Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

I'm picking up J235UNV from Phil in Leyland on Saturday, the Lynx Bronze 216 GSi.

I've owned 'Classic Cars' from when before they were 'Classics' back in the 70's as everyday cars, Escorts, Marinas, Austins etc. etc. the list is far too long to post

Anyway, why buy a 1991 Rover?

Well, having spent the past 12 years plus running and maintaining a range of 'classics' from a 52 Citroën Traction Avant to a 1980 Triumph Dolomite I'm at the stage where the pleasure of laying on cold garage floors is no longer fun, so I wanted something I could just get in and drive and let someone else do the servicing etc. if needed as those with the knowledge to look after those earlier cars are disappearing fast.

The Dolomite is staying with me as well after spending 6 months sorting out the brakes etc. etc. so will get some use out of it before I part with it.

The 216 BTW is replacing a 2000 SAAB Viggen convertible, great car but the running costs were going up....

Oh and me, well I am supposedly retired, but built and currently run a couple of websites, one for our local Classic Club in the North East https://necpwa.org and https://c6owners.org which I have recently taken back over after letting members run it in 2015.

Welcome! Phil’s car is lovely, and he’s a top guy, too.

You’re just in time for some events this summer, too - including the R8 35th anniversary. Check the events section of the forum to find out more!

Been through things on the car as it is 'new to me' and changed all the fluids, engine oil, auto box (Honda ATF-DW1 - 2 drain & refills so far, one more to do), power steering ATF-DW1 and finally today the coolant, which was a real pain. Phil had the water pump changed when the cam belt was done in October 2020.

However, the garage that did it chewed up the radiator bottom hose clip screw head so after taking an hour to carefully re cut the screwdriver slot (as a 6mm socket just spun on the head and a corner was missing), I still couldn't get it to move

Not a lot of room down there to do it either, but after a good dose of penetrating oil and a small pair of 'mole' grips finally got it loose and off...


Replaced with a new one. All the rest of the hose clips were fine, it was just the most inaccessible one, obviously

That must have been really annoying, rather like my brakes!