Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

roverdriver
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Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by roverdriver » Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:36 am

There are some specifically Australian Rover cars. From what I understand (but I could be quite wrong!) in BL days the Aussie part of the company became Jaguar Rover Australia. In the period of Honda participation in the U.K., it seems that JRA made its own arrangements with Honda. One result was the Rover Quintet, and another the Rover 416i.

This Quintet has been stored outside for a few years, so is showing deterioration, but at least it gives you an idea of what it looks like.

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If a potential Honda buyer wanted a 5 door hatchback car, he would have to buy the Rover as the hatch was not a 'Honda' option. There were two versions of transmission- a standard manual and a semi automatic. The semi-auto had a torque converter etc., but the ratios were selected manually with the floor mounted gear lever.

My son recently decided to buy a more economical car than his SE Vanden Plas, so after some hunting bought a Rover 416i Vitesse.
Here it is posing alongside the VDP
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....and here it has its eyes open
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The engine bay
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As I understand it, both of the Rhondas were fully built by Honda, but with some Rover features such as woodgrain trim and of course badges.
Dane, roverdriver, not a Viking!
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The Flying Dutchman
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by The Flying Dutchman » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:21 am

roverdriver wrote: Image

If a potential Honda buyer wanted a 5 door hatchback car, he would have to buy the Rover as the hatch was not a 'Honda' option.
Now I'm confused. Isn't that a 5 door hatch Honda in the pic?
Job.
'73 P5B Saloon
'96 220 Coupe
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Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off !!
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47p2
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by 47p2 » Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:36 am

Honda with a Rover badge :shock:

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Richard Clements
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by Richard Clements » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:10 pm

That 416 looks odd with Rover badges on what is essentially a Honda! but i am strangely attracted to it, the engine bay looks typical Honda i.e very crowded and almost messy.

Oh and I love the term 'Rhonda' firstly it makes me think of a Welsh Valley and then makes me chuckle :D
1989 827 Si Fastback, Manual, Pulsar Silver Metalic

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The Flying Dutchman
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by The Flying Dutchman » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:04 pm

47p2 wrote:Honda with a Rover badge :shock:

That's what I missed. Might be the fotoquality, but I don't see a Rover-badge anywhere.
Job.
'73 P5B Saloon
'96 220 Coupe
'97 820Si
'96 Triumph Herald 12/50
'96 Triumph TR6

Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off !!
Image

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Richard Clements
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by Richard Clements » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:18 pm

The badge on the front looks very Rover-esq.

Image
1989 827 Si Fastback, Manual, Pulsar Silver Metalic

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The Flying Dutchman
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by The Flying Dutchman » Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:18 pm

On closer look it could indeed be one. :oops:
Job.
'73 P5B Saloon
'96 220 Coupe
'97 820Si
'96 Triumph Herald 12/50
'96 Triumph TR6

Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off !!
Image

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47p2
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by 47p2 » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:22 pm

Click the thumbnails below for a better picture of the Rover badge on the Honda

Image Image

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The Flying Dutchman
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Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by The Flying Dutchman » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:38 pm

Now it's clear for my old eyes. :geek:
Job.
'73 P5B Saloon
'96 220 Coupe
'97 820Si
'96 Triumph Herald 12/50
'96 Triumph TR6

Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off !!
Image

User avatar
Richard Clements
Posts: 240
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:00 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Honda Rovers (Rhondas?) in Aus.

Post by Richard Clements » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:52 pm

The Flying Dutchman wrote:Now it's clear for my old eyes. :geek:
and mine!! :ugeek:
1989 827 Si Fastback, Manual, Pulsar Silver Metalic

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