The 405 News

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Driving verdict "the fucking same!"

 

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

 

 

[Junkman]

Right.
 
Back from England's northernmost manned outpost.
It's kind of weird driving a different car which is actually exactly the same as the current one.
The only real differences are the unacceptably uncomfortable seats, which will be replaced with proper ones at the earliest opportunity,
and the cruise control, which works after one figures out that in order to engage it, one must switch it on by means of a button hidden somewhere
on the centre console.
 
So far the only thing not working is the electric mirrors, which hints to the switch, not an unheard of fault.
 
The car will now proceed to the paint shop. There is hardly any paint left on the bonnet and there is a bit of lacker liquor lequar clearcoat peel

on the tailgate. I want this to be perfect.

[hairnet]

pervert ps did peter take the saloon off you

[carlo]

I'm confused, are Conrad and Junkman the same person?

 

I found the leather quite comfortable, just too slippery.  Velour infinitely preferable.

 

Why are these cars, even in excellent condition, so cheap?  Is it a secret only me and Mr J know about?  

[Junkman]

Scrap it.

 

Why would I?

The interior lights and the cigarette lighter work. The rest of the car could be on fire for all I care.

[Cheggers]

I'm confused, are Conrad and Junkman the same person?

Same here...has anyone seen Junkman and Conrad together in the same room?

[Junkman]

I'm confused, are Conrad and Junkman the same person?

Same here...has anyone seen Junkman and Conrad together in the same room?

We are two individuals and have been seen together on numerous occasions.

Mr Conelrad was good enough to accompany me on this trip, driving my 'old' 405.

 

Why are these cars, even in excellent condition, so cheap?  Is it a secret only me and Mr J know about?

Yes it is. And don't tell anybody.

Besides, this is the most I have ever paid for a 405.

[KruJoe]

I've seen them in the same field. And the same Rover.

 

Give it to KruJoe.

EFA

[Junkman]

pervert ps did peter take the saloon off you

 

No to both. However, it is already spoken for.

[carlo]

Have bought eight 405 automatics since 2005, most expensive was £500 and that was the worst with a head gasket gone!

 

[Junkman]

It looks like we have cornered the market.

I only hope the most expensive examples being the borked ones is not a rule...

[forddeliveryboy]

Amazingly elegant cars which went as well as they looked. Shame there's nothing today with the same qualities.

[phil_lihp]

It does look good.  There's some quality stuff being picked up by various members lately, some of it has even been bought.

 

With the desire for posh velour and automatic waftyness, surely a 605 V6 would be the pinnacle of desire though?  Wouldn't mind one of those myself actually.

[Junkman]

Plushy bader spec 0.66 gallon pezzer 605 much desiromatic, but sady unavailable in break flavour, so unsuitable for 405 replacerisation.

Would rather add 406 k00p to fleet.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I never had a GLX, only GTXes and this one is an Exec, so my first non-GTX.

 

The track record:

 

[Junkman]

That's bleedin ace, man!

I don't think you need to amend it anywhen soon. I think I found the 405 for years to come.

[LC Torana]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who prefers the less desirable options of badermatic and velour

 

Back in (2002?) (2003?) I went to the Melbourne Motor Show, and Rover had introduced a new, cheaper trim level on the 75, to squeak under a luxury car tax threshold, called the "Classic".  One of the cheaper features was that it had cloth seats (a wool plaid if my memory isn't playing tricks) rather than the leather in the Club.

 

The point is, when I sat in it, it was more comfy!  I sat IN the seat rather than ON the seat.  Very nice indeed.

[Junkman]

Welcome to the - errrr - Club.

Why many people think leather is superior is beyond me. It also has inferior noise absorption properties, so cars with leather interiors are noisier inside.

Including this one, I have you know.

In ye goode olde dayse, the gentlefolk sat in the back of a Coupe De Ville on West of England Cloth, while leather was for the servant out front.

Now, please don't tell anybody, since I'm still hoping to trade the leather seats for posh ones without having to pay for the upgrade.

[carlo]

Well said Mr Junkman.  I look at some more modern cars (especially a German marque which is quite popular) with their shiny, flat and miserable looking leather and can't quite comprehend why it is so popular.

 

On the 405 velour front, can't decide if I prefer the standard GTX seat or this new super duper STI one that has just been acquired, I think actually the STI looks a bit posher.  I know for one thing the seat sits higher, perhaps it's to do with it being electric.

 

 

 

 

 

Or how about a bit of both and go for the T16/Mi16 flavour?

 

 

By the way kudos for having two models in great colours, Saxon Blue and Aquamarine, both really suit it.

[purplebargeken]

Very cool looking seats!

[BorniteIdentity]

Animation.gif

 

[carlo]

Oh, this was that one? I can't find that auction... I want to see that picture of the swivel seat again.

 

 

Actually the way my back's going this really would have suited me soon.

[Junkman]

 

 

 

 

How bloody at home would these be in my new car?

 

 

 

Actually the way my back's going this really would have suited me soon.

 

I wish they had left it in.

Old Mopars could be ordered with them from the factory:

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Well said Mr Junkman.  I look at some more modern cars (especially a German marque which is quite popular) with their shiny, flat and miserable looking leather and can't quite comprehend why it is so popular.

 

On the 405 velour front, can't decide if I prefer the standard GTX seat or this new super duper STI one that has just been acquired, I think actually the STI looks a bit posher.  I know for one thing the seat sits higher, perhaps it's to do with it being electric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ.

 

Just looking at that makes me want to have a nap on the backseat.

 

Superb.

[JohnK]

Must admit the seats in my 405 are extremely comfortable. Ideal for my commute which sometimes includes long journeys.

 

Nice buy Junkman, looks great.

[Junkman]

Well, it's going to the family painter tomorrow to have a few blemishes rectified.

I want this perfect.

[forddeliveryboy]

 

I want this perfect.

 

Dangerous talk...

 

 

 

Why many people think leather is superior is beyond me. It also has inferior noise absorption properties, so cars with leather interiors are noisier inside.

 

In ye goode olde dayse, the gentlefolk sat in the back of a Coupe De Ville on West of England Cloth, while leather was for the servant out front.

 

 

Yup, dead animal skin and motor vehicles was for those who had to work for a living. I love it! Unless real Harris Tweed is on offer, or something else natural and high quality. It's usually a concoction of ICI and some business in Huddersfield/Euroequivalent, though.

 

2cvs used to come with a decent basic cloth seat, as well as a rather smart jeans-material in special editions. Earlier CXs also had decent cloth seating material, replaced in the cheapened second series with a cheapo-nasty brushed nylon which did the opposite of breathe.

 

Saab used to make superb leather seats, about as good as modern German or Jap is horrid. I think GM found they cost more to make than a Corsa, for a set...

[For Fiats Sake]

Another vote for Velourite type material here too. Where do farts go when pressed into cow hide seats? No, I don't trust 'em. Not that I'm in any danger of coming into contact with them with my track record.

[Partridge]

That is bloody nice! Love it...