1985 Rover 3500 Vitesse
Discussion
Stick Legs said:
Excellent thread.
I love the early SD1 V8-S cars. they just look so right.
I really like what you are doing with yours. Inspirational stuff!
Cheers Stick Legs. The Gold V8-S is my friend Tim's, it really is a brilliant looking car. I do love the contast of the late and early cars together. I think i still prefer the later cars though I love the early SD1 V8-S cars. they just look so right.
I really like what you are doing with yours. Inspirational stuff!
Breadvan72 said:
Great stuff! I miss my 2600 SE. I think it's in Scotland now.
I would love to try a 6 Cyl SD1, I bet they sound brilliant. How long ago did you sell it?FNG said:
My garage is too full 
mostly of childrens stuff and a trackday car which can't go outside because of polycarb windows.
I can't bring myself to daily a nice old motor or leave it out in the rain and falling leaves. Not one I really love, anyway.
mostly of childrens stuff and a trackday car which can't go outside because of polycarb windows.I can't bring myself to daily a nice old motor or leave it out in the rain and falling leaves. Not one I really love, anyway.
Breadvan72 said:
I dailied an SD1 for a couple of years. It was fine! Get a Cowley one - they are better built and painted than the Solihull ones.
I've been really impressed with how my cars held up. So much better than similar age minis, pulling up carpets and still seeing factory paint and labels on wiring, rather than holes! Whether that's down to how it was maintained or built initially I'll never know. Most of the cars I viewed the core structure had remained in really good nick, just rust on arches etc. Could just be the majority of the "bad" cars have been scrapped off now!
My garage is also full of minis! but the plus of that is that they don't take up any space!
I know what you mean, my car spent the last 10 years outside, and although really taken care of it was really starting to take its toll. It now lives a pampered life indoors.
I'm fully onboard that cars should be used and enjoyed, but after dailying my 1275GT for two years, watching the underside and all new suspension components turn to crusty brown was sad. I installed brand-new rear brake backplates, but now the handbrake is seized solid!
Even my relatively modern Audi (2005) that's been my trusted daily for the last 5 years looks sadder than I'd like underneath.
But I guess I'll just have to restore that too!
Joe
Breadvan72 said:
I thought that the 2600 engine was a good engine. You had to work the manual gearbox a bit to wind the engine up, but it was a smooth and relaxed motorway unit. The engine's killer defect is the valve that controls oil flow into the cam box. That can be removed, or you can just be sure to keep the oil clean and free of sludge.
The days of straight six engines were perhaps nearing their close by the mid 80s, but with a second camshaft and fuel injection the engine could have lived on into the 90s. It was never developed.
I sold my SD1 in early 2018, after buying it in mid 2015. It had only two minor rust spots evident (one on a door bottom, and one on a bit of the tailgate).
Oh brilliant, yes I know about the doors, I'll get to that! The days of straight six engines were perhaps nearing their close by the mid 80s, but with a second camshaft and fuel injection the engine could have lived on into the 90s. It was never developed.
I sold my SD1 in early 2018, after buying it in mid 2015. It had only two minor rust spots evident (one on a door bottom, and one on a bit of the tailgate).
My dad had a series 1 2300 seize a camshaft, he said after a few days they eventually got it unstuck and it ran fine. Sometime I still question to this day.
Yes it would have been a good base to improve on, especially with how quickly straight 6s evolved in the late 80's and early 90s, shame Honda took them in a different direction. It would have been better for BMW to have come in at that point!
21st Century Man said:
I used to drive them new and found the 2300 nicer still, but that's usually the case when the same engine is available in different capacities, the smaller one is better (power output excepted).
Yes slightly less stressed and sweeter for it. Although I have found my 3.9 is nicer than the 3.5 it replaced, but that really hasn't been a fair comparison. So I am forever a tinkerer. One thing having the car up on a lift highlighted was the paint below the rubbing strips is not good. I also managed to get up good and close to D537PUK at the BMC & Leyland Show, the last Vitesse ever made. I was confident of where the sill line should be, but this meant i could get some good evidence.
On the floor you really don't notice as the car sits so low, but at eye level up on a lift it annoyed me.
2 things bugged me, a previous repair to the trailing edges of the doors and some extra protective paint to the sills.
I always point out that on 1985 MY and 1986 MY Vitesses they should have body coloured sills. Mine are body coloured, but not to the correct point. So I should practice what i preach!
Sill reference picture shows only the bottom seam should be black.
Mine apepar to be body coloured, but as you look lower you can see I've got too much black! It's also painted with some kind of thick tar paint!
The sill is on the whole is presentable, but the extra black paint actually makes it look like something is being hidden. Something I was also keen to find out.
Next up is the doors. You can see the crazing when you get close from a previous repair.
So to work I went!
The rear door was the same, but I didn't get any decent before pictures.
You can see where I've exposed a previous repair to the front edge of the rear door. Good enough to not warrant any further repairs.
I previously painted the bottoms of the doors as they were awful, you could see different coloured triangles on the edges of all the doors! But didn't go far enough to get rid of the marks completely.
I tried to just remove the black paint on the sills, but it proved to be impossible without damaging the original red below.
I did manage it on the front wing revealing the original paint line and satin black. Again this also had some light damage so it'll all be redone.
Despite my slight apprehension, removal of the paint revealed original factory primer and unmolested sills. (apart from the repair to the rear end that I already knew about.)
I also removed the sill trims and prepped the door steps. I can't be having paint lines!
I sprayed out my sample to check, much better than last time.
This time I went with base coat clear coat.
I went with Car Colour Services after seeing some of the work done with their products.
Final prep before primer and paint.
Sadly no durings as I was concentrating!
Base coat went on beautifully along with the black but sadly when I clear coated I ended up with a run and a nasty patch on my drivers door. and the whole lot generally dull.
Really not happy.
Paintwork is definitely a skill I'd love to build on, but at the moment I still make mistakes!
Looked amazing from a distance, but up close very disappointing.
I thought my prep work was decent, but on the drivers door, evidently not.
I spoke to a few bodywork friends and they said the clear I used wasn't the best, and best option was to sand it off and start again.
So that's exactly what I did.
Bought a larger sanding block and again went to work.
Much happier with the prep this time, and looked brilliant after base coat.
Time for clear again!
This went so much better, I went with a recommendation and used Pro XL clear coat, this went on so nicely.
So much better than removing the last lot of masking tape.
I also made the decision to clear coat over the satin black for a little more protection. So my black is now gloss...
I think the right choice.
Once the paint had cured on the door steps for a week I added the tape back to the original places, and refitted the sill trims.
Very happy.
Although I've painted more visible areas on my Mini, looking at it now highlights my errors. I'd love to be able to tackle any bodywork, but I'm still not confident enough to attempt a larger panel or an area that's more visible. Especially when the rest of the car is so nice. But we'll see how that changes with more practice.
Eventually I want to be skilled enough to paint an entire car.
Now I just need to do the other side, and yes I did use all the paint doing the drivers side twice...
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Sunday 8th November 19:01
Bobberoo99 said:
You're way, WAY better than I am at it, my half arsed attempt on my drive under a gazebo in the cold rain turned out crap, complete and utter crap, but way better than having the entire side of the car damaged as it was!!!
It really is a steep learning curve. I'd love to improve further as an amateur though. Sometimes you've got to give things a go though, and as you say it's still an improvement on what was there! Joe
KelvinatorNZ said:
Thats looking so much better. You're right, you don't notice the body-coloured sills until it's pointed out, but it makes a big difference.
