75 Coupe Reborn

confronted · 21st December 2015, 19:35

Hi everyone

Having customised two Rover 75 projects, the Rover 150 and the Rover 75 pickup, I learned a lot about the general construction of the 75.

It soon became clear that many members were wanting to see a Rover 75 coupe built similar to Rover's proto-type. After weighing up the pros and cons of such a project I dared myself to have a go, knowing the many complications, time, money and effort it would take. I thought I would have a go, if only to challenge my own capabilities. Having studied the Rover proto-type there were a few details I decided to change. I thought the rear quarter windows, in particular, were not quite right, the grille looked too big mouthed and the interior a bit overwhelming. The rear exhaust pipes are mainly overlooked by designers and I feel they are an important feature of a car's design and decided to highlight them on the coupe. Other details I have changed you will no doubt notice.

Not knowing whether the project was viable or not I purchased a MGZT 190 that was going to be scrapped and used this as the donor car. The first thing to do was to reconstruct the roof, A,B and C posts, make extended frameless doors etc. I decided to compile a photographic diary of the build for you to see the step by step construction.

The finished coupe will undergo an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test to get it road legal to enable to drive it to shows etc.

I shall look forward to any comments, whether they be good, bad or indifferent.

mamasboy · 21st December 2015, 19:38

great job

freck · 21st December 2015, 19:41

Wow! Fantastic job, that looks awesome.

When are you taking orders?

good_mojo · 21st December 2015, 19:55

You have done a fantastic job there and it has clearly been a lot of work.

The seats look great. I like the wing vents and how they line up with the sill chrome.

Is all the custom body work done in steel?

confronted · 22nd December 2015, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by good_mojo

You have done a fantastic job there and it has clearly been a lot of work.

The seats look great. I like the wing vents and how they line up with the sill chrome.

Is all the custom body work done in steel?

Yes all done in steel with a moderate amount of filler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yella Fella

Really, really nice work. Where have you been hiding? You're pulling off these excellent projects but you have only posted 14 times! We need to hear from you more and hear about your work more!

I am better at working with steel than words but try and keep more in touch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

Are you able to post any kind of build thread, or more information on what you've changed? I'm staring it and keep seeing loads of beautiful details. Like the seal on the door!

Build diary coming up soon it will explain a lot more than words.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Outstanding!

In terms of man hours from concept design to end finish, please tell how long it took to build?

I didn't keep count but I would say about 2,500 hours.
a lot of time, a lot of wine, but a lot of satisfaction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonc3725

Wow wow and wow.That is absolutely stunning.

I love the grafted front bumper and I don't think a premium would suit this at all. The coupe body line is stunning and the interior is a work of art. The rear bumper also works really well

So many questions:-

1. Are you going to post any build photos
2. How did you get the chrome surround around the rear quarter lights
3. Who made all the new shaped glass?
4. Where did the reclining seats come from
5. Are the door cards modelled from original MG Rover ?
6. How did you get the coupe shape

Sorry so many questions but it such a good finish and how a coupe should look. You are truly very skilful with good vision. I do hope you post some build pictures sometime.

Hats off to you sir

Hi Jon c
Thank you for your comments.
answers to you questions.
Yes I will post a complete build diary after Christmas.The chrome surround comes with the BMW 4 series quarter windows (not cheap). All the glass is from a BMW e92 3 @4 series coupe. I will leave question no 6 because you will get a better idea from the build photos coming up soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanbursta

Holy cow. Do you have any build pics?

Coming up soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J1MBO

Gerry, you continue to amaze me with your skills, that is way beyond awesome

.

I totally love it!

I hope the other project we spoke of at Pride of Longbridge still continues........

Hi Jimbo,
Thanks next 75 project underway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Lovely, can we see the build pictures, I find the work pictures better than the finished ones, they say so much more as you can appreciate the time and effort that has gone into a job like this.

Trikey you are so right pics to follow soon.

