Does anyone own a car from SMC Rover?

[CCX]

Hi,

I own a 1999 Mini which was sold new by SMC Rover, and was also (I believe) a display/demo car for them for three months from March to June. When I bought it, it was missing all of its dealer features - i.e tax disc holder, number plates and dealer sticker.

Thanks to a very helpful member on another forum, I have since managed to get all three of these things reproduced to the original design. However, I think the number plate's design is incorrect for the year my car was made (1999).



The design shown in this picture is based on a 2003 ZR's plate which, after some research, seems to be different to what would have been fitted to my car four years earlier. It turns out that SMC only launched their website in 2001 - two years after my car was made - so the design used in '99 could not have featured their web address.

Basically, what I'm asking is whether anyone owns a Rover/MG of any model from before 2003 which has SMC plates on it. If you do, I would really appreciate it if you could post some pictures.

Also, I'd be interested to know whether there were any other dealer fitted extras not mentioned in my post?

[carl747]

I'd say that SMC sold the car in 1999 and then sold it again a few years later that's why you have the newer number plates

[edward22]

my car was from them as well .

[stefaclese]

I'd say that SMC sold the car in 1999 and then sold it again a few years later that's why you have the newer number plates

I think he's had one made up based on a ZR plate by the sounds of it.

[David-Ti]

1996 620Ti

[CCX]

I'd say that SMC sold the car in 1999 and then sold it again a few years later that's why you have the newer number plates

I think he's had one made up based on a ZR plate by the sounds of it.

That's exactly it - they're not the original plates.

1996 620Ti

Thanks for the picture. I think they must have changed the design between '96 and '99 though. The one thing I do have left that's original dealer material is a membership card and business card, and both of those are in the same style as the later things fitted to that ZR.

Thanks to all for the response, really didn't expect it.

[rover220]

I'd say that SMC sold the car in 1999 and then sold it again a few years later that's why you have the newer number plates

id say you fail!

[CCX]

I've sent an email to the dealer today, as well as the founder of the SMC group, so I will see if I get a reply.

[David-Ti]

I've sent an email to the dealer today, as well as the founder of the SMC group, so I will see if I get a reply.

Definitely let us know if you find out anything useful on this.

[CCX]

Certainly will, I'm not hopeful but I thought it was worth a try.

[puddlejumper]

Hi

There were 3 cars with the SMC plates at Pride of Longbridge today and they all had the same style as the first pic with the website on

stephen

[CCX]

Hi, thanks for the message. I'm guessing they were newer than 2001? That's when they launched their website. I'm particularly looking for the design used around '97 to 2000, which seems difficult to find. I'm sure they're out there somewhere though.

[CCX]

1996 620Ti

I'm starting to think that this is actually the right design for my car. I found this picture the other day:



I know it's a '95, but the dealer sticker is identical to the one in my car. If that didn't change before 2001 (or after), then I doubt the number plates did either.

[CCX]

Found it.



Thanks everyone for your help.

[beef]

the smc rover in slough was a big dealer is was a rover dealer for years right up to the end of mgrover its now a smc ford dealer