NO RESERVE! 1991 Rover 827 SLi
auctions.single.seller.popular
auctions.single.seller.view-count
auctions.single.seller.images
No reserve on this auction!
Highlights
・Incredible original Rover executive saloon
・2.7-litre Honda V6
・One long-term owner from 1993 to 2016
・Huge file of history
The Background
Austin-Rover’s relationship with Honda saved the company back in the 1980s, after visionary industrialist Michael Edwardes took the company away from public ownership and back into the private sector.
The tie-in with the Japanese company began with the 1981 Triumph Acclaim – essentially a rebadged Honda Ballade – and the subsequent Rover 200, which was more of the same.
The flagship Rover 800, though, was an entirely different kettle of fish, developed jointly by the two companies with Rover providing dynamic expertise and knowledge on how to build and market upmarket models in return for the Japanese company’s manufacturing and process knowledge.
For Honda, the 1986 Legend was its first executive car, while for Rover the twin 800 was a replacement for the SD1 executive hatch. It was a very different formula though – no rear-wheel-drive and no V8, as the car was developed for an efficient new era.
Three engines were offered at first. Rover provided the entry-level 2.0-litre four and Honda came to the party with 2.5 and 2.7-litre V6s, both of which were high-revving but effortlessly smooth.
Early cars were blighted by quality problems, with poor finish and rogue electricals hardly showering it in glory. But as time progressed, the 800 vastly improved and by the start of the 1990s the model was largely reliable, as well as being the UK’s best-selling executive saloon.
This example is one of the last cars made before the 800’s 1991 facelift, which brought in a new body style and heavily revised interior, making it one of the best possible Mk1 examples. It was bought by a dealership employee as an approved used car in 1993 and kept until 2016, with a fastidious maintenance record. It’s a rare and handsome survivor.
The History
H838 XFR was first registered in Leyland, Lancashire, to British Aerospace, which was the owner of Rover Group at the time.
It was registered in February 1991, by which time the ‘new’ 800 was already common knowledge, and was initially a company car scheme vehicle for BaE before passing on (we’d assume through a fleet agreement with Rover Group) to Avis Car Rental.
Amazingly, it survived a year of being a hire car without drama and was bought in 1993 by an employee of Hartwell Rover, a main dealership in Oxfordshire, who kept it as his personal car for the next 23 years, looking after it meticulously and buying all the parts it ever needed from the dealership where he worked.
In 2016, the car was discovered by the then Chairman of the Rover 800 Owners club, who couldn’t resist being tempted to add it to his collection of the big saloons. He kept it until this year, when the thought of a Daimler XJ40 3.6 became too much for him and he traded it in.
The Paperwork
There’s a large box file of paperwork that comes with the Rover and to detail it all would take forever, as the long-term owner kept all of the bills and receipts including those for sundry items such as oil, coolant and trim clips.
There is, however, a substantial amount of paperwork that proves the mileage is correct and is backed up by a service book stamped all the way through to 54,265 miles by Hartwells.
It comes with two spare keys, the original book pack and a record of all the security codes for the alarm, key number and radio. It has an MOT until August this year.
The Exterior
Finished in ‘Quicksilver’ Metallic, the 827 looks silver in some lights and blue in others. It’s a great colour and it really suits the car’s sharp lines, which have aged brilliantly.
With optional alloy wheels, fitted when new, and a two-tone grey lower half it’s an extremely handsome car and the condition is astounding. There’s not a spot of rust anywhere to be seen and the paint finish is superb. It is also, as far as the history suggests, all the original paint, the only noticeable blemish being a scuff on one door mirror.
The wheels and tyres are excellent, all of the lights and trim are in good order and it even still has the ‘Station Garage, Leyland’ numberplates that it was supplied with when new.
The Interior
Inside, there’s a sea of grey velour that can only grace a car of this era. And if you’re into Eighties and early Nineties cars, it’s an absolute joy to behold.
The seats are plump and well-padded, with no obvious signs of wear, while all of the wood veneers are in good order with no cracking or fading.
The original radio still works perfectly, while this example also has the optional trip computer, which all works fine apart from the illuminated graphic of the car, which has a small amount of LCD bleed and erroneously flashes up a brake light warning occasionally.
SLi was second-from-top spec, so that means four electric windows and an electric sunroof (all of which work) and air con, which blows icy cold, as well as cruise control.
The Mechanics
The 2.7-litre Honda V6 is coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox and the service history shows that it has always been treated to the correct-spec Honda transmission fluid – something that these cars were always fussy about.
It has covered just under 60,000 miles from new and still feels as tight as a drum, with eager acceleration and seamless gear changes. We were able to conduct a decent test drive of the car and can confirm that the steering, brakes and suspension are all in excellent order and that the car is a delight to drive.
The Appeal
Classics from this era are really booming in popularity at the moment and have been achieving some quite remarkable auction prices of late, especially those in good condition and with the right pedigree.
This one most certainly ticks both of those boxes and is an absolutely delightful car in every respect, with the right sort of provenance and care lavished on it over the years. It’s also a great-looking car in a fabulous colour and specification.
If you’re tempted, don’t even think about it. You’ll not find a better example on the market right now.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1991
- Make Rover
- Model 827 SLi
- Colour Silver
- Odometer 59,685 Miles
- Engine size 2675
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
42
bids
- Ge•••• £4,200 24/05/21
- bi•••• £4,100 24/05/21
- Ge•••• £4,000 22/05/21
- Ge•••• £3,900 22/05/21
- bi•••• £3,800 22/05/21
- Ge•••• £3,700 19/05/21
- ch•••• £3,600 19/05/21
- Ge•••• £3,500 19/05/21
- ch•••• £3,400 19/05/21
- Ge•••• £3,300 19/05/21
The Gallery
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
- If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
- If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
-
- Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
- We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
| Bid Amount | Increment |
|---|---|
| £0 to £9,999 | £100.00 |
| £10,000 to £49,999 | £250.00 |
| £50,000 to £99,999 | £500.00 |
| £100,000 + | £1,000.00 |
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.