Trim level on late-build cars

[Mickyboy]

Yeah at the end they produced some odd spec cars, when breaking the late ones 2005 models I find some real odd specs like highline sat nav in a classic with cloth seats and gridspoke wheels + message centre etc
Regards mick

[Edward Huggins]

And I still keep finding things on my March 16th 2005 CDTi - including sports type leather gear knob, reversing sensors, "A" pillar airbags, much sound deadening in boot....and yet still called a CDTi Classic.
ED
PS Previously found: Twin horns, full leather all round, folding rear seat, ski hatch, rear cupholders, 4 full wheel arch liners, underbonnet and front scuttle soundproofing, illuminated visors, GPS (audio only version), driver's grab handle, 16" alloys, full spare wheel - and more I'll remember when this is posted. And I'm not complaining!

[steve-45]

Went out with a friend a few weeks ago to look at an 05 reg conni se it had curtain air bags and power fold mirrors, where as the 05 reg conni (not se) had neither but had the information centre, auto rear view mirror and rain sensing wipers that the se did not have.....

[Edward Huggins]

All rather strange and maybe a sign of mayhem/QC in those last few days....I can also add to my Post #12 - Electric windows all round, "B" Pillar airbags, map pockets in rear of front seats......ED

[minimutly]

"100 years of car production, 5000 people out of a job"
Pretty sad, especially since some of their stuff was top notch, and much of it miles better than the rubbish from France, Korea etc.
Probably would make a good study into how not to run a business, which is quite strange given the number of management type courses available at universities, colleges etc. not to mention the pay awarded to senior executives.

[grivas]

Originally Posted by minimutly

"100 years of car production, 5000 people out of a job"
Pretty sad, especially since some of their stuff was top notch, and much of it miles better than the rubbish from France, Korea etc.
Probably would make a good study into how not to run a business, which is quite strange given the number of management type courses available at universities, colleges etc. not to mention the pay awarded to senior executives.

Innovation research and development yes, the British are very good at that, at business alas they are not, to be good at business you need to understand the people who work for you, read the story behind the decline and decline and more decline of British Leyland, you will be horrified, incompetence all round.

[SCP440]

Originally Posted by grivas

Innovation research and development yes, the British are very good at that, at business alas they are not, to be good at business you need to understand the people who work for you, read the story behind the decline and decline and more decline of British Leyland, you will be horrified, incompetence all round.

I have a friend who used to work at the Cowley works when it was MG/Rover, some of the stories he has told me made me wonder how they ever made anything. Some cars must have been a complete nightmare, nuts and bolts in the exhaust, engines with pistons missing and electrical connections not connected. He reckoned the end of the line could be a complete car park with the amount of cars that would not start. On the other hand a car being built for an employee had extra paint and rustproofing and was built properly.

[tony062622]

One of the dodges used was to stockpile cars at the end of the line for weekend working.l spent a lot of time in longbridge and cowley installing conveyor system. Company l worked for installed systems for the R 8( 214/216/concerto.at longbrudge and the R40 75 at cowley.we were 40% complete installing the new mini in cab 2 longbridge when the announcement was made.We then took system out and stored it until the 75 was transferred to longbridge, the was an awful air of gloom when it happened.

[Mills2009]

A fair few enhancements were made for 2005 model year cars. For example, curtain airbags and power fold mirrors became standard on Conn SE models. Drivers side grab handles were also refitted for 2005 model year; my April 2005 ZTT has one fitted, but it was standard for any '05 model year car.

On the other hand, the Harmon Kardon sound system fitted as standard to 2004 Contemporary SE's was deleted for 2005.

The SVP's were essentially Classic models with full leather and Contemporary wheels fitted. They were priced very competitively and produced in time for new March 05 registrations. They were selling well, along with the newly streamlined 25 & 45 ranges, which also included leather as standard. Unfortunately it was just too late.