- No 4 - The Works "Van".

This album is dedicated to the works van which is an MG ZR-Express van (Mk2).
If you can really call this a van as it looks more like a car which is kind of what I wanted as I am not a fan of commercial vehicles parked outside my house so wanted something with the practicalities of a van but everything else of a car!!

I chose the MG mainly as if you hadn't guessed by looking at my other cars that I am a lifelong fan of MG & Rover etc so wanted a product of theirs. One thing that MG-Rover were hopeless at was marketing their own products so I thaught that when I ordered this CDV back in January 2005 I would help them by adding pretty much "Total" spec to what was otherwise the base model which would then be evident for all to see when I was out valeting customers cars, some of which would be businesses & may at some point be wanting a small van & no other manufacturer made (& still doesn't) a CDV that is as sporty as a hatchback in their range!
I chose the base model as it was the cheapest enginewise. There was a diesel 2 litre but was £1400 dearer & I don't do starship mileage so wouldn't save much in the longrun & the 160VVC model would be dearer on the insurance!

Another reason for choosing this vehicle was that I simply wanted something that was different/stood out from the rest & got me noticed which this vehicle does very well indeed. I am often getting comments about it & in particular the colour which most think is an aftermarket paint job. It however is a factory colour.
I took the base 105 model (1400cc petrol) & added virtually every possible accessory that was available & one or two special requests as well. These were the Red alcantara seats that were only available on the ZR car as an option. & the chrome grill mesh which at that point wasn't an option at all though was due to be later in 2005. Though the chrome was standard on the earlier Mk1 model it was dropped on the Mk2 for black. I wanted chrome as it looked far better which was featured on the "NEC Motor show" concept car the ZR-X painted in green. I said that I would not buy it unless I had chrome mesh. The salesman in Coventry contacted MG Sport & Racing in Longbridge & managed to get me the ONLY genune MG chrome mesh to be fitted to a customers Mk2 ZR so I was deeply thankfull to all parties for this gesture.

Below is a sheet I display in the van at shows listing this vehicles unique specification etc.

MG ZR-EXPRESS 105 "2005 -- 05 reg".
This van was a special order ( technically a one off ) See below spec.
It came off the production line on 2nd March 2005.It is a standard 1.4 (103ps) base model with total specification.
It is one of around only 100 "Mk2" models made.

All the features listed in this column are either Factory or Dealer fit.A couple of the below (factory/dealer) options have been added during my ownership.
Options that have "Monogram" beside them are from the "Monogram Range" which was a range of options to bespoke your car!

Pearlecent Firefrost Red, Paintwork.
Cigar lighter & ashtray.
Trafficmaster Clock.
Luxury pack.
Drivers seat height & lumber adjustment.
Loadspace protection grill.
Spacesaver spare wheel.
ZR option pack 2 ( side sill & rear bumper extensions & upgrade to 16inch Grid Spoke alloys),
- replaced with Chrome rimmed aftermarket alloys.
Rear parking sensors.
Airconditioning.
Electric slide & lift sunroof.
Electric adjust & heated door mirrors.
Black magic rear lights (standard fit on ZR "Car" Trophy models).
Black pearl centre console finisher & door pulls (from Rover 25 model).
Chrome door mirror backs.
MG Branded Carpet floor mats.
Red/Black leather steering wheel (Monogram option)
Leather gearstick & handbrake gator.
MG-XPower exhaust.
MG-XPower "stebel air horn"
Front fog lights.

These are the factory "special order or unique" items.
MG/TF Illuminated rear view mirror.
Leather &" Red" Alcantara seats (Monogram Option).
Heated seats.(via The XPower accessory range).
Limo tint to rear screen.
Tints to front side windows (removed in Oct 2007).

( TOTALLY UNIQUE ITEM ) :-
Chrome Front Grill mesh.- Made specially via MG Sport & Racing at Longbridge.
This is the only "private" 2004/5 ZR Model that has this Chrome mesh,It was the prototype for a new 2005 accessory. There were I think only one or two ever made - the first was fitted to the MG ZR-X concept car. Mine was either a second one produced or a very special order by "Sport n Racing".

ADDITIONS or MODIFICAIONS That I Have Added.

Door cards & loadspace grill speaker surrounds trimmed with red Alcantara to match the seats.
Alpine Hi-Fi upgraded headunit & multichanger,door speakers, Components built in loadspace grill.
Hands-free mobile phone kit.
Custom made carpeted storeage boxes behind seats/under loadspace grill.
Red LED's fitted to cabin area under dash & under storage boxes.
Personalised number plate.

My thanks go to all those at MG Rover Group in
Longbridge for making me such a fine "BRITISH"
vehicle that I am very proud to own