You may have read the recent Curbside Classic review of the 1998-2005 Rover 75 saloon – an interesting proposition and well executed in many ways, though the question has to asked. “Did Rover (and BMW) know which way they wanted to go?
Well, maybe this is one answer to the question. It is a fully registered and street legal twin headed Rover 75 V6. In this case, there is only one engine and driveline, and being front wheel drive, that part of the conversion would have been more straight forward than some, such as the Dodge CoronoroC patrol car.
In this case, it’s a 2.5 lire V6 Rover 75 mated to another Rover 75 body shell, with the transverse front engine retained and the “rear” being the front end of the other donor car, with the steering locked. Longer brake pipes, exhaust and re-routed fuel pipes were the largest mechanical differences, plus the rear lights hidden in the “headlamps”.
What is very impressive, though, is the level of detail and quality of the workmanship in the conversion. The vinyl roof helps of course, but “rear” compartment is fully trimmed and equipped as it was originally, and the pairs of leather trimmed seats sit neatly back to back.
So, a nice head tuner, suitable for an advertisement for the AA and maybe a bit of a metaphor for the Rover 75 itself.
Just which way did it want to go?
Was the original rear styling of this car so hideous that they had to shave it’s ass and make it walk backwards?
pretty much!
Reminds me of this car from CHIPs. These cars can trigger horrendous accidents if out on public roads. 😉
The row of 2CVs and a Mehari in the background in the first photo captured my interest – there is also a two-headed 2CV (bicephale) that was used by the French fire department.
I’d suggest that 2CV is butt ugly, except that it has none. 😉
So, it’s a company built version of James May’s Alfa-Saab Limo?
Long ago these were fairly common .
I miss them and am pleased to see someone not only still doing this but taking the time to make a good job of it .
CHiPS also used a ’64 (?) Ford in one episode , it used to park near my shop in San Gabriel back in the early 1970’s when first it was built .
-Nate
I suppose if you lived in England, but traveled pretty frequently on the continent, you could set up a 2-headed car that was RHD on one end and LHD on the other. But I guess that would be an EXCUSE rather than a reason… My favorite two-headed car would have to be the Dodge/Plymouth that William Oliver posted to the cohort a while back. Literally an Omnirizon, drivable from either end.
A little rough, perhaps, but along the same lines . . .
Anyone ever do the opposite, and graft two REAR ends together?
On a larger scale.
The GG1 locomotive comes to mind…
There’s one of those, I think, at the Strasburg Railway. Raymond Loewy actually autographed it with a marker, and his signature later got painted over!
Meanwhile, this looks like yet another spot for a Janus pic…
Most European diesel and electric locomotives are built like this – https://www.curbsideclassic.com/trackside-classic/trackside-classic-1961-british-rail-class-55-deltic-diesel-locomotive-a-distinctive-roar-of-confidence-on-britains-rails/
I think the age of the people looking on pretty much sums it up.
Studebaker did it 65 years ago —
No matter which way you were heading in this thing, it was still a road to nowhere!
Ugh!
KJ in Oz
Trams can be driven from either end
Doctor Dolittle, your car is here…
I’ve often wondered how often something like this has been done. Here’s one that I’ve driven by many times. Don’t think I’ve ever seen it moved from its present spot.