1987 Austin Montego 2.0 EFi Vanden Plas Walkaround - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@John-Sacrimoni]

An Incredible car and in amazing exceptional condition, a credit to the owner.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's a very rare survivor, and looks absolutely great. I wanted to buy it, but I knew it wasn't for sale.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Absolutely delighted to be seeing this MR Lloyd, hopefully you will drive it one day, it's in fantastic condition, a very special car indeed. The Philips Radio is a slightly low spec model, as fitted to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage in The Lighting Daylights, "Philips DC954" very expensive then and now to buy used.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well sir, perhaps one day, but we have done the walkaround now, and it seems to have had the desired effect. Glad someone knows about the radios in these old cars!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting It was an excellent review of the hop Mr Lloyd, such a rare car, like a fine wine, love the Vanden Plas treatment, hopefully more will come your way in the future. Yes those radio were great in there day, very interesting to feature it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. , we do like a nice Vanden Plas, sir....

[@DavidJohnston58]

Phwoar! What a beautiful car. Rear plate shows JJ Smith Austin, then Austin Rover In Ballymena Co Antrim. Proprietor passed away few years ago. If you watch Mathewson's auctions on TV you may recall the three "brand new" MG cars auctioned few years ago, (a B, a GT and a Midget from memory) they belonged to this gentleman. He had hoarded them away for prosperity. Reg is about right for 87, I had EDZ on my Astra SRi which was 1989 though the letters change consecutively here, they're not year specific. Anyway that is a gem sir,👌

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, very rare, beautiful condition, amazing specification for 1987. This one was probably hoarded away for a while too!

[@eyeballseesaws]

I remember seeing the montego at a road run in Ballycastle about 6 or 7 years ago, I suppose it mustn't live in NI any more now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@eyeballseesaws , yes, lives in England now.

[@NapalmBond]

Great to see one still alive. My mum had A VDP in silver. Auto trim. Bought new in 87. What made her finally sell it was impossible to get the metric tyres here in NZ. But man was it a lovely car to drive. Complemented dad's 2.3 Cortina Ghia.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the lack of metric tyres for certain types of wheel has really affected a number of classics over here too, including the 1980s Metros which originally had steel wheels.

[@MOHAMMED4025]

I had an estate vp model absolute beautiful with 7 seats.. ultimate luxury at that time. a very fast and reliable car. This video brings some fond memories

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Montego Vanden Plas is a very rare car these days. I would absolutely like to try an Estate as well!

[@camperlustig68]

Good Morning Sir, a VP Montego, a very fine stead indeed!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Been waiting ages to film it, sir!

[@simonbcity]

This is the one I have been waiting for ha ..same C reg and colour as my dad's favourite ever car ..He is 82 now and had the car for over 20 years ..He isn't too good at the min had a stroke and bleed on his brain ..I am sure this video will cheer him up ..Thank you sir X

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Sorry to hear that Simon, wishing him all the best.

[@simonbcity]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. Cheers 🥂 very kind of you

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I didn't realise that getting hold of a Montego Vanden Plas would bring someone in such a horrible condition such joy. I really hope that your father enjoys the video.

[@simonbcity]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting It made him smile a lot mate ..He has watched it twice and brought back some happy memories..It was an amazing car and he loved it .. Thanks 🙏 for sharing x

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@simonbcity , we aim to please, sir! Glad he liked it.

[@markonmotoring]

Oh such a rare treat sir. That radio cassette still floats my boat even today and that leather and wood clad interior really looks the part. Obviously Rover was the more premium option but the range at the time would have been limited to the SD3 and 800 so I expect a VP trim Montego may have filled the gap for those requiring something bigger than an SD3. I strongly suspect you are right about the Montego being a much better car than its reputation would suggest.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the Montegos are actually really nice to drive, and they are very spacious with some good engines. However, the quality control was quite bad, at least initially, and the design wasn't finished to Roy Axe's satisfaction. I still really like them, however, and this Vanden Plas or an MG are about as good as the saloons get. The later Countryman Estate was also really good.

[@kieranwhite6647]

That is stunning!, always liked the Montego

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I do have a real soft spot for the Maestros and Montegos, I must say.

[@roygardiner2229]

I could hear the creaking of the leather upholstery. Fab!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Got to be real leather then, sir!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Thanks for sharing this Montego VP Sir, a lovely example, I can bet it was well worth the wait? Here's a little something to help towards the channel.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Mr Watters, you are much too kind, sir! It was completely worth the wait.

[@richardhowlett7398]

What a beauty

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I wanted to buy it, sir, but the chances of the owner selling are zero, I think...

