Willy our red Rover 75 Club

Split or Bust · 4th March 2019, 21:05

Been guest lurking over the site over the last few months once a mate decided that we should drive a car to Split in Croatia in July.

This forum has been a mine of info, many thanks, and am now able to share a few details about our newly acquired Rover 75.

Didn’t take us long to establish a few ground rules and being 2 Saga aged gents this was never going to be a trip in a tatty, cramped small hatchback.

Nope what we needed was a comfortable gentlemen’s club type Bentley…but sadly can’t get one of those for £500 so settled for the next best thing, namely a mini-Bentley aka Rover 75 Club.

So been looking around with a view to getting the car by Easter when the other night I saw an Autotrader ad and 12 hours later I found myself visiting an ATM and taking out the money to give to the dealer thus allowing me to become the proud owner of a 2001 2.0 CDT Club in copperleaf red.

Was quickly named Willy on the basis of will he or won’t he make it to Split, which then also gave me my forum moniker.

To add to the story 2 March was Willy's 18th birthday based on 1st registration date of 2 March 2001.

Was planning yesterday on giving Willy a good going over, checking out the good and bad bits and give Willy a thorough clean and polish but sadly the weather put paid to that.

Looking forward to sharing Willy's adventures with you all so please watch this space...more to follow over the coming days and weeks.

trikey · 4th March 2019, 21:15

Sounds good, get some pictures posted up

Ravinder · 4th March 2019, 22:15

Look forward to hearing about the trip.

steve-45 · 4th March 2019, 22:22

All the way to Split ! And here’s me worrying about a short trip into the Netherlands.

Simondi · 5th March 2019, 06:08

Looking forward to hearing your updates

BoroRover · 5th March 2019, 07:23

Hoping you have a safe, uneventful trip.

Split or Bust · 5th March 2019, 18:01

Gave Willy’s cabin and boot a quick sweep through today, sadly only found 5p, no pound coins or notes though did find a generous selection of spare bulbs.

Proper wash and clean another day along with plenum clean and mod.

Put the clutch pedal rubber back on the pedal.

Space saver wheel looks like it’s never been used, still had part of a label on it.

Found a manual for a Pioneer stereo in the glovebox and then replaced the non-working Volkswagen (???) stereo with a spare Sony Bluetooth stereo I had lying around.

Mate’s in charge of the music for the trip, apparently it’s going to be anything up to about 1996 after which music died, or so he claims. He may actually be right and we have become our fathers "Why are you listening to that rubbish?!?!"

Now giving a bit more practical thought to what’s needed for the trip, again this forum’s been great and looks like we may be going with ETA for breakdown cover as car is over 15 years old ETA breakdown

Will sort International Drivers Permits in July, simple trip to the Post Office armed with licence and photos.

Any suggestions on what spare parts to carry gratefully appreciated.

Already have RAC European travel kit.

Photos to be uploaded when I've read how to do that, but right now I need coffee and then plonk myself in front of the box to watch Spurs...COYS!!

Roderick · 6th March 2019, 11:30

Well done, good choice of car colour. Driving to Split too. You will enjoy the comfortable tireless ride. Ours was driven to Italy on the Adriatic and it's still here at the moment. Provided all is functioning and serviced, your car should not have any problems, however, I recently discovered one side of the exhaust heat shield had come adrift and sometimes caught on the road. Called into local Bosch Service centre who whipped it up on a ramp and fixed it back with stainless steel big washers and bolts. Very helpful staff once the mechanic got over the surprise of getting in the 'wrong' side to drive it.

Don't know what route you plan on taking, but do consider leaving from Harwich to Hook of Holland, distances are virtually the same and you can avoid (particularly in summer) delays and problems with the tunnel or Dover ferries, not to mention if you drive through France huge Toll costs.
Good luck and be sure to post a write up of the trip.

