My 5th Sd1 - have I got a disease?

My 5th Sd1 - have I got a disease?

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N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Just sold my M3 and Cerbera so wanted a little project to keep me out of mischief. Found a black 3.5 manual in the Rover club which I bought today. Made in South Africa in 1983 and kept there for the first 6 years then the owner couldn't part with it so shipped it to the UK in 1989. It has been in storage ever since in a warm environment and its only outings were to the MOT garage once a year. The elderly owner would start it up and move it at regular intervals. He even taxed it without fail despite not using it for all those years. As he's now 83 has decided to part with it. I collect it at the weekend and will post some pics then.

This will be my 5th SD1 so I must have some sort of disease. First was a brown Mk1 3.5 auto followed by an early 2.6 manual, then a gold 2000 manual and lastly a red Vitesse auto. So here we go again.
It needs some TLC, mostly cosmetic stuff and a really good polish. There is absolutely no rust that I can find - tailgate, doors, sills, floor - and had a new clutch less than 500 miles ago. 11 months MOT and the tyres were fitted in South Africa so well overdue! Headlining kit needs to be ordered.

Looking forward to getting stuck in to her and possibly going to shows maybe next year. thumbup

Oldandslow

2,405 posts

205 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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Yes and there is no cure. You've got as little as 60 years left to live.

roverpete

41 posts

113 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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i have always liked these in the V8 models, off topic does anyone know if they did a Vanden plas EFI with a Manual gearbox originally from the factory

350zwelgje

1,818 posts

260 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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It is a healthy disease.
Still on my first, a 2300S from 1981 for 20 years now that lives next to three 75s, and it is being handed to my son this year and will go on for many years to come.
Sounds like a nice SD1. A good and rare find I think.

EFI manual, don't think so, all automatic, perhaps if a customer has twisted the arm of the salesman long enough for a manual wink , but can be 'downgraded' if you want (gearbox and related parts, flywheel, prop-shaft, peddle box, clutch master&slave and a few bits and bobs). Especially at the end of the production they sort of only built automatics and you were not charged extra for it. Exception Vitesse, but even those could be automatic in the UK, not on the continent.

Would buy a Vitesse if wanted a manual myself....
They are the basically the same except Vitesse had cloth interior, EFI leather if not mistaken. Think it is easier to find a leather interior and put that in a Vitesse, then to convert from auto to manual.

Rob

N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
quotequote all
Sent my order off to Rimmer Bros for a list of odds and ends plus a headlining so that's a good few hundred pounds spent!
Can only work on it at odd times so it wont be done in a week. Managed to get all the central locking freed off - good old WD40 - and the exhaust properly mounted so the story begins.
Must get some before and after pics.
Already a few people have commented how it reminds them of their childhood. Seems to be quite a popular car.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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just one thing....................................












































PHOTO'S!

roverpete

41 posts

113 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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350zwelgje said:
It is a healthy disease.
Still on my first, a 2300S from 1981 for 20 years now that lives next to three 75s, and it is being handed to my son this year and will go on for many years to come.
Sounds like a nice SD1. A good and rare find I think.

EFI manual, don't think so, all automatic, perhaps if a customer has twisted the arm of the salesman long enough for a manual wink , but can be 'downgraded' if you want (gearbox and related parts, flywheel, prop-shaft, peddle box, clutch master&slave and a few bits and bobs). Especially at the end of the production they sort of only built automatics and you were not charged extra for it. Exception Vitesse, but even those could be automatic in the UK, not on the continent.

Would buy a Vitesse if wanted a manual myself....
They are the basically the same except Vitesse had cloth interior, EFI leather if not mistaken. Think it is easier to find a leather interior and put that in a Vitesse, then to convert from auto to manual.

thank you

Rob

N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
jas xjr said:
just one thing....................................

PHOTO'S!
Yes I know! Must get round tuit.

V8 TVR

319 posts

188 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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We're still waiting!

N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Apologies chaps. I will post some up when the weather is sunny. Promise!!!

N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Sunday 1st February 2015
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Finally got some photos.








Still got the engine bay to clean and the interior.

350zwelgje

1,818 posts

260 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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Looks really good = beautiful, and in black, not seen to often (they are not seen at all these these days hehe)

Rob

N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Correct, not many around nowadays! Just the odd one or two at a car show really. Over 300,000 made and just a few hundred survive now I think.
Maybe its a British Leyland thing as not many Ambassadors, Itals, Marinas, 1800s, Maxis etc either.

spats

838 posts

154 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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That is a beaut!

nevm3

82 posts

212 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Had 3500 can't remember what year R or Sreg, body falling off it, loved it, but highly under rated car. Also had MG Montego turbo, what a car, great fun p#ss#ng off 2.8 capri owners etc!!hehe

nevm3

82 posts

212 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Forgot to say great car, quite envious, still fancy anothersmile but run out of room (and money)frown

































































N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
quotequote all
Well, I will be selling it in the near future once I have done the little jobs that always seem to be needed. It was never my intention to keep it, just a winter project to keep me out of trouble for a few months.
And I need the money for my next project too.































































Edited by N7GTX on Tuesday 3rd February 19:43

Furyblade_Lee

4,107 posts

223 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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I have just found this 3.5 manual bizzarely in my mums garden, seriously.. Having thoughts of turning it into an '81 Triplex Group 1 touring car.


Furyblade_Lee

4,107 posts

223 months

Friday 17th April 2015
quotequote all
I have just found this 3.5 manual bizzarely in my mums garden, seriously.. Having thoughts of turning it into an '81 Triplex Group 1 touring car.


N7GTX

Original Poster:

7,823 posts

142 months

Friday 17th April 2015
quotequote all
Furyblade_Lee said:
I have just found this 3.5 manual bizzarely in my mums garden, seriously.. Having thoughts of turning it into an '81 Triplex Group 1 touring car.

Used to love watching Tony Pond race the SD1 many many moons ago. Sold mine now, goes on Monday to its new home. Just wish I had the room to keep it and the money to put an LS 6.2 into it (quoted £19k for a proper job by Lloyds Specialists near Bristol).