R8 Rover 216 GTI sohc
Discussion
well, the MINI https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... didn't last long. I wasn't looking to change it because I had nothing better in mind for the price to replace it with. Then the Rover came up. A Rover GTI coming up for sale at this moment was fortuitous as my sister who now lives 3 doors away from me had recently sold her Audi and was looking for a run around. She'd been using the MINI for a few days and expressed an interest in it; this gave me the perfect opportunity to move on the Rover as I had a buyer for the MINI without advertising it.
I feel like I'm jumping ahead here so I'll start at the beginning.
This Rover interest came about from a GTI Twin Cam in white I owned (H35 OUH) when I was around 20, 16 years ago. It has always been the favorite car that I've ever owned, not because it was the best but because the memories I have of it. It was my first taste of a performance car, the fact that I bought it from a well known (not by me) drug dealer in Cardiff with his name on the number plates, driving too quickly around the local area listening to the most glorious induction note with my 12" subwoofer sliding around the boot and disconnecting itself on every left hand turn - it all added to the experience I had with the car and I love it for it, this is going some way to rekindle that.
I've had one eye on them for a while now but they're relatively rare and seldom come up. Wednesday just gone I was on FB and a chap posted a link to a Gumtree ad on the R8 Rover Club page. The ad stated he was selling a GTI for his father who, in his advancing years was finding the non-assisted steering in the Rover a little much and was looking to move it on after 10 years (and 2000 miles) in his ownership. The last GTI to come up that piqued my interest was in Northern Ireland and although it was perfectly specced it was just too far away and a bit too much money to make it viable. This one however was quite a bit less and was in frenchay, Bristol; not too far away from me in South Wales. The last GTI I owned (which I regrettably don't have a single picture of) and the one in NI were both white Twin Cam D-series powered GTIs with electric sunroof and brown half leather interior, wearing Roversport wheels, as I said above the 'perfect spec'. The TCs are the most sought after and most expensive variant, the one I've picked up is the lesser sohc D16a6 powered model. Strange that Rover had so many variants at around the same time - k-series / Honda single and twin cam / power everything / power nothing / no and half leather etc etc.
So onto mine in a little more detail. The guy selling stated there was some moderately severe rust on the leading edge of the bonnet but the rest of the body was good and that mileage was very low at 61k, amazing for a 27 year old car. Upon inspection in person the body turned out to be less good than described you could say with rust appearing on both front wings at the leading bottom edge, front and rear sills and a small amount of rust starting on the off side roof just behind the windscreen. None of this is terminal (jinx) or even particularly off putting as it was rather cheap and I'm happy to sink some money into it dragging it back to a less rusty condition. I've spoken to a local body shop already who have drawn air in sharply through closed teeth at first sight but then also stated it shouldn't be the end of the world to put right. £200 for the windscreen area for example, windscreen will have to come out though.
What is nice is the car came with every MOT from new, A very early (but not brand new main dealer) invoice for sale by Seaward (the dealer sticker on the boot lid) for £4,200 in 1993, that seems very cheap to me! Quite a lot of history inc' cam belt change and invoices for MOTs, brake changes, ignition component replacement etc, all great to have. Even a service book going up to about 40k. It doesn't have the half leather or electric sunroof that my last one did my that's by no means a deal breaker. The sagging head liner around the sunroof winder is a shame.
Anyway I know all of waffle is irrelevant without pics so lets get to that. I apologize for the lack of specificity in the following collage but a mix of me having the flu/snow/only having it for about 24 hours means I don't have many pictures of it and less pictures of the issues I'll be tackling first, but they'll be coming in the next few days rust assured.
some of the original ad pics
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
gah
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
From the images we can tell that:
it has the 'wrong' engine in it
it has the 'wrong' wheels on it
it has the 'wrong' spoiler on it
both spats are present - great success!
it's 4x4 like in its stance
the bonnet is indeed f
ked
Despite and because of all of the above - I'm absolutely in love with it.
A few terrible pictures I took of it before falling back into bed
I always take a pic of a new car on the way home for some reason
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
then this happened
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickr
First impressions are good. It's cockpit is pretty much identical to my previous one, those huge dials for revs and speed staring straight at you and winding around eagerly (revs more than speedo maybe). The GTI seats are incredibly supportive and comfortable, much much better than the Boxster seats. The gear change is accurate and precise with a short throw. Steering is positive with a relatively quick rack, although non assisted maneuvering at slow speeds is tricky even for my powerfully built physique at times. The unassisted brakes are firm and responsive, I haven't managed to fade them yet.. It drives like a car with 61k on it, everything feels tight and as it should. The clutch bite point is low and strong. It doesn't even wallow too much despite it's lofty stance.
