The first ever Duotone is on eBay

Post Number:#1 by **Bolin** » February 2nd, 2016, 1:11

Here, appears to be the car described in pages 160-1 of James Taylor's book:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-75-1-8T-Hi-Line-Nav-Connoisseur-SE-low-miles-799-/111893454076?hash=item1a0d5e9cfc:g:iNMAAOSwpzdWsILE

Looks like the N/S mirror has been changed to a bullet type, O/S is still a skull cap. Everything else matches what is in the book.

So anybody want a slice of MGR history?

Post Number:#2 by **Jake** » February 2nd, 2016, 1:17

A very nice, tempting motor it has to be said!

Post Number:#3 by **KDA4G** » February 2nd, 2016, 8:07

The Duotone option isn't mentioned in the Monogram press releases, but presumably, that's when it was introduced (i.e. March 2002) ?

This one, in Royal Blue and Starlight Silver with projector type headlights, looks like No. 270778, built October 2002 and first registered in January 2003. If so, then it's also an early example of the 1.8T.

Post Number:#4 by **Zeb** » February 2nd, 2016, 8:13

As I understand it, at the time they were not planning to do any duotone options. This one was for the NEC and was a 'one off' that MGR found was very well received and hence the option was added.

Post Number:#5 by **AndyG** » February 2nd, 2016, 9:32

My Astra:

2 Astra.JPG

Post Number:#6 by **Duncan** » February 3rd, 2016, 12:21

Personally not a fan of serpents, but looks a lovely car. Low mileage too.

Post Number:#7 by **Jake** » February 3rd, 2016, 12:31

It's motors like these that would be great in the 'Enthusiasts' Museum' for when we find a project car with £100,000 in the boot!

Post Number:#8 by **Scoubix** » February 3rd, 2016, 4:59

Jake (view post) wrote:It's motors like these that would be great in the 'Enthusiasts' Museum' for when we find a project car with £100,000 in the boot!

Make your own luck

BTW, this unofficial duotone I spotted last year in France is an even earlier one...
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6760

Post Number:#9 by **Bolin** » February 6th, 2016, 12:10

Opps, this should have been in the 75/ZT seen for sale section, sorry! :oops:

Dave, could you sort it please? :prayer:

Sorted! (although I must admit I didn't notice it was in the "wrong" section :oops:

as I tend to browse by using "Unread posts" and thus don't really take account of which forum posts are in!

)

Thanks Dave - I was actually thinking of the '75s & ZTs For Sale' section, as I had forgotten about this one. But this topic could go in either. Perhaps we have one section too many?

Bolin(view post) wrote:Thanks Dave - I was actually thinking of the '75s & ZTs For Sale' section, as I had forgotten about this one. But this topic could go in either. Perhaps we have one section too many?

You're probably right that it suits that section. I'll move it there and leave a "shadow" here!

I can confirm that it is definitely the 2002 British Motor Show as a friend of mine obtained the VIN for it and then gave it to me to compare to the record of the actual VIN I took of the 2002 Motor Showcar when attending on Press Day at the N.E.C. (22nd October 2002). The two tally, so it is definitely the Motor Show car.

For heaven sake, someone buy it - a 1.8 Saloon is no good to me so take the temptation away!

Apparently it sold the day the ad went on ebay to a buyer from Scotland. Sold unseen.