1985 Rover 3500 Vitesse
Discussion
Slippydiff said:
David Price Racing did one in the early 80’s. Car and Car Conversions couldn’t get enough of it :
http://retro-motoring.com/magazines/ccc/1981/05/ma...
Fantastic car OP. I think I saw it the last Bicester Scramble a few weeks ago ? Looks stunning
Very interesting read that, there was some chatter a few months ago about that car with someone after it. I think the general consensus is it didn't survive! http://retro-motoring.com/magazines/ccc/1981/05/ma...
Fantastic car OP. I think I saw it the last Bicester Scramble a few weeks ago ? Looks stunning
It's definitely a strong look, but for me the standard body Group A touring car style is the pinnacle!
Yes that would have been me, cheers I appreciate that.
I didn't take a massive amount of pics, but I do like this one
Joe
1275 GT said:
Very interesting read that, there was some chatter a few months ago about that car with someone after it. I think the general consensus is it didn't survive!
It's definitely a strong look, but for me the standard body Group A touring car style is the pinnacle!
Yes that would have been me, cheers I appreciate that.
I didn't take a massive amount of pics, but I do like this one
Joe
Thought so !! A real eye-catcher, especially in that colour It's definitely a strong look, but for me the standard body Group A touring car style is the pinnacle!
Yes that would have been me, cheers I appreciate that.
I didn't take a massive amount of pics, but I do like this one
Joe
Slippydiff said:
David Price Racing did one in the early 80’s. Car and Car Conversions couldn’t get enough of it :
http://retro-motoring.com/magazines/ccc/1981/05/ma...
Fantastic car OP. I think I saw it the last Bicester Scramble a few weeks ago ? Looks stunning
Big difference between the nice flowing arches of a good widebody like that, and the tacked on rocket bunny junk.http://retro-motoring.com/magazines/ccc/1981/05/ma...
Fantastic car OP. I think I saw it the last Bicester Scramble a few weeks ago ? Looks stunning
I actually have that magazine. My wife found it in a bookshop in the UK and brought it back to NZ for me.
Im eagerly looking forward to how your suspension turns out. You are right about the current options; they're OK at best, and junk at worst.
Slippydiff said:
Thought so !! A real eye-catcher, especially in that colour
Cheers KelvinatorNZ said:
Big difference between the nice flowing arches of a good widebody like that, and the tacked on rocket bunny junk.
I actually have that magazine. My wife found it in a bookshop in the UK and brought it back to NZ for me.
Im eagerly looking forward to how your suspension turns out. You are right about the current options; they're OK at best, and junk at worst.
Completely agree, although I would never be brave enough to do that to my own car though! I actually have that magazine. My wife found it in a bookshop in the UK and brought it back to NZ for me.
Im eagerly looking forward to how your suspension turns out. You are right about the current options; they're OK at best, and junk at worst.
You and me both!
I had another call with Bilstein today (I call every few days recently) I'm being teased with apparently things being imminently ready... Oh and speaking of things being ready I had a chat with Voodoo and my wheels should be ready in the next week, just in time for Players Classic...
A years worth of planning all coming down to the last week!
I'm hoping everything will definitely be in place for the Pistonheads 25th Anniversary event, I've been accepted into the Readers Rides Display.
Can't wait for that!!! 
So while I've been waiting for my plans to come to fruition I did quite last minute decide I couldn't miss the RetroRides Weekender. It's always an amazing show, and has by far the best atmosphere of any show I've been too.
I'd been having a little strop and unlike the last 2 years I didn't fit into any of the show categories, and I then missed the full weekend tickets!
But a last minute hotel and day tickets worked just as well.
Usual last minute night before wash.
The 5am start is always a bit painful, but when you arrive to gorgeous weather and retro cars everywhere it's worth it.
Vitesse behaved perfectly on the 180mile trip down such a good cruiser.
I was having a lovely chilled day watching and looking at cars, until a friend mentions that unfortunately due to a mechanical issue on his car, he won't be able to do his booked track session, and would I like to take his spot on the early afternoon sprint session...
Now I've never been brave enough to book anything like this, but when it's dangled in-front of you so easily...
