Of course, the Rover 200 was another car we didn't get in Australia. It does, however, remind me of the four door sedan version of the Honda Civic of that time. My wife's first new car was a 1986 Honda Civic wagon. The wedge profile of the Honda Civics (especially the wagon, with its almost vertical tailgate), is something that I can also see in the Rover 200 range. In fact, the way the doors wrap over the roof (so there were no external rain gutters), and the rear styling, are almost pure Honda Civic. The frontal styling is marginally different. The Civic wagon of that generation was one of the most distinctive models Honda ever produced. What's interesting is that the previous range, the Triumph Acclaim, shared the styling of the previous generation Honda Accord. The Accord was actually upmarket from the Civic. Honda usually offered 1.3 and 1.5 litre four cylinder engines on their small cars. I owned a 1.5 litre four speed automatic Honda Jazz (2012 model). I'm sure Honda reliability would have bolstered the image of the Rover 200 range.
There were two Rovers used in keeping up appearances. Earlier episodes, sharp eyes would notice trim wood and electric windows on the 216SE, but for the most part, the Rover used was the 216S.
Yes that’s true also - it’s quite a worn hole the more you look into those cars - the two cars the weird number plates that didn’t exist - someone who bought it but it might not be genuine - one cars being damaged. You could make an entire episode on that on its own.
I am getting older so I would choose the Vanden Plas in that very tasteful Opaline Green with Box Velour upholstery. The driver's window looks to have a 'one-touch' function which is nice, but yeah, the switch layout does look a bit of an afterthought. It would be a very long search for a VP, as there are so few left now, likely due to rust. Sadly, on these early 200s, the rot did take hold incredibly quickly, and repairing them was often uneconomical.
The Rover 200 was right for Richard Bucket, I mean "Bouquet". Just a pitty, it wasn't the Vanden Plas spec. I could see Hyacinth bragging and constantly reminding people who were passengers in the car that it's a Vanden Plas, you know. Pointing to the fine handcrafted burr walnut veneers and fine Connolly leather upholstery.
I had a 216 VP auto. It was a great car, one of the most reliable I've had. I got a Honda Concerto after it which was a pile of junk, then moved onto a rover 620i which was a fabulous car and lasted me many years. I did like some of the Rover cars, but depreciation was horrendous on them, but reliability never was with mine.
These were an improvement over the deleted Triumph Acclaim, but were nothing more than a rebadged Honda Ballade. Felt very Japanese in the driving style.
My father owned a couple of Rover 200 cars back in the day. The first was a B plate 213 S or SE model and it was a nice car in its day, comfortable, roomy, reliable and economical. His second 200 was the 216 fuel injection Vanden Plas model on a G plate with all the trimmings like leather upholstery, wood trim, electrical operated glass sun roof and central locking if I remember correctly. But I can't remember if it had alloy wheels or not back then. It was very comfortable and it could shift too. Those are my memories of the Rover 200 series cars. Another thing I remember about the 200 was the awkward way you had to hold the petrol pump nozzle at to fill it with fuel. For some odd reason you had to hold the nozzle upside down compared to other cars or the petrol wouldn't flow into the tank easily.
I had a Rover 216 SE as my first car around 1990. It wasn't a bad car overall. It was quite comfortable. It had a carburettor instead of fuel injection and in order to accelerate or overtake you pressed the accelerator to the floor and when you lifted off the car actually accelerated.
A well-regarded and deservedly successful model for Rover. The partnership with Honda resulted in some good cars, but they should not have killed off the the illustrious Triumph name. Not a massive fan of the styling of either this or the Acclaim to be honest. Dated as it was I prefer the Dolomite to either of these later cars, the original R8 (1989-1993?) was the pick of the Honver bunch for me.
I remember welding sills in these at four years old ! They were a bit of a pepper pot. They were everywhere until they dissolved. I was never keen on the styling myself.
