Dick Longbridge

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Interesting- I love this early and prototype stuff. Could be the the car was retained at Longbridge as a test mule? Dunno. Some sleuthing at Gaydon might turn something up. The vin may provide further evidence. 
This and Maestro was styled by David Bache (who got sacked for it particularly the scalloped beltline which was disliked by management ) and then tweaked by Roy Axe - who presumably did the subsequent refreshments. So many BMC BLMC Austin Rover car have these tortured beginnings and tales of corporate melodrama. 
I think Roy also styled the Talbot Tagora - every designer has an off day, not just David Bache - (personally I prefer the Bache prototypes - much cleaner design) but like a lot of BL stuff it took so long in development it looked out of date by the time it arrived so no wonder Roy Axe tried to refresh it before launch (a repeat of the Austin Maxi drama really). 
As these are not very old cars - some of the original design team may still be about  to talk to - Roy died in 2010.

Pm incoming B.I. 

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

National Wuvvooms Vacation
 

 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-pontiac-grand-safari-400cu-in-6-6-V8/174239620781?hash=item28917d9ead:g:Z-0AAOSwq29ehzpD

Actually did something to improve the Rover today, rather than ruin it. Fitted the spare bumper. It was no mean feat, as the old bumper was so twisted that I could not get to the bolts properly. I ended up cutting bits of the plastic out. Then found that the brackets on the car were bent, as well as the new bumper. So after a little bit of crowbar work, got it all back together. Put a new number plate on, to tidy things up. 
 

Meaning what? That I drive a tired old car? 
Isn't that the point of this forum? 

Quick update since the above video.

The mad revving was caused by a broken injector clamp so that got replaced and it got another new injector.
It shat it's exhaust manifold gaskets which necessitated an 18 month layoff waiting for parts.

Finally an MoT was put on it on 20th December 2019

Then this (for those who don't already know) on the 29th of December



 
Arsonist bastards!

Insurance paid out a decent amount so that's something. More for the 205 fund.
This is the last I will talk of this matter.
---ENDS---

It was at the NEC in November. 
 
 

Local Museum piece in Whanganui NZ..they were optioned to the hilt. This one sold later for a 1000 English notes....

It's here.

That's a proper 'That'll do' attitude from BL. Shame you had to tweak it due to their laziness, but at least it'll be a million times better when it goes back in.

We dragged this Countryman out of a shed on Skye two years ago.Still managed to sell it to an enthusiast in Cumbria.

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Certainly early press cars were A—KWK.  For example:

https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/austin/montego/
 

There was this dog shit brown A reg one on display at the NEC Classic car show last year. 

registered 24th April 1984
 

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Yeah but MK3. Modern rubbish grumble etc

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...

Spotted this one on anti-social media just now. Logged as ‘Austin Other’  and surely one of the very earliest left? Weren’t the first showroom cars released on a B plate? In fact, thinking about it, wasn’t the last Ambassador off the production line - the one which was saved on here - A***KWK as well? I’d say the Montego has a story to tell...