I thought you might like to know that Rover launched their ZT260 V8 yesterday.

155mph/6.2 to 60

Front engine/rear wheel drive and a V8

Give it a few years, should be able to use them for donors!!

ATB

Simon

PS Anyone want to GIVE me £28000

[Edited on 23/9/03 by Simon]
Rescued attachment ZT V8.jpg

quote:

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Originally posted by Simon
Give it a few years, should be able to use them for donors!!

[Edited on 23/9/03 by Simon]

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I think you're thinking of when it was BMW/BL

ATB

Simon

rover are coming up with interesting ideas to keep their old range going.

but have you seen the streetwise!!!!!

a fiat strada grey front with 2 inch higher suspension, hmmm


they need to come up with something mainstream asap thats not pre 1994 or from India, where im told their next small car comes from.

atb

steve

When's that V8 "musclecar" thingy coming out?

(please excuse the technical jargon)

Cheers

Chris

Personally i'm not too kean on the current crop of badge engineered MG's

take that tarted up rover 25 with an MG badge, i'm sure its a worthy successor to the MG maestro

then there was the MGf, can just picture the planning meeting, 'well chaps if we stick a body with undertones of the old MGb on a metro chassis, we can get into a niche market by selling to hairdressors'.... 'drivers car? body roll? no we dont need to worry about that, these ladies never go over 55....'

the problem is that you can put whatever badge you like on them, theyre never gonna get taken seriously by MG any MG enthusiast, they will end up the same way as the MG metro / maestro, (if you are wondering what i mean, go to a MGOC weekend, the lowly midget gets more cachet, while the metro's / maestros are put in the corner, as far away as possible)

now b4 you all start saying look at the roots of the company, i know where mg came from, (being a badge engineered runaround for what ever BMC wanted at the time) but MG was developed into a brand in its own right, making distinctive cars at a realistic price....

the pix in the press a couple of months ago that was to be new successor to the midget, seem to be the only light at the end of the whole dismal MG tunnel, a real breath of fresh air, going back to the roots of what made MG a genuinely innovative brand for decades untill 70/80's rationalisation at BL ended the MG saga.

and if youre wondering why i seem so passionate, i had to sell my 1972 midget (my pride and joy) 18 months ago so i could get married...

But one day i will ride again, Oh yes I WILL RIDE AGAIN

[Edited on 23/9/03 by eddie]

quote:

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MG was developed into a brand in its own right, making distinctive cars at a realistic price....

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Speaking of far off future donors, is the RX-8 going to be released in the U.K.?

Fletch

Rover do need to update thier range and urgently or they will die. I went "wtf?!!?" when I heard the new metro would be a Tata but it's recieved some praise in the press and they may just pull it off, who knows?
The MG saloon range isn't just badge engineering, ok the ZT190 is not quite an ST220 but it's got a chassis on par with it and the new V8s should make an interesting and welcome alternative to the large engined BMW 3s and Audi A4s of similar cost. Don't forget there's a 380bhp version coming too
Someone was talking about BMWs being the next big thing as far as donors are concerned but I think there'll still be plenty of Sierras around for a while yet. However my friend is planning on trading in his 325i coupe (M reg I think) and has been offered £900 for it, it's got 200k on the clock though Modern-engined bmws are going to become affordable eventually, but unfortunately they don't rot like a Sierra.

I rang a mate to organize a beery evening. I asked him if his phone was playing up because it sounded wierd. "No, I'm in the Autralian outback testing the Rover 75 V8". Needless to say we didn't go out that night. I met an engineer working on the engine setup from the USA (it's a Ford V8). He didn't seem to be able to find any sort of enthusiasm for the vehicle at all. I've also had a look over the pre-prod car when my mate brought it round to the house. It all looked rather nice. He had recommended the GM V8 though, smaller, lighter, more powerful and cheaper. But, it was too late then they were already at the vinegar strokes stage with Ford.

The rest of the range is an ageing P.O.S. though. I don't think they've the money to do something about it either, TWR took a load of their cash when the went down as they were developing a 45 replacement.

As for the Streetwise(link), I'd be too embarasses to manufacture something like that. I think it shows their desparation. The next metro (CityRover - link) is a rebadged Indian Tata. Lotus have started using Toyota Celica engines in the hot Elises, not tuned Rovers. The omens are not good.