The 216 was one of the best handling saloon cars I have ever driven. Although at higher mileages front right torsion bar would need adjusted by one spline to. Keep the corner weights in balance
These Rover 200s have a special place in my heart. Sadly the opportunity to own a used 213 narrowly escaped me when I was car hunting in 1997. Think I would have liked it more than the Escort mark 4 I eventually bought. My mum's friend and my sister owned different 216 Vanden Plas models. My dad nearly bought the post facelifted one from my sister but I might have persuaded him to hold out for a bigger Rover 820 or Vauxhall Carlton. Which might have been short sighted of me because the Rover 216 would have been a decent learner car for me later on. 🙄
In 1987 I was offered either a Maestro LX (from memory a run-out version with higher trim) or a Rover 213 basic model, below the 213S. I took the Rover. 23:18
In the 1960s before I was born, my Dad had an ADO 16 Princess VDP. I was a teenager when this came out and I was with him when we found a 213 VDP on display at a shopping centre. It took all my might to talk him out of one and into a Volvo 360 GLT. The Rover here seems quite a thrown together effort. No logic to the dash and no real attempt to “Roverize” the acres of Honda plastic. That window control box looks like some sort of add-on you’d see in a “Carnosseur” aftermarket accessory catalogue. I have a mid 80s one somewhere, full of RGA Irmscher and Zender body kits, “Back Flash “ window stickers and unreliable looking central locking and electric window kits.
The cars from "Keeping up appearances": "Richard's car is a Rover 200-series (SD3) saloon. Early episodes show a light blue 1987 216S bearing the number plate D541 EXL, but later episodes feature a sky-blue 1989 216SE EFi model (with the same number plate except for one letter, now D541 EFL).[12] Onslow drives a 1978 Ford Cortina (number plate VSD 389S) that is in poor condition and backfires loudly almost every time it starts or stops, embarrassing Hyacinth, and frequently crushing her hopes of creating a perfect impression with new people. (The DVLA website shows that this vehicle's tax was not renewed once the series finished, suggesting that it was scrapped at that point or maybe not since the V5C (logbook) is dated as issued on 5 October 2020). Onslow also has the rusting carcass of a Hillman Avenger in his front garden, in which lives Onslow's dog that always barks at Hyacinth as she approaches.[12] Violet and Bruce own a Mercedes-Benz W126 S-class and later a Mercedes-Benz W202 C-class. Neighbour Elizabeth drives a white 1989 Austin Metro City hatchback with number plate F434 RLA, which, despite being the subject of comments from Hyacinth about its age, is newer than Richard's car.[12]". Wikipedia.
Many years ago there was a rover 200 for sale in white near were we lived. My dad went to look at it but was horrified by the state of the the paintwork, it was basically covered with rust spots every were and the car was only about 5 years old it was cheap for a reason as it needed a full respray and the rust sorting out to look presentable.
It may be worth looking out for a brochure on the end-of-the-run Rover 216 'Sprint' for a Saturday special. I remember that model being on sale alongside the latest 'R8' 200 Series after 1989, and thought that it still looked good.
The Rover 200 mainly appealed to pensioners especially the 213. Had a more upmarket image than the Montego and don't think I have ever seen one as a taxi or police car. Very rare today, only about 175 left in Britain. The same car as the much rarer Honda Ballade but while the Honda looked very Japanese the Rover looked British.
For the greek car market this car was seen as a cheaper alternative to BMW 316 and Audi 80 1.6. However it made even less sales compared to Austin Montego. Austin was cheaper and the greek dealership promoted it instead of the Rover to make more sales and profit. These british sedans were thought to be the Jaguars of the masses and were bought mainly by elderly drivers, who had more memories from the glorious past of british car industry. Also it is interesting that Honda civic (as it is called in Greece),on which this Rover was based, made a great success. Even today sometimes I see on the road a civic of this era. Finally around 1989 to 1990 when came the next generation of Rover 200 the greek dealership changed his mind (or this was the policy of the british factory) and started promoting it instead of the Montego. The second generation of 200 made much more sales and until today you can see it from time to time on the greek roads.
nice too see this Austin Rover car brochure, rover 200 model, this a family car in the market that time,in the uk now is that car still on the road now
I've owned so many" car's: also many rover's . But the series 1 ) rover 200) seems to of flown under my radar. I've never taken any notice of them really TBH) apart from seeing the one featured in the TV comedy keeping up appearances) however I didn't even know when they were launched in UK) I'm surprised to learn it was 84) if I had to guess, I would of said 86/87) thanks for the informative video/ review. Ps. It's not a Honda thing either as I like and remember many Honda's and owned a MK1 accord and the 200's predecessor the triumph acclaim which was also based on a honda .
Nice video as always. The Mk1 Rover 200 series to me never felt like a real Rover, just like the Triumph Acclaim never really felt like a true Triumph. They felt like the Hondas they were based on, only with different geometry for the suspension to suit British roads better. The ride wasn't too bad but the whole car felt a step back for Rover. By this time they had ironed out the problems with the SD1 and Rover, to me, didn't quite fit this car. I would have gone with the Triumph brand again for this model. They did drive ok, I had a 213SE back in 1998 and it was a pretty reliable car, no complaints about it, but it was a bland car, not really anything special for the Rover name, nice brochure though, and a well-edited video.