Are you using a compressor and gun or rattle cans to paint? Either way, you're getting very good results.
Yeah it's a subtle thing, especially with how close to the ground an SD1 sill line is. It only rally bugged me once I had it up on a lift and it was that much more obvious. I think even the rubbing strips pulled attention away from the paint on the lower halves of the doors. Are you using a compressor and gun or rattle cans to paint? Either way, you're getting very good results.
Still playing around with rattle cans. That will be the next step up going to a compressor and proper gun. Plan is to to that with the garage update.
P5BNij said:
Apologies for the huge quote but I can’t edit it down on the device I’m using - the Avocado Green 2600 in one of the photos is my mate’s car, I’ve driven it several times and it’s a joy to drive, much nicer than I expected at first. He’s had it for thirteen years now and had a couple of wobbly moments when he thought about selling it, but good sense prevails and it still gives him plenty of joy.
I found the 2600 to be very smooth and the gear change was nowhere near as sloppy as I thought it would be. Even now, it feels like a big car compared to many other classics from the same period, I’d say the same applies to the Granada too.
If not for this current COVID malarkey, it would have been on the club’s stand at the NEC show last weekend.
No worries I found the 2600 to be very smooth and the gear change was nowhere near as sloppy as I thought it would be. Even now, it feels like a big car compared to many other classics from the same period, I’d say the same applies to the Granada too.
If not for this current COVID malarkey, it would have been on the club’s stand at the NEC show last weekend.
Ahh BEC is a beauty! it really is a stunning car in a brilliant colour. I've joked with the owner a few times about how under apprecaited the 6 cylinders are. I'm glad he's kept hold of it. They do feel like big cars, they're just very long! Not very wide by modern standards though, and not tall at all! That is a shame, I was also going to try and sneak onto the club stand this year after talking to Chris the Historian.
Maybe next year!
8IKERDAVE said:
Absolutely stunning, great attention to detail. Just how it should be done!
Cheers I try to improve it with everything I do. I'll get it perfect eventually! Bilbatch said:
Joe, the progress on your Vitesse continues to make me smile. I inherited a 3500S on its last legs some years ago and seeing you enjoying yours brings back some very happy memories.
I hope it would not be too immodest to post this review of a 2600 what I done rote for CCW a decade ago. Thought it might be of interest.
Thankyou I hope it would not be too immodest to post this review of a 2600 what I done rote for CCW a decade ago. Thought it might be of interest.
I'm really glad it brought those back for you, I think they're such interesting cars.
That does make for very interesting reading, it looks like an absolute gem of a car that was for sale. The interiors on the series 1s is so much more bold, in colour and design. Strong money in 2010 though, I suspect it'd have picked up some in the last 10 years though. Especially with the increasing interest in them.
I do love the seats in my vitesse though, support and so squidgy.
bolidemichael said:
Absolutely sterling, top drawer work with the door sills. The effort to improve is very inspiring.
Cheers Glad I can be of inspiration, as shown it doesn't always go to plan, but perseverance and effort usually prevail. Although sometimes you just have to admit you cocked up, and start again! andy43 said:
Looking really good - second go looks like a pro did it.
These are getting so rare now, great to see a real survivor being looked after so well.
Yeah I really tried to get the prep right on the second go, bought a mix of hard backed and rubber backed sanding blocks to make sure it was straight before even touching the paint, I think that was my mistake on the first go. The different lacquer also went on much nicer. These are getting so rare now, great to see a real survivor being looked after so well.
You really don't see many around, I've only seen 3 SD1's on the road, and only 1 other Vitesse. Through having one I've met a lot of fellow owners.
It is now a very pampered car, although it still gets the beans every now and again, it'd be a shame not to listen to the exhaust note.
BEAMS 162 said:
The black against red combo makes it a very striking car,suits the lines well.Nice job on the paint too,must have been a bit of a blow with the first go,but props for being patient,and doing it again.Nice looking car,I've always liked these since I saw a Moonraker Blue (?) example when I were a lad.. and of course the jam sandwich cars the Five-0 used to use back in the day.
Cheers yeah the black does a good job of framing the red I think, especially with the spoilers. Always liked how on the late cars the lower black hides the seam lines, and finishes off the body lines nicely. Yes it was really dissapointing when i first went back after letting it dry and see the marks. I knew I'd already made a mistake with the run trying to get a wetter final coat. The paint I was using would not give a good shine. Ahh well it's a learning curve!
Ahh yes Moonraker blue, probably my favorite colour actually. My dad had a V8 VDP in that colour so it will always be the one i remember most.
The police cars were just cool, especially the few Vitesses they had!
wormus said:
That Midas gold SD1 above was the same as mine which I bought from my Dad in 1990 aged 18, it was a V8. In 1979 I went to the Rover dealer in Woking to collect it brand new. I still remember how it smelled. Loved that car.
Yes Tim's Midas V8s is gorgeous, that's such a cool story, I sware his series 1 smells differently to mine. I still remember my dads, although I remember his smelling of damp!
One thing that my dad was very happy about when we picked up BCK was it didn't have that tell tale damp smell!
Joe
Bilbatch said:
Another thing I love about this thread is that Joe takes the time to reply to every contributor - well done, young man.
Glad you enjoyed the 2600 piece. It seemed like incredibly strong money at the time - wonder how the market would receive it now. I agree with you re interior design; its bold exuberance matched the exterior and made the whole car cohesive. I think the later models lost something, somehow, although the more sober 80s look no doubt won over another powerfully built company director or two.
Look forward to more updates in due course.
B
I love that people take the time to stop in and comment, and I really enjoy talking to people about SD1s, especially about my car! Glad you enjoyed the 2600 piece. It seemed like incredibly strong money at the time - wonder how the market would receive it now. I agree with you re interior design; its bold exuberance matched the exterior and made the whole car cohesive. I think the later models lost something, somehow, although the more sober 80s look no doubt won over another powerfully built company director or two.
Look forward to more updates in due course.
B
Yes back in 2010 that would have got you a nice Vitesse! It would be interesting to know where it ended up.
The design purity of the 70's series 1 does certainly have its appeal. I'm more a fan of the sporting versions though, something that the series 1 lacked outright. Seeing how it evolved into the 80's is interesting, the exterior design changes with the flush headlights and larger rear screen just look right to me. The interior design was more compromised, especially with the return to the wood! Obviously the introduction of the Vitesse in all its guises is what really does it for me. I do now understand the choice to go for the velour over the leather it's so much more grippy!
Breadvan72 said:
I soooooooooooooooo miss my 1982 2600 SE in Moonraker blue. Not rusty, reliable, fast, smooth, a great car.
If that's not a winning combination I don't know what is! P5BNij]] said:
BEC is in such good original nick, IIRC it spent several years in a private collection or small museum somewhere and when Jon bought it the mileage was at about 53k or so. The only real niggles he's had are the drooping headlining which he's had to fix twice, and a brief period when it was the world's only five cylinder straight six, which took a while to sort out. There have been the odd moments where he's thought about replacing it with a V8, this usually happened after he'd had a go in my P5Bs and P6Bs but he can't quite bring himself to part with it.
