Club News

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery

7 Nov 2019
NEC 2019   Don't forget to come and see us on stand 8-260 in Hall 8 at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

This year we are celebrating two anniversaries - the 35th anniversary of the launch of the first generation Rover 200 (SD3) and the 30th anniversary of the launch of the second generation (R8).  As well as the sectioned display car (photo) we have four 'complete' cars on display - an SD3 Rover 200, and three R8s (including the first production R8).

The show is open to the public on Friday 8th (10.00 - 18.30), Saturday 9th (09.00 - 18.30) and Sunday 10th (09.00 - 17.30). We hope to see you there!

Club AGM 2019

28 Oct 2019
Club AGM 2019   The 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club was held on 27th October at the Coventry Transport Museum. Visit the 2019 Past Events page for photos.

Reports from the committee members were received, followed by the re-election of four of the committee members and the election of a new Secretary.

Club AGM

24 Oct 2018
AGM   A reminder that this year's Annual General Meeting will be held this Sunday, 27th October, at the Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, CV1 1JD; starting at 1.00pm.

All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

Satnav users are recommended to use the postcode CV1 1JR to get to the club's display parking in front of the museum, alternatively directions can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

18 Oct 2019
The Viking Oct - Dec 2019   The October to December 2019 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on BMC and Leyland Day at Gaydon, the Scottish Transport Extravaganza at Glamis Castle, The Graduate Advert Re-Run in the North East of England and the BL Autumn Rally at Milton Keynes Museum; and articles on R8 production car number 1, what was happening in Austin Rover in 1984 and early/pre-production R8s.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

R8 Press Launch Re-Run

15 Oct 2019
Lucknam Park   The club held a unique event last week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the second generation Rover 200 (R8) by creating a re-run of the press launch at the original venue from 1989, Lucknam Park near Colerne in Wiltshire.

The day started with a display of the four launch models - 214 Si, 214 SLi, 214 GSi and 216 GSi - plus 12 other R8s in front of the country hotel that was hired by Rover for four weeks leading up to the public launch date of 11th October 1989. Members of the club were joined by several members of the press, some of whom had attended the original event 30 years ago.

There then followed a talk by club chairman John Batchelor, who worked on the R8 project; and Dennis Chick, who was Rover's Group Product Communications Manager at the time of the launch. A buffet lunch was enjoyed by all before the cars set off to follow one of the original routes taken by the motoring press in 1989.

Photos of this event can be found on the 2019 Past Events page of the website.

Lancaster Insurance NEC Classic Motor Show with Discovery

25 Aug 2019
NEC Classic Motor Show   This year the club stand will be found in Hall 8, which is dedicated to cars that have been launched since the inaugural show back in 1984. We will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of the original Rover 200 (SD3) with an excellent example of a Rover 213SE. We will also be marking the 30th anniversary of the R8 Rover 200 and will have a selection of these cars on show including the club's sectioned car and the first production R8 Rover 200.

Why not join us at the show and take advantage of our club member discount by pre-ordering your tickets using our club discount code. Go to the Members Area and then "Show Discount Codes" to find the club ticket offer code.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

2 Aug 2019
The Viking Jul - Sep 2019   The July to September 2019 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on Pride of Longbridge and the Scottish All Rover Rally; a history of the R8 Rover 200/400; three meet the members articles; plus articles on the recommissioning of a Cabriolet and driveshaft replacement.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Even More Press Coverage!

12 Jun 2019
Classic Car Weekly 12 Jun 2019   Press coverage of our cars and the club continues with an article in this week's Classic Car Weekly. Richard Gunn reports on his Rover 216SLi that he bought for £150 at the end of last year. Richard brought his car to our stand at the Practical Classics, Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery and he reports on the car and his experiences with the club at the show. Richard headlines the article "When your other cars falter, there's only one option - buy an R8".

More Press Coverage!

17 May 2019
  The June edition of Classic Car Mart contains a detailed review of the R8 Rover 200 & 400 range. There is also a report on Pride of Longbridge with both a mention and photographs of our club stand.

R8 coverage in Classic Car Weekly

26 Apr 2019
CCW 24 Apr 2019   Following the fantastic display of second generation Rover 200s at the recent Pride of Longbridge, this weeks edition of Classic Car Weekly has a three page coverage of the car, including a feature on production car number 1 and interviews with eight owners at PoL.

Pride of Longbridge 2019

18 Apr 2019
R8 30 at PoL   The 30th anniversary year of the launch of the second generation Rover 200 was well and truly marked with a display of over 30 R8 models of all types in the shape of the number '30' at this year's Pride of Longbridge.