The best part though, the engine. It goes well, very well. I'm amazed by its eagerness to rev and it's turn of pace. It really shocked me just how well it does go! It's 110hp by all accounts, 20hp down on the TC but feels every bit as lively and rev happy as H35 from memory (16 years old memory mind..) It feels leages quicker than the MINI One it replaces with 90hp, night and day. It might be something to do with weight, 1007kg for the Rover apparently, very light! I am slightly hesitant however to rev on too much at the moment as although the cam belt has only done 2000 miles since it was changed - that was 10 years ago. The D series is interference also so it would be a shame if it snapped with the first 'proper' driving (i'd wager) it's seen for the first time in a decade.
Plans for it are to sort the rust primarily whilst booking it in for a belt change, I'll give it a service myself too. when the rust and service items are done it will be on to getting it to how I want it. Which will consist of:
Lowering it
induction kit
Roversport wheels
'high level' spoiler (nothing garish it's just the slightly raised spoiler that my old one had)
good sound system
This is a renaissance project, basically build it back to the spec my old one had
It pains me as I still haven't sorted my garage yet and the Rover/Boxster are living outside. It's a single garage but would be nice to have the option to put one of them away, especially in this weather. Hopefully I'll clear the garage tomorrow and shelter one of them from this awful weather. This thread should be a bit more eventful than some as this one has plenty that needs doing on it. Think that's about it for now.
I love this old Rover
I feel like I'm jumping ahead here so I'll start at the beginning.
This Rover interest came about from a GTI Twin Cam in white I owned (H35 OUH) when I was around 20, 16 years ago. It has always been the favorite car that I've ever owned, not because it was the best but because the memories I have of it. It was my first taste of a performance car, the fact that I bought it from a well known (not by me) drug dealer in Cardiff with his name on the number plates, driving too quickly around the local area listening to the most glorious induction note with my 12" subwoofer sliding around the boot and disconnecting itself on every left hand turn - it all added to the experience I had with the car and I love it for it, this is going some way to rekindle that.
I've had one eye on them for a while now but they're relatively rare and seldom come up. Wednesday just gone I was on FB and a chap posted a link to a Gumtree ad on the R8 Rover Club page. The ad stated he was selling a GTI for his father who, in his advancing years was finding the non-assisted steering in the Rover a little much and was looking to move it on after 10 years (and 2000 miles) in his ownership. The last GTI to come up that piqued my interest was in Northern Ireland and although it was perfectly specced it was just too far away and a bit too much money to make it viable. This one however was quite a bit less and was in frenchay, Bristol; not too far away from me in South Wales. The last GTI I owned (which I regrettably don't have a single picture of) and the one in NI were both white Twin Cam D-series powered GTIs with electric sunroof and brown half leather interior, wearing Roversport wheels, as I said above the 'perfect spec'. The TCs are the most sought after and most expensive variant, the one I've picked up is the lesser sohc D16a6 powered model. Strange that Rover had so many variants at around the same time - k-series / Honda single and twin cam / power everything / power nothing / no and half leather etc etc.
So onto mine in a little more detail. The guy selling stated there was some moderately severe rust on the leading edge of the bonnet but the rest of the body was good and that mileage was very low at 61k, amazing for a 27 year old car. Upon inspection in person the body turned out to be less good than described you could say with rust appearing on both front wings at the leading bottom edge, front and rear sills and a small amount of rust starting on the off side roof just behind the windscreen. None of this is terminal (jinx) or even particularly off putting as it was rather cheap and I'm happy to sink some money into it dragging it back to a less rusty condition. I've spoken to a local body shop already who have drawn air in sharply through closed teeth at first sight but then also stated it shouldn't be the end of the world to put right. £200 for the windscreen area for example, windscreen will have to come out though.
What is nice is the car came with every MOT from new, A very early (but not brand new main dealer) invoice for sale by Seaward (the dealer sticker on the boot lid) for £4,200 in 1993, that seems very cheap to me! Quite a lot of history inc' cam belt change and invoices for MOTs, brake changes, ignition component replacement etc, all great to have. Even a service book going up to about 40k. It doesn't have the half leather or electric sunroof that my last one did my that's by no means a deal breaker. The sagging head liner around the sunroof winder is a shame.