I remember the day he bought it very well, we're always egging each other on to buy another classic and at the time he was itching to sell his '72 MGB GT and buy a Jag or a Rover P6. He sent me a text asking if I was in saying he'd pop round so I was expecting him to turn up in the MG, but no, I heard him coming down the road, looked out of the window and saw this avocado green vision of '70s loveliness sidling up to the kerb! He'd part ex'd the MG for the SD1 at a classic dealer down in the Cotswolds without letting on!
(apologies for the quoting cock-up)
It is such a nice car. I think the fact that it's a straight 6 car makes it stand out even more. Obviously I'm bias to the V8s but there's something about the rarer model that does really appeal, especially in such a unique colour. I remember the day he bought it very well, we're always egging each other on to buy another classic and at the time he was itching to sell his '72 MGB GT and buy a Jag or a Rover P6. He sent me a text asking if I was in saying he'd pop round so I was expecting him to turn up in the MG, but no, I heard him coming down the road, looked out of the window and saw this avocado green vision of '70s loveliness sidling up to the kerb! He'd part ex'd the MG for the SD1 at a classic dealer down in the Cotswolds without letting on!
(apologies for the quoting cock-up)
I bet it was a shock to see it turn up! It really does stand out in modern traffic.
wormus said:
That is soooo cool!
If you think it looks good here, you should see it with Anna Kendrick draped over it... Earl of Petrol said:
Really like your car, been following the thread all the way through. I like the continual improvement while still keeping the car original. The posts regarding the lower doors and your drive to get them sorted as soon as possible made me feel better about myself as it’s exactly what I would have done. Incidentally your car must have been supplied new in Lancashire my home county. The ‘CK’ part of the registration denotes....see what I mean!
I remember the first ever SD1 I saw, just a few days after launch, Turmeric, ‘P’ plate, 3500 (only 1 model available in the first couple of years) was probably June or July ‘76. I was coming out of our local newsagents to set off on my paper round, I would have been 14. Unfortunately no camera phones then, unlike the modern teenager, pity, I’m sure I’d still have the pic now. Still a stunning car.
Cheers thankyou for the kinds words I remember the first ever SD1 I saw, just a few days after launch, Turmeric, ‘P’ plate, 3500 (only 1 model available in the first couple of years) was probably June or July ‘76. I was coming out of our local newsagents to set off on my paper round, I would have been 14. Unfortunately no camera phones then, unlike the modern teenager, pity, I’m sure I’d still have the pic now. Still a stunning car.
Yeah at a few points I did consider deviating away from standard, I had all the samples to do the headliner in suede, but in the end the car deserved original. The engine I think was worth it though, and completely invisible.
Yes! Originally supplier from Southern Bros in Blackburn. It's still got the original dealer sticker in the rear window.
I bet in 1976 it looked ridiculously modern. Especially in Turmeric. Such a change from the P6, despite the back step in tech.
Yeah the doors did bug me, I couldn't leave it alone until I'd sorted it. It was playing on my mind that entire week!
Well not much of an update recently but something did suddenly occur to me...
When I visited Nathan a few weeks back, I noticed that while his TP was running I could feel the viscous fan pushing quite a bit of air once it was up to temp...
I suddenly realised my car has never done that...
Reading up on the EFI fan, the coupling works differently to the regular carb cars, and kicks in properly with a thermal switch.
I always assumed that a viscous fan only fails when it locks on, sounding like a helicopter under the bonnet. But reading Ramon's tech pages (a side note I'm really sad to hear of his passing, he's knowledge will really be missed) he points out that the coupling can also loose fluid causing it to never engage properly.
Cut to my fan off
and viscous coupling removed.
The original EFI couplings have been unavailable for quite some time, but the SD1 club have sourced an almost direct replacement, requiring no modifications. So a couple of messages(and some money) later, and I have a replacement!
It's also shiny...
I cleaned up the fan and got it bolted on with the supplied (slightly smaller) fixings.
Slightly nervous fitting hoping that the thread are indeed the same for the water pump (left handed if you were wondering)
But it went on easily, and looks perfectly in place.
I know a modern electric fan is much more efficient, but again the viscous fan and shroud just looks right.
Not a bad looking engine bay if I do say so myself.
It's been sat for about 6 weeks now, and still fired instantly, fan already moves more air than the old coupling, I ran it for about 30 mins, and it didn't get hot enough to kick in either the viscous or electric aircon fans. But more testing will be needed to really prove that.
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Wednesday 2nd December 11:36
P5BNij said:
Joe, love that last pic, the Rover looks fantastic but is that a genuine late 1275GT next to it, with a set of 12'' GKN alloys...?
Cheers Edited by P5BNij on Wednesday 2nd December 13:35
It certainly is, sat on wheels that are personal obsession of mine. It's my Dad's Inca 1275GT that was my project before the Vitesse.
I did a mild restoration on it in 2015/2016. Engine Bay, Engine built etc. Before doing the London to Brighton Run in it.
Didn't come out too badly. If I do say so myself...
My 1275GT will be my next restoration. It's more at the rough and ready end of GTs!
Joe
P5BNij said:
Very nice Joe - both of them 
Before he moved to Australia a mate of mine restored a pair of Clubman's, both K reg' cars, one was a 1275GT in Blaze with standard Rostyles and the other a standard 1000 in Limeflower with 5''x10'' Cosmics. When finished, they both oozed early '70s BL chic!
Cheers, 70s minis really are my first love. There's something about the bright colours that I love. My green GT was originally Astral Blue Metallic. I think the yellow and blue will go together nicely when I repaint it. Before he moved to Australia a mate of mine restored a pair of Clubman's, both K reg' cars, one was a 1275GT in Blaze with standard Rostyles and the other a standard 1000 in Limeflower with 5''x10'' Cosmics. When finished, they both oozed early '70s BL chic!
An early GT is a lovely thing. Blaze is a lovely colour, but also seems to be the most common! I bet it looked stunning, I'd love an early GT.
Lime flower I bet looked brilliant on the clubman, such a rare colour. It's amazing a slightly wider wheel does to make them look so much less weedy.
I've also got an '72 clubman in glacier white that I half restored when I was 17. I really should finish that. Plan was to fit it with almost all GT parts.
Joe
P5BNij said:
The early Mk3 phase of the Mini range is sometimes looked on as being quite plain, but the simplicity of those early 'corporate BL' cars looks rather nice now, from this distance in time. The quaint two tone / brocade interiors of the Mk1 Coopers were thought of as old hat by the time the Mk3 range was launched, everyone and their dog seems to want a factory spec Mk1 S these days, but I really do like the early late '60s Mk2s and the '70s stuff. My '68 Mk2 S has the all black interior (including the headlining and C pillar trim etc) which was part of BL's cost cutting exercise, but it suits the Mini very well, whatever the exterior colour.
Glacier white looks great on the early Mk3s and Clubbies, a mate of mine has a very nice Mk3 S in this colour with a red interior and a period Rokee wooden dash, it has body coloured Wood & Pickett arches with 6''x10'' Cosmics and looks the business. Similar looking Mk3 S here, taken at the Stanford Hall show some years ago, I've always liked the Ford style corporate badging on these....
(Apologies for veering away from the main thrust of the thread
)
I think current fashion is following the same trend, with that era minis becoming much more popular. Also because most people have been priced out of 60s minis, especially cooper S's.Glacier white looks great on the early Mk3s and Clubbies, a mate of mine has a very nice Mk3 S in this colour with a red interior and a period Rokee wooden dash, it has body coloured Wood & Pickett arches with 6''x10'' Cosmics and looks the business. Similar looking Mk3 S here, taken at the Stanford Hall show some years ago, I've always liked the Ford style corporate badging on these....
