Timewarp Rover 200 BRM
Discussion
Those PH'ers who know me will be familiar with my illness with the unfortunate incurable symptoms of buying 1990's and 2000's era MG Rover products ( See here for Rover 75 based evidence).
The disease was contracted in my childhood growing up surrounded by MGR products-my parents owned such delights as a Maestro, a R8 214Si then a 214SEI, a couple of 75 Connoisseurs and a Rover 200Vi, a personal favourite. I've owned examples of R8's, a 75 and ZT, but I've never managed to find a mint 200Vi to buy. I did a few months ago, but the bugger slipped through my fingers.
However, while searching, I found a 38k mile, dry stored for 12 years 200 BRM that seemed absolutely perfect. Cue a hurried drive up the M6 to Litchfield, to find an absolutely spanking car with zero rot (try that now-BRM's were allegedly hand built over the course of a week's night shifts at Longbridge, and seem to have zero rustproofing as a result), a mint interior and just generally a nectar car to a Rover bee such as me…
A deal was struck to include the plate, and the nervous journey south on a decade plus old cam belt began.
It didn’t go well.
The M6 wasn’t that nice a place to wait for the RAC (membership strongly advised if owning a fleet of British vehicles). Fortunately the cam belt was intact, the alternator decided that it didn’t want to be part of the onward adventure.
The nice man from the RAC turned up, filled the car up with electricity and followed us off the motorway to a pub to wait for the relay flat beds home. At least the petrol saving paid for a steak-I just got home at 2am after leaving Birmingham at 5pm…
Home the next day, I began the extraction of the offending alternator, replacing it with a genuine Rover one (in stock at Brown & Gammons, much as I detest using them) and carried out a full service to include fresh cam belts, a water pump, coolant, spark plugs and filters. A pleasant morning’s work-nothing was seized, everything came apart easily and underneath the car was as mint as the top. Fortunately the battery survived being flattened and took a trickle charge happily.
Unfortunately when the previous owner had driven the car out of long term storage, she’d caught the O/S/R wheel arch and creased it slightly. A real shame; what was even more frustrating is the paintless dent repairer who attacked it before I picked it up created a mess modelled on a teenagers face. I don’t have a picture of the damage as I couldn’t bring myself to photograph it, even though it was pretty small (about the size of a hand, and not even a David Seamon palm, either).
Finishline in Gravely to the rescue. They also refurbished the wheels and did some precautionary tidying of the boot hinges, a common R8 rust point.
A set of new Dunlop tyres (the cars were originally supplied on Dunlop rubber-I want to maintain originality), a geometry check, a machine polish and the car is ready to…be tucked away for winter. Sigh.
I’ve had a few drives on dry days and it’s just great-raw like modern hot hatches aren’t, the power is all at the top end of the rev range (think 6000 rpm before things really start happening), the LSD is pure witchcraft (Milton Keynes roundabouts are great fun) and the grip it generates on supple suspension could teach a few modern cars a lesson. It’s not powerful at all compared to modern stuff but it really involves the driver.
Hope you enjoy the finished article. Here’s to Pride of Longbridge and sunny days next year-it’s going to be preserved but used for 1-2k fun miles a year.
The disease was contracted in my childhood growing up surrounded by MGR products-my parents owned such delights as a Maestro, a R8 214Si then a 214SEI, a couple of 75 Connoisseurs and a Rover 200Vi, a personal favourite. I've owned examples of R8's, a 75 and ZT, but I've never managed to find a mint 200Vi to buy. I did a few months ago, but the bugger slipped through my fingers.
However, while searching, I found a 38k mile, dry stored for 12 years 200 BRM that seemed absolutely perfect. Cue a hurried drive up the M6 to Litchfield, to find an absolutely spanking car with zero rot (try that now-BRM's were allegedly hand built over the course of a week's night shifts at Longbridge, and seem to have zero rustproofing as a result), a mint interior and just generally a nectar car to a Rover bee such as me…
A deal was struck to include the plate, and the nervous journey south on a decade plus old cam belt began.
It didn’t go well.
