The Handmade Luxury Hatch Nobody Bought - Rover 200 BRM

Rover's Big Gamble Didn't Pay Off. What was supposed to be the start of a new era of bespoke performance Rovers turned into a disaster.

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[rolfmak]

As the very proud owner of one of the 77 original Dutch supplied BRM’s (out of 350 LHD cars) I have loved this video, Jack.
It is my car for pottering around the area and going in to the city. It is less a nightmare to park as is the Jaguar S-Type.
And it is hugely fun to drive. Just floor it in tight bends and the LSD pulls it tight. And quite comfortable on longer distances as well. Good seats, fantastic quality leather (dare I say even better as in my Jag?). As you said, it loves to rev. And it sounds glorious.
I love it!

[jameslast]

I drove one of these about 18 months ago. It was a revelation. I'd always remembered these as an older person's car, but bloody hell, it was terrific to drive . What the presenter doesn't mention is they have a close ratio gearbox, which, when wedded to that revvy VVC engine makes for great driving on twisty B roads. There's a real sweat spot, as mentioned in the video, around 4000 rpm where the engine really sings and works. A decade ago when you could pick them up for peanuts, guys with Lotus's would drop a 200 BRM gearbox into their Elise to upgrade their car. That's one of the reason they're so rare now. The MG ZR 160, a close cousin to the BRM never got the gearbox either but I've seen quite a number that have had red leather interior fitted due to the very high quality leather used in the BRM which has proved to be very long lasting and durable. Another reason so many were sadly broke for spares.

I get it, it's not to everyone's taste, bur for me it's a rare little gem of a modern classic car.

[lolza-qhxw]

I have a short story about this model of car. My dad's old boss had one of these. He worked at a blockbusters, was a very tight knit group of people working there - it was essentially my second home, would be there straight from school until my dad's shift finished talking about cars and racing games with my dad and the people working there. He used to drive us home in his one which had some absurd loud exhaust on it, as a teen I thought it was the coolest car in the world. Eventually he had some kind of curb accident and split the chassis on it, as we had a driveway with no family car, my dad said he could store it there until he sold/scrapped it, leaving the keys with my dad which I used to sneak just to sit in the car, probably spent hundreds of hours as a teen just drawing or doing homework in that car. Thanks for covering the car, brought back a lot of fond memories for me.

[petetrundell]

I can’t comment on these cars but I can vouch for the seats. I bought a set for a classic car project and I have never sat in seats so comfortable. I loved the look of them. They reminded me of the cockpit of Gerry Anderson’s Stingray!

[rabit]

The a/c knobs is easier to use than modern touch screen

[TheBlaert]

I was a big Rover fan back in the day. Had a Metro GTi with a 1.8 from an MGF dropped into it when these were released and remember going to my Rover dealer for a few parts. They had a 200 BRM just delivered for the showroom and I was sold. Went home and considered it and arrived back a few days later and bought it.
Fantastic cars and the red interior was lovely. A few minor tweaks and they absolutely flew too.

[stemcleeds]

You sir have become an excellent YouTube motoring journalist, I salute you.

[philiptownsend]

I had two of these concurrently and loved them. Great to drive and I found them very comfortable and practical. I modified mine, 160 modded head and throttle body, Janspeed exhaust manifold, exhaust cam, 160 brakes.
They became niche enthusiasts cars and I was one such.

[NYHeeb]

American fan here. So cool. Had no idea about these and when u open the door i love it.

[TheOffertonhatter]

That 200 series Rover is still may favourite. Even now I think it is a great looking car. Add the BRM upgrade and you had a unique agile hot hatch. Shame it never sold.

[davidedwards]

The Rover that I really like is the 220 Tomcat, in white. Saw one at a dealer and loved it.

[adrianbunyard]

I had a 200vi which was the same but lighter and a slightly different gearbox. I put a brm gearbox on it with the lsd and light flywheel, full exhaust, manifold, decat, induction kit, larger throttle body, induction kit, piper cam, sabre head and an icon chip. It was Dyno tested as 190 bhp at the flywheel on Aldon automotives dyno. I miss that car.

[winjinsinjon]

I used to work with a young lad that bought one of these new i forget the number but it was a really low number one of the first, he used to change the oil ever 3k miles he pampered that car but did drive it hard, i was so impressed with it i came close to buying one myself, but it was a little small for me so ended up getting a 620Ti we had a lot of fun chasing each other he always had me on the twisty bits but on straights id have the advantage, both alot of fun to drive, i've had several rovers and honestly dont think they deserved the rep they seemed to have.

[gregmarking]

I remember seeing a couple of these about back in the day, but I've never seen the interior of one until now and I have to say I'd be glad to never see it again.
It doesn't know what it wants to be and it just looks so wrong having 60's interior styling with a 90's cheap plastic interior. Complete carnage.

[leviddesign]

220 coupe turbo all day. I had nine back in the day. Wish I still had one now.

[seanknight]

Never drove a BRM but of all the cars I ever owned my 97 216si is the one I remember most fondly. It had problems for sure but I have so many great memories with that car.

[caelumincola]

I had a BRM and adored it. The interior was definitely an acquired taste, but I thought it was great with all those machined aluminium parts and red leather. The sunroof leaked, the head gasket blew and I replaced that on the driveway with the uprated Land Rover one. It always made me smile though. Full of character and I miss it a lot. If I had the space I'd have another for sure. Great trip down memory lane. 😊

[spencerbarratt]

Very insightful video Jack; never knew many of those facts, the orange nose for example! Loved that shot from low down on the front bumper as well!

[fransb]

Man I remember these coming out. They were just so cool.

[PNMotorsportGamesAndTrains]

I used to have one. Loved the car too. But it suffered from the finest Midlands tin worm in the roof gutter. I miss it. What a car.