OVP The Club Car - It's History

Reebs · 20th November 2018, 17:45

So what's so special about 'OVP' The Club's rescue car? For new (and old) readers, here's a potted history....

Rolling off the production line at 12:33:13 on Wednesday 25th November 1998 at the Rover Oxford factory in Cowley, this lowly 1.8 Classic trim saloon painted in Arran (Old English) White was one of the very first cars assembled for evaluation and promotional use. It's VIN number being #001196 tells us that it was the 203rd 75 to be born, and that full production of the marque would not commence until 12th April 1999 when the first dealer launch car came off the line and was gifted to the Motor Heritage Museum at Gaydon. That 75 was incidentally the 1,117th car to be produced.

So what was 'OVP' used for? Well it was never sold as a customer vehicle but remained the property of MG Rover Group. It was first spotted in a 1999 technical training video specially produced by Rover to distribute to their dealership technicians.

We believe (but cannot confirm as yet) that it was one of the six Arran White Classic spec 75s taken to Tower Bridge for the official press launch of the car on Thursday 17th June 1999. There were many Arran White Connoisseurs with chrome mirror caps, sunroofs, headlamp washer jets and front fog lamps at the event, but only two groups of three Classic spec white saloons either side of the stage on the second tear up that had none of those extras, OVP could well have been one of those six.

Here is a video of the event

What we do know is that Rover Group allowed many of their cars to be used on television as prop vehicles, and the next time OVP made an appearance on screen was when the first series of Murphy's Law starring James Nesbitt was broadcast in September 2001.

The car was redressed as a Metropolitan police vehicle, complete with Blue lights and reflective decals and was interestingly given chrome door mirror covers?

A year later, the car was again used on television, this time in two episodes of Silent Witness starring Amanda Burton

Following that, OVP had a change of Battenburg decals before it reappeared on screen in an episode of New Tricks on BBC1 in April 2004

It's final small screen outing was a year later in an episode of Ultimate Force on ITV starring Ross Kemp

Our future club car had been spotted at Longbridge around this period earning it's living as an on-site ambulance and security vehicle, minus it's Blue lights and wearing a variety of different alloy wheels

Then when MG Rover went to the wall, and MG Motor UK took over the plant, the car remained in service as a security vehicle but was stripped of it's decals and unceremoniously turned into a ZT, presumably so that no reference to Rover was seen at the now MG branded factory

There the car stayed being rather neglected and abused until 28th August 2009 when a group of club members went to buy what was left of her from the factory.

It was in a very sorry state and was due to be crushed.

Club members The Yellow Peril, Martin Green, Rabett_Rover and Owners Club Director Christopher saved it with a view to recommissioning it to it's former glory

Also involved, members Andy Merril & Rob Tucker

The car was transported off site and thus began it's long road back to glory.

You can read the full restoration thread by clicking

Here

Now OVP is road worthy and presentable, and even made it to the NEC Classic Motor Show in 2018

Where none other than Richard Woolley, the original designer of the Rover 75 came to see her.

Apart from the rather unique history of this car, it's value also lies in the fact that as a basic entry spec model with the smallest size engine, it is fast becoming a rare sight on our roads, with enthusiasts tending to preserve the higher trim levels with larger petrol or diesel driven power plants.

It is our hope that as many people as possible get to see this car in the years ahead and that it can be preserved for the future of the marque's history.

The Yellow Peril · 28th September 2020, 15:33

OMG: I'd almost forgotten about this one. I recall going with Martin Green and Lewis to Longbridge on a number of occasions to try to negotiate a deal on spares and salvaged cars before the crushers arrived, all to no avail.

This old S Reg girl was the only one rescued, sold to us by weight, x£'s per ton! Great to see her looking so good.

It was a sad and sorry day when the crushers destroyer many dozens of brand new and hardly used 45's, 75's 25's MGTF's and even Vans.

The saddest of all was to see a glorious 75 limousine in moonstone green, with all the toys and less than 30k on the clock go into the crusher.

Great to see the picture history

Dragrad · 2nd November 2020, 01:43

I donated a steering wheel to this car for it's restoration. Hope it will last for years to come, the car I mean...

I still like this colour scheme.....
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...4548e27a29.jpg

Rev Jules · 4th November 2020, 07:55

Just an after thought, is this car being used or is it hidden away somewhere.

Reebs · 4th November 2020, 09:10

It’s currently tucked up in a nice dry garage, resting it’s weary bones away from the elements.

Dragrad · 17th January 2021, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reebs

It’s currently tucked up in a nice dry garage, resting it’s weary bones away from the elements.

