Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

Hi all, my name's Dave.

You all have a new MK1 member in your club now! I've been the owner of mine for four and half years, the car is going to be 30 years old in November, almost exactly the same age that I will be! Finished in a rare shade of British Racing Green, and built in mid range SE trim with the 1300cc Honda engine and automatic gearbox - I can't say I've seen many others in that colour. I only tend to use the car in the Spring and Summer, so it hasn't deteriorated or failed an MOT in that time. Back then I purchased the car for around £100, and then spent the same amount - plus another zero at the end getting it up to a roadworthy standard! Today it's a totally original car, but on closer inspection in need of TLC, but then again, aren't they all.

What I've missed though is being able to show it off and speak to like minded people about one of my older classics, and yes I call it a classic ignoring those that just see it as an old nail (which is what my MOT tester joked with me last year) -as they're so rare, they're becoming collectable. What I can say though about this club is that, originally it only catered for the Mk2 onwards, but I was pleased to see that I was welcomed with open arms into showing my car at an event I wasn't planning to last year, that was the show which celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Rover V8, so once again thanks to the club for that.

Hopefully with your help I can continue to keep mine on the road for years to come.

We must have met at Roverfest - I think you must have been one of the 2 SD3s there!

Good to see you on here too now as we need to get a bit of a 213/216 vibe going

Hope to see you at some more shows this year - the Resto show next weekend by any chance?

Thanks guys!

GTIJohn, yes we did I believe. I will try harder to take it to more shows this year, and I think it's a strong possibility I'll be going to the NEC next week!

I thought I'd also add some photos as let's be honest that's what we like, and you'll notice I made an effort to find some appropriate backgrounds!

Outside 'Onslow's' house from 'Keeping Up Appearances'
by Dave K, on Flickr

Outside 'Hyacinth Bucket's' residence from 'Keeping Up Appearances'
by Dave K, on Flickr

A period shot outside dated signage For a well known supermarket!
by Dave K, on Flickr

British Racing Green was only available on the SD3 for the final year of production. The final SD3 off the production line, a 216 Vitesse was in BRG. It was very much the "in" colour in the late 80s early 90s.

Looks a very nice example, well done !

Now that is taking it very seriously!

montegoman wrote: ↑Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:50 pm British Racing Green was only available on the SD3 for the final year of production. The final SD3 off the production line, a 216 Vitesse was in BRG. It was very much the "in" colour in the late 80s early 90s.

Thanks for confirming that! I also did actually see the final SD3 at the British Motor Museum auction back in 2003, where they sold a lot of final examples off the production lines - tremendous mistake if you ask me, as they have since gone on to build a purpose built second building for the models they couldn't display in the original musuem building. I've often wondered what became of it, I have since learnt that the final Austin Ambassador off the production line, lies rotting in someone's front garden, exposed to the elements, with the rear window smashed.

I am pleased to say that the last Ambo was rescued from that garden and is back on the road and with an enthusiast who also owns a pre production Princess.
I understand that the final SD3 is with an enthusiast although I have not seen it recently.