(Apologies for veering away from the main thrust of the thread
)Ahh brilliant, the Mk2 S is probably the one I know least about. But yes I imagine the black does suit it really nicely.
Ahh Glacier white and any colour interior really is an amazing combination. I'm not usually a fan of arches, but colour coded with the right wheels is definitely a good look.
Ahh MK3 Cooper S's, another car I got slightly obsessed by.
You share a very similar opinion on colour with my Dad. In around 2008 we started searching for a MK3 Cooper S, it had to be Glacier White, original shell, original engine, Hydro, and a Navy Interior.
I must have looked at loads, and viewed over 10.
Almost bought a tatty black MK3 S, but it was poached by a dealer when we couldn't quite agree on a price. We were at £7k, he wanted £7.5k. how times change. That would have been instead of my Green GT.
Took quite a few years but we eventually found the perfect candidate in 2014. The perfect car, such an amazing car to drive, but completely different to the GTs.
No not at all, I love talking about 70s minis!
Joe
P5BNij said:
Nice pic Joe - was that taken last year...?
That would have been 2018 Mini and Metro Show. The yellow GT failed it's MOT (running to rich, turns out the choke was stuck on a little) the day before. So just the Cooper got to go. Rover still wasn't on the road at that point. It's first outing was a month later that year to the BMC and Leyland Show also at Gaydon.
I drove the GT as a support car
Joe
CarlosV8 said:
That's very sad to hear. Ramon's wealth of knowledge was absolutely invaluable when I was trying to get my Vitesse running properly. In fact, only last week I came across his manual with my notes scribbled all over it.
On a lighter note, the mini and SD1 in your garage just look perfect. What a combo!!
Yes a real loss. I never met him, but also bought a copy of his manual off him and chatted with him when I did. I felt it was only right considering how helpful the information on his website has been to me. On a lighter note, the mini and SD1 in your garage just look perfect. What a combo!!
Cheers I think they make a brilliant combo too. Taking them both to shows you get some attention driving down the road, very bright cars!
Joe
Well it's been a little while since I've updated this!
I'll be honest not a lot happened for the first few months of 2021, mainly planning while the car remained tucked up.
Although saying that the Vitesse did have to move homes earlier in the year, and spent a few days out in the snow. But luckily not on the salty roads!
Then back inside!
I did plan some projects though, first was getting the AFM stickers reproduced. So i contacted I Say Ding Dong with some pictures, and within 3 days I had new stickers!
They looked so good, and even better on the car.
A little detail, but does improve the look of the engine bay in my opinion.
I also spent some time coming up with a better solution to replace the dissolved fuel line mounts.
In the end I came up with these.
Taking generic line separators, and bolting through them into a riv-nut I could put into body the car to follow the original plumbing lines.
Installation wasn't as easy as I was hoping! But in the end I got them all on, and they look much better than the Wide P-Clamps I had on before.
Up in the air it went, (I also bought a new sign )
On they went, very secure! I kept the extra fuel hose to prevent any rubbing issues.
My only gripe is they sit marginally lower than they did. But I'm much happier with this installation.
This takes us up to April, I figured it was due a service before hopefully a summer of use.
I figured an engine oil service and I also wanted to change the gearbox oil to a different type.
I went with Valvoline VR1 20w50, and RED LINE MTL for the gearbox, I'd read good things, and it lists the LT77 as a suitable gearbox.
I also decided that I was going to change to an aftermarket rising rate fuel pressure regulator, try and get a better handle on the fueling.
Fitted right where the stock one went with no real problems, and set the max fuel pressure to 3bar.
I also bought a replacement NOS rear washer jet to replace the broken and silicone-ed in one!
Much cleaner!
I also gave it a damn good clean to prepare for the first outing of the year.
Really nice trip out to Caffeine & Machine for the first trip out.
Always such a good selection of cars turns up, but it did really make me want an M2 again though, or a 1M...
First time seeing the new M3 too, very polarizing design, but I have to admit, by the end of the day I had made my peace with it, and quite like it now...
Joe
I'll be honest not a lot happened for the first few months of 2021, mainly planning while the car remained tucked up.
Although saying that the Vitesse did have to move homes earlier in the year, and spent a few days out in the snow. But luckily not on the salty roads!
Then back inside!
I did plan some projects though, first was getting the AFM stickers reproduced. So i contacted I Say Ding Dong with some pictures, and within 3 days I had new stickers!
They looked so good, and even better on the car.
A little detail, but does improve the look of the engine bay in my opinion.
I also spent some time coming up with a better solution to replace the dissolved fuel line mounts.
In the end I came up with these.
Taking generic line separators, and bolting through them into a riv-nut I could put into body the car to follow the original plumbing lines.
Installation wasn't as easy as I was hoping! But in the end I got them all on, and they look much better than the Wide P-Clamps I had on before.
Up in the air it went, (I also bought a new sign
) On they went, very secure! I kept the extra fuel hose to prevent any rubbing issues.
My only gripe is they sit marginally lower than they did. But I'm much happier with this installation.
This takes us up to April, I figured it was due a service before hopefully a summer of use.
I figured an engine oil service and I also wanted to change the gearbox oil to a different type.
I went with Valvoline VR1 20w50, and RED LINE MTL for the gearbox, I'd read good things, and it lists the LT77 as a suitable gearbox.
I also decided that I was going to change to an aftermarket rising rate fuel pressure regulator, try and get a better handle on the fueling.
Fitted right where the stock one went with no real problems, and set the max fuel pressure to 3bar.
I also bought a replacement NOS rear washer jet to replace the broken and silicone-ed in one!
Much cleaner!
I also gave it a damn good clean to prepare for the first outing of the year.
Really nice trip out to Caffeine & Machine for the first trip out.
Always such a good selection of cars turns up, but it did really make me want an M2 again though, or a 1M...
First time seeing the new M3 too, very polarizing design, but I have to admit, by the end of the day I had made my peace with it, and quite like it now...
Joe
Apologies for the lack of updates. No real excuses, it's not like I don't take enough pictures!
So I'll pick up where I left off!
After a good start to the year, I decided it was time for my daily Audi to receive some cosmetic attention.
While that was away, the Vitesse was pressed into regular service!
Getting more regular use meant I really concentrated on little niggly faults. Playing with small adjustments to really get it driving perfectly.
Tried various timing adjustments, as although I was getting really good top end power, it had a shunting at low speeds. Something I'd read was common on TVRs with hotter cams. I managed to find a really happy medium with lightly less advance, and more fuel.
Really is amazing the attention it gets, especially in a sea of modern cars. Did get some funny looks cruising down the motorway in the morning!
Can't decide if it looks good dirty, I still think it looks best really clean though...
Definitely at odds with a colleague's new GR Yaris. Very different ways to have a mid 200hp car!
Squeezed in quite a few after work C&M visits too. My favourite being on one of the display stands
I did come out one morning to find my aerial up. I initially thought someone had been messing with the car, but when i checked my camera, absolutely nothing. But did think i saw it suddenly appear to go up in the middle of the night.
Wouldn't go down at all, so I pulled it out to investigate. Which anyone who's had an SD1 will tell you is a horrible job!
I think a very lucky break. Could have ended very badly!
So I dismantled, disconnected, and put it down for now, new one is on order!
