MG ZT-T 260 V8 - Green
Discussion
Some of you saw this coming.
With the ULEZ 'iron curtain descending', for the last two years we have been looking at alternatives to our trusty, bomb proof and wonderful long distance load lugger, the Rover 75 Tourer. We viewed a few of the legendary V8s, a few V6s and alternatives (W123 wagon, Volvo 145, Volvo 240) but nothing really ever ticked the full spread of boxes - too expensive, too grey, too rusty, too broken, or just not enough to truly stimulate a purchase.
Earlier this week my phone received a few messages from various sources that knew I was angling for ZT V8, eventually, and the key word 'green' started to get me excited. I tracked down an email address through the twosixties forum, and had a chat with the seller. He had owned it for 11 years, and was moving it on due a 'boat problem'. The conversation was encouraging, so we exchanged car history and set a date for a viewing today.
With the proceeds of my GT6 sale vaguely untouched and my wife goading me on to buy another ULEZ beater after her amazing Saab 99 purchase, we threw tools and overalls in the Rover and headed off, brains and notebooks crammed full of 260 facts and figures.
Of course, it was not just green, but one of a handful in the exact HFF metallic british racing green of our car...
The seller was honest, helpful and (ahem) patient, allowing me to prod all crevices, speak to my Rover guru (Jules) and also take me therough the cache of parts he had stashed. A true part hoarder after my own heart - every time something vaguely rare or expensive was replaced, he kept the old one to potentially refurbish. This is why my garage is also full.
With Jules the devil of pessimisim and potential repair costs one on shoulder, and my wife the enthusiastic angel of encouragement on the other, we packed up the tools and took it for a test drive.
The sound sealed it. We agreed a price, loaded two BRG estates full of spares (more on the 'haul', as is my tradition, later) and bid our farewells, with of course suitable promises for addressing a list of foibles. There are a fair few!
A long day - many pictures to follow but for now here's the side by side in the 260's natural environment - the petrol station. This car purchase has actually triggered interest in getting a Shell rewards card. Finally.
With the ULEZ 'iron curtain descending', for the last two years we have been looking at alternatives to our trusty, bomb proof and wonderful long distance load lugger, the Rover 75 Tourer. We viewed a few of the legendary V8s, a few V6s and alternatives (W123 wagon, Volvo 145, Volvo 240) but nothing really ever ticked the full spread of boxes - too expensive, too grey, too rusty, too broken, or just not enough to truly stimulate a purchase.
Earlier this week my phone received a few messages from various sources that knew I was angling for ZT V8, eventually, and the key word 'green' started to get me excited. I tracked down an email address through the twosixties forum, and had a chat with the seller. He had owned it for 11 years, and was moving it on due a 'boat problem'. The conversation was encouraging, so we exchanged car history and set a date for a viewing today.
With the proceeds of my GT6 sale vaguely untouched and my wife goading me on to buy another ULEZ beater after her amazing Saab 99 purchase, we threw tools and overalls in the Rover and headed off, brains and notebooks crammed full of 260 facts and figures.
Of course, it was not just green, but one of a handful in the exact HFF metallic british racing green of our car...
The seller was honest, helpful and (ahem) patient, allowing me to prod all crevices, speak to my Rover guru (Jules) and also take me therough the cache of parts he had stashed. A true part hoarder after my own heart - every time something vaguely rare or expensive was replaced, he kept the old one to potentially refurbish. This is why my garage is also full.
With Jules the devil of pessimisim and potential repair costs one on shoulder, and my wife the enthusiastic angel of encouragement on the other, we packed up the tools and took it for a test drive.
The sound sealed it. We agreed a price, loaded two BRG estates full of spares (more on the 'haul', as is my tradition, later) and bid our farewells, with of course suitable promises for addressing a list of foibles. There are a fair few!
A long day - many pictures to follow but for now here's the side by side in the 260's natural environment - the petrol station. This car purchase has actually triggered interest in getting a Shell rewards card. Finally.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 11th February 21:01
Cambs_Stuart said:
That's a fantastic purchase, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
But it does illustrate the oddness of the ulez rules.
I’ve found all of these clean air zones baffling.But it does illustrate the oddness of the ulez rules.
Op, looks like an interesting car. Guessing you’ll be seeing the pre too station a far bit.
Bill said:
Lincsls1 said:
They do sound fantastic, especially with the X power back boxes,
A bit boomy on the inside IMO so I changed back to standard. Then again, it was years ago now. Definitely a great sound track though. Sounded better than the LS in my Monaro.
She's a smasher, she is a she I take it. Had my saloon going on 15 years (not without issues), even the last registered were mostly built by 2005/6 so really the newest are 17 years with the oldest now out of their teens. Enjoy and as much as someone commented no longer that fast where can you go fast now in the UK, pot holes, cameras MLM etc.
Thanks everyone, really appreciate the posts here and also the PMs with some great info!
It may not come through on my initial post but I am extremely happy - as some of my friends have pointed out - a big V8 estate that is impossible to find parts for, requires specialist knowledge, and has plenty of things to fix? Sounds like one for Spinakerr.
While I am chomping at the bit to spend some quality time with the car, life and work commitments will be a priority this week and no chance of doing anything other than checking fluids n daylight this morning following the drive home.
As my wife recently purchased a Saab 99 in addition to her much-loved 900, the fact that we have two 75/ZTs outside is no doubt causing some double takes in the neighbourhood.
Perhaps I should go an find an Alfa 164 V6 just to really complete the set...
More info to follow, but in summary the car has good bodywork, excellent interior with a broken stereo and headlining resembling an invesrted Paris Dakar stage. The main focus will be the underside - the famous subframes are at a tipping point and I think I'm going to be planning a similar refresh to my 164. I also fully expect sills, shocks, some clutch or bellhousing work and likely a road trip or three to see some specialists this year.
Our glorious 75 will be up for sale to a good home soon, but I want to ensure it goes to the best possible enthusiast - money be damned, it needs to get to 250k!
It may not come through on my initial post but I am extremely happy - as some of my friends have pointed out - a big V8 estate that is impossible to find parts for, requires specialist knowledge, and has plenty of things to fix? Sounds like one for Spinakerr.
While I am chomping at the bit to spend some quality time with the car, life and work commitments will be a priority this week and no chance of doing anything other than checking fluids n daylight this morning following the drive home.
As my wife recently purchased a Saab 99 in addition to her much-loved 900, the fact that we have two 75/ZTs outside is no doubt causing some double takes in the neighbourhood.
Perhaps I should go an find an Alfa 164 V6 just to really complete the set...
More info to follow, but in summary the car has good bodywork, excellent interior with a broken stereo and headlining resembling an invesrted Paris Dakar stage. The main focus will be the underside - the famous subframes are at a tipping point and I think I'm going to be planning a similar refresh to my 164. I also fully expect sills, shocks, some clutch or bellhousing work and likely a road trip or three to see some specialists this year.
Our glorious 75 will be up for sale to a good home soon, but I want to ensure it goes to the best possible enthusiast - money be damned, it needs to get to 250k!
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 12th February 12:04
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