Strange rear plinth

vitesse · 21st October 2019, 19:26

Posting on behalf of a Swedish owner who has recently bought an early V6, July 99, with a rear plinth without the lettering “ROVER” yet it looks original. No indication the central badge from a post 2001 plinth has been removed, don’t know if it’s possible. Anyone shed any light on this?

Regards

The Mighty Quinn · 21st October 2019, 19:37

I believe these were fitted to the pre-production cars only (so, only the very early ones).

However, I got a new one of these unbranded plinths a few years ago (off an internet auction site, if memory serves me right). Could have been retrofitted - but, if the shoe fits..

Cheers,
Karl.

vitesse · 21st October 2019, 19:45

Thanks Karl, I had a look at some photos of the pre-production (launch cars) and the ones I saw had lettered plinths so puzzled. Hopefully someone might have a picture of one of these along with the VIN or link. The owner is eager to keep the car as original as possible and want to know if he should replace it or not. Nice to know to someone else has seen them.

Mike

The Mighty Quinn · 21st October 2019, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitesse

Thanks Karl, I had a look at some photos of the pre-production (launch cars) and the ones I saw had lettered plinths so puzzled. Hopefully someone might have a picture of one of these along with the VIN or link. The owner is eager to keep the car as original as possible and want to know if he should replace it or not. Nice to know to someone else has seen them.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I think the pre-production cars came before the launch cars and had a few little idiosyncrasies - like this, and the black surround over the hazard light switch on the centre console (instead of the walnut effect one - which became standard fitment on all subsequent models).

Could be wrong, but I seem to remember some discussion about these items on here before..

BTW, if it is original fitment (pre-production or not), it's rare - and should definitely be kept.

Cheers,
Karl.

The Mighty Quinn · 21st October 2019, 19:56

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ht=boot+plinth

This thread might be of some help..

Cheers,
Karl.

vitesse · 21st October 2019, 19:56

Many thanks Karl I believe you are correct https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=48885

But I've seen other S reg cars with the lettering? Believe that Gatekeeper has one but thanks to Photobucket can't really make out whether has has or not.

However, I suppose a car with a VIN of 107457 should have had the lettering.

Thanks again,

Mike

Bolin · 29th October 2019, 07:45

I think a couple of those without the lettering had been owner by MGR for a few years after build, my guess is that the original plinths failed and were replaced by later ones (which are meant to have the small badge sit on) and they kept the old big badge and didn't fit the later one.

Only way to tell is to remove the plinth and look for manufacturing dates.

trikey · 29th October 2019, 10:14

The plinths are made from the same tooling! I can only assume the plain ones were made first to prove the trial fit before the tooling had the lettering fitted.

JSS · 31st October 2019, 23:44

My Swedish 99 launch car did have this blank plinth too.

vitesse · 1st November 2019, 08:51

Thanks for the post. Nice looking car, mine never looks that good especially once snow has fallen, could I ask what’s the VIN of your car? Must be some kind of special registration plate isn’t it?

Regards

21st October 2019, 19:26	#1
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,533 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	Strange rear plinth Posting on behalf of a Swedish owner who has recently bought an early V6, July 99, with a rear plinth without the lettering “ROVER” yet it looks original. No indication the central badge from a post 2001 plinth has been removed, don’t know if it’s possible. Anyone shed any light on this? Regards

29th October 2019, 07:45	#7
Bolin This is my second home Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE 4dr manual Wedgewood Blue 2 04-05/06/2001 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 4,617 Thanks: 289 Thanked 308 Times in 243 Posts	I think a couple of those without the lettering had been owner by MGR for a few years after build, my guess is that the original plinths failed and were replaced by later ones (which are meant to have the small badge sit on) and they kept the old big badge and didn't fit the later one. Only way to tell is to remove the plinth and look for manufacturing dates. __________________ "...the new Rover 75, which is a fabulous car......I think it looks fabulous....It's like sitting in a Rolls Royce......For me, this is the star of the show.....it looks so good" - J. Clarkson, motoring journalist on the launch of the Rover 75 in 1998.

29th October 2019, 10:14	#8
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,769 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	The plinths are made from the same tooling! I can only assume the plain ones were made first to prove the trial fit before the tooling had the lettering fitted. __________________ Lest we forget..

21st October 2019, 19:37	#2
The Mighty Quinn Posted a thing or two 2004 mk1 Rover 75 1.8T Club SE saloon (auto) Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Enniskillen Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 670 Thanked 254 Times in 222 Posts	I believe these were fitted to the pre-production cars only (so, only the very early ones). However, I got a new one of these unbranded plinths a few years ago (off an internet auction site, if memory serves me right). Could have been retrofitted - but, if the shoe fits.. Cheers, Karl.

21st October 2019, 19:45	#3
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,533 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	Thanks Karl, I had a look at some photos of the pre-production (launch cars) and the ones I saw had lettered plinths so puzzled. Hopefully someone might have a picture of one of these along with the VIN or link. The owner is eager to keep the car as original as possible and want to know if he should replace it or not. Nice to know to someone else has seen them. Mike

21st October 2019, 19:56	#5
The Mighty Quinn Posted a thing or two 2004 mk1 Rover 75 1.8T Club SE saloon (auto) Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Enniskillen Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 670 Thanked 254 Times in 222 Posts	https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ht=boot+plinth This thread might be of some help.. Cheers, Karl.

31st October 2019, 23:44	#9
JSS Avid contributor Rover 75 Connoisseur 1999 LHD Dealer launch car 100532 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FINLAND Posts: 112 Thanks: 27 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	My Swedish 99 launch car did have this blank plinth too.

1st November 2019, 08:51	#10
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,533 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	Thanks for the post. Nice looking car, mine never looks that good especially once snow has fallen, could I ask what’s the VIN of your car? Must be some kind of special registration plate isn’t it? Regards