Anyway I know all of waffle is irrelevant without pics so lets get to that. I apologize for the lack of specificity in the following collage but a mix of me having the flu/snow/only having it for about 24 hours means I don't have many pictures of it and less pictures of the issues I'll be tackling first, but they'll be coming in the next few days rust assured.
some of the original ad pics
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickrgah
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrFrom the images we can tell that:
it has the 'wrong' engine in it
it has the 'wrong' wheels on it
it has the 'wrong' spoiler on it
both spats are present - great success!
it's 4x4 like in its stance
the bonnet is indeed f
kedDespite and because of all of the above - I'm absolutely in love with it.
A few terrible pictures I took of it before falling back into bed
I always take a pic of a new car on the way home for some reason
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrUntitled by Kaeser Devon, on Flickrthen this happened
Untitled by Kaeser Devon, on FlickrFirst impressions are good. It's cockpit is pretty much identical to my previous one, those huge dials for revs and speed staring straight at you and winding around eagerly (revs more than speedo maybe). The GTI seats are incredibly supportive and comfortable, much much better than the Boxster seats. The gear change is accurate and precise with a short throw. Steering is positive with a relatively quick rack, although non assisted maneuvering at slow speeds is tricky even for my powerfully built physique at times. The unassisted brakes are firm and responsive, I haven't managed to fade them yet.. It drives like a car with 61k on it, everything feels tight and as it should. The clutch bite point is low and strong. It doesn't even wallow too much despite it's lofty stance.
The best part though, the engine. It goes well, very well. I'm amazed by its eagerness to rev and it's turn of pace. It really shocked me just how well it does go! It's 110hp by all accounts, 20hp down on the TC but feels every bit as lively and rev happy as H35 from memory (16 years old memory mind..) It feels leages quicker than the MINI One it replaces with 90hp, night and day. It might be something to do with weight, 1007kg for the Rover apparently, very light! I am slightly hesitant however to rev on too much at the moment as although the cam belt has only done 2000 miles since it was changed - that was 10 years ago. The D series is interference also so it would be a shame if it snapped with the first 'proper' driving (i'd wager) it's seen for the first time in a decade.
Plans for it are to sort the rust primarily whilst booking it in for a belt change, I'll give it a service myself too. when the rust and service items are done it will be on to getting it to how I want it. Which will consist of:
Lowering it
induction kit
Roversport wheels
'high level' spoiler (nothing garish it's just the slightly raised spoiler that my old one had)
good sound system
This is a renaissance project, basically build it back to the spec my old one had
It pains me as I still haven't sorted my garage yet and the Rover/Boxster are living outside. It's a single garage but would be nice to have the option to put one of them away, especially in this weather. Hopefully I'll clear the garage tomorrow and shelter one of them from this awful weather. This thread should be a bit more eventful than some as this one has plenty that needs doing on it. Think that's about it for now.
I love this old Rover
Can relate to the OP’s motivations, I used to have a 220GSi one of these with the right spoiler and leather seat bolsters (L97 VVL If memory serves correctly) until some old gimmer in an Astra did a u turn on the m621 and I wrote it off for me.
I always felt the gearing seemed long having come from a 2.0 MK3 Cavalier although the rover was probably faster as I had a 2.0CDi cav - You haven’t lived until you’ve had blue velour...
Have fun op, shall be watching and resisting the urge to buy one.
I always felt the gearing seemed long having come from a 2.0 MK3 Cavalier although the rover was probably faster as I had a 2.0CDi cav - You haven’t lived until you’ve had blue velour...
Have fun op, shall be watching and resisting the urge to buy one.
cheddar said:
Does the off kilter odometer alignment suggest clockage?
I have every concurrent MOT from new so I'm guessing notNine-Eighty-Six said:
At least the rusty bonnet gives you an excuse to get one painted in the right colour! That's a shocking match.
Strange things, those GTIs. A GTI in name only. And utterly poverty specification, not even electric windows!
I think the light effect shows it differently in some pictures, the panels are all the same colour as far as I can see Strange things, those GTIs. A GTI in name only. And utterly poverty specification, not even electric windows!
you're right though I do need a new bonnet! urghThe specs are odd, maybe mine is the lightweight option
stewjohnst said:
Can relate to the OP’s motivations, I used to have a 220GSi one of these with the right spoiler and leather seat bolsters (L97 VVL If memory serves correctly) until some old gimmer in an Astra did a u turn on the m621 and I wrote it off for me.
I always felt the gearing seemed long having come from a 2.0 MK3 Cavalier although the rover was probably faster as I had a 2.0CDi cav - You haven’t lived until you’ve had blue velour...
Have fun op, shall be watching and resisting the urge to buy one.
