Well, this wasn't planned.
As you know, I've got a very yellow series 1 2000, and have something of a yellow Rover fixation. Anyway, I received a Facebook message a week ago, from a very nice fellow who I'd never met, telling me he had a Series 1 3500 in April Yellow which he needed rid of in a hurry. As such I agreed to view the car at the end of last week, with a view to purchase.
Unfortunately, the car wasn't as good as the seller had been told that it was; some welding required at the back end of the D post/sill on the passenger side, and hockey stick on the passenger side both requiring attention. Additionally, the auto box wasn't set-up properly, at all, as I don't think the kickdown cable is even fitted (had a new gearbox a few years ago). So, I've got to sort that out, as I'm driving it manually on the box at the moment. Speedometer doesn't work, so I'm going to investigate if an angle drive has failed, or if it is just the cable.
It leaked loads of oil when I collected, but it's getting better now that I've tightened down the rocker covers. It may need a rope seal, so I'm monitoring the situation carefully. It starts very well indeed, and is one of the smoothest Rover V8s I've encountered. It burbles beautifully, and it's fairly brisk when the need arises.
Bodily, it's a bit scruffy, but I prefer the term patina. It has real charm, and feels very genuine so I'm reluctant to do much to it, at the moment. Once I've got some funds together, it'll eventually be resprayed, but it's staying as is, for a while.
Mechanically, aside from the aforementioned gearbox niggles, it seems very healthy. No clunks through the drivetrain, rides very well, steering is very positive, and it's just a charming car.
The base unit is fundamentally very good! The boot floor is perfect, and the floors are generally very good. Has had a new sill fitted on one side, to a high standard.
The interior was a real mess when collected. It has a collapsed driver's seat, a very wet passenger carpet, and a steering wheel which was very badly cracked. Sports wheel now fitted which is much nicer. A better set of correct seats are being fitted this evening. It has its original static belts, and everything else is very nicely mellowed.
So, although this is far from a planned purchase, and it really couldn't have arrived a time when I needed a project less, I'm delighted to have the car, and intend to keep it a very long time!
Lost the grille badge on the drive home the other day, but have ordered another. Have also fitted a boot badge since the photos were taken, and given the car a wash. Painted the wheels black, as they were yellow when I collected the car, and I've ordered four new tyres which will hopefully be fitted tomorrow.
What of the 2000, I hear you cry?! Well, there are plans afoot for it to reappear in the next six months on the road.
Here are some photos to whet your appetites in the meantime! It's good to be back on the forum, and I'm hoping to return to being a regular contributor!
As you know, I've got a very yellow series 1 2000, and have something of a yellow Rover fixation. Anyway, I received a Facebook message a week ago, from a very nice fellow who I'd never met, telling me he had a Series 1 3500 in April Yellow which he needed rid of in a hurry. As such I agreed to view the car at the end of last week, with a view to purchase.
Unfortunately, the car wasn't as good as the seller had been told that it was; some welding required at the back end of the D post/sill on the passenger side, and hockey stick on the passenger side both requiring attention. Additionally, the auto box wasn't set-up properly, at all, as I don't think the kickdown cable is even fitted (had a new gearbox a few years ago). So, I've got to sort that out, as I'm driving it manually on the box at the moment. Speedometer doesn't work, so I'm going to investigate if an angle drive has failed, or if it is just the cable.
It leaked loads of oil when I collected, but it's getting better now that I've tightened down the rocker covers. It may need a rope seal, so I'm monitoring the situation carefully. It starts very well indeed, and is one of the smoothest Rover V8s I've encountered. It burbles beautifully, and it's fairly brisk when the need arises.
Bodily, it's a bit scruffy, but I prefer the term patina. It has real charm, and feels very genuine so I'm reluctant to do much to it, at the moment. Once I've got some funds together, it'll eventually be resprayed, but it's staying as is, for a while.
Mechanically, aside from the aforementioned gearbox niggles, it seems very healthy. No clunks through the drivetrain, rides very well, steering is very positive, and it's just a charming car.
The base unit is fundamentally very good! The boot floor is perfect, and the floors are generally very good. Has had a new sill fitted on one side, to a high standard.
The interior was a real mess when collected. It has a collapsed driver's seat, a very wet passenger carpet, and a steering wheel which was very badly cracked. Sports wheel now fitted which is much nicer. A better set of correct seats are being fitted this evening. It has its original static belts, and everything else is very nicely mellowed.
So, although this is far from a planned purchase, and it really couldn't have arrived a time when I needed a project less, I'm delighted to have the car, and intend to keep it a very long time!
Lost the grille badge on the drive home the other day, but have ordered another. Have also fitted a boot badge since the photos were taken, and given the car a wash. Painted the wheels black, as they were yellow when I collected the car, and I've ordered four new tyres which will hopefully be fitted tomorrow.
What of the 2000, I hear you cry?! Well, there are plans afoot for it to reappear in the next six months on the road.
Here are some photos to whet your appetites in the meantime! It's good to be back on the forum, and I'm hoping to return to being a regular contributor!