Description
This one previous owner Rover 114SLi 5 dr in Hawaiian blue with Granite Kashmir cloth seats was one of the very last to be built when Rover was under the ownership of BMW. The model ceased production in 1997 and is the only one I have come across on an “S” plate. It has done 14973 miles from new.
It was ordered brand new by Mr CF on the 14th October 1998 from Seward Bournemouth in Christchurch who were Rover dealers. He part exchanged his1988 E reg Austin Metro Mayfair which was then 10 years old and had done 14, 000. Mr CF was clearly a happy and loyal Rover / Metro owner who bought another newer model of the same car.
It was first registered on 21st October 1998.
The provenance of this car includes the New Vehicle Order form, a FULL documented no expense spared service history carried out annually with correspondence between Mr CF and the dealership.
Mr CF was clearly a proud and fastidious owner of his Rover – as can be seen by the detailed annual maintenance programme and correspondence; the provenance of the car is an enviable record with supporting documents. The service documents from new are in date order and fill an A4 ring binder file. The original Service Handbook had to have extra pages added to fit all the annual service records.
There is a complete set of original handbooks and Rover service booklet in the original covers with Rover insignia.
This Rover 114SLi has always been garaged, used sparely but regularly in dry weather and this can be seen via the peerless MOT history and service records. A car is only original once – and this is an original. It has never had any welding or repairs of this nature. It has never been smoked in and still smells new. The press buttons on the seatbelt clips are bright red – and still appear brand new. The original Seward dealership stickers and the numberplates with logos are still in “as new” condition - and it drives as if it were only a few years old – it’s simply magnificent and must be one of the best Rover 114s in the perfect colour scheme. It’s a smooth and enthusiastic performer and easily keeps up with modern traffic with its 5 speed gearbox.
From the very detailed records, it appears that the car has always been a 100% reliable – with no records of breakdowns in its entire life.
After a lengthy search looking for THE perfect Rover 114, I acquired the car in January 2023. It was a one owner car, fastidiously looked after and had done only 13, 900 miles from new. Since then I have added 1000 miles to it so that the mileage is now 14, 973. It has been serviced, had two new ‘correct at launch’ tyres in my ownership, and will come with a new MOT.
It would suit a collector – looking for a beautiful little car that enjoys being driven. The very comfortable granite seats in Kashmir cloth seats appear “as new” and the slab of wood veneer on the dashboard adds to the sense of occasion. It never fails to get admiring glances and everyone who sees it loves talking about the “Metro”.
The car will come with files of documentation in date order from its original Seward Bournemouth sales notification to Mr CF in 1998. Everything works as it should – and it will come with both sets of keys and two remotes.
