S909XDA - 25 years old today November 12, 2023

[Speedblock]

Twenty five years ago today (november 12, 1998).

That was the day this Lhd pre-production Rover 75 S909XDA / VIN M001149 was manufactured at the Cowley plant.
Included in the QP2 batch (Quality Profing 2) of cars built to evaluate overall quality and finish and determine final changes. Most of the cars in QP2 went to the International Press Launch in Seville Spain january 1999, including this car.
Arden Green with Deep Sea Green interior, 2.5 Auto, sunroof. The car was supposed to be shipped to Rover in Italia after the event in feb 25, 1999, but something happened, and the car remained in Spain until it was shipped back to U.K in 2003. Hartwells in West Bromwich did a larger service, and the car was sold to a U.K.lady with a summerhouse in France. The car was later returned to Hartwells, and in 2007 it was sold to a Swedish gentleman and exported to Sweden. A late friend of mine Dr.Alan Cranston bougth the car in 2009, and I bought the car from him in 2013. Former S909XDA has 71.800 miles on the speedo today and is in a very good condition. Served with new belts, plugs and many other things in october 2022. Still has its Rover Spain marked shock absorbers. Sleeping in my garage, but will be on the road again in spring 2024. Many thanks again to member Scoubix here, who last year informed me with more interesting history details regarding S909XDA.

Greetings from Sweden // Christian Carlsson alias Speedblock

[daveo138]

Many happy returns!

What is the white car in the next garage?

[JJay]

Very. very nice and very special. Its good to know its a survivor.

[solarsailor]

Originally Posted by daveo138

Many happy returns!

What is the white car in the next garage?

Can't be 100% sure, but I think it might be a Triumph 2000 Mk 1

[daveo138]

Originally Posted by solarsailor

Can't be 100% sure, but I think it might be a Triumph 2000 Mk 1

You could be right. The shape of the wheelarch and the trailing edge of the bonnet look very similar. It's the wheels that threw me.

[Speedblock]

Thanks! That is me and my sons 1970 Triumph 2.5PI Clone MK2 Saloon. From the start a 2000 MK2, but modified in the early 80:ies. Black leather interior, overdrive, full sunroof (British Leyland modification done in U.K 1977), Cosmic Wheels. On the road last time in 1995. Just need to have a wake up call!

[daveo138]

I should have recognised the Cosmic wheels.

Here's a link to a Cosmic brochure that I found last week.

https://mk1-performance-conversions..../cosmic_66.pdf

[trikey]

A lovely story and a beautiful car, well done.

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