1999 Rover 75 V6 pre production protype. Spanish launch

I have the opportunity for someone to own a piece of Rover history.
I am putting my award winning final prototype Rover 75 up for sale.

One of a handful of genuine S reg pre-production 75s left. Factory AOX registration number. This graceful old lady is finished in Moonstone green paint and is trimmed with an aubergine personal line interior. This is a contrasting elegant combination. Its lead to believe the only S reg 75 left in this colour combination. Some of you may have seen the restoration threads online.

Its is the 3rd moonstone and aubergine car made. I have the exact build record for S544 AOX

I have a V888 form for this vehicle that states it was registered to Rover Group.
A little back story on the car:

This graceful old lady is chassis number 001507 making her the 507th 75 made. For any keen-eyed enthusiast out there will notice the 00 in the chassis number, this is only applicable to pre-production cars. Production cars all start 10. This tells you that this car is something rather special.

This car was once a static display vehicle used in the Spanish launch events in 1999 before the public release of the 75. It was sat in the hotel grounds for the press to look over. Documents from the launch will be included in the sale. Lists of cars, defects found at launch ect.

The car still holds some of its original pre-production features, I have documented these in its own separate folder. Some of these include the black hazard and lock surround, prototype sample on the driver’s airbag, smooth trim on the steering wheel cowling and toing eye cover.

I have shown the car at the NEC classic car show in November 2024. It’s seen on a few popular YouTube channels. Aswell many local shows. One of these shows it won best 75 at the show.

In my ownership….
I purchased the car as a wreck and have extensively rebuilt it.
I will include pictures of the car before and after. There is also an extensive file with images and info of the restoration.
The car came to me as a rolling shell with engine. Parts where missing and it didn’t run. The engine (2. 0 V6) has had a good service with new plugs and runs spot on. Gearbox has been serviced too with fresh oil. Both engine and box are the originals.
Some of the body panels have been changed to better quality items.
I have replaced all the black door trims, wing mirror bases, slam panel and some engine bay parts and bumper fixing bolts with gloss black powder coated items before fitting they were all coated in wax. These give the car a nicer look compared to the satin faded black items most 75s have now a days.

I have retro fitted: power fold early wing mirrors, highline Harmon Kardon entertainment system, custom BMW wood gear knob, Custom wood Leather steering wheel, electric rear sun blind and embossed front headrests in the rear.

The steering wheel in this car has been made by self as they were not available with personal line wood wheels. I found it sets the car off nicely.

Currently the car has a good quantity of period genuine accessories fitted. These will not be with the car but there is the potential to do a deal on them separately.
These include:
Luggage rack with box
Headlight protectors
Aubergine floor mats
Full chrome grill
Japanese crown alloys standard crowns will be fitted
Th vehicle will have a standard no hole boot lid fitted, no floor mats, standard 75 grill and standard crown alloys. The items above are interchanged between the 4 75s we currently own that is the reason for them not to be included.

Now as all cars the bad points.
On acceleration there is a vibration from the under of the car as if the exhaust is rubbing. This issue is documented issues that were found at launch and rectified but as this vehicle was a static car it would have never been found.

Theres a small water leak into the cabin somewhere. I am on with investigating this.

I have a large amount more photos that I am not able to upload. If you require more just let me know.

The car will have a full mot.

The build data for this car is…

Off assembly Tuesday 19 January 1999 at 07:51:50
Build record VIN SARRJZLKLXM001507
Model description
Exterior colour Moonstone Green Metallic
Interior trim Aubergine / Sandstone
Country Great Britain
Drive RHD

Off assembly 1 of 1 07:51:50 to 07:51:50
Build record VIN 13 of 1, 520 05-09-1998 to 24-03-2005
Model description
Exterior colour 24 of 8, 004 27-09-1998 to 12-11-2003
Interior trim 50 of 402 19-10-1998 to 02-12-2003
Country 492 of 105, 199 01-09-1998 to 30-06-2005
Drive 258 of 112, 086 01-09-1998 to 30-06-2005
VIN/ Colour/ Country 3 of 160 02-11-1998 to 01-09-2003

A small spares package will come with the car. These will be

2 standard aubergine steering wheels
2 standard aubergine auto gear selectors
4 aubergine door cards
Please get in contact if you are interested in this rare example of a special Rover 75.