RE: PH Heroes: Rover 3500 Vitesse

[dtrump]

My dad used to have an SD1

I didn't appreciate it at the time, but now I love them. Compared to what followed, it's really quite special

[Phil5343]

I have a 400bhp SD1 turbo that will be competing in a hillclimb championship next year if it's finished, it's my 4th SD1 and I love them!

[vsonix]

It's almost got a 4-door 'Gran Coupé' vibe going on, ha!

[Triumph Man]

vsonix said:

It's almost got a 4-door 'Gran Coupé' vibe going on, ha!

Ahead of its time

I think Audi might have taken some inspiration for the A7. The rear end, in my opinion, looks like a slightly modernised SD1.

[22rgt B Squadron]

Swapped a non selling turbo mustang for a 2600 Rover which in turn swapped for an SD1, mechanically ok but pretty hateful bodywork and shagged interior, BL quality was awful, left it on Schweinfurt USSAF base in Germany after it being non roadworthy. Was still there a couple of years later being used by the guys as a runaround between the maintenance sheds, the rot had really set in by now though being left outside sadly..

[LouD86]

I would love one of these, my first ever experience in one was a 2600 in a pale yellow colour one of my dads salesmen took in PX. I drove it round the back of the dealership, and loved it. Always wanted a black Vitesse since.

One day, maybe, one day

[Nobby77]

Phil5343 said:

I have a 400bhp SD1 turbo that will be competing in a hillclimb championship next year if it's finished, it's my 4th SD1 and I love them!

Photos please! Especially of the engine.

[Duke Thrust]

Nobby77 said:

Photos please! Especially of the engine.

Would love to see them as well

[MycroftWard]

Love these, one of several retro motors I'd consider getting if I had the space!

[greggy50]

slippery said:

Just, well, just, ermmm !
That is all!

Was over 300bhp few videos of it if you search...

Unfortunantly it appears the car was broken for spares shortly after filming

[Phil5343]

This is the only one I have at the moment, it's now tucked away in the garage while I fit the full roll cage, perspex windows, bucket seats etc.

The engine is a 3 litre Turbo engine from a Toyota Supra. It's been rebuilt with ARP studs and metal head gasket, and has a different turbo/manifold etc, and bigger injectors/air flow meter. Coupled to a a different management system it allows 20psi of boost instead of the stock 11, and around a reliable 400bhp.

I'll post a few more picture if anyone's bothered?

[clonmult]

Triumph Man said:

vsonix said:

It's almost got a 4-door 'Gran Coupé' vibe going on, ha!

Ahead of its time

I think Audi might have taken some inspiration for the A7. The rear end, in my opinion, looks like a slightly modernised SD1.

Yet the SD1 is by far and away the better looking car.

[phast]

In 1984 (aged 10) I can remember staring out of my bedroom window for hours just mesmerised by the white SD1 in the pub car park next door that belonged to the landlord. I thought it was just so much cooler that my dads Granada, which it was!

[MycroftWard]

Phil5343 said:

This is the only one I have at the moment, it's now tucked away in the garage while I fit the full roll cage, perspex windows, bucket seats etc.

The engine is a 3 litre Turbo engine from a Toyota Supra. It's been rebuilt with ARP studs and metal head gasket, and has a different turbo/manifold etc, and bigger injectors/air flow meter. Coupled to a a different management system it allows 20psi of boost instead of the stock 11, and around a reliable 400bhp.

I'll post a few more picture if anyone's bothered?

Very cool, yes do post some more pictures.

[Limpet]

Looks good, sounds good, drives well, goes well.

What's not to like? Love these cars.

[reefshark]

Had my 1984 Sd1 Vitesse for over a year now and im loving it, been to a couple of sunday services in it and currently using it to commute to and from work while i fix the sierra, alot of people dont understand why a "youngster" has an SD1 but its just the noise it makes and the way it drives plus the looks admittedly mine needs a bit of body work doing but its solid.

Lowered it 60mm since the picture and sits really nice now.

[EdLeMas]

I will try to bring mine to the next Sunday Service - it needs a good run as these weather conditions are not great for driving at the moment!

Please vote for me in the PH Awards - Carpooler of the Year!

Ed

[Escort Si-130]

I think his one is more a villan than hero. Always would remember these SD1's as fat mans cars; used to see countless fat people driving them for some reason.

[161BMW]

I just saw 'the liver run' police video WOW :-)

[tomoleeds]

i think the colour helps with these, look good in the blue shown ,and would have to be a vitesse, if you see a cream non vitesse looks totally diffrent,cant be many left, nice looling car,but the reliabilty would put me off unless it was cheap,(i know that a expensive model might be better)