All to quickly I'm in the queue to to be sound tested, then signing in, hiring a helmet, and sitting in the drivers briefing!
Sound check @ 95dB so officially to loud to run as a road car on the Sunday (limit 93dB
) but fine to run on track on Saturday (105dB limit) 
What am I doing...
It was basically a quick blast the wrong way up the track, back around on yourself, then back down the track, round the final chicane and down the main straight. There was then another cone chicane on the main pit straight, then up the first corner, back on yourself, back through the cone chicane and into the pit exit to finish.
My lovely girlfriend did a great job of doing some panning shots, she didn't fancy the passenger ride!
3 runs later my session was finished!
I really did baby it, no crazy smoky starts as I'm terrified of the diff, and nothing crazy in the corners as I don't have my suspension yet! But I did give it the beans down the straight.
I really wasn't pushing but I'm still so proud of how it did. No temperature issues at all, brakes didn't fade, and no oil burnt!
Very happy.
I then parked up with my friends slightly wounded SD1, and enjoyed the rest of the show absolutely buzzing at what I'd just done, and mainly the fact I hadn't broken anything!
I've done a few trackdays but never in my own car, so definitely a first for me.
I'm not even sure who took this photo as I'm in the background putting something in the boot!
Joe
Like all projects with distant deadlines they always push right to the limit!
I had really wanted a refreshed suspension in time for one of the big shows of the year, Players Classic. (which was this weekend)
Last Wednesday I finally had a call that at least the rear shocks were ready! (spring perches and fronts still pending sadly)
Of course I had to see of they'd fit, so heading over that evening.
The exsisting shocks on the car came off easily and weren't as bad as I thought they were, definitely very soft with little return but not completely knackered.
They're old Koni Reds with the helper springs, (someone said they were for towing... ) so pretty good actually.
But the new Bilstein's... They're based off B6's with custom tubes so I could spec everything.
The damping specs are a compromise from the B4's they have on spec for 2000 non nivomat cars, which are ridiculously soft, and the Group A shocks, which are silly hard. They also have a shorter open length to keep the axle more located, although I could still go shorter.
We discussed doing adjustable, but in the end just agreed that they could be done properly from the start.
In preparation of these lovely new parts I spent a day stripping and repainting the rear axle, which was looking a little crusty.
The drums also got a little attention, as they also were looking a little rusty!
mmmm that view makes me happy. I of course also fitted new spring retaining clips, although they really are rubbish!
So as part of the longer plan I'd bought some -60mm Rimmer Springs so I could adjust the ride height back to roughly Vitesse (-30mm) with the still pending spring perches.
The springs on the car are a little crusty, but definitely red...
I was always told that Red was -60mm, and yellow was -30mm, so maybe I've got older -60mm springs on it already...
Just for the hell of it I chucked the new springs on, and it doesn't look any lower to me.
Honestly can't tell how high it's suppose to be now!
Joe
I had really wanted a refreshed suspension in time for one of the big shows of the year, Players Classic. (which was this weekend)
Last Wednesday I finally had a call that at least the rear shocks were ready! (spring perches and fronts still pending sadly)
Of course I had to see of they'd fit, so heading over that evening.
The exsisting shocks on the car came off easily and weren't as bad as I thought they were, definitely very soft with little return but not completely knackered.
They're old Koni Reds with the helper springs, (someone said they were for towing... ) so pretty good actually.
But the new Bilstein's... They're based off B6's with custom tubes so I could spec everything.
The damping specs are a compromise from the B4's they have on spec for 2000 non nivomat cars, which are ridiculously soft, and the Group A shocks, which are silly hard. They also have a shorter open length to keep the axle more located, although I could still go shorter.
We discussed doing adjustable, but in the end just agreed that they could be done properly from the start.
In preparation of these lovely new parts I spent a day stripping and repainting the rear axle, which was looking a little crusty.
The drums also got a little attention, as they also were looking a little rusty!
mmmm that view makes me happy. I of course also fitted new spring retaining clips, although they really are rubbish!
So as part of the longer plan I'd bought some -60mm Rimmer Springs so I could adjust the ride height back to roughly Vitesse (-30mm) with the still pending spring perches.
The springs on the car are a little crusty, but definitely red...
