Lot number | 86 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £3,600 |
Description | Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur SE LWB Saloon |
Registration | BF52 ZWT |
Year | 2002 |
Colour | Royal Blue Metallic |
Engine size | 2,497 cc |
Chassis No. | SARRJZLLM3D265070 |
Engine No. | 25K4FP06226116 |
A proper car in the finest Rover tradition, the 75 not only met with widespread acclaim when launched in 1999, it has gone on to attract an even more devoted fan club since it met its demise in 2005.
Indeed it is hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about this handsome and well-engineered machine. Replacing the old 600 and 800 models, it was in a different league to those cars with pleasingly retro styling, Jaguar ride quality and a famously comfortable interior.
Not only was it voted ‘Car of the Year’ by What Car? in 1999, it also won the Used Car Buyer ‘Used Car of the Year’ award in 2000, the JD Power customer satisfaction ‘Best European Car’ award in 2001 and the Auto Express ‘Best Ride Quality’ award as late as 2011. Most remarkably of all, in 1999 it was voted ‘Most Beautiful High Class Saloon in the World’ not just by the French but also by the Italians! High praise indeed.
Powered by a large range of engines from a 120bhp 1.8-litre four to a 260bhp 4.6-litre V8, it also came in a bewildering variety of trim options in saloon and estate car format. From 2002 it was also available as a long-wheelbase limousine with ultra-luxurious Connoisseur trim, this model becoming the default choice for ministers of the British Government.
This particular Connoisseur LWB limousine was first registered to MG Rover themselves in December 2002 and was loaned to the Royal Household for the personal use of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, until 2005. Appropriately finished in Royal Blue with a blue leather Personal Line interior, it has the 175bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox which gives it a top speed of 134mph and a 0-60 time of 9.9 seconds.
With only three owners since, it has formed part of a private collection for the last two years and has covered only 69,000 miles to date. Said to be in excellent condition throughout and to have been maintained “regardless of cost” it is taxed and MOTd until the end of November.
Being sold here at no reserve, it will certainly give the new owner bragging rights down at the pub. Just don't mention 'It's a Royal Knockout', okay?