ROVER 200 BRM
■ Beware accident damage – either from track days or press-on owners. Cast a beady eye over the slam panel and the front wing and door alignment. Corrosion can cause headaches, too, especially around the rear wheel arches and the rear subframe. 1998cc/4-cyl/DOHC 7.1sec
ENGINE 0-60MPH
■ Engine mounts can fail, especially if the car has been driven hard. Have the cambelt and tensioner been changed? It should be done every 72,000 miles, with accessory belts every three years or 36,000 miles. Oil and filter changes should be done every 6000 miles, too. 172bhp@6250rpm 20-30mpg
POWER FUEL CONSUMPTION ENGINE MAXIMUM SPEED TRANSMISSION GEARBOX OIL
ft@4000rpm
■ These cars can rust merrily on the wings, sills and tailgate, so check carefully for bubbling rot. The rear wheel aches are particularly notorious in this respect, so what can often appear at first glance to be only surface corrosion would need urgent expert attention.
■ Headlights can go dull but can be buffed back to full clarity with DIY electric drill kits. Electric windows can pack up, as can the air conditioning and even dashboard warning lights. But what did you expect from a French hot hatch – Volvo 200-series build quality? 148lb ft@6250rpm FWD, five-speed manual
TORQUE TRANSMISSION
1798cc/4-cyl/DOHC 127mph FWD, five-speed manual Castrol SMX S 2.litres
POWER TORQUE 0-60MPH FUEL CONSUMPTION ENGINE OIL
■ There’s no need to mention the notorious cylinder head gasket problems of the Rover K-Series engine (but we will anyway). This can now be cured with a more durable replacement. Watch out for ‘mayonnaise’ deposits in the coolant overheating, and uneven running.
■ Those pleated red leather seats and fittings may be rather lovely, but they’re unique to the BRM and so would be nigh-on impossible to replace unless you have a sound donor car. Check the electrics for worn wiring, bad connections and a failing alternator, too.