I was always told that Red was -60mm, and yellow was -30mm, so maybe I've got older -60mm springs on it already...
Just for the hell of it I chucked the new springs on, and it doesn't look any lower to me.
Honestly can't tell how high it's suppose to be now!
Joe
KelvinatorNZ said:
My -30 from Rimmers were yellow, but the paint had long fallen off my old -60s. -30 is meant to be stock vitesse height, that last photo doesn't look as low as mine did at -60.
Yeah yours definitely looks a good chunk lower! Apparently the Rimmer stuff has gone through some new stock in the last few years as I know a few of their springs weren't finished correctly. These seem to be correct. But doesn't really explain the drastic difference!
So shock feedback, foolishly I changed springs and shocks at the same time so I can't just do a shock comparison.
It's definitely a lot firmer than before, and the body control feels really nice. The ride is definitely harsher, but not annoyingly so.
( My exhaust is touching the cross member though so that's affecting my feedback! I think with that vibration gone it'll be a really nice compromise between comfort and performance)
The car doesn't oscillate and nod like a yank tank now too, which is an improvement!
So on Thursday I got a call to say the wheels were finished...
I'm so happy with how these have come out.
I of course drove down to Voodoo Motorsport that afternoon/evening to pick them up.
Final work was machining all 4 centre back pads to my specs, stripping and coating all centres, polishing the lips again, building with my supplied hardware and sealing, modifying 1 wheels nut inserts to 60 degree from 45, installing the other supplied inserts, and fitting and balancing the tyres.
So what I ended up with was a set of ready to install wheels.
Exactly what I wanted to see when I walked into their reception.
All finished with tyres and nut inserts fitted.
I can confirm that you can transport many wheels in the back of a G42 230i
Finally back home.
One of the reasons for getting down and getting the wheels as early as possible was I wanted to protect them before they went on the car.
Many hours researching and a second opinion from Voodoo said that GTechniq C5 Wheel Armor ceramic coating as the way to go.
I was warned that you need to be careful applying it though, as if it's left too long it'll go milky. Just to add even more fear to me handling the new wheels!
So I spent the evening prepping and coating all the wheels, inside and out!
Just look at how beautiful they look from the back too.
Now the dread of wondering if they're even going to fit started to creep in...
Joe
Greendubber said:
Those are going to look great!
I'm so far into it they better! 
So on the Friday morning I loaded the wheels into the A3 and headed over to the Vitesse.
You also might notice I added the BBS lip stickers, I did this before ceramic coating, and I think the pop of red will work nicely against the car.
First time on the car!
I'd already had spigot rings made to adapt from the Rover centrebore (58mm) to the BBS wheels (80mm) and the wheel nuts I'd bought fitted perfectly. Luckly the Rover has pretty standard M12x1.5 studs.
I was so worried if they were going to fit.
I had gone quite aggressive compared to stock.
My final specs are below.
But all the math and CAD work has really paid off.
They fit so nicely, doesn't touch anywhere on the rear even at full compression. The front is almost perfect, the right side doesn't touch at all through the full lock sweep, the passenger side just touches the inside edge of the front chin on right full lock as the spoilers been repaired before and has a slight bow in it. But I can't complain to much at that.
The rear tyres are only 20mm wider, but that combined with the extra rear track really gives it a different look.
I had intended on dying the spigot rings black and leaving them without centre caps. They're motorsport wheels after all and never had centres But I've since offered the original centre caps up, and they do look cool, so I might need to make some adaptors up now!
Joe
https://youtu.be/LsrXcSox6-o
3:37 and 5:06
3:37 and 5:06
Edited by Pope on Saturday 24th June 00:23
Edited by Pope on Saturday 24th June 00:24
1275 GT said:
I had intended on dying the spigot rings black and leaving them without centre caps. They're motorsport wheels after all and never had centres But I've since offered the original centre caps up, and they do look cool, so I might need to make some adaptors up now!
Joe
I think that would only improve the look (whilst I can agree they are motor sports wheels they do look a little unfinished without centre caps)Joe
Needs to be a smidge lower for a perfect stance but with the roads we have to put up with today it's probably better with a little height (it might even settle a bit with some use)
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