Vendor supplied images

Highlights

One lady owner, now 91 years of age
Full service book stamped up from the supplying dealer
Always garaged, preserving its condition
Very full service history, always serviced by the supplying dealer
Remarkable condition inside and out
56,080 miles from new

The Appeal

Launched in collaboration with Honda, Rover's second iteration of the 200 was a masterclass for the company, and remained a top-5 seller for their entire spell on the market. Restrained in all the right places, and perfectly topped out in others, the car became practically ubiquitous - and marked a glowing renaissance for the company, even during a time of general downturn.

Today, though, they've become increasingly scarce. Such workhorses they were that it seemed nobody ever thought about preservation, which has left a significant gap in the market. Indeed, the 216 GTI such as this has only 13 live examples recorded on How Many Left, while back in its heyday there had been over twelve thousand.

The Rover 216 GTI 5 Door is a rare find, especially in such well-preserved condition. Known for its blend of practicality and performance, this model offers a unique driving experience with its 1.6-litre engine and manual transmission. This particular example stands out due to its meticulous care and maintenance by a single lady owner who has cherished it since new.

To then factor in this car's unique history - having had only one owner from new, and adjoined by a service history covering all of its life on the road - and you've got a particularly special purchase. It's in remarkable condition, with the interior carrying very little signs of wear and those oh-so-90s lines completely undamaged and proudly on display.

Although it has not been used on the road since 2017, this lovely 1.6L Rover 200 has been carefully stored and recently transported directly from its garage. With just a small amount of recommissioning, this Rover 216 GTI could easily become a show-stopper.

History and Paperwork

Registered in 1991
One lady owner, now 91 years of age
Full service book stamped up from the supplying dealer
When the dealership changed hands, it continued being serviced there
Recently purchased from the owner's family
Has not been used on the road since 2017
Collected straight out of its garage and put on a transporter
Very full service history, always serviced by the supplying dealer
When the garage changed ownership, it still went there under the new dealership
Currently indicates 56,080 miles, which is backed by the car's impressive history file

The Condition

Body is in remarkable condition
Two minor bits of corrosion on the two rear wheel arches, low down
A couple of very small scrapes on the bottom of the driver's door
Paintwork inside the doors, sunroof, boot, and under the bonnet is in very good condition
The car has had some paintwork on the rear O/S wing some time ago
This is a slightly different shade of white, but not overly noticeable
One bit of trim missing on one side of the rear sill
Wheels and tyres in great condition
Underside of the car is very good and solid with only some minor rust on some metal components
Interior is in very good condition, always garaged away from sunlight
Seats, dashboard, door cards and all plastics are in great condition
Carpets are very good apart from one small hole in the driver's side
Underneath, the rear seat is in as-new condition
Headlining at the rear has a small amount of droop
Around the sunroof is in very good condition

The Mechanics

1,590cc Honda 4-cylinder powerplant
Manual transmission with 5 gears
Engine and gearbox sound fine but would need light recommissioning as it hasn’t been driven for the last 7 years
The vendor has had it running and driven it about a couple of miles
They note that it drives very well, and that everything seems to work
The vendor highlights no engine or gearbox noise
We understand this is ultimately a superb example that merely needs being brought back to the road

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. If requested we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com