Oldest XM in the UK - Now with registration!!

[MTXM]

Many thanks Russ and certainly a big improvement! With regards, Matthew T.

[raynoon]

They do look really good!

[MTXM]

Thanks Ray and here is an early photo soon after my acquisition for comparison. In particular note the sill rust and flakey front wing lower section! With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

And the offside!

[MTXM]

I have been reflecting further about whether this XM was one of the 1,000 paraded at the big launch event at Nice on 23rd May 1989. The car left the factory exactly one week before on 16th May 1989 so in theory it could therefore have been present. There were a mixture of V6 and 2.0i. models displayed and all were in 'Meteor Grey' and, assuming that at least half the cars were V6 and all were top spec 'Exclusive' trim, which I think is reasonable, that makes 500 examples. From the chassis number my car is the 999th V6 and I think it also reasonable to assume that a mixture of colours were produced from the start of production in early 1989. The early history of the car also might support the case, with 18 months between production and 'preparation for the road' and initial servicing at a Paris main dealership. Presumably most of the 1,000 cars displayed must have gone to dealerships for further demonstration and promotion before being sold on. I suspect I am unlikely to obtain proof of attendance at Nice but it is nice to dream! Regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here is a further link to the launch video for those who have not seen it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYa5YqHTKqo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The cars appear around 3.25 minutes in and I also attach some screen shots!

[russ92xmsed]

I think I would have melted into a puddle seeing all those XM's lined up! It's quite a sight.
You can have it in any colour as long as it's grey!

[MTXM]

Yes Russ it must have been amazing, while at the same time a strange meeting of neo-fascism and Henry Ford!! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

[MTXM]

Here are some further photos of the finished work taken earlier today, this time with some decent weather and a seasonal backdrop! Regards, Matthew T.