The M6 wasn’t that nice a place to wait for the RAC (membership strongly advised if owning a fleet of British vehicles). Fortunately the cam belt was intact, the alternator decided that it didn’t want to be part of the onward adventure.
The nice man from the RAC turned up, filled the car up with electricity and followed us off the motorway to a pub to wait for the relay flat beds home. At least the petrol saving paid for a steak-I just got home at 2am after leaving Birmingham at 5pm…
Home the next day, I began the extraction of the offending alternator, replacing it with a genuine Rover one (in stock at Brown & Gammons, much as I detest using them) and carried out a full service to include fresh cam belts, a water pump, coolant, spark plugs and filters. A pleasant morning’s work-nothing was seized, everything came apart easily and underneath the car was as mint as the top. Fortunately the battery survived being flattened and took a trickle charge happily.
Unfortunately when the previous owner had driven the car out of long term storage, she’d caught the O/S/R wheel arch and creased it slightly. A real shame; what was even more frustrating is the paintless dent repairer who attacked it before I picked it up created a mess modelled on a teenagers face. I don’t have a picture of the damage as I couldn’t bring myself to photograph it, even though it was pretty small (about the size of a hand, and not even a David Seamon palm, either).
Finishline in Gravely to the rescue. They also refurbished the wheels and did some precautionary tidying of the boot hinges, a common R8 rust point.
A set of new Dunlop tyres (the cars were originally supplied on Dunlop rubber-I want to maintain originality), a geometry check, a machine polish and the car is ready to…be tucked away for winter. Sigh.
I’ve had a few drives on dry days and it’s just great-raw like modern hot hatches aren’t, the power is all at the top end of the rev range (think 6000 rpm before things really start happening), the LSD is pure witchcraft (Milton Keynes roundabouts are great fun) and the grip it generates on supple suspension could teach a few modern cars a lesson. It’s not powerful at all compared to modern stuff but it really involves the driver.
Hope you enjoy the finished article. Here’s to Pride of Longbridge and sunny days next year-it’s going to be preserved but used for 1-2k fun miles a year.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Thursday 15th November 13:25
Fantastic, always had a soft spot for these. Chap I used to work with bought one a few years ago after always regretting selling the one he'd had from new.
At the motor show when they were launched a mate of mine was busily chatting up (or so he thought) the promo girl who'd been tasked with handing out the brochures for them. Unfortunately for the wannabe lothario my other mate who we'd brought along loved nothing more than being a completely anal bore about motorsport history; so when she proclaimed that "it's inspired by an old racing car" she ended up receiving a lecture on the history of BRM. Needless to say my first friend didn't get her number.
At the motor show when they were launched a mate of mine was busily chatting up (or so he thought) the promo girl who'd been tasked with handing out the brochures for them. Unfortunately for the wannabe lothario my other mate who we'd brought along loved nothing more than being a completely anal bore about motorsport history; so when she proclaimed that "it's inspired by an old racing car" she ended up receiving a lecture on the history of BRM. Needless to say my first friend didn't get her number.
Wow great find, well done. I always liked these for the slightly 'out-there' additions over the Vi (seats and front grill in orange mainly). Although the MG ZR looked the nuts and had a little more power back in the day, the 25 GTi and 200 Vi were better to drive IMO as they did not have the crashy ride caused by the bigger wheels.
martin mrt said:
Ive always had a bit of a liking for these, secretly.
The interior was amazingly over the top when they were new, but time has been kind to them and I think they look fantastic
Many won't "get" them, but for those that do, what a fantastic car in amazing condition
It's certainly an event being in it. This one has obviously had an easy life but there's no squeaks or rattles and the leather feels beautiful-soft, supple and thick.The interior was amazingly over the top when they were new, but time has been kind to them and I think they look fantastic
Many won't "get" them, but for those that do, what a fantastic car in amazing condition
I had the use of one of these (my wife chose it as a company car!) for about a year. My last impression is that the seats offered literally no lateral support - you'd be hanging on to the steering wheel to keep you in place!
Apart from that - great car - fond memories. She got an MX5 next and that was good fun too.