[@TheTexturizer]

My folks had a D plate VP saloon in two tone silver. It was an auto too. I got to drive it around 1998 when I was learning. For us, it was luxury.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am really hoping to one of these to drive on the channel at some point this year! Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@bunter6]

My dad had a 1987 E Reg two tone White over Grey 1.6 L, what a car! He did just over 250k miles in it before trading it in for a Blue over Grey 1991 1.6 LX with ELECTRIC sunroof which done another 180k before he moved to the french fancy of a Xantia 1.9Td.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We do like Montegos on this channel, sir, and I am trying to get hold of more for review.... Who says that Montegos can't do high mileage?

[@bunter6]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Indeed and as the mileage was all motorway from Glasgow to Reading the Blue one never even needed a new clutch in its life. Although both did eat a lot of wheel bearings as is their wont.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@bunter6 , that's a lot of motorway miles, sir! Yes, I have heard about the wheel bearing issue before.

[@peterriggall8409]

Yep, can apppreciate that. Never saw any Montego s in Australia. Don’t think I have even seen a private import one. Beautiful example of a rare special edition.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They did import the Montego into New Zealand, not sure about Australia, I am afraid.

[@chrislockey7706]

Had that engine in my "D" reg Montego Si great car to drive and the handle really well. Parts were so cheap I remember, great cars.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the good old 2.0 O-Series engine! They are surprisingly nice to drive with good handling, as you say.

[@Chris-zf4gc]

Had a 2.0l diesel montego, back in the day ex MOD so even had lights in the back for military captains. Had it for a good 2+ years as a taxi. Never missed a beat (2.0 perkins engine) had it till someone ran into the back of it.... The engine then went into a Canal Barge!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I am afraid that thanks to the Mayor of London and all his friends around the country with their Ultra Low Emission and Clean Air Zones...we don't talk about diesels on this channel.

[@Pmjs]

I definitely love this Montego VP very much.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

You aren't the only one, sir!

[@gordonbartlettgb]

This takes me back to my childhood. My parents had a 2.0 Vanden Plas estate in a lighter shade of metallic blue. Didn't have the leather interior or headlamp washers though.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, the Vanden Plas estate did not have a leather interior! There were two light blue metallics, as you say.

[@paulillingworth1242]

Wow that’s immaculate, I always preferred the Montego style over its sibling the Maestro

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I love these upper trim level Montegos. I have driven two with the same engine, and they were superb.

[@Aaron-tf3iv]

Very nice this one, visited my house once for some parts. Unfortunately i saw it on the hard shoulder on the way home!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh dear! That's such a shame, it seemed to be OK on the way down. It's an amazing car regardless.

[@paullonghurst1390]

Wow what an exceptional car, so well appointed. Nice one Sir, well found

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was in perfect condition, the owner really looks after it and makes sure it is properly stored for the winter.

[@cylturbskie]

Holy crap thats going back some. Love these older nostalgic cars that remind me of a beautiful non chaotic time where in the old days, a time where people were genuinely nice to other people and when the cars had such soft suspension they (train staff) used to get off the train and bounce cars off the old railway tracks along weymouth harbor so the trains could get past. This can be found on youtube videos too.jeez. a time where my family actually spoke to each other and didnt want to kill eachother and see eachothers kids dead.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh, well, we have more nostalgic stuff coming up very soon, don't you worry! Yes, I am very aware of the old Weymouth "tram" section, and I have seen some of those videos. Sorry to hear that things in your family have become so difficult.

[@cylturbskie]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes good ol times. Thanks mate, its sad how families can become so incredibly seperated and not want nout to do with each other but that is life i guess, swnt to try us.

[@TheAllyMor]

Ah lovely. Thanks very much for this. My Dad's penultimate car was a Montego vdp on a C plate in silver. So you can see why I enjoyed the video. As a teen I didn't really like it that much. Preferred when he changed it for an MG which had far lower spec, not even powerful steering, no sunroof, no leather, no alloys, 😂 no nuthin by comparison.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, unless you went for a Mayfair or Vanden Plas, you weren't guaranteed power steering from memory. An MG would be exciting as well, even if it was more sparsely equipped.

[@paramedicchrisbookseries]

Love Austin montego. I dream of owning one since my Dad passed away, hold many childhood memories.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! Glad that this brought back some childhood memories for you. I think that I have a couple of other Montego videos in the description if you want to see more. This one was particularly special.

[@paramedicchrisbookseries]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting that would be wonderful to see. Feel free to subscribe to my channel.

[@colinhicks4174]

That was a very nice example. I was at that show but after 2 hours I had to escape inside, it was way too hot. There were some excellent cars there. Including my first car, mk1 MG1100.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh sir, it was boiling! I got a very red face by the end of the day, although fortunately it is OK now. There was indeed an MG 1100 there, this Montego was every special.

[@seanhammond4034]

I had the Same in Black 1985 I miss it so much

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

These Montego Vanden Plas versions are ever so rare now! I quite fancy one for myself... Thanks ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@tobeycat2007]

Used to really like montegos, still look good, very few left now and as you said that is one of the best. Certain it would take quite some money for the onwer to part with that one.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think it would be worth a pretty penny, if he were to sell it! Got to be one of the best Montegos in the country, that is for sure.

