MG ZT COUPE

The biggest project we have ever embarked on. Converting a FWD V6 4 door saloon into a RWD V8 2 door coupe!

This is the car MG Rover should have built.

Inspired by the prototype Rover 75 Coupe made by MG Rover but never put into production, Chris decided to make his own version but he wanted it to be his ultimate ZT so he added the wide arch body kit, a custom paint colourand an MG SV 32v engine, as well as a few other mods! The ZT Coupe was named Car of the Show at Pride of Longbridge in 2018 by Classic Car Weekly magazine.

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ZT to be converted

ZT to be converted

This is the standard 2002 ZT V6 which was used for the base car for the Coupe. It was heading for the scrapyard with a blown engine and some body work needed so it was perfect for the conversion.

Its a convertible!

Its a convertible!

The process begins! After the doors were removed the bodyshell had to be braced to stop the shell folding in on itself.Then the door pillars and roof were removed.

New roof line

BMW 3 series coupe pillars and door glass were used to create the 2 door.

Door pillars

Door pillars on both sides fitted.

A post

The BMW roof pillars were grafted onto the original windscreen surround so the original ZT windscreen could be kept to maximaise the amount of original MG parts on the car

Roof skin

The original MG ZT roof skin was used.

Rear screen

The original ZT rear screen was grafted to fit in with the BMW C post.

Interior panel work

Interior panel work

The rear interior panel work from the BMW was welded in to strengthen the rear.

Developing the doors.

Developing the doors.

The doors were made up from the ZT door and BMW door. The front is ZT so the body lines worked with the front wing and the door was lengthened with the rear of the BMW door. This ensured the shape of the rear part of the door fitted correctly with the B post from the BMW.

Inside the car.

Inside the car.

This shows the inner structures of the door and rear panel.

Lengthening the doors.

Lengthening the doors.

Two ZT door skins were used to make the longer door skin needed.

Rear quarter panel.

Rear quarter panel.

The rear door skin from the ZT was utilised for the rear quarter panel skin.

Metal work ends!

Metal work ends!

The last part of the door skin has been welded ad all the metalwork on the body is finally finished. Now to start with the filler!

Side shot.

The rear quarter panel has been filled and we are starting to get an idea of how the car will look!

Body mods completed

Body mods completed

Finally all the modifications to the body are finished and we get a good idea of how the 2 door will look.

ZT 385 bodykit fitting

ZT 385 bodykit fitting

A fibreglass body kit, produced from the original ZT 385 moulds, was made. It had to be adapted for the 2 door application.

Wide wheel arch's

Wide wheel arch's

Wider wheel arch's, sill trims and custom bumpers make the Coupe into Chris's ultimate ZT.

Wheel trial fitment

Wheel trial fitment

Once the bodykit was fitted it was time to see how the 20 inch Jaguar wheels would fit inside the wheel arches.

Engine bay

With the outer bodywork completed it was time to turn the attention to converting the bulkhead and tunnel to fit the V8 engine and gearbox.

Engine bay primed.

Engine bay primed.

All the modifications to the bulkhead completed and the engine bay is primed ready for the trial fit of the engine.

Wiring loom

The V8 wiring loom was installed.

V8 heater and pedals

V8 heater and pedals

A different heater box had to be fitted from a ZT 260 to accomodate the slightly taller tunnel. Also, the pedals in a 260 are different to a standard ZT.

Boot floor

The last piece needed for the V8 conversion was to swap the boot floor, where the battery lives in a V8 ZT.

4.6l 32 valve Mustang V8

4.6l 32 valve Mustang V8

It's in ! The Mustang 4.6 litre V8 is trial fitted.

V8 engine

With the manifold on there is enough clearance for the bonnet without putting a vent in.