Little trip out for some more pictures. I did go out for more random drives just like i used to with the Mini, which was fun.
A month of service and the Vitesse never let me down. Started every morning, although from the time I bet my neighbors hated me for that!
A few niggles like the radio, and the heater stopped working on one setting. But apart from that still in good nick!
Although saying this on the way to pick up my Audi from paint, I filled up with a fresh tank of V-Power, but pulling out of the garage it sounded awful, I pulled over frantically checking my fresh engine wasn't hurt to find a pretty horrific exhaust blow! Managed to limp it home and swapped cars to pick up the audi just on time. Annoying as I wanted to get a quote to repaint the drivers side on the Rover!
Upgraded gaskets my arse.
Back to the original steel type for me!
And back with both my favouites
I loved using the Vitesse but it's not really suited to daily use. It's definitely capable enough, and an amazing comfy cruiser. I could even live with the 28-35mpg, it's actually the same as my Audi gets! I know cars are to be used and I'm a big advocate for that, but leaving it outside and seeing small bits that were tarnishing did erk me. So I think for now it'll stay a well used weekend car!
Joe
So I'll pick up where I left off!
After a good start to the year, I decided it was time for my daily Audi to receive some cosmetic attention.
While that was away, the Vitesse was pressed into regular service!
Getting more regular use meant I really concentrated on little niggly faults. Playing with small adjustments to really get it driving perfectly.
Tried various timing adjustments, as although I was getting really good top end power, it had a shunting at low speeds. Something I'd read was common on TVRs with hotter cams. I managed to find a really happy medium with lightly less advance, and more fuel.
Really is amazing the attention it gets, especially in a sea of modern cars. Did get some funny looks cruising down the motorway in the morning!
Can't decide if it looks good dirty, I still think it looks best really clean though...
Definitely at odds with a colleague's new GR Yaris. Very different ways to have a mid 200hp car!
Squeezed in quite a few after work C&M visits too. My favourite being on one of the display stands
I did come out one morning to find my aerial up. I initially thought someone had been messing with the car, but when i checked my camera, absolutely nothing. But did think i saw it suddenly appear to go up in the middle of the night.
Wouldn't go down at all, so I pulled it out to investigate. Which anyone who's had an SD1 will tell you is a horrible job!
I think a very lucky break. Could have ended very badly!
So I dismantled, disconnected, and put it down for now, new one is on order!
Little trip out for some more pictures. I did go out for more random drives just like i used to with the Mini, which was fun.
A month of service and the Vitesse never let me down. Started every morning, although from the time I bet my neighbors hated me for that!
A few niggles like the radio, and the heater stopped working on one setting. But apart from that still in good nick!
Although saying this on the way to pick up my Audi from paint, I filled up with a fresh tank of V-Power, but pulling out of the garage it sounded awful, I pulled over frantically checking my fresh engine wasn't hurt to find a pretty horrific exhaust blow! Managed to limp it home and swapped cars to pick up the audi just on time. Annoying as I wanted to get a quote to repaint the drivers side on the Rover!
Upgraded gaskets my arse.
Back to the original steel type for me!
And back with both my favouites
I loved using the Vitesse but it's not really suited to daily use. It's definitely capable enough, and an amazing comfy cruiser. I could even live with the 28-35mpg, it's actually the same as my Audi gets! I know cars are to be used and I'm a big advocate for that, but leaving it outside and seeing small bits that were tarnishing did erk me. So I think for now it'll stay a well used weekend car!
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Thursday 23 September 21:32
bolidemichael said:
A welcome return to form.
Cheers Mr Tidy said:
Yes it's great to see the SD1 back in use, although I can understand why it isn't an ideal daily these days!
It really did remarkably well, and I have to admit I loved the attention it drew. grumpy52 said:
Sorry for the very late reply !
Yes they are owned by the same person.
He is a very good classic car restoration wizard and has a very nice collection of toys . We have known each other for 30 years and share similar tastes in cars and race cars from the 70s and 80s super saloons and thunder saloons .
His Rover very nearly got turned into Bastos race replica, he also has 10 Jaguar XJRs of various types that are steadily increasing in value.
Oh Brilliant, sounds like he has excellent taste! Yes they are owned by the same person.
He is a very good classic car restoration wizard and has a very nice collection of toys . We have known each other for 30 years and share similar tastes in cars and race cars from the 70s and 80s super saloons and thunder saloons .
His Rover very nearly got turned into Bastos race replica, he also has 10 Jaguar XJRs of various types that are steadily increasing in value.
I also was tempted by a Bastos livery, but it seemed sacriligous to "ruin" a nice car.
C. Grimsley said:
Just spent hours reading the thread and you local too, inspirational.
Carl
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed my rambling.Carl
Oh cool
hopefully you'll see me back out in it soon! I'll get to why it's not been out recently soon.FNG said:
I love this car. I really want one. It's still not a goer.
Thanks for the update OP. Always love seeing it pop back up to the top.
Thanks Thanks for the update OP. Always love seeing it pop back up to the top.
They are actually a lovely car to drive. Makes for a really nice cruiser. So after a stint as a daily driver it was time for the Vitesse to return to what it does best. Looking relatively shiney and sounding good.
I'd decided at the beginning of the year to see if i could get the Rover on display at a few shows.
I got quite a few bites actually, first from Retro Rides Gathering at Goodwood! Happily accepted to the Acceptable in the 80s stand!
This one was a goodun!
So I needed to get it looking presentable.
A full day of polishing, waxing, the usual! Really happy with how it turned out actually.
Touched in a few stone chips from daily use, thoroughly cleaned the interior. Properly tarted it up!
So at 5:30am I set off for Chichester!
Quick stop off for some 99 ready for the journey down, loaded up with enough stuff for a weekend camping. Making good use of the Vitesse's massive boot!
An uneventful 3 hour and 160 mile journey it really does eat miles!
Arriving it really is a special place, it was my first time at Goodwood so to be ushered under the tunnel and into the paddock was very exciting.
It's definitely a front hinge kinda place.
There was also another SD1 in the display parking, which was brilliant to see!
I also saw AdamC's Cobra, which is a brilliant looking thing.
Later in the day I head the familar V8 sound, and the fellow SD1 owner had come to make friends
The pair really drew a crowd!
My Girlfriend wanted to try and convince the owner that the Vitesse was hers, and was doing really well until I spoiled it and gave it away! I think me talking about it all the time has rubbed off! The owner Ross and his friend Kiran with the lovely Lincoln (also a fellow SD1 enthusiast and owner!) did find it funny, and we spent a good time chatting, it was fun to swap SD1 ownership notes.
The track action was also brilliant throughout the day.
Some absolutely amazing cars on display, this 8 series really did it for me.
This AE86 on display also looked brilliant.
I didn't take as many pictures as I'd have liked on the Saturday, but I did on the Sunday!
As we travelled down on the saturday morning we didn't have a camping pitch already sorted, but Ross and Kiran along with his partner and friend were kind enough to invite us to join them.
The sunset made the campsite look really quite special.
The cars helped too
The Japanese car enthusiasts really nailed the photo shoot!
All in all a really really good day. We took the Vitesse into Chichester for Dinner, as nobody believed that all my electrics still worked! But I think it was just a ruse so I'd drive! Did sound good driving through the narrow streets too...
Joe
Bobberoo said:
What a fantastic write up, sounds like you had a great time!!
