This car is a top-tier luxury specification of the Rover 75’s line up and it is also the last vehicle to roll off Rover’s production line and to carry the company’s badge. 

The 75 was the first new large car under Rover’s ownership by the BMW Group and took styling cues from the marque’s heritage: the qualities of the Rover P5, the sportiness of the P6 and the name from one of the P4 models of the 1950s. Launched in 1999, the new saloon became an icon of Rover’s modern era.

Providing high-end comfort and traditional British styling, the 75 had a shaky start in the market despite being well-received at its launch due to the brand’s reputation and rumour of financial woes. When BMW decided to sell the Rover Group in 2000, car production moved to the Longbridge factory in Birmingham and the 75 range was quickly developed, with an estate model, MG versions and a long wheelbase limousine. A V8 version was also developed, re-engineered with rear wheel drive. The model range eventually saw solid success, however, with 211,175 being produced. 

Despite a facelift for the 75 range in 2004, MG Rover sadly went into administration in 2005 and production at Longbridge abruptly ceased. The final Rover cars were 75s that had been left unfinished on the assembly lines. They were handbuilt by a skeleton workforce who were retained in order to sell any completed cars. This is the last to be completed and is signed by the team on the impact bars along with other poignant messages now covered by the body work.