Lot Ended
Description
Rare survivor, believed to be one of only four still on the road;
95,400 miles with 13 service stamps; recent new tyres; forced sale due to
illness; cheap summer fun for someone
Now here’s
something you don’t see every day – a Rover 216SE Cabriolet. Although Rover made
around 29,000 of the 200 Series Cabriolet in total, only around 2,000 were RHD
216SE models and it seems from howmanyleft that only four are still UK
registered today.
Launched in 1992 and based on
the R8 platform (a collaboration between Rover and Honda) the 216 offered a more
relaxed alternative to the sharper MGF or the aggressive 220 Turbo Tomcat
Coupé.
While the standard 216 was already
well-equipped, the SE (Special Edition) trim boosted the car's curb appeal with
an electric hood as standard along with velour sports seats, walnut dash inlay,
distinctive five-spoke alloy wheels and body-coloured
bumpers.
Under the bonnet was the high-revving
Honda D16A8 1,590cc 16-valve DOHC engine producing 120bhp driving through a
5-speed gearbox which made it good for 0-60mph in around 9.5 seconds with a top
speed of 120mph and 33mpg economy. Unlike the later K-Series engine which had a
reputation for getting through head gaskets at an alarming rate, the Honda unit
was a paragon of reliability and could clock up stellar mileages with
ease.
Supplied new by Edwards Cars of Stratford,
this 216SE Cabriolet has covered 95,470 miles to date and comes with a good
service history including 13 stamps in the book, the last at 92,030 miles in
June 2014 with various supporting invoices.
There
are also invoices for subsequent upkeep including a new set of Apollo tyres in
April 2016 at c.94k miles and a £678 spend to address some MOT failure and
advisory points in June 2022 at 95,432 miles (see photos).
Our vendor (the 7th owner) acquired the car in early 2022
but unfortunately his declining health means that he has barely used the car
since, the last MOT having expired in September 2025 with just a few minor
advisories which you can look up online.
He
tells us that the car runs and drives well and it has certainly been starting
easily and running well as we have moved it around on site.
On offer here at no reserve, this exceedingly rare Rover now seeks a
new owner who can give it the more regular exercise it deserves. With summer
just around the corner, it will be a nice way to cruise around with the hood
down and some suitable Nineties sounds on the JVC sound
system.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – [email protected]