I think the reason why they killed it off, it was around this time BL rebranded to Austin Rover name. Thus killing off Morris as well. I always saw Triumph as a british contender to BMW. Rover very much for a more mature driver, valuing luxury and refinement over sportiness. To that extent you could argue perhaps the Triumph Acclaim could of perhaps been branded as a Rover at the beginning. My gran had an Acclaim and ran it until the rust killed it off, it was very reliable. I don't have so much memories of the first gen 200, other than the Keeping Up Appearances. But these appealed to a lot of buyers moving into retirement, that would of perhaps come from a higher spec Rover as a company car.
For once, the 213 not-even-an-S has a standard 5-speed gearbox. I've never seen a Rover 200 without a rev counter, the dash does look quite strange without one. What's even more strange, is the fact that the Triumph Acclaim L did have a rev counter. But then, Triumph is a more sporty name than Rover as you say. Triumph today is a motorcycle manufacturer.
One of the ugliest cars I've ever owned, that basic basic 213 with a piece of wood instead of a radio. It was a 1986 model I bought used in Brussels in 1992. However, its sweet little 1.3 machine with its silky run was all I needed to feel fine. Plus a canvas top - no idea whether this was an option at vthat time or the previous owner had it mounted aftermarket. Anyway, call it ugly or not, it was agile and extremely reliable, still is one of my best car memories.
I remember the Keeping Up Appearances sitcom, that was fun one :) Hyacinth giving driving instructions all the time for Richard "Mind the pedestrians!", Onslow slamming the telly to turn it on, etc. :D Rover 200 series wasn't available in Finland, but the equivalent Honda was, it was called Honda Civic sedan here.
You cannot see a 200 without thinking of Hyacinth Bucket!
Of course, the Rover 200 was another car we didn't get in Australia. It does, however, remind me of the four door sedan version of the Honda Civic of that time. My wife's first new car was a 1986 Honda Civic wagon. The wedge profile of the Honda Civics (especially the wagon, with its almost vertical tailgate), is something that I can also see in the Rover 200 range. In fact, the way the doors wrap over the roof (so there were no external rain gutters), and the rear styling, are almost pure Honda Civic. The frontal styling is marginally different. The Civic wagon of that generation was one of the most distinctive models Honda ever produced. What's interesting is that the previous range, the Triumph Acclaim, shared the styling of the previous generation Honda Accord. The Accord was actually upmarket from the Civic. Honda usually offered 1.3 and 1.5 litre four cylinder engines on their small cars. I owned a 1.5 litre four speed automatic Honda Jazz (2012 model). I'm sure Honda reliability would have bolstered the image of the Rover 200 range.
There were two Rovers used in keeping up appearances. Earlier episodes, sharp eyes would notice trim wood and electric windows on the 216SE, but for the most part, the Rover used was the 216S.
Yes that’s true also - it’s quite a worn hole the more you look into those cars - the two cars the weird number plates that didn’t exist - someone who bought it but it might not be genuine - one cars being damaged. You could make an entire episode on that on its own.
@@quarterlight
Good idea for an episode indeed
I had a 1988 216 Vitesse and I still think it had the best alloy wheels of any car and one of the best interiors.
A mate had one in the early 2000s. It was interesting to compare it to my Maestro
I am getting older so I would choose the Vanden Plas in that very tasteful Opaline Green with Box Velour upholstery. The driver's window looks to have a 'one-touch' function which is nice, but yeah, the switch layout does look a bit of an afterthought. It would be a very long search for a VP, as there are so few left now, likely due to rust. Sadly, on these early 200s, the rot did take hold incredibly quickly, and repairing them was often uneconomical.
The Rover 200 was right for Richard Bucket, I mean "Bouquet". Just a pitty, it wasn't the Vanden Plas spec. I could see Hyacinth bragging and constantly reminding people who were passengers in the car that it's a Vanden Plas, you know. Pointing to the fine handcrafted burr walnut veneers and fine Connolly leather upholstery.
I had a 216 VP auto. It was a great car, one of the most reliable I've had. I got a Honda Concerto after it which was a pile of junk, then moved onto a rover 620i which was a fabulous car and lasted me many years. I did like some of the Rover cars, but depreciation was horrendous on them, but reliability never was with mine.
These were an improvement over the deleted Triumph Acclaim, but were nothing more than a rebadged Honda Ballade. Felt very Japanese in the driving style.
Yes, the 200! Not seen one for years but invokes memories of 80s.
