FREE Rover 820 project **now gone**

[DLR]

Now I don't post on here often enough - I think my last post must have been well over a year ago now, when I asked about opinions on a Ford Escort. I should really update that thread sometime. Although long story short, we ended up with a Mondeo instead! That was sold to a TV extra/air-host-trolley-man with a Mustang and our drive became the home to several Rover 45s, one of which is so gold you need sunglasses to look at...

 

Anyway, the reason for this post! I have a Rover 820 Si (2 litre T series, 103,007 on the clock) which has been stood for nearly two years. It doesn't run, one day it refused to start. I did do a compression test on it and have vague recollection of it being low on the middle two cylinders? Either way it needs some engine work, which having read some of the threads on here is well within the capabilities of the members here! As far as I can see there is no rust underneath (although I think there may be the smallest amount beginning on one of the arches), it has never been welded and before it was taken off the road had a fair few new parts, including a complete exhaust system, cambelt and clutch/slave cylinder amongst other things.

 

Now it isn't mint, it does have dings and scratches and is looking rather sorry for itself. The dash has lifted, the headlining has begun to sag in the back and unfortunately it is a tad mouldy on the outside. HOWEVER, the inside is not damp and the seats/carpet are in very good condition. It never suffered from the electrical problems caused by the fusebox, but after nearly two years of no use who can guarantee that it won't need a little soldering? I understand the fuel filler is solid, which has got to be worth saving?

 

I anticipate probably Head Gasket, service and the brakes will need looking at as well.

 

Reason for this post? I am moving house on the 25th and I cannot take this car with me. I was offered £25 from Car Take Back and I know that Autoshite is the forum for people who like a challenge. Is there anyone brave enough to take on my Rover and try and return it to the road? Is there anyone with an 800 that needs a spares car? I would rather see this car go to someone who will either return it to the road, or will at least make use of the parts before scrapping. I haven't the time or the ability at present to strip the car, so want it to go as a whole. With that in mind, I do not want a penny for the car and I am offering it for FREE on a spares/ambitious repair basis. If you feel obliged to pay some money, donate the £25 to the forum pot or something. I may not post, but I do enjoy reading the threads on here.

 

The only condition is that I need it gone by Sunday 22nd November. I can be available most days for collection. Car is based in Swindon, Wilts. We are about 5 minutes from the A419. It's a given that the car will need trailering away...

 

I've kept this as brief as possible (I do waffle a lot) and welcome any questions. I also apologise profusely for the poor picture quality, if anyone is interested I shall try and take some more tomorrow. These photos are from February, but it looks much the same, save for it pointing the other way now.

 

TL;DR - I have a free 800, seeking nerdy/brave/psychotic shiter who wants it for cheap parts or brave resto.

 

 

 

 

 

[dugong]

MO!

[Cavcraft]

dugong, on 11 Nov 2015 - 8:53 PM, said:

MO!

 

 

I was just about to reply the same thing!

[purplebargeken]

Yep, Mo!!!!!

[overrun]

I can see Mo's phone ringing, from here!

 

 

Doooo ittttt 

[the judge]

Yep. Who really really needs a break from broken rover 800s? Mo!!!!

[Jim Bell]

I cant think of anyone that needs another non running Rover 800.

 

Maybe EVERYONE apart from Laird Of Stirling.

[DLR]

It's more of a mechanical project than anything. I've kept it with the intention of getting it sorted when I've had the cash, but I've had a few 800s since and don't think I'd have the same love for this one once it's sorted. I'd have to get a garage to do the work and it's money that needs to be spent elsewhere. I know most would say "scrap it", but I think it would yield enough parts to keep another on the road. Hence the preference to give it away to someone who could fix it/strip it for the love of keeping another on the road, rather than scrap it for a measly £25.

[Jim Bell]

It's more of a mechanical project than anything. I've kept it with the intention of getting it sorted when I've had the cash, but I've had a few 800s since and don't think I'd have the same love for this one once it's sorted. I'd have to get a garage to do the work and it's money that needs to be spent elsewhere. I know most would say "scrap it", but I think it would yield enough parts to keep another on the road. Hence the preference to give it away to someone who could fix it/strip it for the love of keeping another on the road, rather than scrap it for a measly £25.

 

That is a very commendable spirit and you are of a laudable mindset.  I'm sure someone will bring it back to the road.

[bub2006]

Mo is sat eating a macdonalds at side of me. Crying because he has no room!

[chaseracer]

Shell donor for the perforated V6 daily...?