In all over 70 cars representing the club attended this increasingly popular event that is organised to mark the end of volume car production at the iconic Longbridge plant in Birmingham.

Please visit the Past Events page for pictures of the event, including an aerial view of the '30' courtesy of rover-club.fr.

Pride of Longbridge - this Saturday

11 Apr 2019
POL   If you are attending Pride of Longbridge in your club car please display a "P1" on a sheet of paper in your car as you arrive. Further details are in the latest edition of The Viking. We encourage you to support this event this year with significant anniversaries being celebrated by the club. Classic Car Weekly will be in attendance and will be focussing on our club.

The charity car from the Restoration Show, a Rover 216 Cabriolet, will be in attendance. We are holding a closed auction for this car, so if you are interested in bidding we encourage you to inspect the car there.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

11 Apr 2019
The Viking Apr - Jun 2019   The April to June 2019 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on the NEC Restoration Show; articles celebrating the 35th anniversary of the launch of the original Rover 200, two one-owner 100k mile cars, R8 rear suspension bush replacement and petrol tank refurbishment.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery

31 Mar 2019
Club Stand   The Club had another successful show at the NEC last weekend.

Five cars were displayed, three of which were worked on as part of the restoration theme of the show. The main exhibit was a Tahiti Blue Cabriolet that the Club has bought to restore with the intention of selling to make a profit that will be donated to the Club's chosen charity this year, Chron's & Colitis UK.

Photos from the event can be viewed by clicking HERE.

We're ready for the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery at the NEC

21 Mar 2019
Resto Show 2019   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club stand is ready at the 2019 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery. We are on stand 5-362 in hall 5.

We have five cars on display, including this year's charity car - a Tahiti Blue cabriolet.

We hope to see you there!

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery

25 Feb 2019
Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2019   It is less than four weeks to go before the Practical Classics, Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC, Birmingham. The club will be exhibiting in Hall 5 Stand 362 and we will be pleased to meet as many of you on the stand as possible.

Discounted tickets for the show are available in advance and if you would like your club to benefit from advanced tickets sales as well as you getting a discount on the entry fee you need to book your tickets by the end of February (this Thursday).

To purchase tickets please visit the show's ticket website. The club's unique discount code for tickets for Saturday or Sunday can be found in the Members Area of this website.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

 7 Jan 2019
Latest edition of The Viking   The January to March 2019 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on the NEC Classic Motor Show and the Gathering of the Clans show in Stirling; a book review on the 'K' series engine; and articles by several members - stories of Rover ownership; technical tips on front hub refurbishment, hidden rust and sagging headlinings!

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show 2019, with Discovery

 20 Dec 2018
Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2019   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting at the 2019 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, which will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 22nd, 23rd and 24th March.

We will be located in hall 5, and our stand number is 5-362. We are very fortunate to have been allocated a large stand, so will be able to put on a great display to start off this important show year in which we will be celebrating the 35th anniversary since the launch of the original Rover 200 (SD3) and the 30th anniversary of the launch of the secend generation Rover 200 (R8).

Club members can pre-order discounted tickets for the Saturday and Sunday by using the discount code that can be found in the Members Area.

R8 30th Anniversary Mug

 7 Dec 2018
  A commemorative mug to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the second generation Rover 200 (R8) in 1989 has been created by the Club.

The mug has been designed by the Club Treasurer, Jonathan Living, based on the launch advertising material.

The mugs can be ordered from the online shop in the Members Area.

Another successful club display at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery

16 Nov 2018
Club stand at the NEC   The club had a busy weekend at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery with a steady stream of visitors to our stand. We were positioned in Hall 4 alongside other Rover clubs. The theme for the show was “Built to Last” and so it was very appropriate that we had a 216GSi on the stand that had clocked up 184,000 miles. The car has until recently spent its life commuting between Britain and Greece and despite its high mileage is in very good condition.

Complimenting this was one of the last SD3 models a 1990 213SE and one of the “last” Rover models to be launched, a 2004 Streetwise looking resplendent in Firefrost Red.

To complete the stand we were lucky enough to have one of the original Rover GTi Dunlop Challenge Cars. This car has continued to be used as a race and time trial car since the end of the original race series.

Photos of the club stand can be found under Past Events.

The club stand is ready at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery

8 Nov 2018
NEC2018   The club stand at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery has been set up and is ready for when the show opens to the public tomorrow at 10.00.

The show is open on 9th/10th/11th November at the NEC in Birmingham. Come and see us on stand 4-552 in hall 4. Please remember to bring your ticket stub along to our stand to enable us to collect commission from the organizers.