Shame about the Astra.. The gearing in the sohc is taller than the TC apparently but this one still sits at 3250 @ 70, guess that's about right but it's not too leggy thankfully I always felt the gearing seemed long having come from a 2.0 MK3 Cavalier although the rover was probably faster as I had a 2.0CDi cav - You haven’t lived until you’ve had blue velour...
Have fun op, shall be watching and resisting the urge to buy one.
Don't resist
or do, think this one at least is going to swallow quite a bit of money. And all this whilst I'm having a new bathroom fitted 
squareflops said:
Shame about the Astra.. The gearing in the sohc is taller than the TC apparently but this one still sits at 3250 @ 70, guess that's about right but it's not too leggy thankfully
Don't resist or do, think this one at least is going to swallow quite a bit of money. And all this whilst I'm having a new bathroom fitted
I’m resisting as I’m knee deep in Alfa 147s at the same time as planning an extension (well, the wife is)...Don't resist
or do, think this one at least is going to swallow quite a bit of money. And all this whilst I'm having a new bathroom fitted stewjohnst said:
I’m resisting as I’m knee deep in Alfa 147s at the same time as planning an extension (well, the wife is)...
Ah jeez, don't do it, the Alfa will keep you busy enough.. Ah the wife, I just got rid of my one so my building plans are at least my own, if still not ill advised
My Mum had a red 216 GTI 16v Twin Cam 3 door hatch from new for about 12 years (& about 65k miles). It was a great car and taught me that cars can rev to over 6,500 rpm. She sold it before the dreaded rust started - it was a great car IMO for its time & overlooked for many other hot hatch competitors of its era (a bit like the Fiat Abarth 130TC) 
Love Rovers. Was brought up with Metro GTi’s, Dad had a few when i was a little one, my Grandad had a few MG Metro’s lol. I suppose that’s what got me into Hot Hatches.
As said, unfairly overlooked back in the day against its rivals. Didn’t the really rare 220 GTi/GSi Turbo hold the unofficial record as the fastest FWD Hot Hatch or something like that ?
Back to OP, looks a decent one! Please make it minty.
As said, unfairly overlooked back in the day against its rivals. Didn’t the really rare 220 GTi/GSi Turbo hold the unofficial record as the fastest FWD Hot Hatch or something like that ?
Back to OP, looks a decent one! Please make it minty.
Cracking motors,I had the single cam 16v and my bil had the tc.
Not that much difference to be honest and both could scream their tits off without blowing up.
I personally think that they were the best built Rovers of that era.
All I remember of the 2 litre was that it had the constant and annoying oil leak that the o series had.
Not that much difference to be honest and both could scream their tits off without blowing up.
I personally think that they were the best built Rovers of that era.
All I remember of the 2 litre was that it had the constant and annoying oil leak that the o series had.
I too had a TC at the age of 20 back in ‘97. Did about 30k in it, which is still the most I’ve done in a single car. H310XSE - died a long time ago sadly, though not in my hands.
There was a minter on eBay a year or so ago that was identical to mine for not a lot of money. I had some pangs of desire for it, but it was all nostalgia really.
As above, the 220 GSi Turbo was some machine in its day - same engine as the 220 Coupe Turbo, which I owned a few years later.
I still think the 3 door 200 series cars are a really good looking design. A mate had a 214 SEI in Caribbean Blue that looked lovely - all colour coded.
There was a minter on eBay a year or so ago that was identical to mine for not a lot of money. I had some pangs of desire for it, but it was all nostalgia really.
As above, the 220 GSi Turbo was some machine in its day - same engine as the 220 Coupe Turbo, which I owned a few years later.
I still think the 3 door 200 series cars are a really good looking design. A mate had a 214 SEI in Caribbean Blue that looked lovely - all colour coded.
My first car was a 1990 416 GTi handed down to me by my Dad. I have fond (probably rose-tinted) memories of it and remember the engine being particularly lively. I didn't keep it long after it cut out at night (engine, electrics, the lot) while doing 70+ in the outside lane of the A1 - fortunately there wasn't much traffic around and unbelievably a slip road just a couple of hundred meters ahead that I was able to pull off at. Thank god it had leather seats is all I can say...
I love these R8 Rovers, while I've never had a GTI, and it's nice to see someone going to the expense of restoring one, I did have a 214SEi, in dark green, my very first car with alloys, remote central locking, 'leccy windows and half leather, was a great little car. Even with 120,000 on the clock when I moved it on (something which I regret but couldn't afford to keep two cars at the time) had the cleanest oil of any car that I've had and was the most reliable of any car I've ever owned.