[bub2006]

Don't temp him

[DavidB]

DEM SEATS

 

[colino]

Are these the engines that if generally abused, failure to do oil/filter changes, wrong oil, that develop fantastic valve problems that can be miraculously cured by towing for a couple of miles?

[dollywobbler]

If so, this is sounding like the best collection thread ever.

[Coprolalia]

Who fancies a-framing this to Laird_Stirling's, leaving it outside his door, popping the keys through the letter box and running away?

[fatharris]

*Twitches*

 

I've always wanted to twat about with an engine...

[beko1987]

I wish I had the time/money/knowhow. Not far from you either! Dont know any local low loaders/a framers either.

 

Good luck with giveaway!

[Lord Sterling]

Yeh man. When Bub told me about this I actually fell out of the Suzuki Baleno and nearly choked on my fries.

 

Sadly, I REALLY cannot take this on. My job is due to end tomorrow and I have too many cars in outside (tarpaulin) storage.

 

Dan, I'm seriously gutted to hear of this. I know how much you loved this car and how much you were at pains to keep it. Is renting a garage not an option? Bloody useful things as I found out recently.

 

Good luck with whatever you do and hopefully this'll find a new good home.

[rml2345]

Anyone want to A-Frame this to Paisley? Cms206 loves* 800s...

 

EDIT; In all honesty I'd love this but have no off street parking or means to shift it. Good luck to anyone who takes it on as they're fab.

[dollywobbler]

I have somewhere to put it, I just can't think of a way to get a non-running car home that isn't going to cost a fortune. Could it be something like the sticky tappets that can cause a K-Series to stumble? It is tempting to come and have a look I must admit...

[Lord Sterling]

I have somewhere to put it, I just can't think of a way to get a non-running car home that isn't going to cost a fortune. Could it be something like the sticky tappets that can cause a K-Series to stumble? It is tempting to come and have a look I must admit...

I know a man with a truck...

[dollywobbler]

Well, if you don't mind asking him what price he'd charge to get it to SY23 4QY...

 

I know folk with trucks hate coming this way though, as it's pretty remote!

[mercedade]

I have somewhere to put it, I just can't think of a way to get a non-running car home that isn't going to cost a fortune. Could it be something like the sticky tappets that can cause a K-Series to stumble? It is tempting to come and have a look I must admit...

Someone made a mistake on the internet!

 

*runs to the front door of the internet, hammering on the knocker

 

[open door]

 

*bursts in, panting

 

"T-series! T-series! It's A T SERIES"

 

*scampers back to cave to read more articles about Testbook

[RobT]

When is Bo11ox due back from his travels?  We're overdue some comedic Rover-related collection capers, and subsequent repairage.

[dollywobbler]

Someone made a mistake on the internet!

 

*runs to the front door of the internet, hammering on the knocker

 

[open door]

 

*bursts in, panting

 

"T-series! T-series! It's A T SERIES"

 

*scampers back to cave to read more articles about Testbook

 

Er, no I didn't. The key word you missed was 'like.' I never said the Rover has a K Series engine. That would be silly.

[rml2345]

We're not going to start that V8 Rover K series diesel thing again are we?

[mercedade]

Er, no I didn't. The key word you missed was 'like.' I never said the Rover has a K Series engine. That would be silly.

 

Hold on, there's someone knocking at my door.

[DLR]

Thank you all for the kind words. Only here would a dead Rover 800 get such a positive response!

 

 

Yeh man. When Bub told me about this I actually fell out of the Suzuki Baleno and nearly choked on my fries.

Sadly, I REALLY cannot take this on. My job is due to end tomorrow and I have too many cars in outside (tarpaulin) storage.

Dan, I'm seriously gutted to hear of this. I know how much you loved this car and how much you were at pains to keep it. Is renting a garage not an option? Bloody useful things as I found out recently.

Good luck with whatever you do and hopefully this'll find a new good home.

Howdy Mo, how are you these days? I have applied for a garage as a back-up plan, but I am not expecting to sort one this side of moving day. I did love this car, in fact I still do. But it's been so long since I've driven it I really don't think I'd have the same buzz from it if I spent the cash getting it fixed. Plus I want to try something new, a year of driving a 1.6 45 has given me an urge for something different, thinking some form of Saab or Volvo estate! But that'll have to wait until after the move.

[doobietoo]

If someone can transport this the 80 odd miles to my place ( reasonable fee paid) I could store it for a few weeks or try to sort it and pass it on for the cost of the parts or break it if beyond saving for the benefit of other 800 owning shitters.....