So with my Beetle project not moving anywhere fast, my MX5 still on the road but in need of work soon and a modern daily to keep fuelled and serviced, the most sensible thing to do is buy ANOTHER scabby old car. 
I suddenly found myself wanting a 'bread and butter' car from the 90s, and after missing out on a bargain Volvo 900 series, instead plumped for this, found locally in Facebook marketplace:
20201020_163102 by Sam E, on Flickr
It's a 1995 Rover 216SLi, it's got 89k on the clock and is family owned from new... the chap who owned it from 1996 to his passing in 2019 was a former Rover employee. So while it's got issues, it's been looked after where it counts.
20201020_163414 by Sam E, on Flickr
The issues are mostly cosmetic. Has some battle scars, and some lacquer crazing on the roof and tailgate...
20201020_163107 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163127 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163122 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163113 by Sam E, on Flickr
But... all this aside, like I said it's been looked after where it counts. A folder of old MOTs and receipts...
20201020_163725 by Sam E, on Flickr
The interior needs a bit of work, but it's very original. Even down to the (working) original radio! Mmmm, velour!
20201020_163607 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163258 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163250 by Sam E, on Flickr
Where this one really shines though, is its structural integrity. Arches, sills and boot floor are all known weaknesses on these, yet they've never even seen a welder on this. In fact the only significant rust on the whole car is a small patch on one door.
20201020_163353 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163401 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163236 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163152 by Sam E, on Flickr
20201020_163131 by Sam E, on Flickr
So there we go. The owner who I bought it from was the daughter of the chap who'd owned it for most of its life, and had inherited it upon his death. She was very attached to the car and wanted it to go to someone who could look after it. Unfortunately I answered the ad first. I'll do my best, that's all I can promise!
As for WHAT I'll actually do with it... I really don't know. Short term plan is to sort a few of its less signficant niggles, then maybe investigate the high bite point (clutch kits aren't that expensive fortunately). Beyond that, I don't know. Whether I tidy some of the more glaring visible faults and run as is, add some subtle mods, or move it on after a few months, I've just got no idea. For the moment though I'm actually rather enjoying it; they're a deceptively nice car to drive!
20201020_170242 by Sam E, on Flickr
(Controls are heavier than you'd think though - 2 minutes after I took this photo I jumped into my 2017 Skoda having just driven the Rover for an hour, and very nearly stamped the pedals though the floor!)
I suddenly found myself wanting a 'bread and butter' car from the 90s, and after missing out on a bargain Volvo 900 series, instead plumped for this, found locally in Facebook marketplace:
20201020_163102 by Sam E, on FlickrIt's a 1995 Rover 216SLi, it's got 89k on the clock and is family owned from new... the chap who owned it from 1996 to his passing in 2019 was a former Rover employee. So while it's got issues, it's been looked after where it counts.
20201020_163414 by Sam E, on FlickrThe issues are mostly cosmetic. Has some battle scars, and some lacquer crazing on the roof and tailgate...
20201020_163107 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163127 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163122 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163113 by Sam E, on FlickrBut... all this aside, like I said it's been looked after where it counts. A folder of old MOTs and receipts...
20201020_163725 by Sam E, on FlickrThe interior needs a bit of work, but it's very original. Even down to the (working) original radio! Mmmm, velour!
20201020_163607 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163258 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163250 by Sam E, on FlickrWhere this one really shines though, is its structural integrity. Arches, sills and boot floor are all known weaknesses on these, yet they've never even seen a welder on this. In fact the only significant rust on the whole car is a small patch on one door.
20201020_163353 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163401 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163236 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163152 by Sam E, on Flickr20201020_163131 by Sam E, on FlickrSo there we go. The owner who I bought it from was the daughter of the chap who'd owned it for most of its life, and had inherited it upon his death. She was very attached to the car and wanted it to go to someone who could look after it. Unfortunately I answered the ad first. I'll do my best, that's all I can promise!
As for WHAT I'll actually do with it... I really don't know. Short term plan is to sort a few of its less signficant niggles, then maybe investigate the high bite point (clutch kits aren't that expensive fortunately). Beyond that, I don't know. Whether I tidy some of the more glaring visible faults and run as is, add some subtle mods, or move it on after a few months, I've just got no idea. For the moment though I'm actually rather enjoying it; they're a deceptively nice car to drive!
20201020_170242 by Sam E, on Flickr(Controls are heavier than you'd think though - 2 minutes after I took this photo I jumped into my 2017 Skoda having just driven the Rover for an hour, and very nearly stamped the pedals though the floor!)
