Full Description

FOR SALE
A Rover 200 BRM LE Press car with only 21,225 miles and three owners.

MODEL HISTORY
British Racing Motors, BRM, had been involved with the Rover Company Limited as far back as 1962 and is the legendary marque that took Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart to countless Grand Prix victories. Officially announced on the 9th September 1997 the Rover 200 BRM LE was significantly different both visually and mechanically to the 200Vi on which it was based. Featuring a taught retuned chassis with suspension set 20mm below standard, stiffened road springs and different damper settings along with revised gear ratios and a Torsen torque sensing differential. Excluding the six Special Designation Vehicles Press cars, just 797 UK examples were produced.

S959WOM / R200BRM HISTORY
The example offered here is one of six pre-production right-hand-drive vehicles known as Special Designation Vehicles (SDVs) and is of significant historical importance. Each of the six cars were registered from S959-S964WOM, although this was not the order they were built. The cars were built between the 20-27th July 1998 with this example being the last made on the 27th July. Still built at Longbridge assembly line but unlike future production cars, these SDVs would undergo further finishing work and enhanced quality control measures to make sure they were as perfect as possible for launch events and the demanding journalists! Everything from extra sound insulation to a thicker top roll to the elasticated door storage pockets! S959WOM was used for road tests under this registration number until 24th February 1999 when R200BRM was transferred onto it while still being owned by the Rover Group. It appeared in many publications including Car (November 1998), Autocar 18th November 1998 and as R200BRM in Autocar (11th August 1999) as part of a group test. Copies of the Rover Press records also reveal which journalists and publications were loaned S959WOM/R200BRM and include Steven Sutcliffe, Andrew Frankel and Top Gear Presenter, Chris Harris to name a few. Of the six Press cars, five are known to survive with this example being the lowest mileage.

EQUIPMENT
BRM orange airdam, wire mesh grille, sparkle silver door mirrors, bodyside mouldings, bumper inserts, tailgate lift handle and door handles. Enamel BRM badges, green tinted windscreen, high mounted brake light, electric windows, sunroof and door mirrors, remote central locking, perimetric and volumetric alarm system. Machined turned aluminium door handles, heater controls, handbrake button, gearknob and gaiter bezel. Red leather steering wheel, door pulls, console cover, handbrake grip and gaiter. Stereo radio/cassette (R770). Factory Options: Passenger airbag, Rover carpet mats.

EXTERIOR
Finished in heritage Brooklands Green, (Code HYF), the paint has a wonderful gloss shine and is a colour evocative of an historical era and of the BRM marque with the Orange snout airdam. A few touched in chips and marks do not detract from the impressive appearance and this rare car has been continually garaged since October 1999 after its stardom in the world media. The underside is beautifully preserved and wears its low 21,225 miles well with no structural corrosion or repairs, so otherwise typical of this model. Dealer supplied number plates, tax disc holder and Rover service sticker are all still attached. Quality enamel BRM emblems adorns the front wings of this exclusive performance hot hatch.

INTERIOR
A stunning interior developed by interior designer, Tony Hunter, (who also went on to develop the interior of the R50 Mini), is finished in quilted Red leather, (Code CEN). Styling cues from the 60’s racing era and traditional craftmanship is echoed throughout with twin-needle top stitching, machined aluminium components and spotless Red cut pile carpets. Engine turned aluminium is used for the facia insert finish and all controls, switches and gauges work seamlessly with a quality feel, perhaps thanks to the SDV’s revisions compared to regular production cars? The boot area is clean with a unused factory fitted spare and full tool kit. Standard, immaculate and bespoke.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Allied to the acclaimed Rover 200Vi is the 1.8 litre 4-cylinder VVC engine developing 143bhp at 6750rpm and 174Nm or torque at 4000rpm. 0-60mph is reached in just 7.9 seconds and top speed is 127mph. This car accelerates faster than many of its mainstream hot hatch contemporaries with an immaculate engine bay displaying factory plates, stickers, labels and even coloured PDI dabs! As a precaution only, the vehicle has a recently fitted upgraded multi layered head gasket. The 200 BRM features revised gear ratios which combined with a Torsen differential and chassis improvements, offers a thrilling drive.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Unique 16 inch six-spoke 200 BRM Sports alloy wheels with prized now obsolete BRM centre caps are immaculate with no kerb damage. Matching Dunlop Sport Maxx 205/45 R16 tyres were fitted in 2021 with masses of tread. This Limited Edition model comes with standard anti-lock brakes with discs to all four wheels, ventilated to the front and revisions to the master cylinder for improved brake feel and response.

HISTORY FILE
Fascinating history file. One of only six early pre-production Press cars and a Special Designation Vehicle registered and owned by the Rover Group, Company Vehicle Control, Longbridge on the 4th September 1998. In their ownership until the 9th October 1999 before being sold by Rover main dealers, Cheshunt Motor Company Ltd, to a Mr Clift as revealed on the Used Car purchase invoice for £12,155 when the car had covered 14,000 miles. Purchased for his wife, they part exchanged a Rover 100 GTA and the car was used until 2002 before being garaged. Sold in December 2020 by Mr Clift to an active BRM.co.uk Member it was fully recommissioned and now has a warranted mileage of just 21,225. Suppled with two huge history files, Press releases, magazines featuring the car, handbooks, maintenance invoices and MOT certificates, this must be one of the best, lowest mileage and historically important Rover 200 BRM LE’s in existence.

MOT August 2026, HPI Clear.