[@MSJChem]

Is that the same engine that was in the MG Montego and Maestro? My 1987 MG Maestro had a 2.0 EFI engine.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, same as the MG Maestro 2.0 EFi as well.

[@Lar308]

We had some (obviously more basic) 1.6 models in the Irish police (Garda). I always liked the Montego's but I was always a front seat passenger in one (observer) because I was quite a new cop back then. They were much nicer then the sierra's which had coarser interiors and I never did like that blob design. Most of the other police hated them though and figured out a way to blow their engine so a few had engine replacements. They also had a tendency to easily crash their sump into the ground. The big wigs did not like hatchbacks as police cars but when the saloon sierra came out they switched to them and we never had anymore Montego's.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The 2.0 Montegos with a manual gearbox are very nice to drive, but unfortunately, as you say, they can be a bit fragile in places. The 1.6 Montegos have a completely different gearbox, and the engines are not as strong as the 2.0 O-Series in this car. Very few remaining now, especially in this condition. I have also tried a couple of Sierras, one very recently, and I enjoyed them both. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@robertgibson7716]

i had a 1996 MG Montego great car flying machine

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they certainly get a move on, don't they? Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@cylturbskie]

I have been meaning to do an exhaust video of my coupe as you know mate, but i have an alloy radiator to get installed and also am waiting for my stainless steel tubular turbo manifold to be imported from italy, so once theyre installed ill do a walkaround vid of the engine bay (should be all chrome by then) and a revving the bollaxe off it video. Its running a bit hot in this weather so gotta be carefull also.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Don't worry, sir, it has been ridiculously hot. I am subscribed, so it should tell me when your next video goes live.

[@xanpagebrown]

I believe my grandad had an MG Montego fully specced out, with the voice synthesis and everything. Unfortunately I have never seen it due to being only 17 but I have heard about it from my dad who I believe went out on a drive in it on his 17th birthday and my grandad got fed up and made him swap over (but I could be wrong)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That would be a really early MG Montego if it had the talking dashboard!

[@Pmjs]

The 1st car I owned with Power steering was actually my Mazda 626 2.0 93K.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I actually passed my test in a car with no power steering back in the day, common at the time.

[@mattw8332]

Fantastic looking car. 😎

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Worth the wait, sir.

[@hugs4u2009]

Had a Montego at the other end of spec, 1.6L Drove it to scrappy after MOT failure. The most severe rust rot underneath. You couldn’t use the jacking points to lift it. This one must have always been garaged and rarely driven on salted Winter roads.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh gosh, everything seemed to rust for fun back in 1987! Montegos, Maestros, Sierras, Rover 200s and Cavaliers were all quite bad. As you say, this one is immaculate and would have been stored away carefully somewhere.

[@Jon-zj2nj]

I had a 1.6HL and a 2.0HL in the late 80’s / very early 90’s, one in Moonraker Blue (this colour) from new in Dec 86. Never understood why the leather was never made available on the estate - or I would have had one of those as well!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I don't understand it either! The Montego Estates are fantastic, I drove one back in 2021. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@simonbcity]

Aww we are from Manchester imagine If it was my dad's reconditioned ha ..

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It is a fantastic car!

[@tabsntoot]

I remember back in early 90s at a car place in Southport centre they had a white van den plas montego with red trim lovely car it was I begged dad to trade his Orion in for it but alas it wasn’t meant to be

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Vanden Plas Maestros and Montegos are exceedingly rare these days.

[@garyfinn325]

I had a 1984 L saloon which was a fantastic drive but build/engine management quality were dire. I also has a 1992, 2 litre DLSX turbo diesel estate was fantastic (until it was stolen!) But the vast difference in quality was very noticeable.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I have linked the reviews I have done of two other Montegos in the description below, both pre and post-facelift. Those quality issues were a bit of a pain, weren't they?

[@ruscador1]

i always dreamed of one then bought one my fave car at the time but the crankshaft oil seal was dripping lots of oil out soon got rid of it

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They were much cheaper back in the day on the secondhand market, weren't they?

[@trabali5168]

Oh Yeah!.....not sure the leather was standard and is it a northern Irish plate?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The leather was standard on the saloon by this time. Some of the estates had velour seats from memory. Definitely a Northern Irish plate.

[@mickles1975]

Abject luxury, Mister Lloyd?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Abject and utter luxury, sir!

[@maestromontegometroappreci7287]

My sort of car that is 😁

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sadly, sir, I don't think that it is for sale...

[@ruscador1]

wondering how much it's worth today ?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's quite a lot, I think. These are exceptionally rare cars indeed.

[@nickyboy.]

6th

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Are you back, sir?