Rare Rover 820 SI set for Stokesley’s Classics on Show

The 820 SI is one of 317,000 Rovers built between July 1986 and September 1998. Owner Paul Loynes, of County Durham, says he is convinced his was one of the last to be built that is still licensed.

“As of March 28, 2024, only 437,820 SIs were still on the UK’s roads,” he explains. “Although I can't be 100 per cent sure, it's almost certain that it's the last one produced that still survives.

"I have vetted the 800 club records of known vehicles, albeit somewhat dated, and all 85 cars built after mine have long since departed this life. Even the very last one produced, which was donated to the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, was auctioned off by them many years ago. It was last MOT’d about 2011.”

Paul’s Rover was built on or about September 15, 1998, just a couple of days before MG Rover stopped making the model to concentrate on its successor, the Rover 75.

The Nightfire Red Rover was found in a compound where it had languished for two years until it was bought in 2000. It has since been cared for, changed hands twice, and clocked up just 92,000 miles.

“She turns heads everywhere and I’m sure she will in Stokesley,” said Paul. “Folk young and old admire her. Some wonder what she is, or once owned one and wish they still did. I only had her for a few days when a neighbour stopped by and said someone wanted to buy her but she’s not for sale. She’s happy in her new home and is staying there.”

Classics on Show, which is organised by Stokesley Rotary, takes place on Stokesley Showfield with all profits going to Rotary supported local good causes and charities. It is free for exhibitors, though donations are welcome. Visitors pay £7.50 or £20 for a family ticket for two adults and two children, and £4 for school age children (under 16) while auto jumble traders pay £20 for a standard pitch.

See classicsonshow.co.uk for more details.