SPOTTED: Rover 216 GTi
Discussion
I own a restoration workshop/bodyshop and we get everything from Minis to Ferraris and everything in between come through our doors and we've had a bit of a run on Rovers of this era recently, including a Metro GTi, the 3dr 220 Version of the above and currently a 420 GSi Tourer from a regular customer who owns numerous Rovers, mainly stemming from his love and ownership of multiple SD1's.
Underrated cars and quite handsome too. Any that are left are more likely to be enthusiast owned nowadays.
Underrated cars and quite handsome too. Any that are left are more likely to be enthusiast owned nowadays.
geeman237 said:
My dad has a J or k reg 220GTi 2 door sitting in his garage. He's owned it maybe 20 years. Partial leather interior, the dark green/blue colour I think. It deserves a new home really.
Awful waste, tell him to get it on the classifieds! Does he assume it's worth scrap value, or is he more clued up?LetsTryAgain said:
Details please, details.
I don't have much more. The car is in Cardiff. I think, and only think it has 130k miles. It was his 'Sunday Best' driving car.Anyone reading this and is genuinely interested in the car, please PM me and I will see if I can connect you with my dad to discuss it.
The car should be totally original, factory standard and certainly not abused during his ownership and not driven by anyone else.
Very nice! I’ve got a bit of a thing for these, as my Reader’s Cars thread will attest!
Unabused, non rusty ones are rare as anything now-while I don’t think they’re going to be worth millions, there’s been a little resurgence in values and some interest shown in them lately, and long may it continue.
Unabused, non rusty ones are rare as anything now-while I don’t think they’re going to be worth millions, there’s been a little resurgence in values and some interest shown in them lately, and long may it continue.
geeman237 said:
I don't have much more. The car is in Cardiff. I think, and only think it has 130k miles. It was his 'Sunday Best' driving car.
Anyone reading this and is genuinely interested in the car, please PM me and I will see if I can connect you with my dad to discuss it.
The car should be totally original, factory standard and certainly not abused during his ownership and not driven by anyone else.
Turns out my dad sold the car for 500 Pounds last month. I live in the US, hence the delay in finding out......Anyone reading this and is genuinely interested in the car, please PM me and I will see if I can connect you with my dad to discuss it.
The car should be totally original, factory standard and certainly not abused during his ownership and not driven by anyone else.
I worked at a Rover dealer in the early 90s and used to sell these new and second hand. Both 216 and it's booted brother the 416 were very underated cars in GTI spec, much quicker than people expected. A nicer car to drive than the Escort and Golf of the same era.
214/414 with the K series 1400 engine used to absolutely fly....
214/414 with the K series 1400 engine used to absolutely fly....
That's a blast from the past!
I'm pretty sure the 216GTi had a Honda engine and that there was a dedicated race series for "Tomcats" back in the 90s, but most were 3 door models.
Back in early 1992 I had my 1st (and last) company car and was offered a BRG 214SLi or a couple of Sierra 1.8LXs, so I went for the Rover as the Company Car tax liability was lower on a 1,400cc car. I don't remember it being that quick, but it drove well and seemed very economical.
Sadly my employer went out of business at the end of the year so I had to give it back and find myself a car - so I only ever took the car allowance after that!
I'm pretty sure the 216GTi had a Honda engine and that there was a dedicated race series for "Tomcats" back in the 90s, but most were 3 door models.
Back in early 1992 I had my 1st (and last) company car and was offered a BRG 214SLi or a couple of Sierra 1.8LXs, so I went for the Rover as the Company Car tax liability was lower on a 1,400cc car. I don't remember it being that quick, but it drove well and seemed very economical.
Sadly my employer went out of business at the end of the year so I had to give it back and find myself a car - so I only ever took the car allowance after that!
I worked for Unipart in Cowley in the early 1990's when these and the 600 were new. It appeared that Rover under Graham Day had finally cracked it and making a range of really good cars and it was known that the 800, Montego and Metro were due to be axed, and not a moment too soon. The Mark 3 Golf, Astra and Escort were just crap - the 200 was so nicely finished and pleasant to drive in comparison.
But, in true BL style it all went wrong with that bubble 200 POS and the ugly booted version. BMW's half arsed intervention and their comical view of Rover's pricing strategy finished it off.
But, in true BL style it all went wrong with that bubble 200 POS and the ugly booted version. BMW's half arsed intervention and their comical view of Rover's pricing strategy finished it off.
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