Owners vow to raise endangered species’ profile
A lack of support from classic specialists for remanufactured parts – they cite a lack of demand – is one of the factors prompting the new owners’ club.
An owners’ club has been launched for the Rover 800 – because the car’s devotees want to tackle dwindling numbers and a lack of parts support by raising its profile.
The club has grown from the rover800.info online forum and was formed during a meeting on 4 October of car owners and enthusiasts at the Cowley factory in Oxfordshire, where the car was made. Alex Sebbinger – who has owned more than 50 Rover 800s – was elected as the club’s first chairman, and he has vowed to work on expanding its membership ahead of the model’s 30th anniversary next summer.
He said: ‘Our priority is to get the club established. By building on the excellent work done by the forum, we hope to ensure the survival of many more cars by improving the supply of remanufactured parts. Specialists say there’s no demand.’
Other Rover 800 devotees elected to club committee positions include Mike Clifton as secretary, James Copp-Taylor as treasurer and Dave Smart as archivist. Dave said: ‘We really need to get these cars noticed. So many have gone.’
Proposals to mark the 800’s 30th anniversary next year include a motorway tour of Britain.
For more information on the club email: rover800ownersclub@gmail.com