My father owned a couple of Rover 200 cars back in the day. The first was a B plate 213 S or SE model and it was a nice car in its day, comfortable, roomy, reliable and economical.
His second 200 was the 216 fuel injection Vanden Plas model on a G plate with all the trimmings like leather upholstery, wood trim, electrical operated glass sun roof and central locking if I remember correctly. But I can't remember if it had alloy wheels or not back then. It was very comfortable and it could shift too.
Those are my memories of the Rover 200 series cars.
Another thing I remember about the 200 was the awkward way you had to hold the petrol pump nozzle at to fill it with fuel. For some odd reason you had to hold the nozzle upside down compared to other cars or the petrol wouldn't flow into the tank easily.
I had a Rover 216 SE as my first car around 1990. It wasn't a bad car overall. It was quite comfortable. It had a carburettor instead of fuel injection and in order to accelerate or overtake you pressed the accelerator to the floor and when you lifted off the car actually accelerated.
A well-regarded and deservedly successful model for Rover. The partnership with Honda resulted in some good cars, but they should not have killed off the the illustrious Triumph name. Not a massive fan of the styling of either this or the Acclaim to be honest. Dated as it was I prefer the Dolomite to either of these later cars, the original R8 (1989-1993?) was the pick of the Honver bunch for me.
I remember welding sills in these at four years old ! They were a bit of a pepper pot. They were everywhere until they dissolved. I was never keen on the styling myself.
Thank you for the informatio about "Keeping Up Appearances" and the number plates.
Our pleasure!
Having recently discovered your channel I'm really enjoying this series, so thanks for posting your videos 👍
Thank you
The 216 was one of the best handling saloon cars I have ever driven. Although at higher mileages front right torsion bar would need adjusted by one spline to. Keep the corner weights in balance
These Rover 200s have a special place in my heart. Sadly the opportunity to own a used 213 narrowly escaped me when I was car hunting in 1997. Think I would have liked it more than the Escort mark 4 I eventually bought.
My mum's friend and my sister owned different 216 Vanden Plas models. My dad nearly bought the post facelifted one from my sister but I might have persuaded him to hold out for a bigger Rover 820 or Vauxhall Carlton. Which might have been short sighted of me because the Rover 216 would have been a decent learner car for me later on. 🙄
Fun fact: The 213 SE became an "automatic only" model from 1986! Buyers could still spec the 213S with automatic if they so desired.
In 1987 I was offered either a Maestro LX (from memory a run-out version with higher trim) or a Rover 213 basic model, below the 213S. I took the Rover. 23:18
In the 1960s before I was born, my Dad had an ADO 16 Princess VDP. I was a teenager when this came out and I was with him when we found a 213 VDP on display at a shopping centre. It took all my might to talk him out of one and into a Volvo 360 GLT.
The Rover here seems quite a thrown together effort. No logic to the dash and no real attempt to “Roverize” the acres of Honda plastic. That window control box looks like some sort of add-on you’d see in a “Carnosseur” aftermarket accessory catalogue. I have a mid 80s one somewhere, full of RGA Irmscher and Zender body kits, “Back Flash “ window stickers and unreliable looking central locking and electric window kits.
The cars from "Keeping up appearances":
"Richard's car is a Rover 200-series (SD3) saloon. Early episodes show a light blue 1987 216S bearing the number plate D541 EXL, but later episodes feature a sky-blue 1989 216SE EFi model (with the same number plate except for one letter, now D541 EFL).[12]
Onslow drives a 1978 Ford Cortina (number plate VSD 389S) that is in poor condition and backfires loudly almost every time it starts or stops, embarrassing Hyacinth, and frequently crushing her hopes of creating a perfect impression with new people. (The DVLA website shows that this vehicle's tax was not renewed once the series finished, suggesting that it was scrapped at that point or maybe not since the V5C (logbook) is dated as issued on 5 October 2020). Onslow also has the rusting carcass of a Hillman Avenger in his front garden, in which lives Onslow's dog that always barks at Hyacinth as she approaches.[12]
Violet and Bruce own a Mercedes-Benz W126 S-class and later a Mercedes-Benz W202 C-class.
Neighbour Elizabeth drives a white 1989 Austin Metro City hatchback with number plate F434 RLA, which, despite being the subject of comments from Hyacinth about its age, is newer than Richard's car.[12]". Wikipedia.
Many years ago there was a rover 200 for sale in white near were we lived. My dad went to look at it but was horrified by the state of the the paintwork, it was basically covered with rust spots every were and the car was only about 5 years old it was cheap for a reason as it needed a full respray and the rust sorting out to look presentable.
