Great Rover swappage event (to be continued)

[Wilko220]

I know people like collection threads so I thought I'd have a go in time-honoured tradition.
 
As some will know, Purplebargeken and I recently struck the kind of deal which one would only ever see struck in a place like this - namely a swap of my Rover 75 V6 for his equally granddad-tastic Rover 45 with steptronic transmission.
 
This...
 

 
For this...
 

 
Yes, stupendously ace cars like these simply LAUGH IN THE FACE of double yellow lines.
 
Anyway, due to tax and insurance issues, this will be a two-stage swap. Today was part one.
 
 

So despite my Saturday night hangover, it was an early(ish) start for me, as I remembered that I needed to clean out the car of the contents of its boot, as well as the various detritus which has accumulated throughout the past three years.
 

 
A quick check of tyre pressures and oil...
 

 
... All seems fine. And we're on the road, baby.
 
Shunning the M25 for one last blezz on the country lanes, I took the scenic route to Enfield where I was meeting Ken. The GR9 scenery included, er, Potters Bar town centre.
 

 
Remembering the Autoshite obsession for petrol station photos (and noticing that I was about to run out of petrol), I pulled in and got these action shots
 
Entering:
 

 
Leaving:
 

 
Obviously I chose that particular petrol station because of the bargain offer of unleaded at 3p per litre and diesel and one and ninepence.
 
And then it was destination Crews Hill station, where we were to meet up for the onward journey to PBK's storage facility.
 
I am not responsible for the damaged fence post but, I must confess, I didn't pay and display.
 

 
One might have expected Purplebargeken to turn up in a purple barge of some sort. You know how you form opinions in your head, based on your own imagination. I was thinking maybe something like this.
 

 
So it was a little bit of a surprise when he rocked up in one of these bad boys
 

 
But anyway, time was of the essence and we needed to push on to PBK's storage facility in deepest, darkest Essex. So Ken slammed the beast that is the Hyundai i10 into drive and I tried to keep up.
 
As we hit the motorway, I became a bit annoyed by some giffer cutting me up on the inside, before I realised that the car I was about the collide with was one of these. 
 

 
Obviously all was forgiven immediately.
 
And after I'd got my breath back at such a gorgeous green sight, then it was smooth running to Ken's unit.
 
Here is the 75 in its new surroundings. Lucky girl.
 

 
If anyone wants the full story on the Trabant, Daf or Ovlov, I'm sure PBK will be delighted to fill you in.
 
And that was that. We signed the paperwork, PBK kindly gave me a lift home in the i10, and I sobbed a little bit at my loss. 
 
But I pick up the 45 some time next week once the insurance is sorted - and I'm looking forward to part two of this collection thread very much.

[DVee8]

Those 75 are handsome cars

[purplebargeken]

My i10 has front foglights and no silly 'Bluemotion' badge on the side, otherwise all is as Ben tells it. I'll let him off with the bit of artistic licence.

 

There was quite a bit of Autoshite on the road to the Essex Badlands and back to Herts, although does a Caterham 7 count as Autoshite? 

 

Never mind mate, I am sure you will bond well with the 45. They are both great cars in slightly different ways. 

 

Part Deux to follow.

[Guest Breadvan72]

When I am King, every thread on Autoshite will be a thread about people swapping Rovers.

[purplebargeken]

I can only hope this ^ happens within my lifetime.

[purplebargeken]

Well Part Deux occurred tonight with Ben finally getting his eager sweaty* mitts on the keys for the 45. I am certain he will be along shortly to pad out the post a little.

[Wilko220]

By 5pm the 45 was taxed and insured.

 

 

The excitement was building in the Wilko220 household. 

 

Well, the excitement was building with Wilko220 anyway.

 

Ken had very kindly agreed to give me a lift to the 45's place of storage. Looking forward as I was to another ride in the i10, imagine my disappointment when he rocked up in THIS

 

 

Perhaps embarrassingly, this was my first time in an MGF. Now I definitely want one. Exceptional fun even just as the passenger.

 

Anyway, the wedgewood wafter was being stored at PBK's mate's place, which was worth a visit in itself. All sorts of motoring delights hanging around including this stunning old taxi

 

 

But, of course, the most important thing was that here was my new 45 ready to drive away.

 

As a former ZS owner, I thought I had an idea of what to expect - but actually it's a totally different car. Inside and out it's like a mini-75, extremely quiet and comfortable yet (with the 1.8 under the bonnet) goes some when you put your foot down. The CVT gearbox makes for a super smooth ride.

 

Here she is back at home

 

 

I didn't actually want this car - I just wanted to sell a Rover I already had. But having now done the swap, something tells me I might grow rather attached to this...

 

[Bobthebeard]

If you REALLY want an MGF I have one here that needs a new home due to now having a dodgy left foot meaning that badermatics are the preferred weapon.

[Wilko220]

I do REALLY want an MGF but the problem is that I don't REALLY want a divorce. If it's still burning a hole on you're driveway in a few months time though... 

[New POD]

I really wanted an Mx5, so I bought one for my wife off her bridesmaid, and best friend. It took me 4 years to get the deal done.