[Johnny 216GSi]

Right. I've decided she's presentable enough for the forum. Now washed and scrubbed. Behold my lovely Rover 216 GSi which I purchased in March 1995 from a local Rover dealer (still going) when she was 2 years old (1993 K reg) and had 19,350 miles on the clock. Just tipped the 100K mark recently.

If she makes it to 2017 she'll be as old as I was when I bought her. If she makes it to 2020, I'll have owned her for half my life...

Lots of work done to fix a few niggles, things I didn't like, etc. and fit a few new "performance" parts, though nothing is non-standard:

1. New radiator (Nissens 642161).
2. New coolant and distilled water (Granville Sub-zero and Klassic-Kool).
3. New performance plugs (Denso Iridium IQ20).
4. Standard fit K&N cotton-washable air filter (not the induction kit).
5. New Bosch 721 HT leads.
6. New Lucas distributor cap.
7. New Lucas rotor arm.
8. Oil and filter change
9. Gearbox oil change (Millers semi synth EE nanodrive 10W40 motor oil... meets MTF 94 spec)
10. Brand new cylinder head cover (FDU2909) for appearances sake (and associated gaskets).
11. New fuel filter (Bosch premium).
12. New speakers (Kenwood fronts, Sony rears - all sound excellent).
13. All new wood veneer from a 96N reg. - nicely matching all the way round.
14. New speedo cable (to solve the chattering one I had).
15. New heater resistor.
16. New rear offside central locking motor.
17. New cam belt (Gates) and tensioners.
18. New water pump - good practise to replace with cam belt.
19. New alternator belt.
20. New power steering pump belt.
21. New rear spoiler, re-sprayed with hatch - new badges and new plates.
22. Newer gear gaiter from the same 96N reg.
23. New rear wash wipe non return valve.
24. New bonnet stay clip.
25. New rear windscreen top strip.

She's completely unchanged - no mods whatsoever aside from some light-grey Bosch HT leads (fancied a change), ally plates, a face-off stereo (still have the original Rover one) and some new speakers (fitted on original mounts). Always driven considerately - I have some mechanical sympathy, so never raced or rallied (no, seriously) and oil has been changed every 6 months (GTX Magnatec - ALWAYS). Never failed an MOT except for the odd bulb, never failed to start, never broken down. Properly Rover serviced up to about 60K and I've done the essentials myself since then.

There are probably more pictures than you need... but if you've got it, flaunt it - that's what I always say...





























Haven't bothered cleaning up the engine bay yet - just put a new cylinder head cover on so she looks a little tidier:



Comments? Considering she's doing about 7K a year these days and she's been in constant use for the last 22 years, personally I don't think I've done too badly at all...

[GTiJohn]

That's a great way to start the new year!

Truly lovely but I'm a sucker for originality

With a bit of engine bay detailing and you'll have a show car there

[crepello]

Have you any tips for keeping bumpers as supple-looking as yours? (Apart from only driving at night!)

[Johnny 216GSi]

Wurth plastic dye Anthracite... as posted in the bodywork and detailing section ("faded bumpers" topic). Seems to be the best product so far (long lasting), but expensive.

[Montegoman]

Very nice. Flame Red over Tempest Grey is the best colour for a phase 1 5dr. Unlike Vauxhall and VW reds of that era it doesn't fade either.

[crepello]

Very nice. Flame Red over Tempest Grey is the best colour for a phase 1 5dr. Unlike Vauxhall and VW reds of that era it doesn't fade either.

...although some bolt-ons, like door handles go a deeper cherry red after not a long while. My nearside handle ended up like this after 3-4 years from new. I got it resprayed by a local bodyshop after the BMW attack I mentioned in another post, and it has stayed the proper shade ever since. Which should be a reassurance that the modern pigments are not inferior as far as fading goes.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I wish my Flame Red shone like that!

[Johnny 216GSi]

Amazingly... I don't mean to make anyone jealous or anything... but my car has NEVER been garaged. That's 22 years of British Summers and Winters you're seeing there. No idea why it's survived that well, apart from the fact its a Rover and the colours do seem to last a bit longer than other manufacturers.

I really have only just used Turtle Wax shampoo (twice the recommended strength - 2 caps per bucket), hot water, washed top to bottom and rinsed in cold using a watering can (the neighbours joke was always that I secretly wanted a '400 and was seeing if it'd grow a boot...)

Then just a wipe dry with an old bath towel or two, cut up to make rags.

Not sure if I ever was washing my car correctly... but doesn't look like I've done too badly...