RE: SOTW: Rover 216 Vitesse EFI
Discussion
In the late 80s these were the car of desire in our company car fleet. Most people had Orions or Sierras but managers got these if they were lucky! I used an almost new one for a month or so and I felt pretty cool about it.It was still an underdog car though with Astra GTEs and the like being much better and more fun. Amazing condition and a great car to potter about in for no money.
Approved!
Approved!
Had a C Plate 213S as my first car, in this colour - with a few under bonnet modifications - like the Honda version of the cylinder head which had larger valves in it and an electric fuel pump which wasn't wired into the ignition.
Made it go like s
t of a shiny shovel compared to standard!
Got rid of it when someone ran into the back of me and totalled it.
Got a facelifted F plate one in grey after that!!!!
Made it go like s
t of a shiny shovel compared to standard!Got rid of it when someone ran into the back of me and totalled it.
Got a facelifted F plate one in grey after that!!!!
AndrewTait said:
Had a C Plate 213S as my first car, in this colour - with a few under bonnet modifications - like the Honda version of the cylinder head which had larger valves in it...
As soon as I saw it was SOTW I started wondering which Honda VTEC engine could be fitted to link SOTW and the sleeper thread. 
Wierd isn't it how it gets called a 'boring Honda' but if it was a Honda, it would be o'k???? but a lot of people see the Rover badge and thats it........... its ste.
Like someone has just said, it was a better option that a dare i say it.......... Orion 1.6i Ghia.......
Condition alone it should be on here and its a fitting SOTW, find another one like it. Now bring on the Triumph Acclaim (Great name as it wasn't really worthy of any)
te.Like someone has just said, it was a better option that a dare i say it.......... Orion 1.6i Ghia.......
Condition alone it should be on here and its a fitting SOTW, find another one like it. Now bring on the Triumph Acclaim (Great name as it wasn't really worthy of any)
My godfather had one from new on a D plate. Remember thinking how 'posh' it was compared to my Dad's knackered Escort 1.1 Popular. Wood trim! Alloys! EFi! Exciting when you're 13 and just getting into cars seriously.
Very jaded now though, although it was one of Rover's better built offerings, if prone to major tin-worm. Don't see many Honda Ballades around now even though they were built side-by-side.
I've worked for Honda for 8 years now and I think I have seen 1 Ballade come in, but we still have several 213/216 customers come in from our Rover days every year for work. Granted, they're all coffin-dodgers.
Very jaded now though, although it was one of Rover's better built offerings, if prone to major tin-worm. Don't see many Honda Ballades around now even though they were built side-by-side.
I've worked for Honda for 8 years now and I think I have seen 1 Ballade come in, but we still have several 213/216 customers come in from our Rover days every year for work. Granted, they're all coffin-dodgers.
Oddball RS said:
Like someone has just said, it was a better option that a dare i say it.......... Orion 1.6i Ghia.......
Exactly!It wasn't so bad back in the day. And it's direct competitor in the market place was the Orion 1.6i Ghia or the base model 316, the Vitesse effy absolutely mullered either of those.
If you're going to write it off as a pile of crap, in the context that everything back then was a pile of crap, then fair enough. But an honest assesment back to back with its contemporaries, this was a pretty good car.
Oddball RS said:
Wierd isn't it how it gets called a 'boring Honda' but if it was a Honda, it would be o'k???? but a lot of people see the Rover badge and thats it........... its ste.
Like someone has just said, it was a better option that a dare i say it.......... Orion 1.6i Ghia.......
Condition alone it should be on here and its a fitting SOTW, find another one like it. Now bring on the Triumph Acclaim (Great name as it wasn't really worthy of any)
you are right, 'boring Rover' I guess you mean. My dad had a new VDP 216 in 85, it was the first multi port fuel injected car I had driven and was amazing compared to other cars I had driven then. I imagine the Vitesse is actually a nice alternative to hot hatch. Honda back then considred Rover could do good interiors, and at the time it was excellent inside... however 3 Rovers in a month is far too much. Let's have something German next week and then everyone can say how wonderful it is and tell tales about how indestructable and generally drool rather than noting how things fell off and the normal stuff that spins out. te.Like someone has just said, it was a better option that a dare i say it.......... Orion 1.6i Ghia.......
Condition alone it should be on here and its a fitting SOTW, find another one like it. Now bring on the Triumph Acclaim (Great name as it wasn't really worthy of any)
tezzer said:
Buy this, a gaberdine mac, a cloth flat cap, and anodding dog for the parcel shelf, then go out and bimble along at 40 in a 60, 40 in a 30, etc. etc. and see how big a queue you can build up behind you.
Pipe an optional extra, of course, billowing plumes of stinking smoke out of the drivers window, open about an inch, to save the draught.
I think you've got the makings of a new cult, street sport there - with bonus points for stopping at mini-roundabouts until all vehicular activity within half a mile has ceased before proceeding.Pipe an optional extra, of course, billowing plumes of stinking smoke out of the drivers window, open about an inch, to save the draught.
Richard A said:
tezzer said:
Buy this, a gaberdine mac, a cloth flat cap, and anodding dog for the parcel shelf, then go out and bimble along at 40 in a 60, 40 in a 30, etc. etc. and see how big a queue you can build up behind you.
Pipe an optional extra, of course, billowing plumes of stinking smoke out of the drivers window, open about an inch, to save the draught.
I think you've got the makings of a new cult, street sport there - with bonus points for stopping at mini-roundabouts until all vehicular activity within half a mile has ceased before proceeding.Pipe an optional extra, of course, billowing plumes of stinking smoke out of the drivers window, open about an inch, to save the draught.
I had one of these- 1989 F plate in red.
Went extremely quickly- especially on the arches & boot lid lip.
Idle control valves were made of paper. Spent most time at traffic lights with my foot on the gas just to keep it from stalling. HG went. Twice. Was probably gone again when I sold it, it broke my spirit.
On paper- according to Parkers, it was faster than an XR3i. In reality, it broke. A lot. Still made me smile though- wheels span without a second thought, tyres were (surprisingly) cheap, and the traffic light grand prix was often amusing- a Granada 2.8i left me for dead from a set with an immediate right turn leading to a motorway entrance in damp conditions- I left him to go- I wasn't that daft. He fishtailed for about 200 yds before slamming in to the central reservation... Tortoise & hare!?
Went extremely quickly- especially on the arches & boot lid lip.
Idle control valves were made of paper. Spent most time at traffic lights with my foot on the gas just to keep it from stalling. HG went. Twice. Was probably gone again when I sold it, it broke my spirit.
On paper- according to Parkers, it was faster than an XR3i. In reality, it broke. A lot. Still made me smile though- wheels span without a second thought, tyres were (surprisingly) cheap, and the traffic light grand prix was often amusing- a Granada 2.8i left me for dead from a set with an immediate right turn leading to a motorway entrance in damp conditions- I left him to go- I wasn't that daft. He fishtailed for about 200 yds before slamming in to the central reservation... Tortoise & hare!?
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