RE: SOTW Rover SD1 3500

[Pedmeister]

The Rover SD1 more than any other BL car, represents a HUGE wasted opportunity. The car looked superb in the late 1970's & it still cuts the mustard today. The use of Ferrari & Maserati styling cues resulted in a fabulous looking machine. All the ingredients were there to make the SD1 a real world beater, great looks, V8 burble & power, unfortunately, it was built shoddily for the most part, at a time of great industrial unrest & poor management.

The SD1 could quite easily have been the car to revive the flagging fortunes of the British car industry. Sadly it was not to be. By the time Austin Rover had sorted out the build quality issues, several years AFTER it's launch, it was too late, the damage was done. Arguably, aside from the wonderful Rover P6 3500S, the SD1 could have been Rover's finest car. Sadly, that is not the case, which is a great shame. BL took a silk purse, and built a sow's ear!

[JonRB]

My dad owned one in 1980 and we took it to Germany on holiday to meet my mum's pen friend. Got both families into it - all 8 of us - and did 125mph down the Autobahn in it. Wonderful!

[Roop]

Awesome. My dad had two of these back in the day, but the later 'Vitesse' models. The second of these was a 'Twin Plenum' jobbie that he had souped up by RV8 legend John Eales. Could wind it off the end of the speedo quite happily

[ceriw]

had one of these whilst in germany - remember being surprised at how comfortable and powerful it was - drank petrol at an alarming rate but at the end of the day preferred it to some of the big mercs that followed it.

[BDR529]

Zad said:

I've always got a soft spot for the big SD1s. Possibly the only Rover/Leyland car I'd ever consider owning. The definitive Met Police motor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTN5X4JZFjU

Remember that vid well, amazing stuff!

[MotorsportTom]

My dad had a fair few of these and I remember one year when I was about 4 being sat in the boot eating bourbons watching my parents pitch a tent in dorset!

I also remember he picked up a straight 6 SD1 for £35!! He stripped the good bits that he wanted for his 3500 SD1 and sold it again for £35.

I definitely want one of these at some point in my life.

[GilbertGutbucket]

This SD1 on Ebay's interesting. Only 120 miles from new!

[fatboy b]

The only car I owned that was lighter when I sold it compared to when to bought it!!

[mybrainhurts]

By 'eck, this takes me back.

Had one a year younger in the same colour when it was new.

Really enjoyed it.

[thirsty]

[mybrainhurts]

thirsty said:

Ehwot..??

[speedtwelve]

My Old Man had an SD1 in the 80s. A 2600 in Jewish Racing Gold. I remember going out to find it parked on the drive, and the disappointment when I went round the back expecting to see '3500'. It still sounded good, and I was impressed as a teenager at how vast the dashboard was.

Anyone remember the fantastic SD1 that Clarkson had built for one of his videos? It had a 5.2l RPI V8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzCRXdG0yQ

[Shaw Tarse]

BDR529 said:

Zad said:

I've always got a soft spot for the big SD1s. Possibly the only Rover/Leyland car I'd ever consider owning. The definitive Met Police motor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTN5X4JZFjU

Remember that vid well, amazing stuff!

I knew which video that would be before I clicked on it, still worth watching, but top speeds seem a bit low now?

[M666 EVO]

Hitler Hadrump said:

Jeremy Clarkson said:

I once had one of these and the door which had been unbolted fell off!!!!!!!!!

Everyone votes 0
LOL ROVERS

Dude, you've been smoking some Top Gear, clearly...

[Wacky Racer]

My dad had a brand new 2600 around 1980, very nice car, extremely long legged on the motorway, never had any trouble with it.

[JonRB]

speedtwelve said:

Anyone remember the fantastic SD1 that Clarkson had built for one of his videos? It had a 5.2l RPI V8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzCRXdG0yQ

Not a fan of the whale tail, but apart from that it looked great and sounded even better

[bazking69]

richardaucock said:

Still looks SO wantable

I think it looks about as wantable as HIV.

[ThePrisoner]

My Uncle worked for JRT at the time. I remember him coming down from Brum in a
SD1. It was a V8S version, Yellow in colour, Black chrome , and the first car i had seen with Headlamp Washers .Great shed IMO.

[Mark-C]

Wrong colour for me but what a great shed

[turnipbmw]

had loads of these - fantastic value.

a Blue s reg manual was totally reliable and very quick for its day

only remember the gearbox being very stiff from cold

£350

also had a couple of sixes

the 2.3 was sweet as a nut, very good on fuel and was as quick as the 3.5 across country.
that cost £150 with a snapped head bolt.

probably best to avoid the 2.0 with the Ambassador engine though

(another great car - had a wedge with 127k on the clock - mint and still drove like new)

good old days - funny but there were a lot more mechanics around.