an incident manager on the M25. No stranger to the MG Rover brand, his first purchase was a Trophy Blue ZT 190+ saloon when he joined the club in 2007. From there he acquired a Midnight Blue V6 ZT-T, and then took the plunge switching to a Starlight Silver MG ZT 260 V8 beast which he lovingly cherished for 2 years.

These days, David’s preferred mode of transport is a ZT CDTi diesel saloon finished in wonderful Monogram Chagall Supertallic paint. His knowledge of these cars is legendary within the club and his 13,000 plus posts are a testament to his commitment and willingness to help other members keep their cars on the road.

Messenger - Technical Advisor

With a background in aeronautical engineering, Corin is perhaps over qualified to tinker with the humble 75 or ZT, but tinker he does and then some. As a forum trader for many years in the club, he has stripped and fixed more cars than he’d care to imagine.

Whether it’s swapping over a complete interior, rebuilding an engine, or in one instance, transplanting a factory fit sunroof into another member’s car, you can see there isn’t much Corin won’t tackle. We are delighted that he is part of the club’s technical team and can put his vast amount of first hand experience, at our members disposal.

Sworks - Technical Advisor

Mark chose his username Sworks because he owns the very first SPi Mini Cooper Si+ S Works. He started his apprenticeship with Austin Rover Group in 1987 and has worked as a fully qualified MG Rover, Hyundai, Fiat, Suzuki and Ford auto technician ever since.

He lives with his family in beautiful Cumbria, and having previously owned many MGR vehicles including two 75 Tourers, Mark was presented in December 2011 with an extremely rare Trophy Yellow Rover 75 Contemporary SE, by his wife and children as his Christmas present. This car had been one of two specially commissioned for the Warwickshire and Northampton air ambulance service, and it is now his pride and joy.

Club Shop Manager

actros - Club Shop Manager

actros acquired his name from years of driving articulated lorries, but these days Brian helps the club out by running our shop. If he isn’t sending out grille badges or key rings, its calendars or welcome packs. In fact he’s so busy, we’re thinking of installing a conveyor belt between his house and the post office.

Brian joined the club in 2006 and was quickly asked to take on the role of parking marshal at our national meets, a job he still does to this day. His current car is a facelift 75 Connoisseur SE CDTi in British Racing Green. It’s his fourth Rover 75 as he’s previously owned two saloons and a tourer.

Regional Secretaries

andy willi - Regional Secretary: Yorkshire

Andy owns a ZT-T 190 in Solar Red, and knows every inch of the car from top to bottom, that’s because amongst other things, he is a highly accomplished mechanic, having owned his own garage in Doncaster.

Since becoming a regional secretary, Andy has organised a number of ‘hands on’ workshops where members bring their cars along for adjustment and modification under his watchful eye. The Yorkshire meets are always well subscribed with well over 40 cars at most events.

andy8688 - Regional Secretary: West Midlands

Andy currently drives a Starlight Silver Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 1.8 as well as a 75 Connoisseur SE V8 in Odyssey Blue. Over the years he has owned a variety of Rovers including P4's a P5B and other marques, a Jaguar S type, E type, 1964 mustang convertible and a 2004 Mustang GT.

He says his favourite has to be the E-Type, a real head turner but not so good if you suffer with back problems! Cars are Andy’s passion and even from a very young age he was involved in stock car racing. His next project is to build a Cobra replica. Andy is the Regional Secretary for the West Midlands.

Bluejon - Regional Secretary: Cumbria & North Lancs

John has been a member of the club since it’s inception, and has taken his treasured ‘Blue’ to virtually every national meet we’ve held. His Royal Blue Club SE is a 1.8T auto, and has to be one of the most pampered cars in the country. John’s wife Jan has now also joined the ranks of 75 ownership with her Starlight Silver V6 saloon called ‘Silvervixen’.

Since becoming a regional secretary for the Cumbrian area, John’s passion and enthusiasm for the marque has grown yet further, organising some celebrated gatherings for the members in his region.

Colin NI - Regional Secretary: Ireland

Colin works hard for the club helping members all over Ireland from his base in Belfast. No stranger to the marque, he has owned a Copperleaf Red 75 Saloon, two Anthracite MG ZT 160’s and currently uses a Royal Blue Rover 75 Club CDT tourer as his daily work horse.

When he is not organising events such as the annual Irish owners meet, rolling road days, or a stand at the ultimate car show in Larne, Colin has found the time to compile an extremely thorough ‘Ultimate Buyers Guide’ for all things 75 & ZT related. You’ll find it right here in the club.

derekosb - Regional Secretary: Scotland

Derek has the dubious honour of having owned 24 cars in the last 31 years. He has driven amongst others; a Triumph TR7, Ford Escort, Citroen XM, Fiat Punto and a Jaguar X-Type. His interest in the Rover 75 came when he purchased a Starlight Silver Connoisseur SE CDTi in 2008.

Derek has for the last two years worked diligently on behalf of our Scottish members, helping to organise many successful meets including the Scottish All Rover Rally (SARR) as well as three Anglo/Scottish gatherings a Gretna Green.

Fusilier - Regional Secretary: The North East

Stuart or Fusilier as he’s known to club members following his 23 years in HM Forces is on to his second MG ZT. His first, a Raven Black 160 +, was bought in 2004 and he now owns a Trophy Blue model of the same specification.

Since becoming a regional secretary Stuart has helped organise several meets including three Father’s Day Rallies at Harewood House near Leeds, where club members had their own section within the larger event.

mamasboy - Regional Secretary: The South East

Bernard has driven many Rovers in his time from 214's to 420TD's, but he says his two 75’s are in a league of their own. As well as his Wedgwood Blue Connoisseur SE diesel saloon, he also owns a very shiny British Racing Green Connoisseur SE tourer which once belonged to a fellow club member.

Bernard became a regional secretary for the club in 2012, and is eager to help co-ordinate meets and events for members in Sussex and Kent, as well as helping with advice and support for anyone that needs it.

mark d3 - Regional Secretary: Wales

Mark has owned his Dorchester Red 75 Connoisseur SE CDTi for five years, and is constantly improving it with modifications such as an X-power upgrade, blue spark tuning box, performance brake discs and pads,and a wood rimmed steering wheel.

Mark says he’s here to help anyone who has a problem, and loves organizing meetings in the Welsh region from his base in Mid Glamorgan.

Petetourer - Regional Secretary: South Central

Pete is a self confessed car nut, his first 75 has a 2.0 V6 tourer and he has since progressed on to a Starlight Silver MG ZT-T CDTi which he loves to tinker with.

Based in High Wycombe, Pete heads up the South Central area for the club’s members in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

rich17865 - Regional Secretary: The North West

Rich bought his 75 as a desperate replacement for a 2000 XJ8 that was on the brink of self destruction. It was only supposed to be a stop gap car until he got something a bit better, but got bitten by the bug and has been trying to get it back to a show standard ever since.

He found the club after trying to find advice on water in the boot, and found everyone to be friendly and helpful so stayed. Rich has a Monogram Chatsworth Supertallic CDTi Connoisseur SE which has a personal line Aubergine leather interior.