On the positive side, Datsun re-assembled kit Austin 7's after the war. Did BMW too? Both those companies managed to sort themselves out subsequently, so maybe Rover can do them same. (Don't hold your breath though)

I've written to Rover on several occassions imploring them to sort themselves out (with recommendations) I've only ever got one reply (from the Chairman years ago who was that Canadian bloke) who basically said people don't want interesting cars. They want economical crap. When Peter Stephens took over as design director, I begged him to design something interesting and don't to another MG Maestro/Montego/Metro. 3 months later 'MG' versions of the 25 and 45 appear.

At least I've tried to help!

Cheers,

Neil.

Chris,

"I thought you might like to know that Rover launched their ZT260 V8 yesterday. "

which was the 22/9

or are you referring to the SV. If so, no idea. Should be good though with options including nitrous and xs 900 bhp.

For all those that like slagging off Rover, bear in mind that this company has suffered under investment/major mismanagement and union probs, and to cap it all ownership by some dodgy german outfit.

Since they became their own company in the spring of 2000 they have made big changes to their (admittedly old) range, but I think they work.

They haven't got the budget of Ford/GM/VW etc, but if you lot went out and bought their products instead of whinging about them, you might find them better than you think.

I, for the first time in 18 years bought a foreign car 18 months ago, and it's going to be replaced by ANOTHER Rover as soon as she'll let me!!

ATB

Simon

Funnily enough, I've just looked on Rovers web site. The "MG Heritage" a section completely ommits all Montego/Maestro/Metro models. In fact everything front drive is missing over (MG 1300 etc) until the 75.

Strange that

Neil.

p.s. I would like a V8 75.
p.p.s. Yes, the RX-8 is coming to Europe, but it's de-tuned for Euro4 emmision regs.
p.p.p.s. Autoexpress reckon Alfa are returing to RWD for the models from the 156 up, to make them interesting and capable of competing with the Germans.
p.p.p.p.s. The 75 was designed as RWD, the BMW took them over and said "De Inglish shvine vont to make anuzzer 3 seriez! Nein! Nein! You vill make an Audi and it vill be FWD so noone vill vont it. Ve vill laugh at zee funny joke Ja? Ha ha."

The only reason Datsun and BM got themselves onto two feet was because of the war!

After alledgedly losing WW2, the allied governments then spent gazillions making these two countrys the most efficient manufacturers around, at a cost to say Vauxhall/GM and Ford.

Perhaps Rover could re-assemble Iraqi motors, or perhaps Rover are hoping for WW3, with a different outcome than the first two?

I had a Rover 75 for a year, and it was very nice - leather, aircon, plastic wood the lot! But I came from a Ford Mondeo baseline, not a Beemer or Merc driver.

MG's are for the people with champagne taste but lemonade budgets (I include myself here!). Get one two years old and you get a bargain due to mammoth depreciation - turning this thread around full circle, wait four years for the ZT260 to be second hand, and you HAVE got yourself a decent, cheap donor.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mark H
wait four years for the ZT260 to be second hand, and you HAVE got yourself a decent, cheap donor.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Stu16v

quote:

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MG was developed into a brand in its own right, making distinctive cars at a realistic price....

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Err, what like?

MG Midget = Fast Austin A30.....
MGB = Fast Marina....

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quote:

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is a capri a cortina?

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I'd say the MGB is a re-bodied Morris Minor. That's what the Marina was.

However, Autoexpress are running a story on the NEW MGB. Yes new. Unfortunately, it's indicative of the problems at Rover that new new MGB is actually an MG-F without the roof taken off. Yes, that's it. (Link)

Cheers,

Neil.

By the same token, the Audi TT, Audi A3, Seat Leon, Skoda labia are rebodied Golf's


PS I forgot the Beetle!

I am sure there are more

[Edited on 24/9/03 by Mark Allanson]

I delight in telling 911 owners that what they have is a super developed Beetle!

Goes down really well

Cheers

Chris

quote:

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Originally posted by thekafer
Speaking of far off future donors, is the RX-8 going to be released in the U.K.?

Fletch

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No it's an Escort, otherwise we would all be using the front uprights off of it..
From what I remember (dim and distant past and all that) the MGB was produced before the Marina and I don't think it was fast.

yours, Pete.

Its quoted as a 1.3 litre!!!!

