The first VVC's

[MrNatural]

If I was looking for an early VVC, what month in 1995/96 did they start to become available please?

Thanks

[mg-rob]

I do have an early press vvc.
I thought that they became available to purchase at the very end of 95, but can’t be sure, so looking forward to the answer! I’m sure that Nigel will know

[BodgeItAndScarper]

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/m ... anufacture

A few from 1995 there, no indication of the month though. Many more from 1996.

[nigelandjo]

The 1st Production VVC rolled off the production line on 16th August and a total of 45 were built in 1995.

[Rob Bell]

VVC production numbers were extremely small in 1995 - the reason why I ended up buying an MPi: the waiting list was horrific, and I was determined to get my new shiny MG ASAP!!!

Ah, those were the days...

[Green Squirrel]

I was the same as Rob

[MrNatural]

Thanks Nigel

[jonbaker]

I paid a deposit in March 95 before production started. The VVCC was supposed to be available in September that year but didn't get delivered to the dealer till April 96 and even then the first run was the British racing green ones which pleased me as that was what I had ordered and I jumped the couple of others on the dealer waiting list above me who had ordered red.

[Rob Bell]

It's amusing to recall that Rover Group completely underestimated the demand for the VVC model: they thought the majority would buy the MPi version! They had to seriously ramp up production of the VVC power plant as a result - an objective they achieved and doing so with an extremely reliable design

[ErikB]

MPi was clearly promoted/pushed overhere (Belgium). Even in the TF glory days.
And I understand, when we bought the MPi back in 1998 120bhp wasn't bad at all. Golf TDi was the reference to what power outputs were respectfull and would become common on the market: with 75bhp (SDI, with the 's' of slow), 90bhp (TDI), 100/110bhp (TDI with the red 'i'), 115/130bhp (TDI with the red 'd' and 'i').

[Rob Bell]

I agree Erik - the range was very competitive at launch, remaining so even through to the end of MG in 2005. With the next generation of MPi and VVC models coming out after EU4 calibration, I think we'd have seen further gains - and, I wonder, had the company survived, how long it would be before the 1.8 turbo got shoe-horned into a high performance "SuperSport"/"X-Power" derivative?

[Geoff.F]

Yes Rob
But BMW would not want the MG to conflict with their Models and "The 4" did not have enough in the Kitty.
Geoff.F

[Rob Bell]

True enough. But Rover and MG Rover did some astonishing things on 27 pence, half a pack of wine gums and a piece of string...