Rover tragedy.

This is a tragedy of epic proportions, I am sure Chris will be absolutely devastated by this. Some of these cars are complete nut and bolt restorations and the majority of the collection were in 90% or better factory condition with many rarities among them not to mention the many spares that Chris carried for sale and restoration. :( :( :( . This really has not made my day, I just hope Chris can find the reserve to comeback better and stronger.

The photo as seen in the news article in no way depicts the extensiveness of Chris's collection with around 10 to 12 cars if memory serves correctly in this garage.

words cannot express my horror at hearing this news.

Graeme
 
I'm lost for words to describe the magnitude of what this loss means. To think that some arsehole in a moment of maliciousness can destroy a decent man's life's work. Did you ring Chris, Graeme? Did any of his cars make it out?

On a purely selfish note, I'm relieved that I retrieved Brown Rover this Wednesday just gone. It was parked right next to the shed and due to prior commitments I originally intended to retrieve it this coming weekend of the 13th. Second lucky escape in recent times for the old girl, after surviving the February 11th earthquake on top of one of John's hoists while the car on the other hoist jumped off and landed on the car parked below.
 
This must be very upsetting for the owner. I'm sure that no amount of insurance claim will compensate for the loss of such fine cars :(
 
WarrenL said:
I'm lost for words to describe the magnitude of what this loss means. To think that some arsehole in a moment of maliciousness can destroy a decent man's life's work.
Click to expand...

Wherever you are in the world, the arseholes proliferate. :evil:
 
There is good news! Graeme (ghce) spoke to Chris yesterday and the cars have suffered only minor damage. I'll leave it to Graeme to provide the details when he next checks in, but it seemed the outcome wasn't anywhere near as bad as feared. A couple of us are planning to mount a Saturday expedition to help Chris clean up, so I'll call him today to find out what assistance he requires.
 
Glad to hear its not as bad as first thought. I will never understand the mentality of anyone doing this sort of thing. These cars bring so much joy to so many people, then we have people who seem to enjoy doing this. WHY ? Where is the joy. Hope you guys can get it sorted and rally around to help the owner out.
 
I spoke to Chris tonight and got the details. The almond 2200 in the photo is beyond reasonable repair. The front and rear screens popped and the interior caught fire. Chris says the running gear and base unit are fine, and other parts will be salvageable, but the car is likely finished as a going concern. Sad, but all the other cars survived OK, with only the vinyl roof on an S suffering serious damage. All the other cars were saved by the blankets etc that were covering them. Rover P6 fans can rejoice: Chris has the most significant collection of these cars in the South Island, almost without a doubt. Of course his workshop is toasted, and much of his store of spare parts, but a garage and workshop are replaceable; the cars are not.

The police are chasing up a few leads, but the chances of the perpetrator or perpetrators being caught are not great. Fuckers.
 
WarrenL said:
Chris has the most significant collection of these cars in the South Island,
Click to expand...

Indeed I would hazard to say the southern hemishere.

Graeme
 
Gutted, that`s a terrible thing. What a waste of all that hard work and care.

Hope Chris` spirits aren`t too dented, I know mine would be. My garage is a fraction of that size with a fraction of the content but is very precious to me..
 
I wasn't going to hazard that, Graeme, but it is entirely possible. I only know of KiwiRover Al as a serious contender in this country, largely on the basis of his very interesting cars like the NADA and the estate. I'm yet to see Al's fleet in the flesh, and must leave judgement until such time as I do.

It is a great shame that Chris is not an internetting man; he'd be a huge addition to this forum.
 
Some people need to be hung, drawn and quartered by 4 Rover V8s with towbars! :evil:
Very unfortunate news but hopefully not too bad in the scheme of things. I have heard Chris' name mentioned on several occasions but never had the pleasure of dealing with him myself, probably due to his lack of internettage.
Graeme and Warren, please pass on my condolences when you next speak to him. I know how I'd feel in his situation. :cry:
 
Yes, very unfortunate that he is not on the internet so much, he has brought Rovery goodness to many a driver as he passes a few thru his hands after titivation and renewal, he certainly has done his bit in ensuring P6's stay on the road.

Graeme
 
I dont know what to say...

I bought my p6b because I loved the look of it - nothing more than that. I bought it off the guy who bought his children up in it.

Chris, hes a legend.

I was put onto him via a third party and he did a tonne of work on my car as a rolling restoration before I started breeding and the money got soaked elsewhere.

I will never forget the day I rolled up with something else needing to be done and as we were talking (for hours sometimes) I pulled out a bolt I had found rolling around in the boot. He told me where it came from (diff I think).

It was gutting shovelling his lifes work into a skip. I dont know rovers that well, but recognised so much. Took a couple of photos but not sure if they are appropriate to share.

I'm not a member of the local Rover club, but they turned up and helped clean his show cars...

Rebuild mate! Kia Kaha!
 
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