MG ZR1.4, a new addition to my mottley fleet of Rovers
MG ZR1.4, a new addition to my mottley fleet of Rovers
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Discussion

AlecT

Original Poster:

199 posts

237 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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I know that Rovers, particularly the K series engined variety are not the most popular here on Pistonheads but I have always been a fan, my dad had a Rover 16 when I was a kid, and one of my first jobs when I left school was at University Motors in Epsom, Morris and MG dealers of note.
I was there for the Launch of the Morris Marina! I remember Adam Faith (in a big fur coat) was a regular visitor to the showroom as he used to trade in cars on the side (yes really!)
My fIrst Rover was a 1968 Rover 2000, bought 3 years old, with a blown engine from Geyfords Mercedes in Tooting, South London, rebuilt the engine myself, many happy memories of that car, sold it to my brother who kept it until it died of rust in the mid eighties.

Retired now, we now have 3 Rovers(MG's) in the family.

1.2000 Rover 75 2.0V6 SE bought 3 years ago ( as no more co. car) with 70k on the clock, now on 102k, been faultless, super smooth V6 engine, routine servicing and tyres etc otherwise nothing.

2. 1998 MGF VVC rescued from long term storage a couple of years ago, a neglected example but I had to save it after quite a bit of work my wife has used it every day for a year covering 8000 miles, apart from punctures (3) it has also been faultless, however the clutch has just started to slip (at 75K)
so relegated to garage for now. I have a MG mobile mechanic coming to fit a new clutch on 22nd July, he cant fit it in earlier as he has got behind with bookings after all this covid nonsense.

3. 2004 MG ZR 1.4, bought as a replacement (for now) for the MGF, its had one husband and wife owner from new, full history,a new MOT new tyres all round , alternator and battery and still looking as good as new.
The wife passed away some time ago, I have known of this car for some time but the husband was not ready to sell, he phoned me last week so I nipped in quick before he changed his mind.
The wife is happy with this for now until the MGF is repaired.

Here it is on the old fellers drive

And now at home, the MGF in the garage, the 75 can be spotted out on the road.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/ZqRKsAnL[/url]
Still like new inside, basic spec though, no ac or electric windows.
The MGF and the ZR were both supplied by the same Rover Dealer in Bury, so pehaps they were destined to stay together.

stevemiller

583 posts

193 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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It looks well. They are peppy little things and a good fun drive.

Quhet

2,914 posts

174 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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These have really dwindled in numbers now. Growing up in south Birmingham I used to see loads and loads of these about. Can't remember the last time i saw one on the road now!

Moonpiemagic

74 posts

80 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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Very lovely! had about 4 ZR's previously, think I would love to get another one again.

Eyersey1234

3,080 posts

107 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Very nice.

Mr Tidy

31,013 posts

155 months

Wednesday 17th June 2020
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Lovely, I think the ZRs still look good.

A few years ago while looking for a car for a relative we had a test drive in a 1.8 and it felt pretty lively, but sadly wasn't a great example.

Small world too - back in 1979 I bought a P6 3500S and had an issue with the front suspension that I got fixed at Page Motors in Epsom!

AlecT

Original Poster:

199 posts

237 months

Wednesday 17th June 2020
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Mr Tidy said:
Lovely, I think the ZRs still look good.

Small world too - back in 1979 I bought a P6 3500S and had an issue with the front suspension that I got fixed at Page Motors in Epsom!
Page Motors were just up the road from University Motors, good people there, I used to park my car right behind the rear entrance, they often had Jags and Rovers in the workshop then (1971-1974).