We recently showcased the Rover 800, and Alex Sebbinger-Sparks is the proud owner of a rather notable top-of-the-range example.  ‘Being registered in the first week of August 1986, this car was one of the first batches of “Silver Leaf” 800s’. Furthermore, ‘with a chassis number in the 600s, this is (aside from the Rover 825i in Gaydon Museum which is “Car Number 1”) the earliest production model left in existence and possibly the earliest production Sterling still on the road’.

The Sebbinger-Sparks fascination with the 800 began in 1987 when his father acquired a new Sterling in “Azure Blue”. The eight-year-old Alex was highly taken with such fittings as the electrically powered reclining rear seat and the Rover’s general “Howard’s Way” appeal. Devotees of that fine show will recall a BBC version of Dallas filmed near Southampton on an apparent budget of £76.43. However, to the young viewer, it would have been the epitome of glamour - a world where an over-acting yacht designer really might own a Sterling.

And so 29 years, and many classics cars later, Alex acquired D 808 RJT. ‘What attracted me to this car was the fact it was a very very early production example of the 800, a model that I have always been very fond of in my driving career. I had known of this car in the “Rover circles” for some time before so when the opportunity came to buy it, especially from a friend, the dice lined up!’ The typical reaction to the Sebbinger-Sparks Rover tends to be either ‘I’ve not seen one of them in years’ or, predictably, ‘my Dad had one of them!’. 

As a very early model, the Sterling’s engine is the 2,494cc unit, and Alex finds the performance to be ‘pretty good. It suffers from the usual Honda style lack of torque though’.  Longbridge replaced this motor with a 2.7-litre plant in February 1988 following complaints about a lack of urge. Car magazine thought ‘the new 2.5-litre V6, despite technical novelties is woefully short of mid-range torque, making it an ill-bred engine for executive car use’. However, Mr. Sebbinger-Sparks has no such issues – ‘especially for a car now 35 years old!’.

When looking at Alex’s Sterling today, it is essential to recall the automotive writer Mike Lawrence’s words back in August 1986. ‘Of all the models launched during Austin Rover’s long and painful haul back from the brink of oblivion, none is more important than the new Rover 800’. He also wrote ‘It’s hardly overstating the case to suggest that the future of Rover rides on this new range’. Today, RTJ is a reminder of a crucial model in the British motor industry’s story – and one of the most intriguing vehicles to bear the Viking badge.

With Thanks To: Alex Sebbinger-Sparks

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