What is it's future going to be?

edwardmk · 8th February 2021, 17:57

[QUOTE=The Yellow Peril;2839220]OMG: I'd almost forgotten about this one. I recall going with Martin Green and Lewis to Longbridge on a number of occasions to try to negotiate a deal on spares and salvaged cars before the crushers arrived, all to no avail.

This old S Reg girl was the only one rescued, sold to us by weight, x£'s per ton! Great to see her looking so good.

It was a sad and sorry day when the crushers destroyer many dozens of brand new and hardly used 45's, 75's 25's MGTF's and even Vans.

The saddest of all was to see a glorious 75 limousine in moonstone green, with all the toys and less than 30k on the clock go into the crusher.

Can anyone explain why on earth this was allowed to happen? I literally don't understand why anyone would crush perfectly saleable vehicles/

Shapfell · 9th February 2021, 20:29

[QUOTE=edwardmk;2864215]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yellow Peril

OMG: I'd almost forgotten about this one. I recall going with Martin Green and Lewis to Longbridge on a number of occasions to try to negotiate a deal on spares and salvaged cars before the crushers arrived, all to no avail.

This old S Reg girl was the only one rescued, sold to us by weight, x£'s per ton! Great to see her looking so good.

It was a sad and sorry day when the crushers destroyer many dozens of brand new and hardly used 45's, 75's 25's MGTF's and even Vans.

The saddest of all was to see a glorious 75 limousine in moonstone green, with all the toys and less than 30k on the clock go into the crusher.

Can anyone explain why on earth this was allowed to happen? I literally don't understand why anyone would crush perfectly saleable vehicles/

Public liability/tax/warranty etc. Same as why prototypes usually get destroyed, even if they are fully functional vehicles (unless they sneak out of course...).

Alex Rankin · 19th March 2023, 08:44

New to 75 ownership, and I can’t really believe what I’m reading. How can companies be so thoughtless and wasteful. What a disgraceful practice. I’m very pleased OVP was able to be saved.

edwardmk · 19th March 2023, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Rankin

New to 75 ownership, and I can’t really believe what I’m reading. How can companies be so thoughtless and wasteful. What a disgraceful practice. I’m very pleased OVP was able to be saved.

Agree completely. Difficult to comprehend that a company in financial distress didn't auction these vehicles. Surely that would have been much more cost effective? Corporate madness.

20th November 2018, 17:45	#1
Reebs Owners Club Director Rover 75 Conn SE V6 / MG ZT 260 SE V8 / MG ZT 180 SE V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 20,935 Thanks: 645 Thanked 6,851 Times in 2,537 Posts	OVP The Club Car - It's History So what's so special about 'OVP' The Club's rescue car? For new (and old) readers, here's a potted history.... Rolling off the production line at 12:33:13 on Wednesday 25th November 1998 at the Rover Oxford factory in Cowley, this lowly 1.8 Classic trim saloon painted in Arran (Old English) White was one of the very first cars assembled for evaluation and promotional use. It's VIN number being #001196 tells us that it was the 203rd 75 to be born, and that full production of the marque would not commence until 12th April 1999 when the first dealer launch car came off the line and was gifted to the Motor Heritage Museum at Gaydon. That 75 was incidentally the 1,117th car to be produced. So what was 'OVP' used for? Well it was never sold as a customer vehicle but remained the property of MG Rover Group. It was first spotted in a 1999 technical training video specially produced by Rover to distribute to their dealership technicians. We believe (but cannot confirm as yet) that it was one of the six Arran White Classic spec 75s taken to Tower Bridge for the official press launch of the car on Thursday 17th June 1999. There were many Arran White Connoisseurs with chrome mirror caps, sunroofs, headlamp washer jets and front fog lamps at the event, but only two groups of three Classic spec white saloons either side of the stage on the second tear up that had none of those extras, OVP could well have been one of those six. Here is a video of the event What we do know is that Rover Group allowed many of their cars to be used on television as prop vehicles, and the next time OVP made an appearance on screen was when the first series of Murphy's Law starring James Nesbitt was broadcast in September 2001. The car was redressed as a Metropolitan police vehicle, complete with Blue lights and reflective decals and was interestingly given chrome door mirror covers? A year later, the car was again used on television, this time in two episodes of Silent Witness starring Amanda Burton Following that, OVP had a change of Battenburg decals before it reappeared on screen in an episode of New Tricks on BBC1 in April 2004 It's final small screen outing was a year later in an episode of Ultimate Force on ITV starring Ross Kemp Our future club car had been spotted at Longbridge around this period earning it's living as an on-site ambulance and security vehicle, minus it's Blue lights and wearing a variety of different alloy wheels Then when MG Rover went to the wall, and MG Motor UK took over the plant, the car remained in service as a security vehicle but was stripped of it's decals and unceremoniously turned into a ZT, presumably so that no reference to Rover was seen at the now MG branded factory There the car stayed being rather neglected and abused until 28th August 2009 when a group of club members went to buy what was left of her from the factory. It was in a very sorry state and was due to be crushed. Club members The Yellow Peril, Martin Green, Rabett_Rover and Owners Club Director Christopher saved it with a view to recommissioning it to it's former glory Also involved, members Andy Merril & Rob Tucker The car was transported off site and thus began it's long road back to glory. You can read the full restoration thread by clicking Here Now OVP is road worthy and presentable, and even made it to the NEC Classic Motor Show in 2018 Where none other than Richard Woolley, the original designer of the Rover 75 came to see her. Apart from the rather unique history of this car, it's value also lies in the fact that as a basic entry spec model with the smallest size engine, it is fast becoming a rare sight on our roads, with enthusiasts tending to preserve the higher trim levels with larger petrol or diesel driven power plants. It is our hope that as many people as possible get to see this car in the years ahead and that it can be preserved for the future of the marque's history. __________________ Check your trim here . Check your spec here Check your colour here . Check Project Drive here Check your original price here