Don't forget to book your tickets for the NEC Classic Motor Show

 4 Nov 2018
NEC2018   From Friday we will be exhibiting at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery at the NEC, Birmingham. Come along and see us in hall 4, on stand number 4-552.

Don't forget that Club Members benefit from discounted tickets on Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th November if booked by midnight on Thursday 8th November – see the show advert for promotion codes and T&Cs in the Members Area of this website.

Club AGM 2018

15 Oct 2018
Club AGM 2018   The 2018 Annual General Meeting of the Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club was held on 14th October at the Coventry Transport Museum. Seventeen members braved the inclement weather, bringing with them a fine selection of cars that were displayed on Millenium Place outside the front of the museum (see Past Events for more photos).

Reports from the committee members were received, followed by the re-election of three of the committee members and the election of a new Secretary and a new Treasurer.

Several other item topics were discussed, most notably the club's plans to celebrate next year the 35th anniversary of the launch of the original Rover 200 and the 30th anniversary of the launch of the second generation 200.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

 3 Oct 2018
Latest edition of The Viking   The October to December 2018 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on the Peterborough and Milton Keynes shows; a book review on 'Making Cars At Longbridge'; and articles on the Norfolk & Norwich Rover Owners Club visit to this year's Restoration Show, the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, the stripdown of a 216, drive shaft restoration and brake pad fitting.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

 27 Jul 2018
Latest edition of The Viking   The July to September 2018 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on five shows; notice of the club's 2018 AGM; and articles on fuel economy and performance, a member's trip to Europe, subframe restoration and tips for removing stubborn bolts.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Club Forum maintenance

26 Jul 2018
Club Forum   The club forum is operational again.

Apologies for any inconvenience during the move and upgrade.

Club AGM

2 Jul 2018
2017 AGM   This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 14th October at the Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, CV1 1JD; starting at 1.00pm.

All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

Further details to follow.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery 2018 - Club Member Tickets

30 Jun 2018
NEC2018   Details of the special discounts available for club members for tickets for this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery have been released.

These discounts are available on tickets for Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November.

Please visit the Members Area to access the codes.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery 2018

9 Jun 2018
NEC 2018   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club is pleased to announce that it has again been offered a stand at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery, which will be held at the NEC in Birmingham on the 9th/10th/11th November.

Further details of the show can be found on the show's website.

It is anticipated that discounted tickets will be available for members for the Saturday and Sunday, and further details on this will be published in the Members Area when available.

Club Privacy Policy available to download

 17 May 2018
GDPR   Our privacy policy has been reviewed in anticipation of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force on 25th May, and may be downloaded for viewing by clicking HERE.

Pride of Longbridge 2018

 13 Apr 2018
POL   Due to the adverse weather conditions the organizers of Pride of Longbridge, due to take place on Saturday 14th April, have had to move the venue to the roads outside Cofton Park; and consequently there will not be enough room for club displays.

With this in mind there will be no official Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club display at this year's Pride of Longbridge. The club has looked into alternative venues, but none are available (including BMM Gaydon, which already has two other events on that day).

If individual members still wish to attend the reduced PoL gathering that is their the choice, but please be aware there will not be an official club presence.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

 9 Apr 2018
Latest edition of The Viking   The April to June 2018 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes a report on the club stand at the NEC Restoration Show; a meet the member feature; and articles on front wing replacement, fuel tank smells, headlamp alignment and the concluding part of the feature on suspension started in the last edition.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Back to the red at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery

 28 Mar 2018
Club stand at the NEC   The club welcomed lots of visitors to its stand at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham over last weekend.

The club demonstrated how faded paintwork and grimy alloy wheels can be brought back to life with the right cleaning materials and a little bit of elbow grease. A Rover 400 (R8) saloon arrived at the show with very faded and discoloured paintwork, and by the end of the show its red paintwork was shining as it did when it left the showroom over twenty years ago.

 As well as the Rover 400, the club applied some elbow grease to a Rover 200 (R3) hatchback; whilst a stunning 220 3 door hatch (R8) completed the display.

Come and see us in hall 5 at the NEC Restoration Show - 23rd to 25th March

 22 Mar 2018
PCCCRS2018   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club stand is ready at the 2018 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery. We are on stand 5-750 in hall 5.

We will be bringing the shine back to a Rover 400 and a 200 and showing what can be achieved with a stunning 220GSi. Come and join us and get your hands dirty!

Please remember to bring your ticket along to our stand to enable us to collect commission from the organizers.

Don't forget to book your tickets for the NEC Restoration Show

 12 Mar 2018
PCCCRS2018   In less than two weeks we will be exhibiting at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery. We’re getting ready to join over 150 classic vehicle clubs taking part at this friendly action-packed show. Come along for expert advice or just a chat and see what the club that shares your passion is getting up to.

