I've managed to pick up another project unintentionally. I have maintained a car for an elderly gent for a few years now and he started making noises about selling it. He has had ongoing issues with it over the years, the latest being a troublesome steering problem. Sadly the car was looking more and more unloved and P6B values are not great down here at the moment. He asked me if I knew anybody interested, I didn't but made him a token offer for the car as it was. He turned me down and talked to some other friends of his. I was expecting him at work last Sunday to have another go at the steering but when he turned up, he said "I think i'll take you up on your offer." So completely out of the blue, I owned another Rover. Here's what I bought:
It's a 1973 NZ built V8 auto. Fairly typical for a local car, it has power steering, vinyl seats and not much else. NZ was never big on the optional extras, though it does have teardrop headrests and the aftermarket aerial was mounted in the right place. The colour is Jaguar Turquoise and it looks to be original. Interior is Sandalwood.
The good bits: It's pretty solid where it counts. It's had a lot of paint work done in the past but not to a very high standard. It runs quite well, trans works ok, brakes good, steering now sorted, excellent tyres. Most of the factory tool roll is there plus jack and tyre pump, also original handbooks.
The bad bits: There are some bits of rust to deal with, mostly around the boot sides. The engine seems to be quite leaky so a good clean and assess is in order. Dashboard was warped and cracked, trim around the rear window was burnt to a crisp. Drivers seat also has some splits and sun damage. Front bumper was slightly bent, most overriders are damaged or rusty. Almost every panel needs some attention, either rust bubbles or paint falling off. Carpet is worn but no worse than most.
Plan was to make it tidier wihout spending a fortune and move it on, however the missus REALLY likes the colour. So it may become her car. We shall see.
It's a 1973 NZ built V8 auto. Fairly typical for a local car, it has power steering, vinyl seats and not much else. NZ was never big on the optional extras, though it does have teardrop headrests and the aftermarket aerial was mounted in the right place. The colour is Jaguar Turquoise and it looks to be original. Interior is Sandalwood.
The good bits: It's pretty solid where it counts. It's had a lot of paint work done in the past but not to a very high standard. It runs quite well, trans works ok, brakes good, steering now sorted, excellent tyres. Most of the factory tool roll is there plus jack and tyre pump, also original handbooks.
The bad bits: There are some bits of rust to deal with, mostly around the boot sides. The engine seems to be quite leaky so a good clean and assess is in order. Dashboard was warped and cracked, trim around the rear window was burnt to a crisp. Drivers seat also has some splits and sun damage. Front bumper was slightly bent, most overriders are damaged or rusty. Almost every panel needs some attention, either rust bubbles or paint falling off. Carpet is worn but no worse than most.
Plan was to make it tidier wihout spending a fortune and move it on, however the missus REALLY likes the colour. So it may become her car. We shall see.
