1994 ROVER 216 SLi
The invitation from the Rover 200 and 400 Owners’ Club for my £150 Rover 216 SLi to grace its Birmingham NEC stand wasn’t made because it was the finest of its kind. Quite the contrary, in fact. The event was the 2019 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery, and the members wanted it as a contrast to the much nicer examples also there. Plus, they wanted to gradually improve it during the show. I was very happy to let them try.
Whatever its external scruffiness, the Rover was mechanically very sound, but somebody noticed a large pool of coolant spreading out across the walkway floor as it was waiting to take its place alongside its siblings, soon accompanied by swirling tentacles of steam from under its bonnet.
The 216 SLi was pushed onto the stand in disgrace, while all available supplies of kitchen towel were mustered to clean up its mess, as nervous hi-vis-vested health and safety people loitered nearby. Fortunately, with two full days of show ahead, it was in exactly the right place for its issues to be sorted by expert club members, who also did a superb job of tidying up its cosmetics.
This wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened. My old 1979 Austin Allegro was so proud to be at Pride of Longbridge, some years ago, that it promptly blew several holes in its radiator. It’s surprising how many Allegro Club International members carry bottles of Radweld in their boots!