HMC architecte britannique

[HMC]

Hi all. A few years back I let a friend borrow my MG ZR express VAN; now Its arrived home. Rarer than a Bugatti Veyron and nicer sounding to my ears  (L Series diesel powah) I’m toying with keeping it on but realistically I need 4 seats. Anyone fancy a swap? WHY

Trophy blue, CK 53 MBU , mot to December, a few marks here and there, bubbles to the edges of the front wings, 17inch hairpin alloys (as standard) bit of gearleaver play and the common heater resistor issue (fan only works on 2 speeds) and the windows (manual) go up and down but the drivers regulator is a bit tired. Can take a few seconds of chugging to start but never fails to. Was a cat d because of a dented drivers door. I’ll put pics up tomoz but pm me for any 4 seat swaps you might have if interested. Here’s one from when I had it as a runabout....

[RobT]

I can see wuvvum in that, ideal RoD replacement.

[Broadsword]

I never knew you could get an MG van. I love the silliness of it (as a concept) and the colour is lovely.

[155V6]

That's nice,but all I've got to swap is a Volvo C70 that's been off the road for a year ?

A diesel Express isn't that rare though,mine's got a (broken)160 petrol engine ?

[clayts450]

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for these - a sporty Rover 25 which doubles as a van. What a great concept !

Sadly, not really needed on my fleet - hope you find something worthwhile to swap it with.

[HMC]

7 hours ago, 155V6 said:

That's nice,but all I've got to swap is a Volvo C70 that's been off the road for a year ?

A diesel Express isn't that rare though,mine's got a (broken)160 petrol engine ?

Agreed, relatively speaking, although a production run of approx 200 all in takes some beating!

[Amishtat]

My uncle in Scotland has a silver one, knew they were a bit of a rarity but had no idea the production run was as short as that. Thanks, that might help me convince him to keep it (after fifteen years) 

[HMC]

They also made some “rover commerce” aka rover 25 chassis set up and badged vans, but all in it was an example of MG rover trying to exploit a niche on a shoestring budget.

[HMC]

Pics from today

[Skut]

30 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

My uncle in Scotland has a silver one, knew they were a bit of a rarity but had no idea the production run was as short as that. Thanks, that might help me convince him to keep it (after fifteen years) 

Does he live in Dundee/Broughty Ferry area? I keep seeing a Silver diesel about town. According to ARonline they built 930 ZR & Rover Commerce vans. 

[HMC]

Source: MG rover production records

[Amishtat]

22 minutes ago, Skut said:

Does he live in Dundee/Broughty Ferry area? I keep seeing a Silver diesel about town. According to ARonline they built 930 ZR & Rover Commerce vans. 

No, on the rare occasions it goes out it'd be around Inverness. Will get a pic next time I see them/it. And you've just reminded me of the Commerce sitting on a driveway in the next village that I've been meaning to snap for the last five years.. 

[155V6]

I've had mine 12 years at Christmas.It's in a bit of a state now,but I've sold too many cars & later regretted it,so it won't be going anywhere.I also know of another silver diesel Express near to where I live. 

I tried to buy a black facelift diesel Express a couple of years back,it had been sitting outside a garage near me for over a year,but just disappeared ?

[DaveDorson]

I really liked my MG ZR, so I can imagine a CDV version would be megalolz.

The idea of a tuned L-Series one makes me feel all happy on the inside.

[dave j]

I wonder if this is the one I saw around Clearbrook/Meavy?  Can't be too many of these around! 

[Kiltox]

Just learnt that there is a Rover 25 version of this too - the Rover Commerce. 

Not sure what this dealer is smoking mind https://www.hursleyhillgarage.co.uk/used/rover/commerce/20-td-van/bristol/avon/80249/#top-image

[Noel Tidybeard]

put seats in buttabingbuttaboom

[DoctorRetro]

That's really cool. Although I'd be tempted to de-MG it for sleeper LOLZ. 

[HMC]

4 hours ago, dave j said:

I wonder if this is the one I saw around Clearbrook/Meavy?  Can't be too many of these around! 

Yes it’s that one, was on loan to someone with horses. 

 

Any swaps? Alternatively it could be swapped for £350

[Kiltox]

That’s ace. Must not. 

[HMC]

Meanwhile I got a bit bored of the 2005 golf mk5 GTI ; sold it. 

I decided to return to my core values of buying crates that big bits of society would not consider owning, or possibly even travelling in.....

[wuvvum]

I got all excited when I saw that first pic - I thought you'd bought a Horsey Horseless.

[RobT]

Mega LoLz at the horse tow ball sheath!  Calendar material surely.

[Shirley Knott]

Nice, another 940 in the ranks!

Pretty sure I spotted the advert for this one where the seller said that he'd bought it for a friend some years ago, described it as "Filthy" and also said things like "Don't bother coming back moaning after you've bought it"? Deepest apologies if I have this wrong...

 

[HMC]

No that’s the car. No nonsense ad! Could have said the clutch bites near the top of its travel (but doesn’t slip) but overall I’m pleased.

[Shirley Knott]

Knew I recognised it.

The LPT 2.3 is a great engine, loads of torque low down, a great comfy cruiser with plenty of grunt. I swear mine sometimes feels like driving a turbo diesel but without the racket.

[Broadsword]

Great buy! That is quite a strange number plate on it.

[montytom]

Can these mg expresses be driven on car insurance or do you need van insurance on them?

[155V6]

2 minutes ago, montytom said:

Can these mg expresses be driven on car insurance or do you need van insurance on them?

I've had both types on mine.

[montytom]

Thanks I have been looking for an express van for a long time. My intention was to buy a trophy blue 160 express. I really have to think about this. Thanks again