It may be worth looking out for a brochure on the end-of-the-run Rover 216 'Sprint' for a Saturday special. I remember that model being on sale alongside the latest 'R8' 200 Series after 1989, and thought that it still looked good.
The Rover 200 mainly appealed to pensioners especially the 213. Had a more upmarket image than the Montego and don't think I have ever seen one as a taxi or police car. Very rare today, only about 175 left in Britain. The same car as the much rarer Honda Ballade but while the Honda looked very Japanese the Rover looked British.
For the greek car market this car was seen as a cheaper alternative to BMW 316 and Audi 80 1.6. However it made even less sales compared to Austin Montego. Austin was cheaper and the greek dealership promoted it instead of the Rover to make more sales and profit. These british sedans were thought to be the Jaguars of the masses and were bought mainly by elderly drivers, who had more memories from the glorious past of british car industry. Also it is interesting that Honda civic (as it is called in Greece),on which this Rover was based, made a great success. Even today sometimes I see on the road a civic of this era. Finally around 1989 to 1990 when came the next generation of Rover 200 the greek dealership changed his mind (or this was the policy of the british factory) and started promoting it instead of the Montego. The second generation of 200 made much more sales and until today you can see it from time to time on the greek roads.
nice too see this Austin Rover car brochure, rover 200 model, this a family car in the market that time,in the uk now is that car still on the road now
I thought the truly exhilarating Vitesse EFi was a very handsome sporty saloon car. Especially in White Diamond or Pulsar Silver.
During my time as apprentice the 200 series seemed to be fairly reliable other than servicing and fair wear and tear nothing major graced the ramps
I've owned so many" car's: also many rover's . But the series 1 ) rover 200) seems to of flown under my radar. I've never taken any notice of them really TBH) apart from seeing the one featured in the TV comedy keeping up appearances) however I didn't even know when they were launched in UK) I'm surprised to learn it was 84) if I had to guess, I would of said 86/87) thanks for the informative video/ review. Ps. It's not a Honda thing either as I like and remember many Honda's and owned a MK1 accord and the 200's predecessor the triumph acclaim which was also based on a honda .
Nice video as always. The Mk1 Rover 200 series to me never felt like a real Rover, just like the Triumph Acclaim never really felt like a true Triumph. They felt like the Hondas they were based on, only with different geometry for the suspension to suit British roads better. The ride wasn't too bad but the whole car felt a step back for Rover. By this time they had ironed out the problems with the SD1 and Rover, to me, didn't quite fit this car. I would have gone with the Triumph brand again for this model. They did drive ok, I had a 213SE back in 1998 and it was a pretty reliable car, no complaints about it, but it was a bland car, not really anything special for the Rover name, nice brochure though, and a well-edited video.
I think the reason why they killed it off, it was around this time BL rebranded to Austin Rover name. Thus killing off Morris as well. I always saw Triumph as a british contender to BMW.
Rover very much for a more mature driver, valuing luxury and refinement over sportiness. To that extent you could argue perhaps the Triumph Acclaim could of perhaps been branded as a Rover at the beginning. My gran had an Acclaim and ran it until the rust killed it off, it was very reliable.
I don't have so much memories of the first gen 200, other than the Keeping Up Appearances. But these appealed to a lot of buyers moving into retirement, that would of perhaps come from a higher spec Rover as a company car.
For once, the 213 not-even-an-S has a standard 5-speed gearbox. I've never seen a Rover 200 without a rev counter, the dash does look quite strange without one. What's even more strange, is the fact that the Triumph Acclaim L did have a rev counter. But then, Triumph is a more sporty name than Rover as you say. Triumph today is a motorcycle manufacturer.
One of the ugliest cars I've ever owned, that basic basic 213 with a piece of wood instead of a radio. It was a 1986 model I bought used in Brussels in 1992. However, its sweet little 1.3 machine with its silky run was all I needed to feel fine. Plus a canvas top - no idea whether this was an option at vthat time or the previous owner had it mounted aftermarket. Anyway, call it ugly or not, it was agile and extremely reliable, still is one of my best car memories.
Shame the brochure didnt show any 0-60 times or max speed. The 213S looks adequate to me and I'm assuming that was what trim level sold best.
1st
I remember the Keeping Up Appearances sitcom, that was fun one :) Hyacinth giving driving instructions all the time for Richard "Mind the pedestrians!", Onslow slamming the telly to turn it on, etc. :D
Rover 200 series wasn't available in Finland, but the equivalent Honda was, it was called Honda Civic sedan here.