I replaced it with my 200 Coupe (VVC) which I still have and my family have had a series of Rovers of various vintages including - 213, 216 (previous model to the R8), my Grandad (fathers side) had a 216Si for twenty plus years (had a great engine, sadly the body rusted away around it), Dad had a 414 of the same period, then a 416 of the following model, numerous Metro's (I had two and my Grandmother, fathers side, had two) and other BL stuff. You could say I was brainwashed into the Rover brand I'd have another R8 214SEi/216/GTI in a heartbeat if I could find one (that wasn't miles away or being sold by a bunch of chancers that are flogging a 216SLi that's just a wee bit dicky).
I replaced it with my 200 Coupe (VVC) which I still have and my family have had a series of Rovers of various vintages including - 213, 216 (previous model to the R8), my Grandad (fathers side) had a 216Si for twenty plus years (had a great engine, sadly the body rusted away around it), Dad had a 414 of the same period, then a 416 of the following model, numerous Metro's (I had two and my Grandmother, fathers side, had two) and other BL stuff. You could say I was brainwashed into the Rover brand
I'd have another R8 214SEi/216/GTI in a heartbeat if I could find one (that wasn't miles away or being sold by a bunch of chancers that are flogging a 216SLi that's just a wee bit dicky).Good luck with the resto OP!
I had a 416GSi in the mid 90’s with the same single cam Honda engine. Always thought it had 115bhp?
Whatever it actually was, it was my first fast-ish car and I loved it for 60k miles despite the unremitting beige inside and out. Went the length and breadth of the UK and into France too.
H127WNW_1
I had a 416GSi in the mid 90’s with the same single cam Honda engine. Always thought it had 115bhp?
Whatever it actually was, it was my first fast-ish car and I loved it for 60k miles despite the unremitting beige inside and out. Went the length and breadth of the UK and into France too.
H127WNW_1Owned a red one back in the day (K770AVS). Loved the "PGM-F1" engine badging.
Loved it, but getting parts for it was a b*tch, as it was some sort of Frankenstein car.
Brakes were worst; according to the local factors (who got a lot of my business with this car) with whom I spent hours poring over catalogues (ah, those are the days!), it had discs from a 220, calipers from a turbo, and pads from some other Rover car. This was a second owner, first owner genuine lady/weekend driver for 7 years, so little chance her doing some random modding!
Loved it, but getting parts for it was a b*tch, as it was some sort of Frankenstein car.
Brakes were worst; according to the local factors (who got a lot of my business with this car) with whom I spent hours poring over catalogues (ah, those are the days!), it had discs from a 220, calipers from a turbo, and pads from some other Rover car. This was a second owner, first owner genuine lady/weekend driver for 7 years, so little chance her doing some random modding!
Nine-Eighty-Six said:
At least the rusty bonnet gives you an excuse to get one painted in the right colour! That's a shocking match.
Strange things, those GTIs. A GTI in name only. And utterly poverty specification, not even electric windows!
It was a car from the late eighties, that is the level of power that stuff had then, so it wasnt just a GTI in name only, that was the sportier version of the range, the Montego GTI was perhaps a cynical badging exercise but the 200 at least could wear the badge and not be out of place, after all a Golf GTI only had 112 bhp back then, and they had keep fit windows as well.Strange things, those GTIs. A GTI in name only. And utterly poverty specification, not even electric windows!
Later ones got the T series with 130 bhp.
J4CKO said:
It was a car from the late eighties, that is the level of power that stuff had then, so it wasnt just a GTI in name only, that was the sportier version of the range, the Montego GTI was perhaps a cynical badging exercise but the 200 at least could wear the badge and not be out of place, after all a Golf GTI only had 112 bhp back then, and they had keep fit windows as well.
Later ones got the T series with 130 bhp.
Honda used that engine in the pensioner spec. 1.6i - their sporty one had the twin-cam in EX-16 form.Later ones got the T series with 130 bhp.
Remember the slating VW got for giving the 8v Golfs GTI badges in the early 90s? - especially when I recall the rest of Europe called them Highlines.
Looking forward to this, great find!
I was just about to buy one of these when I was 18, which was 16 years ago. Then my dad made me buy a pretty rare special edition Rover Mini Cooper RSP..... absolutely loved that car in the end but still regretted not getting that GTI!
Never knew they did them in silver either!
I was just about to buy one of these when I was 18, which was 16 years ago. Then my dad made me buy a pretty rare special edition Rover Mini Cooper RSP..... absolutely loved that car in the end but still regretted not getting that GTI!
Never knew they did them in silver either!
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