Stunningly restored Rover SD1 Vitesse for sale

Any SD1 is noteworthy in 2023; this one might be the very best survivor left

The story of the Rover SD1 is a fascinating, bittersweet one. It was a car designed to single handedly replace two very popular saloons in the British Leyland empire, the Rover P6 and Triumph 2000, a proper executive express to build on that success and push BL into the future. It can be hard to recall now, given everything that followed, but the SD1 was a resounding hit when new in the mid 1970s. The press loved it - ‘It is hard to be over-enthusiastic about the new 3500; on every score, its qualities justify any kind of enthusiasm’ wrote Autocar’ - and so did the public, keen on the idea of a family Rover styled like a supercar.

‘Good despite itself’ is how the SD1 is described by AROnline, which has a fantastic history on the project that’s well worth reading. It was a great car made very badly, industrial strife blighting the Rover’s entire production run. There were strikes, quality issues, clueless management, supplier problems and more in the SD1’s decade on sale. Originally built in Solihull, production was eventually (very expensively) moved to Cowley because the original location had proved so disastrous in terms of actually getting properly made cars built. Read the AROnline story and it’s a miracle any SD1s were made at all.

Though the six-cylinder cars were well received and Europe took to the diesel, the V8 was the Rover SD1 you really wanted. Even in its original 155hp guise, the Buick V8 gave the Rover the performance and soundtrack to properly fulfil its flagship status. It was in 1982, however, that the real top dog arrived: the Vitesse. Output from the 3.5-litre engine was upped to 190hp thanks to fuel injection and better breathing, the suspension was lower, and the brakes were better. Alongside a racy bodykit, the Vitesse modifications created a properly handsome, imposing SD1, probably the first model that comes to mind when the old Rover is remembered.

A new top-of-the-range performance derivative was, famously, accompanied by a motorsport programme, the SD1 entered into British and European touring car championships. Talk about a proper two-pronged approach for hearts and minds. The only thing that looked better than a roadgoing Vitesse back in the day was a Bastos-liveried racing one, showing a BMW 6 Series who was boss across the continent. Heady days for Rover, no doubt fondly remembered and now brilliantly relived with various historic saloon series. An oversteering SD1 chasing an oversteering 6 Series really is a sight (and sound) to behold.

Anyway, this Vitesse. Fabulous, isn’t it? Subjected to an 1,800-hour restoration that effectively rebuilt it, with new panels, new parts, new paint and all rust eliminated, it’s absolutely beautiful. Normally it’ll be said that something is ‘better than new’ out of habit, but given the effort that’s been invested here and the stories of BL back in the 80s, it seems more believable than ever here. Every single nut, bolt and washer has been replated, apparently, for some idea of the lengths gone to in rejuvenating this Vitesse. The inside is as good as the exterior, with reconditioned wood as well as original upholstery and carpets that would attest to its modest 42k mileage.

A car like this would stand out in any dealership; being sold alongside superminis and family SUVs it still looks so, so special, ready for whatever adventure is on the cards next. Of course, it would be quite the vehicle to admire in a collection, but surely it’d be even more enjoyable to hear that V8 burble and see the reaction of passers-by when a SD1 as good as this cruises past. The asking price is £30k; obviously a lot for the old Daytona wannabe, albeit reflecting the huge amount of work that’s gone in. It’s all too easy to imagine handing that over - still less than half what might be asked for an E24 6 Series - and being very, very happy indeed. Do let us know if one of you buys it - we’d love to come gawp at it one day soon.

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Ahonen

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