1991 827SLi in the US

tedlit · Post by **tedlit** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:59 am

So I finally found my "ideal" 800 (well, from the ones genuinely sold over here) - a manual 1991 827SLi. It's quicksilver, has 280k miles on it (yes, really), and comes with a bizarre set of options (bodykit - spoiler, side skirts, etc), rear blinds, cruise and climate control, heated memory leather/suede seats, horrible automatic seatbelts, and a slimline tripcomputer with about 2/3 of the display nonfunctioning. Given that they must've known 1991 was going to be the last year for the Sterling in the US, it's like they threw every option available on the thing. It's far better equipped than my 1989 SLi.

Pics to follow.. but I've spent two years looking for one locally at the right price, so I'm quite chuffed with it - despite the fact that it's silver.

The Flying Dutchman · Post by **The Flying Dutchman** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:48 am

Hi there and welcome.

Post by **Richard C** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:44 am

Howdy stranger, long time no see

Can't wait to see the new car.

schuwolf · Post by **schuwolf** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:48 am

Hi there and welcome. Pics please

Rusko · Post by **Rusko** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:37 pm

Can't wait to see some pictures. Sounds very interesting!!

Random Hero · Post by **Random Hero** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:21 pm

automatic seat belts? now whose horrible idea was that? The 800 was and still is a luxury car and doesn't need something that should belong into a car built for the mentally challenged.

Also looking towards the pictures of what could be an abomination or something simply different.

tedlit · Post by **tedlit** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:33 pm

It's good to be back.

Automatic seatbelts were the devil's own invention, and for some reason were fitted to most cars in the US in the early 90s. This is the first time I've ever seen them on a British car though - Land Rovers and Jags don't appear to have them. I think it was part of the "the ordinaries are too stupid take care of their own safety, so we'll do it for them" mentality that gave the world the Spitfire with the gigantic rubber bumpers and why it's so hard to find manual cars here.

Mine is actually the absolute spitting image of Rick Truett's one as featured on aronline:

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?project827f.htm

...in fact, in one of the pics you can see his has the automatic belts too. His is a 1990, mine's a 1991 - as far as I can tell, 1991 was the only year in the US that the slimline trip computer was present, and all the badges went from being silver-backed to a sort of fake brass effect.

I'll post some pics up as soon as it stops raining.

The Professor · Post by **The Professor** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:27 pm

Good to hear from you again.
I'm pleased you found the car your looking for.
I like the look of Richard Truitts car so if your looks like that then i'm not surprised your proud.

tedlit · Post by **tedlit** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:36 pm

Some pics, as promised:

Why do US Sterlings *always* have broken indicator lenses?

Do I win a prize for "best cupholder"?

My entry in the "world's largest dash gap" competition:

Check out my cool Sterling badge

Note the strange wheels (real Sterling hubcaps are in the boot. 2/3 of the clips are broken, obviously). The side skirts are about to fall off, but you can't really see that in the pics.

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tedlit · Post by **tedlit** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:38 pm

Photos taken in the pouring rain.

I also just had it pointed out that I've now completed the "set" - I have a Rover from every year that Rover pulled out of the US market.. a 1971 P6, a 1981 SD1, and a 1991 827. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not!

Post by **Richard Moss** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:38 pm

That cupholder is a monster.

Random Hero · Post by **Random Hero** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:52 pm

what the hell @cup holder and the light yellow wooden interior? Is it the creation of some hillbilly (sorry if it was you) or did they actually sell it like that?

Also asking for pictures of the automatic seat belts. Just want to see how stupid it looks on a luxury car.

tedlit · Post by **tedlit** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:14 pm

The colour of the wood is slightly skewed by bad lighting - the colour in the centre console down by the gearstick is a better representation. Aside from a 1989 827 Oxford Edition that had burled walnut trim, all the Sterlings I've had (and seen) in the US have this colour wood. Brad might know different though...?

The guy I bought the car from restores old yachts - I think he actually made the cupholder from some marine ply he had lying around. It's probably the best-secured part of the entire car.

Post by **Richard Moss** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:27 pm

The US models came with a range of different wood types for the interior. That way the buyers with insufficient taste to appreciate walnut could specify something more tacky.

Very Tall Brad · Post by **Very Tall Brad** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:57 pm

Your car is truly the last of the ARCONA Sterlings imported and sold in the US.

The interior wood is Rosewood, by the way.

Your car with its colour coded bumpers and sill (rocker) skirts, side rubbing strips and rear spoiler was fitted as standard like that as its an 827 SLi.

What is curious is that you state the seats are leather/velour as they should be 100% leather faced. The seats were built by Rover suppliers to a Recaro design.

The original wheels have also gone astray at some point as your car was fitted with 16" Roversports from new. All 1991 Sterlings came with Michelins, too.

Your car was also fitted with the larger 285mm front brake discs (rotors) from new. The US measure these as 11.2"

Auto was standard with manual as a no cost option. Pretty rare in the US.

The colour (color) is Quicksilver, but you already know that.

Does all of this fill any gaps?

I like your car, by the way. It looks like it needs aome care but is pretty good overall and the shape/spec/colour suit it well

Brad (US Sterling nut)

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1991 827SLi in the US

1991 827SLi in the US

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