Diesel Coupe

[deano]

well it certainly had a bit of interest, more so then some 2/2.5 L`s have had of recent

but if i car has been messed with, for whatever reason, i just see trouble ahead

[Richard Moss]

Looks like a tidy car - good luck with it.

[SJG]

Well done on the purchase!

I look forward to hearing more about it once you've had time to check it out.

Can you put some decent pictures up?

[tonewheeldude]

Thanks chaps....I plan to collect it next weekend so will keep you informed of progress. I have to admit having a bit of a sleepless night wondering if I did the right thing, but hey - its a Rover 825 Diesel Coupe...what could possibly go wrong!

By the way, I cant stand the thought of any more years cleaning those wheels! Anyone know of a set of Vitesse wheels? There is a set of series 1, 827 Vitesse Rover Sport 5 spokes on ebay, whilst they looked good on my Fastback not sure if they will compliment the Coupe.

[deano]

They will....
Spokes look good on the Coupe

Look at Simons Gold one on the above post ↑

[scoobyh123]

Are these the wheels you mean?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roversport-16 ... 3a91567f82

Going back to your query about "it's an 825 diesel coupe, what could possibly go wrong?" - well the fact it's a diesel for a start! We all know that Rover never made an 825 diesel coupe, i doubt it was even made as a special order from Rover as the seller claims as the engine capacity is all wrong. Would be interesting to see if there are any "witness marks" from screws/bolts having been removed from where things like the original ECU, expansion tank and other KV6 related items were mounted. Even missing paint from the mounitng threads would be a giveaway that it wasn't done at the factory.

My cynicism aside, i wish you luck with it and hope it proves to be a properly done conversion rather than a "back-street bodge". The mileage on old MoTs might also give you a clue as to when it was done as well as i'm fairly sure the diesel speedo is different to the petrol ones, the tacho certainly is and is shown in the ebay pics as being the correct one for a diesel. Maybe when you get there the seller will have the original order proving it was indeed a special order from the factory and prove us all wrong!

[tonewheeldude]

Yes they are the wheels, well spotted (although they are hard to miss being the only ones ) One looks like it has a a dent in the rim, I just messaged to the seller to check. Spokes do look good, but I am not so sure about the Roversport 5 spokes...has anyone seen them on a coupe before?

I have the same concerns as you guys - I will be glad to get the car here and have a realy good look. Whilst it would be amazing if it were a factory conversion, I dont think it is, but having owned a diesel for many years, I would not have known from those images. It would be a MASSIVE job to fit that engine in a car with a V6 already in situ, it would literaly have to be stripped to the shell and rebuilt. Its so big a job its almost inconceivable that would be the case which adds to the mystery.

At the end of the day, I dont mind if its factory built or a retro fit, as long as all the nuts and bolts are tightened and nothing falls off. Had I not spent a good percentage of my life at the wheel of a diesel 800 I would never have considered buying it...but the thought that this might be the only opportunity of owning a diesel coupe was more than my twitching finger could deal with.

I will be sure to document the journey of discovery...wherever it takes me! I will start a new thread outside of the ebay one when I get it home.

[scoobyh123]

I don't think those wheels have ever been on a coupe but hey, you have the first diesel coupe, make it a bit more unique with those wheels! I think it would give it overtones of Jaguar XJ-S HE with the "Starfish" alloys so should be quite nice.
I have a set of 7-spokes to go on my coupe when i get round to refurbishing them and fitting new tyres. Having seen quite a few pics of coupes with 7-spokes i know they'll look good but i can't help wondering if the 5-spokes would look better.

I'll look forward to your new thread on your coupe, will you post a link here so we can find it easily when you start it?

[rovercoup]

7 spoke early Vitesse alloys on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205-55-16-x-4 ... 6016.l4276

[scoobyh123]

Would be quite tempting if i didn't already have a set - never heard of Forceum tyres though?

[stanker]

Thanks chaps....I plan to collect it next weekend so will keep you informed of progress. I have to admit having a bit of a sleepless night wondering if I did the right thing, but hey - its a Rover 825 Diesel Coupe...what could possibly go wrong!

By the way, I cant stand the thought of any more years cleaning those wheels! Anyone know of a set of Vitesse wheels? There is a set of series 1, 827 Vitesse Rover Sport 5 spokes on ebay, whilst they looked good on my Fastback not sure if they will compliment the Coupe.

The engine bay is identical to the engine bay on my 1998 825 turbo diesel, it looks like a factory job to me. The original tensioner has been replaced with something, if you need to replace it I have a new one, so don't pay stupid money from Robber Bros, I also have the top pipe with the black tape around it.

Regards
Ian

[tonewheeldude]

Thanks Ian - very good of you, once the car is with me will have a look to see whats needed. My initial nerves over paying that kind of money for a possible white elephant have passed and I feel more excited about it now. I have not had a comfortable sit down since I sold my last coupe!

[Nuts4my827]

Congratulations. I had a discussion with my Mrs over this car, and it was decided that 3 coupé's was a bit much.

[tonewheeldude]

Collection is on Saturday! This could go either way :/

[wildrover04]

All I can say is...........

Wow !

I've had 15 x 800s in last 25 years.

Yes, best one was Honda engined Vitesse manual. but, fond of all Sterlings of any engine, and particular favourite was S reg Silver SD Fastback. (aircon never worked - sticky windows - but that's all) Took me to Spain & back two years on the trot with a big Thule tub on the roof. Nice fabric seats, good for Spain. The leather burns your Ar@e off if you're not careful.

Enjoy your diesel coupe. It's definitely a one-off !