For tickets, call 0844 858 6758 or book online at www.necrestorationshow.com

Club Members benefit from discounted tickets on Saturday 24th or Sunday 25th March if booked in advance – see the show advert for promotion codes and T&Cs in the Members Area of this website.

Club regalia online shop now available for members

 9 Mar 2018
Club Regalia Online Shop   An online shop for club regalia has been launched for club members.

Items available are club car stickers, club mugs and club polo shirts (available in grey or white and in four sizes). Items can be delivered or may be collected from certain events that the club is attending (starting with the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show with Discovery at the NEC later this month).

The online shop can be accessed via the Members Area of the website. Payment can only be made by PayPal at the moment.

Club shortlisted for charity category at the National Car Club Awards 2018

 27 Feb 2018
National Car Club Awards 2018   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club has been shortlisted in the Best Car Club Contribution to Charity category at the National Car Club Awards 2018.

This nomination is as a result of a project that was mainly carried out at last year's Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show. A 1991 Rover 216 GSi was purchased, restored and auctioned on the internet; with the profits donated to the British Heart Foundation in memory of former club member John Cooper.

There are six other shortlisted clubs for the award, and the winner will be announced at the Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday 24th March, taking place at the NEC alongside the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery. A full list of all the awards and the shortlisted contenders is available here.

Latest edition of The Viking issued

 11 Jan 2018
Latest edition of The Viking   The January to March 2018 edition of the club magazine "The Viking" has now been published. This edition includes reports on the club AGM and the club stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show; two meet the members features; and articles on dashboard illumination and rear shock absorber and spring replacement.

The Viking is available for download by club members by visiting the Members Area of the website. Postal members will receive their printed copy of the magazine within the next few days.

Club stand at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show With Discovery

 11 Dec 2017
Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show With Discovery   The Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club is fortunate to be one of 157 classic car clubs allocated a stand at the Practical Classics Classic Car Show with Discovery, which will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from the 23rd to the 25th March 2018.

Members of the club may purchase discounted tickets for Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March by quoting the special discount code that can be found in the Members Area of the website.

A successful weekend for the club at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery

 17 Nov 2017
Club stand at the NEC   The club welcomed lots of visitors to its stand at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham over last weekend.

The show theme this year was "Family Ties", and so the club chose to portray the family connection between the Rover 200/400 'R8' and the Honda Concerto. The 'R8' and Concerto were designed and produced through the collaboration between the two companies that started with the Triumph Acclaim. All Concertos for the European market were produced by Rover at its Longbridge factory in Birmingham alongside the 'R8'.

Visitors to the stand were able to compare a Honda Concerto to its equivalent Rover 200; as well admiring two other models covered by the club - a Rover 200 Cabriolet and a Rover 400 (HHR) saloon.

The club stand is ready at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery

 9 Nov 2017
Club stand ready at the NEC   The club stand at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery has been set up and is ready for when the show opens to the public tomorrow at 10.00.

The show is open on 10th/11th/12th November at the NEC in Birmingham. Come and see us on stand 4-582 in hall 4. Please remember to bring your ticket stub along to our stand to enable us to collect commission from the organizers.

New club forum

 7 Nov 2017
New forum   The club forum has been updated to the latest version of software and is available for use.

You may need to clear your browser cache and refresh to see the updated forum.

New club website

 1 Nov 2017
New website   The club launched its new look website today. Emphasis for the new site is coverage of the complete range of Rover 200, 400, 25, 45 and Streetwise models now covered by the club.

New features, such as an online shop for club merchandise will be added over the coming weeks.

If you come across any links etc that do not work, please contact the Webmaster using the Contact Us page.

See us at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery

 26 Oct 2017
Club stand at last year's show   The club will be displaying four cars at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery, which is being held on 10th/11th/12th November at the NEC in Birmingham. Come and see us on stand 4-582 in hall 4.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.necclassicmotorshow.com or by calling 08712 301088. Club members should use the code that can be found in the Members Area of this website to receive discount on tickets. Please bring your ticket stub along to our stand to enable us to collect commission from the organizers.

Club AGM 2017

 26 Oct 2017
2017 AGM   The 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club was held on 15th October at the Coventry Transport Museum. Twenty five members attended, bringing with them a fine selection of cars that were displayed on Millenium Place outside the front of the museum (see Past Events for more photos).

Reports from the committee members were received, followed by the re-election of committe members (no other nominations having been received). Minor amendments to the club's constitution were approved unaminously.