ZT 260 v8 front Grill, New and Old version?

[JayHSpence]

Hey there guys..
just a quick one.. I have found on a 260, what looked like an AUDI looking front grill on a 260??... when exactly did ROVER bring these into the production line?.. and am I right in thinking that these are very rare..as I am kinda loving the look... but trying to find one for sale with this grill style, is becoming impossible.
I have looked around and cant find much on the subject..if anything. So any thoughts, and ideas as to where to find out anything re this grill..would be fab.
cheers guys
Jay

[Jules]

I thought only the 75 V8 had the premium grille

[JayHSpence]

I thought only the 75 V8 had the premium grille
Hey Jules..
Not sure as it was in my rear view mirror.. it looked like a ZT..:drool4: and it was raining. and the kids were screamin..and the wife was ( trying to ) read the map lmao... and and and
or am I mistaken :oh you:- was it a 75?.. :getmecoat:

[JayHSpence]

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/motorshows/2007/shanghai/03-large/nac-mg7.jpg
something like this..

[JayHSpence]

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/rkaja84/mysite/_42733345_mgsedangetty416b.jpg
and this one... "it is, a MG ZT".. and this is what the ZT looked like behind me the other day.
was it a factory fit option then.. or an aftermarket job.
this is a blog I just found.. re the above photo...

The MG 7 series has been officially launched by Chinese manufacturer Nanjing MG in its home market, retaining the design and quality of the charismatic British-built former MG ZT. The MG7 will be available in the Chinese market with a choice of two initial engines and will be priced from £12,600 to £22,260. International market release dates and prices are yet to be announced.
The entry-level 1.8-litre turbocharged unit will feature in three MG7 variants. It generates 160 hp and 215 Nm of torque between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. An upgrade to the engine has been made in co-operation with Lotus to ensure Euro IV emissions compliancy.
A version stretched by 200mm, dubbed the MG7L, features an upgraded specification, increased rear legroom and a generally higher level of comfort. The limousine model utilises a 2.5-litre V6 powerplant, capable of 177 hp and 240Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
"We are bringing British automotive culture to our country," says the firm's Sales Director, Yang Yunhu. "Until now no other car from a British marque has been manufactured and sold in China. Today customers are becoming more demanding in terms of their requirements which we will be able to satisfy thanks to the different variants of the MG7."

[JayHSpence]

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/rkaja84/mysite/m1.jpg


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/rkaja84/mysite/m2.jpg


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/rkaja84/mysite/m4.jpg


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/rkaja84/mysite/m3.jpg
mmm I am new to the MG ZT, other than left hand drive.. I can not see much of a change! but does this mean we should be able to find New Spare parts and so on, soon..? as I am reading a lot about new replacement parts are like rockin horse po.. these days! is this really the case?

[Simon]

The premium grille as you saw in your mirror was an option during MG-Rover production. All Rover 75 V8's had them as standard and it was an optional extra for the rest of the range. I don't believe they were an official option for the sister ZT ranges but many people have since fitted them to ZT's.

The premium grilles themselves are very rare items. Getting hold of one (and the component parts that go to make one unit) are like rocking horse poo, if not rarer. For example, the fog light mounts, foam padding behind the bumper itself not to mention the rarer-than-rare chrome trim that surrounds the mesh grille are nigh-on impossible to source. You do find the bare bumper shells cropping up occasionally on eBay etc but they are often not always in the best of condition and so you will need to spend a lot of time to correct any flaws in the surface/fitting points before you can successfully fit it to a car - and then of course you have the afore mentioned problem of all the 'bits' that go into making a unit complete.

Hope that helps. :)

[JohnDotCom]

Don't mention Chrome V8 trims please.........:rant: :getmecoat:

[Petrow]

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/imagehosting/thum_23248f537152e9d0.jpg ('http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4784')

The real thing.

[JayHSpence]

Cheers guys for your thoughts..:)
So I am thinking that it would be better to go with the more standard grill...
from the sounds of it.. even once I have found it..ready fitted or I simply built it up..and fit it myself.. some silly mare ( yes have you not seen the horse that can drive a car??? ) she will drive into the front end and I will be wishing I had the more common front end to start with... to save the agro

I think I may just do that..

I promise I will never ask about the front Grill again ok... :)

ps Has anyone who lives in the poole dorset area got a 260 that they want to lend me..just for a few hours hehee..:D. As I have this urge to drive one and to show the wife.. just how nice a 260 really is. ( yup.. thats me.. the one with the bald patch.. from being under the thumb) lol.

[SteveWaller]

The "common" front end will fit if you break the premium grill and you could always buy one with a premium grill, sell it for an extortionate amount of money on ebay and fit a standard grill!

[JayHSpence]

The "common" front end will fit if you break the premium grill and you could always buy one with a premium grill, sell it for an extortionate amount of money on ebay and fit a standard grill!

Now thats an interesting idea. :drool4: lol

[pmessling]

the exception to the rule is AndyG, he has a 260 ZTT with the rover front end, what was the colour of the car you saw????

[JayHSpence]

the exception to the rule is AndyG, he has a 260 ZTT with the rover front end, what was the colour of the car you saw????

Hey there Pmessling.. it was the Dark Grey.. not sure what that one is called.

[Jules]

Tempest Grey on a Rover
Xpower Grey on an MG same nice colour all the same

[pmessling]

not Andy then, his zt with the rover front is black in colour.