As said, definitely not a 16v
Could be a 16v thats had an engine swap to 8v though!
Check the Log book, and find out for sure what the car actually started out as.
Check engine number with Log book, if it corresponds, this maybe a rare mistake made when the car was first registered... It happens!
There should be a VIN plate riveted to the RH inner wing, near the bonnet hinge, check the VIN number corresponds with the paperwork
The body also has a stamped VIN number, this is located on the scuttle, underneath the flimsy cover that covers the wiper motor assembly, look for a rectangular hole in this cover, and though it, you should see the VIN, again, check the numbers correspond.
In the boot, spare wheel, back panel area, there should be a white paper sticker, again check the VIN.
If all VIN's match, and the Log book says it should be a 16v, then it's a 16v car thats had an 8v conversion sometime in its life
If any of the VIN's don't match the Log book, then its probably a "Ringer" and at this point, I'd walk away from it!
Excessive "Throw" on the gear lever, points to worn out linkages, easy to fix, with a linkage refurb kit
Thom