1999 ROVER 200 BRM
ENGINE 1796cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 143bhp @6750rpm TORQUE 128lb ft@4000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 127mph 0-60MPH 7.5sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 35-39mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT September 2018 ODOMETER 72,940 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The engine revs sweetly and straight-line performance is as exhilarating as you’d hope. Tickover sounds a little tappety, though it’s not very pronounced. The car tracks well in a straight line, including under heavy braking, but there’s a small amount of vagueness in the steering, suggesting that the car would benefit from four-wheel alignment. There are no vibrations or wobbles at speed and gear selection is effortless, but there is a small amount of clutch judder. An intermittent airbag warning light will need attention before the next MoT.
BODYWORK CHECK
The paint is original and very tidy; even the tread plates have mostly escaped wear, and the shell is marred only by two small scuffs – one on the front bumper, the other on the offside rear corner. The wheels are also in excellent condition, with no chips or kerbing, and all four 205/45 tyres have good, evenly worn tread; Dunlops are fitted at the front, with unmatched budget tyres at the rear. Parts of the underside have been sealed, some recently, and there seems to be no structural corrosion. An inspection on a ramp followed by full undersealing would be advisable.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
There are no frays or tears anywhere in the BRM’s signature red leather interior – it’s in excellent condition throughout, showing only gentle wear on the red parts of the wheel. All the equipment works, including the electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, though we couldn’t coax anything out of the periodcorrect Rover radio/cassette player. The dashboard and switchgear are all undamaged, the footwells contain original Rover mats and there’s a plastic load liner in the boot, where the spare wheel well (which is dry and free from corrosion) contains a Dunlop tyre with plenty of tread remaining.
UNDER THE BONNET
Nothing seems to be amiss in the engine bay, though there’s room for cosmetic improvement with some degreaser and a cloth. The radiator looks newer than the rest of the car and the belts are all recent. All fluids are clean and fully topped up, and there’s no trace of emulsion under the oil cap, nor are there any serious leaks around the engine. The service history covers most of the car’s life, and includes receipts for a new clutch, cylinder head gasket and timing belt in 2010. New rear calipers were fitted for the latest MoT, which it passed with no advisories.
THE CCW VIEW
Despite signs that some previous owners may have been on a tight budget, the car also seems to have been driven and maintained with care. Now that only around 130 of these 200 BRMs remain, this very presentable, low-mileage example will be a magnet for Rover aficionados and Nineties hot-hatch fans alike.