Description
Tomcat 1. 8 VVC - The only 218 Coupe for sale ( from what I could find on C&C) Exceptional Condition for year. Nightfire Red ( it's a cross between a dark red and a burgandy metalic) Not to be confused with the "flat red" The previous owner who recommissioned the car spent over £1, 000 on parts alone in Feb/ March 2017 including new cambelt, alternator, battery and cam cover gasket. I have a list and the prices for all items done. I've spent £1, 300 approx since ( list available) I've had the car just over six years but I'm just not using it much (2, 000 miles in 6. 5 years) as I have other 80's / 90's cars. 18 months ago it had a full underbody clean down with Lanolin anti- rust treatment where needed and Dynotrol new underseal added ( invoice available). It's got the full factory Leather option (absolutely no wear on seat bolsters), four totally unmarked alloys ( they were refurbished prior to my purchase), good tyres, Good MOT history - valid until early Jan 2025 . Split rear folding seats - really handy. It has the glass bag covers. I also have the plastic "wind diffuser" that clips in when one takes the glass panels out. This often gets "lost" Drives really well, no dents. last service was done 700 miles ago. It has a couple of tiny scratches on the rear bumper cover and a few tiny paint bubbles on two wheel arches ( see pictures as I've nothing to hide) plus a bit on the OS sill end other than that its VGC. I'm just the fifth owner ( last 6. 5 years) and it's done 90K and runs very well. It's totally standard apart from a Scorpion exhaust back box ( not noisy) and the full leather option. I replaced the gear lever gaiter as the existing one wasn't up to my standards.
I have two keys and three fobs but only one fob seems to lock / unlock as I understand that they go "out of tune" There is a folder of extensive history and paperwork on the car plus the drivers manual and virtually every mot since 2001. It has the radio and emergency door unlocking codes. I haven't re-coded the radio since I changed the gear gaiter as I had to "disassemble" all the centre consul and remove the radio to change the gear gaiter.
I've got other pictures I can email ( if you ask a question) as there is a limit of the number of pictures you can upload with the C&C ad
The carpets - all original and absolutely no wear as protected by "Rover Coupe" mats although the drivers protective mat has "wear" but it protects the original carpet underneath.
Engine bay - it's pretty clean but like the rest of the car not "spotless" (to concours standard) but overall the car is almost up to a professional valet standard given it's almost 25 years old. But as any viewer will see I like my "old cars" to be as near as "new condition" as reasonably possible. I've got too many 2 + 2's and have run out of space as you'll see if one views.
I've got some spares which I will include in the price - A drivers side window, two glass sunroof panels, new coolant bottle, a steering which (I bought a replacement which is very good but I considered the wheel on the car was ultimately a bit better so I never changed it and a set wheel bolts.
There is a tiny chip in the NS front headlamp ( but the silvering inside isn't affected) and the headlight levelling switch is "taped over" for mot purposes as you can hear the motor "whirl" but the headlight don't seem to move. It's the crazy mot situation where the headlight alignment is fine but if the tester sees a switch he has to test it !
Think I've covered everything but if any queries just ask
MOT - I decided to get the mot done before Xmas ( it's passed so mot valid until 8th Jan 2025 ) having had a new windscreen washer pump - told it was clogged through lack of use ! A few minor advisories which detract from the car ( have no idea why "exhaust rattle was recorded - it doesn't but I wasn't going to argue.
Price - I think my asking price reflects the overall condition of the car and the history it has but as always, I'm open to a sensible offer. I bought it because I've always loved the shape of the Tomcat but sadly I'm just not using it enough and having other cars I've decided to let it go to someone who will hopefully equally cherish it as very soon I will lose a garage space at my mums - the car has always been garaged in my ownership and I don't want it to sit outside although I have space on my drive. A modern reliable classic - it returns great mpg as well. I checked how may left - Rover 1. 8VVC and third quarter 2023 it said 64 taxed and 193 SORN. The car is currently SORN but will tax it if anyway wants to be taken out on a test drive.
Post an enquiry on the past MOT advisories I can confirm that the rear wheel bearing was renewed and one corroded brake pipe replaced (invoice available) as I considered these to be a potential future issues with use but not the other advisories as this is just the mot station "being picky" show me a 25 year old car that doesn't have some surface corrosion on underbody pipes ! but I have had the whole under body cleaned down and re-treated. Although I consider the advisories to me minor I acknowledge that a enthusiast might want these done so price is negotiable.
