I have recently purchased a 1992 Rover216 Cabriolet. I was originally looking for either an F or a TF but when this came up it was too good not to investigate. I have been a member of the Rover 75 And ZT club/Forum for many years and until January 1st I was a Regional Secretary enjoying attending and organising meets up in Tayside area. I have also owned through time an SD1 2000, SD1 2600 Van den Plas, Rover 216i, Rover 416 Si, Rover 75 1.8, Rover 75 2.0 V6, MG ZT 2.0 Diesel, MG ZT 2.5 ( disaster of a car! ) and my mother currently has 2004 Rover 216 after Rover 114i. However, time moves on and covering nearly 12,000 miles a year the 75s and ZTs are getting a bit old/dated for every day use covering such miles. Reluctantly I decided it was time to move the cars on to new homes and get a new MG. Originally an MG GS that had just turned 3 years old when I was given an offer by MG that was too good to turn down on an MG3 (2500 swappage allowance on my ZT) and got for the first time a new car. So far I have been delighted with my MG3 Exclusive. It is fun to drive and well equipped. Has cruise control, Bluetooth and Apple Car play and of course an extensive, long warranty. This has been funded with part of my retirement lump sum as I took partial retirement from teaching last February.
Whatever I bought in the way of classic cars would have to fit in my workshop during the winter. Rover 75s are just a fraction too big as you can just squeeze them in but cannot walk around them. Clearly not satisfactory. Thus began the search for an MGF or MG TF. I saw some right, rusty heaps and some absolute crackers but they were all outside the permitted 'fun' car budget. Then I saw the advert for this Cabriolet on Gumtree. It looked very good in photos, had only covered 60k miles, very good MOT history, had just had a new hood fitted through insurance and was automatic. ( it has to be auto as my better half can only drive autos. She has an automatic Chevrolet Matiz
) Trouble was that the car was a fair hike from Tayport it being located in Southport. Assistance was sought through the Rover 75/ZT Club and a reasonably locally based member (who is also a mechanic ) volunteered to go and give it a thorough going over. His report indicated an immediate purchase. So deal was done at asking price and collection was arranged the following week. It is always a bit apprehensive buying blind but this was a calculated gamble. Train tickets were bought and a good First Class deal through Virgin trains meant a pleasant trip down. Picked up car and drove to Travelodge in Manchester before driving home next day. I was very pleased with the drive.
It will make a very good classic summer only car. So far it has had a right good clean, clay and machine polish that took about 12 hours . It looks fantastic. Still to treat leather seats and do engine bay but she is not far off show condition now.
So I am looking forward to some nice summer driving and attending a few shows next summer. It can also be an emergency car for Wendy as of course the 3 does not come in automatic form.
There are some pictures in the Gallery section.
Chris
down to my brand new MG3 and the 216 Cabriolet now. Have at one point owned 4 at a time but never more than that. Others owned through time. Which do I wish I still have....got to be the SD1 2600 Van den Plas. It was a cracker but way too thirsty for every day use at the time. My white three door 216Si Auto was also a very reliable and good driver's car. Wendy passed her test in it. So that second