Rover 114SLi
ENGINE 1396cc/4-cyl/OHC POWER 74bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 86lb ft@3500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 104mph 0-60MPH 11secs FUEL CONSUMPTION 32-48mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT June 2021 ODOMETER 9876 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Alan Partridge didn’t know what he was missing. This little Rover is a real giggle to drive. The feisty 74bhp 1.4-litre engine purrs away seemingly in your lap. It’s not the most refined vehicle of its era, yet this example has to be one of the very best. The engine has only had to haul 825kg around for less than 10k miles and it seems to have lost none of its fizz as a result. The gearchange is just as tight and efficient, and even a short drive will put a smile on your face.
BODYWORK CHECK
This example was specified from new in pearlescent Nightfire Red metallic paint, and it’s looking fabulous; in bright light, the metallic flake really shines through. The finish is largely excellent, though the driver’s side C-post does exhibit some mild ‘orange-peel’. We’re not sure if this is a sign of a previous repair, or just how it came from Rover – though the tiny mileage and lack of invoices in the history would suggest the latter. A couple of small scratches on the boot lid have been touched up, and there’s an even smaller mark on the bumper – but that’s about it.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The usual Rover mix of wood (walnut), fabric (‘Kashmir’) and plastic (err, grey) is present and correct, and all in excellent condition. As the final evolution of the Metro, this Rover 100 got an up-to-date dashboard to accompany its wider track and wraparound body-coloured bumpers. There’s even a cassette caddy in the centre console which might be handy as, unlike in earlier Metros, you might actually be able to hear that Guns & Roses album – thanks to sound deadening, carpets and a fully-trimmed interior keeping NVH levels down. The headlining is coming a little unstuck around the tops of the doors but the grab handles have kept it in place.
UNDER THE BONNET
We don’t use the term ‘mint’ very often, but the engine bay can’t be described in any other way. If we’d been told that this was a recently exhumed museum exhibit, we’d believe it. There are no signs of fluid leaks or even faded paint. It’s covered in the original factory stickers, and frankly looks new. Even the bolts and clips have yet to tarnish. We can’t recall ever seeing an original engine bay that’s this old, yet this tidy. The service history displays an astonishing (for such tiny mileage) 14 stamps from the supplying Rover dealership.
THE CCW VIEW
If you’ve never driven a late Metro, with one of the more powerful engines, you’re in for a treat. They feel a lot faster than the figures would suggest. This example is no different, and also benefits from having an impeccable service history, including the delivery invoice. If originality is your thing, this is well worth considering.
PROS 14 service stamps, plus a full history
CONS Parts of headlining coming adrift