Cheers I really did. Was definitely worth the trip, and hopefully I'll be able to go again next year. 21st Century Man said:
Makes me all misty eyed and nostalgic for the days when I used to sell them new. Had a VDPefi (posher Vitesse) in the showroom by my desk and a Vitesse demo out front.
Oh that's brilliant I bet you've got some stories! My Grandad was a salesman at a Rover Triumph dealer in Plymouth back in the late 70s, but sadly the garage lost it's franchise before Vitesses and VDP EFI's! I'd love to find some earlier history on mine. haven't found much from before 2000! ScoobyChris said:
Epic thread that I somehow missed first time round. Top marks for workmanship and patience getting everything sorted to such a high level.
Not sure if I missed it but did you ever work out what was wrong with the air con?
Chris
Cheers, glad you liked it Not sure if I missed it but did you ever work out what was wrong with the air con?
Chris
I have enjoyed bringing it up to standard! I have been working on that actually. The previous previous owner said the compressor had seized. But when i took the centre console out I found one of the selector rods had come off so I suspect that was the reason all along! But I'll still get the compressor looked at (I've also got a spare he sourced). Everything is now back in the engine bay and I've tested all the vacuum systems. I know it'll need a new dryer, and I need to make up a new sub loom from the main harness to the compressor. Then it'll be leak testing and filling!
I had actually planned on getting it looked at over the summer, but unfortunately the Vitesse had other ideas and another unforeseen large cost appeared. But I'll get to that!
So we woke up on Sunday to even more glorious weather.
A much shorter journey to Goodwood this time!
Parked up again in the acceptable in the 80's paddock with 3 Quattros!
Ross had booked in for the auto testing, he did put on a good show!
But it did result in a wounded SD1
Such a good selection of cars!
Loved this Goodwood Green B5 RS4!
Shelby GT500KR really was something! I do love a bit of american muscle.
Meep Meep!
I really do want an 8 Series...
Another brilliant day, although i did prefer the track action to the auto testing.
As the day came to a close I took full advantage to get some pictures
A rare picture of me in-front of the camera!
Snuck out onto the pit straight too.
Just indulging in my obsession with taking pictures of my own car.
One of the best events I've been too actually, with such a good selection of cars, brilliant camping, and the track action really just finished it off.
Making the most of the weekend we decided to stay down for another night, popped down to seaside too.
And finally parked up at the hotel.
And yes I did move it so I could see it from my room...
My Girlfriend's accepted me for who i am.
Back to its natural habitat before the journey back up.
Journey down and farting around. I may have done some revs to please people, and myself..
27.75MPG isn't too shabby.
Journey back up was also very comfy. Took the scenic route through the South Downs, just enjoying it.
Found a road with my last name so had to stop off.
Rest of the journey was uneventful if not a tad warm, really did need aircon to make it more comfortable maybe eventually!
A much more respectable 31.46MPG on the way home with a total of 437.8 miles!
Joe
Scooobydont said:
I have to confess, I do not read many RR threads that are this long and usually skip to the last few pages. This one however I have read from start to finish, love the start, love the progress and happy to see it being shown off in all it's glory, well done and thanks for taking the time to put this all together.
Brilliant!
Cheers Brilliant!
I really appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed the read. Mr Tidy said:
Such a great weekend 1275GT! 
My only drive in a V8 SDi was in my mate's car that he raced in the Winter Series down to Goodwood for a track day.
I can't remember why I didn't get to drive it on track - maybe he didn't want it to get broken.
I had so much fun! My only drive in a V8 SDi was in my mate's car that he raced in the Winter Series down to Goodwood for a track day.
I can't remember why I didn't get to drive it on track - maybe he didn't want it to get broken.
Brilliant!
I have to admit I did chicken out of taking mine out onto the track too! My friend who did the autotest in his black SD1 sadly proved our skepticism right when his diff made bad noises after.
B'stard Child said:
Great thread - I can see why it got nominated now
Glad you enjoyed the Weekender - I did see the car there but for me it's always a working weekend
Cheers Glad you enjoyed the Weekender - I did see the car there but for me it's always a working weekend
Yeah it was brilliant. Just had a read of your Carlton thread, what an amazing car!Well after such a good trip down to Goodwood the only fluid I hadn't changed was the diff fluid. So a nice easy change.
Went with Millers Classic EP90. Fluid coming out was still quite a nice colour. The diff does have a bit backlash too it though, so might be on the list for a refresh.
Next up was Bicester Heritage Super Scramble. One of my favourite events, but also where i seem to have the most problems getting to!
Parked up on the front row next to a lovely 928 and Sierra XR4i.
I do miss being able to park up on the technical site though.
Some absolutely stunning cars on display. I was there on the saturday and sunday after being deprived for so long!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53UOC1pr90&t=...
Even got papped leaving on the Saturday
Visted a show at East Kirkby, which in 2018 was so well attended, but it rained so there was only a few cars that turned up!
I was also at Gaydon for the BMC & Leyland Show.
The queue getting in was quite spectacular , and sadly claimed quite a few victims with a small stream of coolant flowing down the hill!
Found this picture on facebook from a 75 owner who followed me in.
We were there for a good hour, but I'm also happy to report the Vitesse didn't let itself down and kept perfect temperature. Viscous kept it at a perfect 90. Didn't even touch the electric fans
. 
Also found a picture of me leaving, I don't look happy, but I was just tired!
Brilliant day again, but because of the queue we couldn't get all the SD1s together so we got stuck in the overflow!
Definitely the biggest turnout I've seen at Gaydon.
Joe
So I had been quiet for a little while, and there was a reason for that...
I thought I'd pop along to the Really Retro Show, which was rescheduled for the end of July
Turnout was really good actually, even if the Venue was a tad odd!
Being on a narrowish runway meant it felt a little tunnel esk.
I did meet up with a fellow Vitesse owner though, we got some good pictures of both cars together
I was even sensible and didn't do anything silly when leaving!
But while cruising back home on the A50 I started to notice a noise developing.
I kicked it into neutral and gave it a few revs, engine still sounded perfect. Back into 5th and horrible noises.
I slowed down and dropped to 4th and it sounded fine, slowed even more, tried 3rd, and horrible noises again. damn
I managed to limp it home in 4th, but knew something bad had happened to my poor gearbox.
I also tried 1st, horrible noises, 2nd horrible noises, 3rd horrible noises, 4th good, 5th also bad.
So it was either dump it and feel sorry for myself worrying about what I'd done, or do something about it.
So up in the air it goes!
Exhaust off, propshaft off.
I left a good deal of the underseal, remains a damn solid car underneath!
My Rimmers downpipes didn't stay shiny for long!
I had also noticed that my fresh oil filter had been leaking, so that's another thing that it'll need!
2 hours later we have a gearbox out!
Straight into the boot of my Audi, and ready for a rebuild.
Clutch and flywheel still looking like new, so that's a positive. My coated manifolds on the other hand look like sh*t... a job for another time.
Later that evening I had to drop the oil, see if low level was the cause of the noise.
Nope lovely MTL so low fluid wasn't the cause.
But the reason for the noise was pretty obvious.
That's definitely a gear tooth stuck to the magnetic drain plug!
I have one lunched LT77
Due to the miracles of time passing I now know exactly what I did.
It would seem terrible things to first gear, 2nd looked ok, little damage to 3rd, reverse had some heavy pitting, and 5th looked ok.
As i guessed the layshaft had sustained pretty horrible damage hence the horrible noise in all gears but 4th.
