GAYDON 2000
On Sunday 30th of July 2000, a collection of members from the Rover 800 Internet group all gathered at Gaydon to display their cars, meet fellow list members and put names to faces. An excellent day was had by all and special thanks has to go to list member Nick Clark. With his determination and time this event became a reality.
Around 9 Mk1's attended and 7 Mkr's. We also had Rab Riggs come down all the way from Aberdeen!, his Vitesse Sport crammed full of useful spares, he went back to Scotland several spares lighter and two Auto boxes heavier.
From my point of view it was great to meet some people who shared the same bizzare passion for this unique car as myself, it was also nice to sample cars that I would describe as nicer than mine. This included....
Rabs 820 Vitesse Sport - immaculate and very very fast!
Bill Rowe's Sterling Coupe (Never realised they were pillarless, very sleek)
The Vitesse Coupe
Scott Page's Sterling - Keen performance and a lovely interior (also a very loud sound system)
Richard Vernons Vitesse - Very keen performance, massive alloys and a beautiful full stainless system, sets the car off a treat.
Simon Stirley's Vitesse - Great looking motor, nice personalised mods, well sorted engine.
Malcolm Harvey's Vitesse - A lovely, original car, immaculate and very well kept.
Nick Clark's 820SLi - Probably the latest Mk1 I have seen.
Dave Wilcox's 827 SLi - Well maintained and attractive vehicle, suits the Mk2 SLi alloys it had well.
James Copp-Taylor's 820e - Having driven 24,000 miles in the past year in this car, I am pleased with it. When the car was bought last April for £450, the engine was badly worn. Two engines later we have a motor which runs sweetly once more. The body was also in a bad state. One of the rear arches was literally hanging off. Three doors and some clever arch repairs later, we have a car which I was proud to show off at Gaydon. It is true to say that I have spent well over the value of the car getting it up to the current condition but I see it as a possible investment. If you look at all big Rovers before the 800, they have now acheived classic status.
P5 and P5B - currently very fashionable, prices are slowly climbing.
P6 2000,2200,3500 - growing in value, some people say it is the last of the real Rovers, bollocks is what I say.
SD1 VDP and Vitesse - little interest for 2000/2300/2600 models but the 3500 is growing in popularity, especially with enthusiasts, Vitesse Twin Plenum is the one to have.
800 - Seems that people who own these keep them a closely guarded secret, almost too new to be a classic, but it must be remembered for the following reasons.
1. First big Rover with Front Wheel Drive
2. The car that turned Rovers fortunes around in the late 80's and early 90's
3. Had one of the best V6's in the world.
4. Like the Dolomite Sprint before it, one of the first mass produced cars with 16 valve engines.
5. The first ever European car to sport Single Point Fuel Injection
6. The best equipped car in it's class, bar none.
7. Better than the Granada in almost every way!