Rover SD1 Vitesse - Has it come of age?

[Stevej33]

I've just had it properly cleaned and thought I'd take a couple of pictures...
I think its aged rather well considering this one is 40 years old in the spring!
(I'll be having its last MOT test this month)

But compared to a lot of other makes, the good old SD1 doesn't seem to have the same following.
(my dad had a couple of new V8S in the late 70's and the build quality was horrendous, but we loved it!)

[austina35]

As an owner of a P6 V8 manual, I think it's chalk and cheese. I've never liked the look of the SD1 as for me it just looks like a bland 80s car full of plastic.

Shame really as I does have a following but the engines and gearboxes always find there way into P6s and that means it's a dying breed to some extent.

[TarquinMX5]

That looks lovely; judging by the side-repeater, it's obviously one of the later ones, is it a TP?

The Vitesse still attracts a lot of attention, even for a 40-year old car, and the V8 soundtrack obviously helps. The later SD1s were much better built than the first few years' production and the Vitesse has a lot going for it; where else can you get a manual V8 5-door that still looks relatively 'modern'. They need a decent round steering wheel, though

Edited by TarquinMX5 on Monday 8th September 11:12

[Palmela]

I really like them. Never bought or driven one, but it's always the car I've admired over its contempories.

[Mikebentley]

Always loved these great under appreciated car.

[anyoldcardave]

It has def. aged, but very well in the case of that one, the problem for me is headroom and driving position, the roof is too low for my frame and no comfort in driving them, tried 4, because I like them, but never kept them long P6 on the other hand are just fine.

The other thing is I prefer manual and the gearstick has always felt better suited to LHD to me ,feels too far away and clumsy.

[DSMSMR]

One of the nicest looking cars from that ear

[ds666]

Has it come of age - no chance as I've just bought one ...

[Stick Legs]

It was always their time.

[Mikebentley]

I remember being blasted around Southport in one driven by the owners 18 yr old son. NPR 9 was the plate. It was apparently upgraded to twin turbo spec. It certainly felt like it.

[Mark Palmer]

Great design, poorly made, a real shame as a good one is a lovely car, I ran an early V8 manual for a few months in the mid 90's sadly I bought it to put the engine and box in a Capri, I ran it as my daily until the road tax ran out. It drove very well for what was a big old barge back then but suffered from the malaise that effected all BL products, trim falling apart, body corrosion and various water leaks. Several friends had both V8s and 2.6s, the 2.6 manuals were quicker than you were lead to believe and that straight six made a glorious sound!.
A well maintained and rust proofed one today would make a great deal of sense to me, out of my budget though!