Tweet
Make & Model: Rover Montego Countryman 2.0D 93MY
Date of Registration: 5th May 1994
Supplying Dealer: Premier Motors (Romford) Ltd
Original Owner: ACL Limited - Cardiff
Colour: British Racing Green
No. Of Previous Owners: 2
Last Owner Owned Since: 14th August 1998
Date of Current Purchase: 4th January 2014
Current Mileage: 96000
Last presented for MOT: 17th December 2007 & Dry Stored Since
All Previous MOT Certificates: Yes
Miles Covered in Last 10 Years: 1,869.
My relationship with L849 RMK began in December 2013 via an eBay listing. After a two year Montego sabatical, I was once again looking for a nice, easy project that I could take some time over to make perfect. I had previously owned K334 RRL, a heavily restored Countryman that was part of the 2005 Austin Centenary Cavalcade. Since the disappearance of that car, I had always promised myself that I'd restore another.
10 years have passed since I purchased K334 RRL so I was not convinced there were any good projects out there. Usually, the standard of the late estates is pretty poor as they led a hard life and rusted pretty badly. This is why I sat up in my chair when I came across the auction for L849 RMK. From the initial pictures, I could see already that the car was way above average. Shiny BRG paintwork, intact wheelarches, doors and tailgate were all huge plus points. The car had also been off the road since 2007. This could explain why the car still exists, as had the previous owner sold the car in 2007, it would probably be scrapped by now.
I immediately pleaded with the owner to sell the car to me, and luckily for me, he agreed. After Christmas was out of the way, I arranged to hire a vehicle transporter to undertake the epic journey from Suffolk to Wales and back. It was a very dull, rainy and cold day. However, when we finally got there, all I wanted to do was get the car loaded up and head back home. Initial thoughts were that I had definitely found a good one. Heavy rain and poor visibility meant that even at rest stops, I couldn't really have a good look at the car.
It wasn't until the next day that I was able to throw a bucket of water over the car and see what I had acquired. Happily, all aspects of the shell were rust free. Sills, pillar joins, fuel filler pocket were all rock solid. The tailgate had been replaced in the last ten years and was like new. Both front wings were also rust free. All four doors had early stages of rust coming through and at this stage I am unsure as to whether they can be repaired or whether they will need to be replaced. The bonnet has rotted through on the leading edge so this will need replacing. The rear wheel arches are starting to go but are solid on the inside so replacement should be straight forward. I have already removed the fuel filler pipe to treat it and repaint it. I intend to clean up the underside and treat/repaint as necessary, although it is remarkably solid under there.
All in all I am very pleased with my new car. I have decided to store it further until next year while I collect parts and save up the funds required to get its body restored. This one is a keeper. I won't be selling it. I've regretting selling so many cars in the past and been heart broken when they haven't survived.
I'll update as and when I have little bits of news.
Date of Registration: 5th May 1994
Supplying Dealer: Premier Motors (Romford) Ltd
Original Owner: ACL Limited - Cardiff
Colour: British Racing Green
No. Of Previous Owners: 2
Last Owner Owned Since: 14th August 1998
Date of Current Purchase: 4th January 2014
Current Mileage: 96000
Last presented for MOT: 17th December 2007 & Dry Stored Since
All Previous MOT Certificates: Yes
Miles Covered in Last 10 Years: 1,869.
My relationship with L849 RMK began in December 2013 via an eBay listing. After a two year Montego sabatical, I was once again looking for a nice, easy project that I could take some time over to make perfect. I had previously owned K334 RRL, a heavily restored Countryman that was part of the 2005 Austin Centenary Cavalcade. Since the disappearance of that car, I had always promised myself that I'd restore another.
10 years have passed since I purchased K334 RRL so I was not convinced there were any good projects out there. Usually, the standard of the late estates is pretty poor as they led a hard life and rusted pretty badly. This is why I sat up in my chair when I came across the auction for L849 RMK. From the initial pictures, I could see already that the car was way above average. Shiny BRG paintwork, intact wheelarches, doors and tailgate were all huge plus points. The car had also been off the road since 2007. This could explain why the car still exists, as had the previous owner sold the car in 2007, it would probably be scrapped by now.
I immediately pleaded with the owner to sell the car to me, and luckily for me, he agreed. After Christmas was out of the way, I arranged to hire a vehicle transporter to undertake the epic journey from Suffolk to Wales and back. It was a very dull, rainy and cold day. However, when we finally got there, all I wanted to do was get the car loaded up and head back home. Initial thoughts were that I had definitely found a good one. Heavy rain and poor visibility meant that even at rest stops, I couldn't really have a good look at the car.
It wasn't until the next day that I was able to throw a bucket of water over the car and see what I had acquired. Happily, all aspects of the shell were rust free. Sills, pillar joins, fuel filler pocket were all rock solid. The tailgate had been replaced in the last ten years and was like new. Both front wings were also rust free. All four doors had early stages of rust coming through and at this stage I am unsure as to whether they can be repaired or whether they will need to be replaced. The bonnet has rotted through on the leading edge so this will need replacing. The rear wheel arches are starting to go but are solid on the inside so replacement should be straight forward. I have already removed the fuel filler pipe to treat it and repaint it. I intend to clean up the underside and treat/repaint as necessary, although it is remarkably solid under there.
All in all I am very pleased with my new car. I have decided to store it further until next year while I collect parts and save up the funds required to get its body restored. This one is a keeper. I won't be selling it. I've regretting selling so many cars in the past and been heart broken when they haven't survived.
I'll update as and when I have little bits of news.
Attached Files
Comment