I have no idea why 1st gear though, I hadn't done anything silly, and it had been driving fine before a noise developed.
I spent most of the next day trying to find someone who would rebuild it. Turns out it was much harder than I was expecting, with most specialists having given up on the RWD LT77s a long time ago due to a lot of parts being NLA.
I did find someone though! But when we found the damage to the layshaft and main gear cluster it did develop into a much bigger task. We now needed to find a donor gearset!
Joe
I thought I'd pop along to the Really Retro Show, which was rescheduled for the end of July
Turnout was really good actually, even if the Venue was a tad odd!
Being on a narrowish runway meant it felt a little tunnel esk.
I did meet up with a fellow Vitesse owner though, we got some good pictures of both cars together
I was even sensible and didn't do anything silly when leaving!
But while cruising back home on the A50 I started to notice a noise developing.
I kicked it into neutral and gave it a few revs, engine still sounded perfect. Back into 5th and horrible noises.
I slowed down and dropped to 4th and it sounded fine, slowed even more, tried 3rd, and horrible noises again. damn
I managed to limp it home in 4th, but knew something bad had happened to my poor gearbox.
I also tried 1st, horrible noises, 2nd horrible noises, 3rd horrible noises, 4th good, 5th also bad.
So it was either dump it and feel sorry for myself worrying about what I'd done, or do something about it.
So up in the air it goes!
Exhaust off, propshaft off.
I left a good deal of the underseal, remains a damn solid car underneath!
My Rimmers downpipes didn't stay shiny for long!
I had also noticed that my fresh oil filter had been leaking, so that's another thing that it'll need!
2 hours later we have a gearbox out!
Straight into the boot of my Audi, and ready for a rebuild.
Clutch and flywheel still looking like new, so that's a positive. My coated manifolds on the other hand look like sh*t... a job for another time.
Later that evening I had to drop the oil, see if low level was the cause of the noise.
Nope lovely MTL so low fluid wasn't the cause.
But the reason for the noise was pretty obvious.
That's definitely a gear tooth stuck to the magnetic drain plug!
I have one lunched LT77
Due to the miracles of time passing I now know exactly what I did.
It would seem terrible things to first gear, 2nd looked ok, little damage to 3rd, reverse had some heavy pitting, and 5th looked ok.
As i guessed the layshaft had sustained pretty horrible damage hence the horrible noise in all gears but 4th.
I have no idea why 1st gear though, I hadn't done anything silly, and it had been driving fine before a noise developed.
I spent most of the next day trying to find someone who would rebuild it. Turns out it was much harder than I was expecting, with most specialists having given up on the RWD LT77s a long time ago due to a lot of parts being NLA.
I did find someone though! But when we found the damage to the layshaft and main gear cluster it did develop into a much bigger task. We now needed to find a donor gearset!
Joe
miniman said:
Ouch, bad luck, hope you can get it sorted quickly.
Before I knew the extent of the damage I thought i was going to get it back within 3 weeks! Sadly not the case. But because I'm bad a documenting things quickly you get a solution immediately!
bolidemichael said:
Wow, that's a very serious issue. Another involving head scratcher for you, seemingly.
On the upside, it's occurred just at the perfect time as you would be laying it up for winter (presumably), so a project to tackle for the next few mo this in time for Spring 2022.
Yes definitely not one I was expecting! Sadly I need the car mobile as it will lose its current storage in November, and will need to be moved! So that really caused a problem.On the upside, it's occurred just at the perfect time as you would be laying it up for winter (presumably), so a project to tackle for the next few mo this in time for Spring 2022.
bangerhoarder said:
Gutted! The LT77s have gone very hard to find - we were pulling them out of rotten 200TDi Defenders, had one from a Grinnall TR8 to go in a P5B. Took some finding ten years ago!
I think we have slightly poorly one in storage, that’s done heavy work in 90 so what state it’s in…
Yes it's a real challenge to find good ones now. Especially in RWD, there's still a few 4wd ones knocking around, and most specialists left only deal with them now. Parts supply seems ok too. Although almost none of the parts are interchangeable! I think we have slightly poorly one in storage, that’s done heavy work in 90 so what state it’s in…
Mine being a 28A prefix Vitesse box meant parts are even harder to find. It was the go to donor box for kit cars and most swaps.
It would seem the supply dried up years ago all i could find was people looking for boxes 10 years ago nothing even relatively recent!
Mr Tidy said:
That certainly looks a mess Joe.
It reminds me of the diff in my 2nd Capri 2.8 Injection after one of the teeth escaped through the rear cover! And I know exactly when that happened. But I found someone with a unit on a farm who rebuilt it for sensible money.
Hopefully you can find someone similar to get your gearbox sorted.
Yeah really wasn't pleasant being shown that. Oooh Christ that really must have made a good bang! That's a lucky find I must have rang 10 people who might have had a gearbox for me, turned up nothing! It reminds me of the diff in my 2nd Capri 2.8 Injection after one of the teeth escaped through the rear cover! And I know exactly when that happened. But I found someone with a unit on a farm who rebuilt it for sensible money.
Hopefully you can find someone similar to get your gearbox sorted.
LanceRS said:
Bad luck
It seems to be difficult to get ‘boxes rebuilt nowadays. I had a bugger of a job finding someone willing to do the MT 75 in the Sierra. Even gearbox specialists generally shook their heads, tutted and said ‘we’ve not seen one of these for a while’.
Hope it’s all back together soon.
Yeah I found exactly the same, rang a few LT77 specialists but none were interested when i said it was a rwd, not the 4wd. It seems to be difficult to get ‘boxes rebuilt nowadays. I had a bugger of a job finding someone willing to do the MT 75 in the Sierra. Even gearbox specialists generally shook their heads, tutted and said ‘we’ve not seen one of these for a while’.
Hope it’s all back together soon.
One place did offer an exchange box, but only a suffix B Box, so wouldn't have been as strong and I'd lose my original numbers gearbox. Put a lot of effort into keeping the original engine, so why stop there!
I entrusted the box to Ken Clarke. After he had the box stripped by a specialist we knew it was going to need a full donor gearset. The layshaft being one piece meaning that the damage shown means mine was scrap.
I like to learn all Vitesse knowledge, but finding out the gearset was unique was more of a pain!
With different tooth counts for certain gears! It was my belief that the gearboxes were the same as the other manual V8's but with shot peened gears but the specialist assured us that they were not. A cool discovery but it also really limited my rebuild options.
I began by trying to source new. I found Rimmer Bros show stock of the correct Vitesse type layshaft, the earlier circlip secured Vitesse type a reasonable £254.40, but mine being a later box required the nut secured type which increases the price a little, to £981.60 bugger.
I spent some time trying to find all the correct parts and ultimately came up short. New input/1st gears have been NLA forever, and the closest i got was maybe the right part number at over £500.
This went on for a little while, but we both came up to the same conclusion it wasn't possible.
I then got lucky with Ken managing to find a low mileage really late V8 donor box. I could accept the slightly different ratios as long as I got to keep as much of my original gearbox as possible.
This was opened up and to both of our surprise had the Vitesse tooth count and all the correct internals. It was also in amazing condition so a deal was done and it was now my donor box! Being a sucker for punishment I then opted to have that gearset fully rebuilt into my casing.
Once we got to that point, it was an antagonizing 2 weeks waiting for the call to say I might have a working gearbox!