I imagine thats a singe chamber? so really its 3.9 litres total 'swept' volume.....does it work like that?

atb

steve

quote:

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the MGB was produced before the Marina and I don't think it was fast.

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The MGB actually used the running gear from the Morris Oxford, engine and all.

Cheers

Chris

It used the twin SU setup as found on the MG Magnette which was a sporty version of the Oxford available in racing green to make it even faster. Our music teacher had one.

yours, Pete.

I feel even older for remembering that.

quote:

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Originally posted by Stu16vMinors have (a little bit of) cred.....

[Edited on 24/9/03 by Stu16v]

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quote:

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Originally posted by chrisg
The MGB actually used the running gear from the Morris Oxford, engine and all.

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quote:

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I delight in telling 911 owners that what they have is a super developed Beetle!

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The Rover 75 / MG ZT is a great car which is worthy of respect.

The others in the range are getting old and past their sell by dates but we should blame BMW for this - they needed replacement before they left and this had not been done, plus BMW took the in development replacement for the 45 with them.

I was a the Rover dealers the other day and thought the Streetwise looks good - better than the pictures. It is designed for younger people (Peter Stevens asked the designers to come up with a car they would drive after finding out none of them drove Rovers) so maybe those who don't like it are too old

Rover are lacking development budget and time, but they seem to be doing a lot with very little.

Wish I had £28k for the ZT260.

quote:

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Originally posted by andyps

quote:

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I delight in telling 911 owners that what they have is a super developed Beetle!

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Chris - this is presumably after telling 924 owners that they have a VW LT van in drag.

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quote:

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Originally posted by thekafer
They are turbine smooth and oh so small,it's a shame they are so loud.

I've got a rebuilt 12a,but I'm starting to rethink my whole drive train for noise and emissions.

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For those interested in the wankel sound (ho ho etc), I've put an mp3 on my website you can download. It's taken from a 3 rotor (20b) F3CS.

Right click and save as etc on this link http://www.throttlesteer.com/rotary/3rotor.mp3

Send shivers up my spine!

Cheers,

Neil.

Cool link, Neil, thanks!

Long ago, I found a site with a bunch of rotary audio clips: 0-60 run, passing by at 130 mph, etc., but I can't find it now.

Rotaries sound fantastic howling when pushed hard at high revs, but usually sound about as exotic as my leaf blower

Hey! Dont give these guys any ideas!

As much as they like small high revving engines they might start fitting leaf blower motors!!(just kidding)

Fletch

quote:

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Originally posted by andyps
The Rover 75 / MG ZT is a great car which is worthy of respect.

The others in the range are getting old and past their sell by dates but we should blame BMW for this - they needed replacement before they left and this had not been done, plus BMW took the in development replacement for the 45 with them.

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quote:

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Originally posted by pbura
Cool link, Neil, thanks!

Long ago, I found a site with a bunch of rotary audio clips: 0-60 run, passing by at 130 mph, etc., but I can't find it now.

Rotaries sound fantastic howling when pushed hard at high revs, but usually sound about as exotic as my leaf blower

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> For those interested in the wankel sound
> (ho ho etc), I've put an mp3 on my
> website you can download. It's taken
> from a 3 rotor (20b) F3CS.

Was in a gas station years back and this boy racer comes in with his rx7.
Well hot it was.
Left it idling out in the forecourt (making that little fart fart fart sound that the hot ones do) and came in to buy some oil.
I remarked to my mate, just loud enough for the boy to hear: "it *IS* a two stroke"

man, did he get dark.

:-)

Good one, Kiwi

Getting back on topic, this 'Future Donors' thread is pretty sad. I think the future of Locosting is in mid-engine cars. Maybe an idea for a Book 4 from Uncle Ron?

pbura,

I presume you mean a fwd drivetrain in the back?

otherwise beemers which are big and heavy are the only proper front engine rwd cars about that might be cheap enough/suitable/plentiful in years to come...?

Ned.

i think in future people will just get better at adapting FWD drivetrains to RWD wiith a new box.

quote:

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Originally posted by ned
I presume you mean a fwd drivetrain in the back?

otherwise beemers which are big and heavy are the only proper front engine rwd cars about that might be cheap enough/suitable/plentiful in years to come...?

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If ours ever gets done you can come over and do that very thing...

quote:

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Originally posted by Metal Hippy
If ours ever gets done you can come over and do that very thing...

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