Popular Post Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 17, 2021 My new purchase a Rover 820Si Fastback with only 55k on the clock and headlight protectors apparently it was owned by a man who worked for Rover in Longbridge since 1946 and this was a retirement gift from the company. I have no reason to disbelieve this as the car has a Rover fleet registration either way its a Rover and i love it! Its been off the road since 2019 but shouldn't take me much to put it right once it arrives as first indications look good. Sills are solid brakes aren't ceased and it has a windscreen for starters. Oh and did i mention it has headlight protectors!!! I am planning to restore it once ive sorted the brakes on the Castle Gresley 820 wish me luck 👍 crad, willswitchengage, Cheezey and 70 others 73 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripped fred Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That looks lovely and the seats and cabin look a very comfortable place to sit. It all looks in good condition too. Good luck and well done! Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripped fred Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I just looked at the MOT history. Clean passes up until 2019. Looks promising. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Laurence Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 After the Castle Gresley one restoring this should be a walk in the park: it already looks lovely! How many 800s do you own now? Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 mmmm pre-facelifty goodness. It looks vast in that red and it has something even rarer than the headlight protectors which appears to be (from the photos at any rate) a complete lack of lacquer peel. Even the interior wood looks like it hasn't had the varnish go all yellowed and cloudy. What a treat. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaseracer Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 @Lord Sterling has some competition! Is the 800 becoming the new BX/205/Laguna of this electronic parish...? 😉 Motown and Eyersey1234 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I'm loving everything about that! Red, fastback, velour, very nice. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgetgricey Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That looks lovely. Any dash lift? Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That fastback is the business Motown. You seem to have a knack of sourcing some belters. Still reckon you should have purchased the black bodykitted one as well obviously 😉 Looking forward to seeing it returned to minty freshness. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadworkUK Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Saw this on eBay and really hoped it would end up in the right hands. And it definitely has. Top bombing. eddyramrod, Wilko220 and Motown 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Interesting back story. In 1990 , the company I worked for always had a few long term Fleet Demos from Manufacturers . I would snaffle whatever was the best , to abuse the absolute crap out of. It was my my Grandmother’s 80th birthday and there was a big party at her house in Wales, I grabbed an 820 SE Fastback big bumper facelift , almost identical to your lovely new ride, just less power and 14” wheels with these trims Anyway everyone parked in a field around the corner and I parked nose to nose with a bright red 820Si Fastback , with a reg about 5 away from mine . During the day I met the driver , who was an old neighbour of my Grandma from when she lived in Birmingham, can’t remember his name , but I do remember he worked at Longbridge and it was his first 800. He usually chose a Maestro and changed every 6 months, but this was going to be his last car before retirement and he hoped he’d be offered it as part of his leaving package... Granny died years ago and my Dad can’t remember this guys name, it’d be great if it was this one. At least you know I didn’t abuse it, we had an 820 and later a lovely green Vitesse 2.7 with practically Sterling spec. Which I managed to hold onto for 3 months and would often see 150 on the clock. When it went back the collection driver thought the sheepskin mats didn’t belong in the car and left them with reception, those mats went in every brown or beige interiored car I had for years. Dick Longbridge, Mr Laurence, GrumpiusMaximus and 13 others 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inconsistant Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Lovely car, was watching this on ebay with interest as it looks like a fab one. They look great in strong colours. Much prefer these to the facelifted ones with grilles those look way less elegant. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 16 hours ago, stripped fred said: I just looked at the MOT history. Clean passes up until 2019. Looks promising. I know makes a change doesnt it 😆👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 16 hours ago, Mr Laurence said: After the Castle Gresley one restoring this should be a walk in the park: it already looks lovely! How many 800s do you own now? Aye a piece of piss i think is the correct term or expression 😆 I currently own four and two that the wife doesn't knows about with another coming this week and one more coming in April Vince70, stripped fred, Burnside and 2 others 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 15 hours ago, chaseracer said: @Lord Sterling has some competition! Is the 800 becoming the new BX/205/Laguna of this electronic parish...? 