Apart from that - great car - fond memories. She got an MX5 next and that was good fun too.
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Awesome! Always liked these, and this one must be 1 of 1 condition wise! How many are actually left?
1145 were build, 795 for the UK market. How Many Left suggests 121 are currently taxed with 238 SORN (mine will be joining that figure soon for winter).thebrm.co.uk owners club usually tries to see how many it can get together for Pride of Longbridge, I’m not sure of the numbers it garners but it’s not the sort of car you buy by accident, so hopefully most of them are known to the club. Mine has been off the radar for a number of years!
Sadly they’re usually worth more in bits; that interior is obviously worth something in good condition but the part everyone is really after is the PG1 gearbox with the close ratios and LSD. It’s a straight swap into a S1 Elise!
Lovely car. Always like the interiors on these.
I came here because you have just been mentioned on Smith and Sniff's Suzuki Jimny video - at 1:13, with a just about discernible shot of the rear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEhMLOK_0U&fe...
I came here because you have just been mentioned on Smith and Sniff's Suzuki Jimny video - at 1:13, with a just about discernible shot of the rear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEhMLOK_0U&fe...
That is a stunning example OP, great that you're going to keep it original and immaculate!!
I recall seeing one of these BRM models around probably 15 years ago and wondering what that front grille was all about. From the outside it's the only real giveaway that it's something a bit special.
That interior looks pristine as well!
I recall seeing one of these BRM models around probably 15 years ago and wondering what that front grille was all about. From the outside it's the only real giveaway that it's something a bit special.
That interior looks pristine as well!
Sebastian Tombs said:
Lovely car. Always like the interiors on these.
I came here because you have just been mentioned on Smith and Sniff's Suzuki Jimny video - at 1:13, with a just about discernible shot of the rear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEhMLOK_0U&fe...
Ha! Funnily enough I remember thinking “It’s a new Jimny!” when I saw that the other day!I came here because you have just been mentioned on Smith and Sniff's Suzuki Jimny video - at 1:13, with a just about discernible shot of the rear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEhMLOK_0U&fe...
Some dealerships painted the orange snout silver because they thought it was hindering sales-they clearly didn’t get the reference...
itcaptainslow said:
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Awesome! Always liked these, and this one must be 1 of 1 condition wise! How many are actually left?
1145 were build, 795 for the UK market. How Many Left suggests 121 are currently taxed with 238 SORN (mine will be joining that figure soon for winter).thebrm.co.uk owners club usually tries to see how many it can get together for Pride of Longbridge, I’m not sure of the numbers it garners but it’s not the sort of car you buy by accident, so hopefully most of them are known to the club. Mine has been off the radar for a number of years!
Sadly they’re usually worth more in bits; that interior is obviously worth something in good condition but the part everyone is really after is the PG1 gearbox with the close ratios and LSD. It’s a straight swap into a S1 Elise!
Do you mind me asking, what sort of money did you pay for it? I know of 2 BRMs, both will be off the radar of the owners club.
300bhp/ton said:
itcaptainslow said:
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Awesome! Always liked these, and this one must be 1 of 1 condition wise! How many are actually left?
1145 were build, 795 for the UK market. How Many Left suggests 121 are currently taxed with 238 SORN (mine will be joining that figure soon for winter).thebrm.co.uk owners club usually tries to see how many it can get together for Pride of Longbridge, I’m not sure of the numbers it garners but it’s not the sort of car you buy by accident, so hopefully most of them are known to the club. Mine has been off the radar for a number of years!
Sadly they’re usually worth more in bits; that interior is obviously worth something in good condition but the part everyone is really after is the PG1 gearbox with the close ratios and LSD. It’s a straight swap into a S1 Elise!
Do you mind me asking, what sort of money did you pay for it? I know of 2 BRMs, both will be off the radar of the owners club.
I’m hoping in a couple of years time it looks cheap-modern classic hot hatches seem to be gathering pace all the time on the market, especially as the bad examples die out and people want a nostalgia fix.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Sunday 17th May 19:45
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