I've bought another Rover, and a type I've not owned before

FrazzleTC

Active Member
It seems that I've bought yet another Rover. . It's a 1990 H registered 827Si, with an auto box, 2.7 Honda V6, and it's quite nice being a pre-cat, giving it just a little more go. It has only covered 39,000 miles from new, and has a very large history file. It isn't taxed or MOT'd, so it's very much a project, but I'm looking forward to trying something a bit different. It's not perfect, but it was brilliant a couple of years ago. If I can bring it back up to that sort of standard, I'll be delighted.
Anyway, here are a few photos, taken by the seller. I should say, the bonnet hasn't been shut properly in the photo, so don't worry!



So, something a bit different, and, being a mark 1, not very common!
 
Very under rated cars, IMHO.

I had one (manual) when they were current and it proved to be a very good long distance car, and a great engine. I've been a V8 fan for more years than I care to remember, but was very impressed with that (Honda) V6. Very smooth and quiet-running. No problems at all in nearly 100,000 miles, just regular servicing with 3,000 mile oil changes. Cam belt can be bit of a pain to change though. I haven't seen an 827 for a while now.
 
Sorry if I over-teased you a bit on Facebook, Fraser - but your are becoming a little bit of a car dealer.....

I do like the Rover 800 and might well buy one myself given the need. That one with the rear hatch looks eminently practical and sensible. And that is undoubtedly the nicest engine choice - though I'd probably go completely the other way to an Si in pursuit of second car economy. I'd need a MkII as well, for the added bling - little bit like the P6 discussion where I plump for S1 for the opposite reason....

Chris
 
Nice find. They are big cars and low.

I have a haynes manual for one but it is 4 cyl but you are welcome to it.

I hope you can get it to the SARR, 800s are rare and mk1 even more so.

Colin
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Colin, depending on how things go, I'm hoping to have it on the road shortly after my summer exams, which should mean that there's a chance of it appearing at the SARR this year! If not, I'll be in the 2000. I may have a Haynes manual at home, as my parents had 800s in the early 90s, but if I haven't I'd be most grateful of it!

800s seem chronically underrated cars, Tony, and mark 1s are now particularly rare. Everyone who's had an 827 seems to have liked it a great deal, so I'm quite excited about trying it. Hopefully, I can bring this up to a standard I'm happy with, and I can enjoy it for a spell!

The vast majority of 827s are Vitesses or Sterlings, so it's quite unusual really.
 
Fraser, you need to be able to drive two cars at once. I think this is starting to be a key skill to qualify you for being Fraser. Oh and at least one of them has to be able to tow a car trailer at the same time! :D

Chris
 
Nice car Fraser. My dad had an 820 with carbs in the same colour. Would be amazed if any of that type survive.

I had a mk2 820 in green but these days I think the original is a much cleaner looking car. Would be interesting to see it at SARR.

Paul
 
Thanks Paul! There are a few mark 1 820s about, but mark 1s are certainly not a common sight, so when this one came up, I thought it made a lot of sense, and will be an interesting project.
 
I'd always quite fancied an 800, but it was one of those cars that I'd never really got round to owning. However, when this example appeared, and I discovered what it was like, I decided I would go for it. The seller, couldn't have been more helpful, and took all of the photos I needed, as I was unable to view the car in person. As such, I bought it blind, and the first time I saw it was when it arrived on a trailer yesterday morning. The car has covered 39,000 genuine miles, and is finished in Pulsar Silver. It's an 827Si Automatic, and in very genuine condition. It has original dealer plates, dealer sticker, and original handbooks, complete with receipts for various little bits and pieces over the years.
It's not perfect, by any means, but I think, already, it's looking vastly better than it did when it arrived. I'm hoping to MOT it mid-week, as, after examining it thoroughly on the ramp, and driving it up and down the private lane where it's stored, everything seems spot-on!
The car had been brought down a series of backroads on the trailer, and was covered in road dirt. Today, I gave the car a very thorough wash, dried it, then polished it with Autoglym Super Resin polish a couple of times, dressed some of the plastics, cleaned the exterior glass, and popped a coat of wax on it as well. Finally, the exhausts were cleaned with steel wool, and some autosol.
Here are some photos, firstly of it arriving, how it looked once off the trailer, and finally, how it looks this evening!










 
Thanks chaps!
Friday evening saw me presenting my 827 for its first MOT in my tenure, having bought it without an MOT, because it expired in June 2013, with the previous owner.
Drove to the MOT station and back very nicely, and, half an hour or so later, I was presented with a fresh ticket, without a single advisory. Not bad for a 24 year-old car. The MOT tester seemed quite impressed. It drives beautifully, and feels a lot more urgent than any V6 auto 75 that I've driven. It'll now be garaged until April, when uni starts to wind down, and then I'll get it taxed, and enjoy using it!

 
Nice one! I always had a soft spot for those. My first boss had one, he used to call it the General Belgrano, cos it was like a battleship. I love em though... 8)
 
Welldone Fraser,

The 827 will be pre-cat so perhaps less strangled.

Looking forward to having a look.

Colin
 
Thanks chaps!
I think the fact that it's a pre-cat, as you say, is part of the reason it feels as urgent as it does, Colin. It's a very pleasant car to drive, and far nicer than I expected! I can't wait to get it taxed and on the road properly.
 
That's looking really good-mine was also Pulsar Silver. One thing I always remember about that one was that I'd often find that if I was driving slowly though a car-park, pedestrians invariably wouldn't even know I was behind them as the engine was so quiet. Not a problem I have with the TVR though :mrgreen:
 
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