Cable Tie · 21st December 2015, 19:42

What a stunner how could you not like this only thing I'm not keen on is wing vents but I could live with them and grow to like them I take my hat off to you sir your an inspiration keep up the good work well done it's a absolute stunner

LotusLC · 21st December 2015, 19:42

I like it very much, but for me i would put a premium bumper on

mamasboy · 21st December 2015, 19:44

how have you kept this so secret????

suzublu · 21st December 2015, 19:46

Been waiting ages for this Gerry, absolutely gorgeous

your best work to date

pob06 · 21st December 2015, 19:46

Want !!!! :-)

"Runs off to find a 75 donor" :-) :-)

21st December 2015, 19:35	#1
confronted Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: narberth Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 407 Times in 58 Posts	75 Coupe Reborn Hi everyone Having customised two Rover 75 projects, the Rover 150 and the Rover 75 pickup, I learned a lot about the general construction of the 75. It soon became clear that many members were wanting to see a Rover 75 coupe built similar to Rover's proto-type. After weighing up the pros and cons of such a project I dared myself to have a go, knowing the many complications, time, money and effort it would take. I thought I would have a go, if only to challenge my own capabilities. Having studied the Rover proto-type there were a few details I decided to change. I thought the rear quarter windows, in particular, were not quite right, the grille looked too big mouthed and the interior a bit overwhelming. The rear exhaust pipes are mainly overlooked by designers and I feel they are an important feature of a car's design and decided to highlight them on the coupe. Other details I have changed you will no doubt notice. Not knowing whether the project was viable or not I purchased a MGZT 190 that was going to be scrapped and used this as the donor car. The first thing to do was to reconstruct the roof, A,B and C posts, make extended frameless doors etc. I decided to compile a photographic diary of the build for you to see the step by step construction. The finished coupe will undergo an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test to get it road legal to enable to drive it to shows etc. I shall look forward to any comments, whether they be good, bad or indifferent.

21st December 2015, 19:38	#2
mamasboy RS South East Ford fester... blah.... Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hastings Posts: 2,900 Thanks: 29 Thanked 78 Times in 42 Posts	great job __________________ the name's Bernard but you can call me nursie......

21st December 2015, 19:41	#3
freck Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connie Tourer Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Preston Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 142 Thanked 274 Times in 226 Posts	Wow! Fantastic job, that looks awesome. When are you taking orders? __________________ Steve Teamwork makes the dream work! Mods planned - Cruise retrofit - Done, ZT front bumper - Done, 160 remap - Done...and probably one or two more This vehicle was the 15,751st 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 This vehicle was the 3,726th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur to be made out of 4,100 This vehicle was the 732nd 75 Tourer in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 4,100 Starlight Silver 75 Tourers

21st December 2015, 19:42	#6
Cable Tie Regional Secretary Orange grove ztt cdti Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Torquay Posts: 2,410 Thanks: 2,297 Thanked 1,381 Times in 818 Posts	What a stunner how could you not like this only thing I'm not keen on is wing vents but I could live with them and grow to like them I take my hat off to you sir your an inspiration keep up the good work well done it's a absolute stunner __________________ Dreams do come true

21st December 2015, 19:42	#7
LotusLC This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Auto / ZT-T Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: York Posts: 3,981 Thanks: 3,329 Thanked 1,644 Times in 1,238 Posts	I like it very much, but for me i would put a premium bumper on __________________ Lotus Carlton - Number 852 (My old car) https://i.imgur.com/Cwa3376m.jpg

21st December 2015, 19:55	#4
good_mojo Loves to post Facelift Rover 75 Classic CDT auto and Connoisseur SE 1.8T Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ferryhill Posts: 399 Thanks: 113 Thanked 110 Times in 83 Posts	You have done a fantastic job there and it has clearly been a lot of work. The seats look great. I like the wing vents and how they line up with the sill chrome. Is all the custom body work done in steel?

21st December 2015, 19:44	#8
mamasboy RS South East Ford fester... blah.... Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hastings Posts: 2,900 Thanks: 29 Thanked 78 Times in 42 Posts	how have you kept this so secret???? __________________ the name's Bernard but you can call me nursie......

21st December 2015, 19:46	#9
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,922 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Been waiting ages for this Gerry, absolutely gorgeous your best work to date

21st December 2015, 19:46	#10
pob06 Gets stuck in Starlight Silver ZT+ manual diesel saloon, Black X-Type Sport SE Diesel estate, manual. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Reading Posts: 908 Thanks: 9 Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts	Want !!!! :-) "Runs off to find a 75 donor" :-) :-) __________________ Despite the high cost of living its still proving popular - Membership number 1044 -- Apparently in 1044 Henry III, Holy Roman Emporer got bored and invaded Hungary.