😉 Ive just bought one off him as well 🤣 chaseracer and Twiggy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 7 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said: Interesting back story. In 1990 , the company I worked for always had a few long term Fleet Demos from Manufacturers . I would snaffle whatever was the best , to abuse the absolute crap out of. It was my my Grandmother’s 80th birthday and there was a big party at her house in Wales, I grabbed an 820 SE Fastback big bumper facelift , almost identical to your lovely new ride, just less power and 14” wheels with these trims Anyway everyone parked in a field around the corner and I parked nose to nose with a bright red 820Si Fastback , with a reg about 5 away from mine . During the day I met the driver , who was an old neighbour of my Grandma from when she lived in Birmingham, can’t remember his name , but I do remember he worked at Longbridge and it was his first 800. He usually chose a Maestro and changed every 6 months, but this was going to be his last car before retirement and he hoped he’d be offered it as part of his leaving package... Granny died years ago and my Dad can’t remember this guys name, it’d be great if it was this one. At least you know I didn’t abuse it, we had an 820 and later a lovely green Vitesse 2.7 with practically Sterling spec. Which I managed to hold onto for 3 months and would often see 150 on the clock. When it went back the collection driver thought the sheepskin mats didn’t belong in the car and left them with reception, those mats went in every brown or beige interiored car I had for years. Thats an amazing story thanks for sharing it could very well be the same car. The car has stacks of paperwork am hoping to find time to go through it soon so if i find out anymore information il let you know 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 10 hours ago, Dick Longbridge said: That fastback is the business Motown. You seem to have a knack of sourcing some belters. Still reckon you should have purchased the black bodykitted one as well obviously 😉 Looking forward to seeing it returned to minty freshness. I wasn't aware of the black one until it was too late i was busy sorting this one out and only saw your tag after it had eneded. Its a real shame but you cant win em all. Ive been trying for an automatic SD1 for the 9 years 🤣 Dick Longbridge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 10 hours ago, gadgetgricey said: That looks lovely. Any dash lift? Nope 😃 gadgetgricey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Seriously good catch there. I'm vicariously living my rover 800 dream thru you for the moment.. at least. Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bstardchild Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 lovely - hardly see any on the roads these days Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, Bstardchild said: lovely - hardly see any on the roads these days Thats true well unless you come to my house that is.. i think i probably have 40% of what remains 😆 Low Horatio gearbox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low Horatio gearbox Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 20 minutes ago, Motown said: Thats true well unless you come to my house that is.. i think i probably have 40% of what remains 😆 I seeit now.. playing the long game and cornering the market in well loved Rover 800s! Motown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 16 minutes ago, Low Horatio gearbox said: I seeit now.. playing the long game and cornering the market in well loved Rover 800s! Naah i find it incredibly difficult to let go of them ive sold a few in the past that i have restored and although they went to good homes it didn't feel right. I love these cars and Rovers in general so i desperately want to preserve the marque or at the very least the cars i own for myself. I think the Rover 800 especially the 827 is the best car ever built i can safely say its the only car i wanna drive and now i have several il still be driving one ten years from now... Well that's the plan anyway Shite Ron and Vince70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin-Rover Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I'd admired that one on eBay, too! It looks like a really good example. The Birmingham area numberplate is a good indication that it started off with Rover Group, Company Vehicles, PO Box 395, Longbridge on the first registration document. 😄 I look forward to hearing more about it! I have two 800s; a Mk2 saloon and this Mk1 Fastback, but with the earlier slimline bumpers. horriblemercedes, motorpunk, Dick Longbridge and 11 others 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 27 minutes ago, Austin-Rover said: I'd admired that one on eBay, too! It looks like a really good example. The Birmingham area numberplate is a good indication that it started off with Rover Group, Company Vehicles, PO Box 395, Longbridge on the first registration document. 😄 I look forward to hearing more about it! I have two 800s; a Mk2 saloon and this Mk1 Fastback, but with the earlier slimline bumpers. Oh my that is a beautiful example and your in Huddersfield? There i was thinking i was the only chap in South/West Yorkshire with Mk1s.... I salute you! 👍 I have a few Mk1s and a few other Rovers maybe when this covid malarkey has gone away we can meet up Austin-Rover 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin-Rover Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I have a friend in Hudds also with a Mk1 Fastback! 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motown Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 16 hours ago, Austin-Rover said: I have a friend in Hudds also with a Mk1 Fastback! 😄 Well we should all meet up sometime in the near future! Here's my two 827 Vitesse and SLi Eyersey1234, Vince70, Floatylight and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorpunk Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 On 17/02/2021 at 18:29, Motown said: I currently own four and two that the wife doesn't knows about 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierraman Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 You could line them up outside Eric Steads at Ecclesfield, they used to be a Rover garage back in the day. Motown and somewhatfoolish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierraman Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 On 2/17/2021 at 8:22 PM, Austin-Rover said: I'd admired that one on eBay, too! It looks like a really good example. The Birmingham area numberplate is a good indication that it started off with Rover Group, Company Vehicles, PO Box 395, Longbridge on the first registration document. 😄 I look forward to hearing more about it! I have two 800s; a Mk2 saloon and this Mk1 Fastback, but with the earlier slimline bumpers. Aren’t they Serck plates as well for added shite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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