28th September 2020, 15:33	#2
The Yellow Peril Posted a thing or two Primrose Yellow 75 V6 Conn SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hoar Cross, Staffordshire Posts: 1,174 Thanks: 23 Thanked 49 Times in 11 Posts	Happy Memories OMG: I'd almost forgotten about this one. I recall going with Martin Green and Lewis to Longbridge on a number of occasions to try to negotiate a deal on spares and salvaged cars before the crushers arrived, all to no avail. This old S Reg girl was the only one rescued, sold to us by weight, x£'s per ton! Great to see her looking so good. It was a sad and sorry day when the crushers destroyer many dozens of brand new and hardly used 45's, 75's 25's MGTF's and even Vans. The saddest of all was to see a glorious 75 limousine in moonstone green, with all the toys and less than 30k on the clock go into the crusher. Great to see the picture history

2nd November 2020, 01:43	#3
Dragrad This is my second home *None DROWNED** Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cardigan Posts: 33,339 Thanks: 1,257 Thanked 1,664 Times in 1,081 Posts	I donated a steering wheel to this car for it's restoration. Hope it will last for years to come, the car I mean... I still like this colour scheme..... https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...4548e27a29.jpg __________________ Andrew Ich Dien Problem solving is... lateral thinking SEARCH FIRST ...ASK LATER... Last edited by Dragrad; 2nd November 2020 at 01:48..

4th November 2020, 09:10	#5
Reebs Owners Club Director Rover 75 Conn SE V6 / MG ZT 260 SE V8 / MG ZT 180 SE V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 20,935 Thanks: 645 Thanked 6,851 Times in 2,537 Posts	It’s currently tucked up in a nice dry garage, resting it’s weary bones away from the elements. __________________ Check your trim here . Check your spec here Check your colour here . Check Project Drive here Check your original price here

4th November 2020, 07:55	#4
Rev Jules This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer+ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Radcliffe on Trent Posts: 10,709 Thanks: 7,308 Thanked 3,929 Times in 2,051 Posts	Just an after thought, is this car being used or is it hidden away somewhere.

8th February 2021, 17:57	#7
edwardmk Gets stuck in MG ZT 260, Rover 75 Connie SE auto Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Redruth Posts: 984 Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 399 Times in 271 Posts	[QUOTE=The Yellow Peril;2839220]OMG: I'd almost forgotten about this one. I recall going with Martin Green and Lewis to Longbridge on a number of occasions to try to negotiate a deal on spares and salvaged cars before the crushers arrived, all to no avail. This old S Reg girl was the only one rescued, sold to us by weight, x£'s per ton! Great to see her looking so good. It was a sad and sorry day when the crushers destroyer many dozens of brand new and hardly used 45's, 75's 25's MGTF's and even Vans. The saddest of all was to see a glorious 75 limousine in moonstone green, with all the toys and less than 30k on the clock go into the crusher. Can anyone explain why on earth this was allowed to happen? I literally don't understand why anyone would crush perfectly saleable vehicles/

19th March 2023, 08:44	#9
Alex Rankin Newbie Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Yeovil Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to 75 ownership, and I can’t really believe what I’m reading. How can companies be so thoughtless and wasteful. What a disgraceful practice. I’m very pleased OVP was able to be saved.