Beena wild · 8th March 2019, 06:58

"Was quickly named Willy on the basis of will he or won’t he make it to Split, which then also gave me my forum moniker.
"

Ahem, in my part of the world this is another name for the male appendage ....
in that case i hope your Willy pleases, rises to the occasion, performs wonderfully and doesn't flag or cease to operate in the tunnels of Europe !

4th March 2019, 21:05	#1
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Willy our red Rover 75 Club Been guest lurking over the site over the last few months once a mate decided that we should drive a car to Split in Croatia in July. This forum has been a mine of info, many thanks, and am now able to share a few details about our newly acquired Rover 75. Didn’t take us long to establish a few ground rules and being 2 Saga aged gents this was never going to be a trip in a tatty, cramped small hatchback. Nope what we needed was a comfortable gentlemen’s club type Bentley…but sadly can’t get one of those for £500 so settled for the next best thing, namely a mini-Bentley aka Rover 75 Club. So been looking around with a view to getting the car by Easter when the other night I saw an Autotrader ad and 12 hours later I found myself visiting an ATM and taking out the money to give to the dealer thus allowing me to become the proud owner of a 2001 2.0 CDT Club in copperleaf red. Was quickly named Willy on the basis of will he or won’t he make it to Split, which then also gave me my forum moniker. To add to the story 2 March was Willy's 18th birthday based on 1st registration date of 2 March 2001. Was planning yesterday on giving Willy a good going over, checking out the good and bad bits and give Willy a thorough clean and polish but sadly the weather put paid to that. Looking forward to sharing Willy's adventures with you all so please watch this space...more to follow over the coming days and weeks.

4th March 2019, 21:15	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,768 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Sounds good, get some pictures posted up __________________ Lest we forget..

4th March 2019, 22:15	#3
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	Look forward to hearing about the trip. __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

5th March 2019, 06:08	#5
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	Looking forward to hearing your updates __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

8th March 2019, 06:58	#9
Beena wild Loves to post MG ZT190+ 2.5 2002 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 466 Thanks: 33 Thanked 55 Times in 50 Posts	"Was quickly named Willy on the basis of will he or won’t he make it to Split, which then also gave me my forum moniker. " Ahem, in my part of the world this is another name for the male appendage .... in that case i hope your Willy pleases, rises to the occasion, performs wonderfully and doesn't flag or cease to operate in the tunnels of Europe ! Last edited by Beena wild; 8th March 2019 at 06:58.. Reason: omission

4th March 2019, 22:22	#4
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	All the way to Split ! And here’s me worrying about a short trip into the Netherlands.

5th March 2019, 07:23	#6
BoroRover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Middlesbrough Posts: 1,518 Thanks: 1,861 Thanked 723 Times in 471 Posts	Hoping you have a safe, uneventful trip.

5th March 2019, 18:01	#7
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Gave Willy’s cabin and boot a quick sweep through today, sadly only found 5p, no pound coins or notes though did find a generous selection of spare bulbs. Proper wash and clean another day along with plenum clean and mod. Put the clutch pedal rubber back on the pedal. Space saver wheel looks like it’s never been used, still had part of a label on it. Found a manual for a Pioneer stereo in the glovebox and then replaced the non-working Volkswagen (???) stereo with a spare Sony Bluetooth stereo I had lying around. Mate’s in charge of the music for the trip, apparently it’s going to be anything up to about 1996 after which music died, or so he claims. He may actually be right and we have become our fathers "Why are you listening to that rubbish?!?!" Now giving a bit more practical thought to what’s needed for the trip, again this forum’s been great and looks like we may be going with ETA for breakdown cover as car is over 15 years old ETA breakdown Will sort International Drivers Permits in July, simple trip to the Post Office armed with licence and photos. Any suggestions on what spare parts to carry gratefully appreciated. Already have RAC European travel kit. Photos to be uploaded when I've read how to do that, but right now I need coffee and then plonk myself in front of the box to watch Spurs...COYS!!