Ken called me late on a Wednesday afternoon to say it was all back together! I couldn't wait and he was very accomodating in letting me collect it straight away. Later that evening (I chatted for a few hours with Ken and his son Tim for quite some time!) I had a gearbox! Freshly built, freshly sealed, poly-bushed selector mechanism, everything I needed.
In the cold light of day it looked brilliant although my speedo transducer wiring was looking very ropey!
I removed it, seperated the wiring, 2 part epoxied the wiring back to the transducer, it looked brilliant, right up until I accidently hit it putting the box back in. So that's one more job for me.
Not important, but important to me, my odd original no suffix 28A gearbox. (It must be a suffix D being a late Vitesse but I assume someone was feeling lazy with the stamps.)
Fresh Redline 75w80 GL-4 MTL. If that was the reason why the original box failed then I'm screwed... But it made the box feel so smooth!
Flywheel and clutch checked, but it still looked as new.
Same with the release bearing and slides, all freshly greased and ready to go back.
Input shaft feels like new, absolutely no play whatsoever!
One fresh looking gearbox
A few hours later with some swearing and a bruised shoulder from putting a gearbox back in on a trolley jack we have a gearbox back in the car!
A few more hours getting the gearbox wiring harness back in, propshaft back in, and exhaust back on
I couldn't help seeing if it would start. In the end it had sat without a gearbox for 2 months and of course I forgot to hook it up to a CTEK.
Felt very smug when it fired instantly! and of course my video cut off before I moved the car!
But I did manage to move it backwards and forwards. It was dark and raining so not really the time for a testdrive.
The next day I had work, but went straight after to see if my efforts had worked.
A mobile Vitesse definitely a big relief. Drives really nicely, gear changes feel really tight and it definitely feels like it has less backlash in the drivetrain now.
I also changed all the belts and fitted a new Mann oil filter, no leaks now.
Big relief for me to have it all back together and doing what it should again. I had really missed it.
Should be ready for an MOT now, that always comes around so quickly.
Joe
miniman said:
bolidemichael said:
How serendipitous that the gearbox was as required!
On another note, I'm amazed at how quickly it fired up from ignition on. I suppose that's a very healthy starter motor?
We both could only conclude that Austin Rover consolidated and commonised some parts towards the end of production! Definitely got lucky with that! On another note, I'm amazed at how quickly it fired up from ignition on. I suppose that's a very healthy starter motor?
I found the same on my later Vitesse, the radiator has the connections for the air-con temperature sensor, and take offs blanked for the carb intake manifold.
Yes it does fire really quickly! Well unless it's heat soaked, then it can take a few seconds.
The starter is relatively new yes, I had it rebuilt along with the alternator when it let go in Jan 2019.
I also think the increased fuel pressure also helps with the starting. Since i rebuilt the injection system and increased the pressure it hasn't failed to start even when hot. (something that it really struggled with before)
Stick Legs said:
Really pleased it’s working again.
I love reading about this car, a car I have always had a soft spot for & never owned.
May have to rectify that.
Cheers I love reading about this car, a car I have always had a soft spot for & never owned.
May have to rectify that.
I've obviously really enjoyed ownership it's such a nice car to drive when they're working properly. The early electronic injection does take some learning but it's really not that complicated. They don't rust any worse than any contemporary car, would definitely recommend!
Mr Tidy said:
Great news - I love this car!
And it's great to know it is being looked after so well.
And it's great to know it is being looked after so well.
It's definitely a labour of love! My wallet definitely wasn't pleased. It does feel a lot tighter now though, and it's cured a slight judder when pulling away, something I really hoped wasn't clutch related as that was new!
I did manage a longer test drive a few weeks back too, does feel good.
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Saturday 6th November 12:21
Not being able to get a proper feel for my new gearbox was bugging me, and rather than leaving the poor Vitesse in the garage all winter I had to get a good test drive in.
Sadly being off the road for a few months meant the MOT had lapsed, so for the third time it went in for an MOT straight after major work!
Of course the day I booked it absolutely pis*ed it down. As I'd already spent a lot of time under the car I didn't find anything that I thought would cause issues, but I did need to adjust the handbrake.
I also needed to adjust the exhaust, when i reconnected everything I didn't quite get the rotation right, and meant the tailpipe was hanging oddly low!
With both of those bits done I headed to Lutterworth MOT Centre.
I've definitely found somewhere I trust, also gives me a good opportunity to check the emissions and get some good pics of the underside!
Idle CO was high at 4.2% so I brought that down to 3.5%. I'll bring it down further later as it should be around 2%. Definitely on the rich side, but does make it drive nicely. The increase in fuel pressure meant it was running 0.9 lambda so 13:1 AFR. Much richer than last time which is what I was after. I still think a dyno session would do it good.
Underside is definitely looking better that when I got it, although my sump and front subframe need some paint touch ups it would seem!
It is a good opportunity to have a sanity check, but nothing found and another advisory free MOT
Hopefully I'll manage to get some more use out of it before the weather gets too bad!
Joe
Sadly being off the road for a few months meant the MOT had lapsed, so for the third time it went in for an MOT straight after major work!
Of course the day I booked it absolutely pis*ed it down. As I'd already spent a lot of time under the car I didn't find anything that I thought would cause issues, but I did need to adjust the handbrake.
I also needed to adjust the exhaust, when i reconnected everything I didn't quite get the rotation right, and meant the tailpipe was hanging oddly low!
With both of those bits done I headed to Lutterworth MOT Centre.
I've definitely found somewhere I trust, also gives me a good opportunity to check the emissions and get some good pics of the underside!
Idle CO was high at 4.2% so I brought that down to 3.5%. I'll bring it down further later as it should be around 2%. Definitely on the rich side, but does make it drive nicely. The increase in fuel pressure meant it was running 0.9 lambda so 13:1 AFR. Much richer than last time which is what I was after. I still think a dyno session would do it good.
Underside is definitely looking better that when I got it, although my sump and front subframe need some paint touch ups it would seem!
It is a good opportunity to have a sanity check, but nothing found and another advisory free MOT
Hopefully I'll manage to get some more use out of it before the weather gets too bad!
Joe
Mr Tidy said:
Great news.
Now go and use it before the roads get salted!
Cheers Now go and use it before the roads get salted!
Sadly that one drive was all i got, work is taking up all my time at the moment!
I've booked my tickets for Bicester Heritage in January though, I'm currently 0/3 on the January Event...
bolidemichael said:
As a portrait shot this is quite amusing when scrolling -- it's like an underwater shot.
I see what you mean, it's like you're disappearing under the car! I can't wait for a lift so I can tinker with it in the air,
whytheory said:
Congrats on the clean MOT
I actually just came across this thread earlier in the week and read through the whole thing, great write ups and your attention to detail is inspiring.
Keep up the good work, it's a very deserving car! Don't suppose there's a thread on the A3 btw?
Cheers I really appreciate that I actually just came across this thread earlier in the week and read through the whole thing, great write ups and your attention to detail is inspiring.
Keep up the good work, it's a very deserving car! Don't suppose there's a thread on the A3 btw?
I've not done a proper thread on the A3 actually, I did when i first got it on audisport, but never really carried it on, might re-do it on Pistonheads if I get time, and people are interested?
I've probably got as many pics of that as I have the Rover! I've had it for 6 years and nearly 80k miles now!
I do love it, even more now it's looks as good as it should!
Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Friday 26th November 21:59
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