Background on Rover 800s is here, on the Acura Legend model here, and the Sterling here. All featured a 107.8 inch (2760 mm) wheelbase and basic body structure, though some other details varied.
The first generation, featured here, was produced 1985-1990 by Honda, and 1986-1991 by Rover.
The Americanized Sterling sold fairly well in 1986, but quality control and other defects caused sales to fall off drastically thereafter. The third link above (as of January 2025) contains annual sales data. Acura sales were okay, as were non-Americanized Rover/Stirling cars in Europe.
Styling detail variations of the Acura Legend, Rover 800 and Stirling are discussed below.
The Japanese version.
The Sterling for North America. Most body panels are the same, the greatest difference seen here being in the area of the C-pillar and backlight window.
The four-door hatchback version. It was marketed as the Stirling 827 in North America, where hatchbacks of any kind almost never had strong sales for some reason.
Front quarter view.
Hoods (including cutlines) differ, but only slightly. Other front end detailing is also similar for both brands. Little tooling variation seen here.
Rear quarter.
As noted above, the main difference is in the C-pillar zone and use of different backlight windows. Otherwise, tail light and reflector panels differ in details, as well as license plate locations. The aft crease on the Stirling's trunk lid seems crisper due to what looks to be a sharp fold above the type of fold seen on the Acura.
3 comments:
Hi, the SD1 is the Rover predecessor of the Sterling and is unrelated. In UK and Europe there was a later hatchback version of the Rover 800 but never as a Sterling
Annoying that the US version looked better than what the British got - the bigger bumpers help hold it together somehow. And I second the first comment. That's not a Sterling.
Peter & Anonymous -- I appreciate your clarifications regarding Sterling. I remember when the USA version arrived, but not having grown up in England and lived with those various Rovers, I 'm forced to rely on Wikipedia and other sources that might be in error or that I misinterpret. Keep up the good work, guys!
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