Unsung Heroes: Rover 800 Vitesse

Posted on 23/12/2011 by Sam Skelton

In the first of a new series, Sam Skelton focuses on the Rover 800 Vitesse. Rover's forgotten record holder. Name me a fast Rover. Go on. There are a lot to choose from, P6 3500S, SD1 Vitesse, the MG ZT260, the 620ti, the Tomcat Turbo, several rather lairy, fun cars. Now, hands up who first thought "800 Vitesse". Surprising to think that such a good sports saloon has largely been forgotten. The Rover 800. A car driven by your grandad, or if he's of a certain age, your dad. Hardly a cool Read more [...]

Retro Steeds

Posted on 24/09/2010 by Sam Skelton

Rover and Jaguar have always been a well-matched pairing - from the days of the 'S' Type-driving baddie being chased by a succession of police P6s and SD1s, right down to the Rover 800 which in Sterling guise served as a poor man's XJ in the 90s. Both are typically British too - the stereotypical Brit John Steed had both an SD1 and a super XJC in the New Avengers. So it's apt that both marques have created retro saloons in the same field. Sam Skelton compares the two to see which is best. Words: Read more [...]

Rover 827 Coupé

Posted on 18/09/2010 by Sam Skelton

La Dolce (Ro)Vita A large part of the attraction with any car is how it makes you feel. The way a car looks, the softness or supportiveness of the seats, the materials used inside, they all serve to make a powerful impression upon an interested mind. The Rover 827 Coupé is an excellent example of this. A lot of people don't rate the driving experience - more on that later - but public opinion is almost unanimous in it's praise for the car upon an aesthetic level. Even now as a two decade Read more [...]

Rover 213SE

Posted on 04/08/2010 by Sam Skelton

The Bucket Residence, Hyacinth speaking... I have to confess, I've not really got a huge soft spot for the SD3 series Rover. It's a bit...Honda to really excite me, and whilst I'd not be averse to a Vanden Plas EFi I would far rather own a Maestro or Montego. The SD3 has an image problem - the MG versions of the Maestro and Montego have made them acceptable in classic circles with the passage of time, and the youth element of the club scene is particularly vibrant. But the SD3 has always been Read more [...]

Rover 220GTi Turbo

Posted on 27/07/2010 by Sam Skelton

It's R8, this Rover... The R8-series Rover is starting to be appreciated, like the Maestro before it, as more than just a banger. The earliest and mintiest cars are finding cherished homes, and there's even an owners' club. Probably the rarest and hairiest variant is the 220GTi Turbo - soon replaced by the GSi Sport due to excessive insurance premiums. As an introduction to the R8 range then, it seems like probably the one to choose. And as it happens, I know someone who owns one. The Rover Read more [...]