Description

1999 Rover 820 Vitesse

Exceedingly rare, late model 2.0 turbocharged Vitesse from 22 year ownership; manual 'box and Recaro interior

Dating from September 1999, this must surely be one of the last Rover 820 Vitesse models off the production line, with production ending in that year.  As such, this late model example encapsulates all of the R17 major face-lift features, plus those of the MY96 minor face-lift too.

Finished in Oxford Blue, the car sits well on its standard Sport suspension and wears its 17” six-spoke alloys well – no doubt, a sharp looking Sports saloon of its era, and one that will raise interest wherever it goes.

In sole ownership for the last 22 years, our long-term owner purchased the car on April 1^st, 2000 (no Joke…), the first owner being Hartwell Clarke, the dealer, and has enjoyed the car ever since clocking up some 125,269 miles.  The car presents well with but a few minor marks and small, localised corrosion blistering to one wheel arch lip and other minor bits as pictured. Poking out the back, we find a pair of cheeky exhaust tips, hinting at the performance of this executive sports saloon.

Under the bonnet, we find the 2.0-litre T16 four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which develops 197bhp and an electronically limited torque figure of 171lb ft  - restricted due to limitations of Rover’s PG-1 gearbox, although the engine was known to be capable of producing much more than that.

Inside, we find half leather/black cloth Recaro sports seats in good shape, wood trim, electric windows, electric mirrors, digital climate control with AC, electric glass sunroof, original Rover radio/cassette player, analogue clock and front fog lights. We did note that the electric windows only work intermittently and that there is a small chip in the windscreen in the driver's line of sight.

The history file for this rare car includes the V5C, two old style V5C’s confirming just one former owner, eight old MOTs, original bill of sale to our long-term owner for £13,204 on 31st March 2000 with just 7 miles on the odometer, original warranty confirmation, three original stamped ‘free’ MOT vouchers from purchase and selection of invoices for works and parts purchase.  Works undertaken of merit include a replacement head gasket including timing belt, new piston rings and eight inlet/exhaust valves in December 2015, new radiator in January 2015 and a 'cat back' exhaust system in May 2012.

In addition to the above, the history file also includes the owner’s pack and replacement service book stamped by the original supplying dealer and first owner Charles Clarke Rover main dealer and one service stamp dated August 2000 at 6,000 miles. The current MOT runs until February 2023 with no advisories recorded.

A rare, very late model example in the most sought after Vitesse spec with one owner for the last 22 years and 125,262 miles of the 125,269 total – find another?

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com