RE: Rover SD1 Vitesse: You Know You Want To
Discussion
SD1 fan since a young boy. Got me hooked on V8s and Rovers. They were quite a sight outside the UK, lived in Holland then. Bought one, must be over 20 years ago now and still own it: to put a V8 in it as it has a straight six only. Never happened, got a TVR instead with a Vitesse engine already installed 
It is an '81 car, no structural rust and it has lived many years out on the road as I didn't have a garage.... Recommissioned a couple of years ago after five years of just standing around. My son will use it as his first car when he passes for his drivers licence (lucky ....) Everyone likes the shape, but doesn't dare to buy one. Would be more worried about buying a Ferrari Daytona myself
Had no real issues, has been a daily driver/family car for a several years. Simple technology and as any car of that era, 'preventive' maintenance will help, including rustproofing it from time to time. Nice time piece, nice to look at.
Now where is the lottery ticket to buy a P5B coupé? To complete the Rover collection of the SD1 and 3 modern 75s that are our daily wafters....
Rob
It is an '81 car, no structural rust and it has lived many years out on the road as I didn't have a garage.... Recommissioned a couple of years ago after five years of just standing around. My son will use it as his first car when he passes for his drivers licence (lucky ....) Everyone likes the shape, but doesn't dare to buy one. Would be more worried about buying a Ferrari Daytona myself
Had no real issues, has been a daily driver/family car for a several years. Simple technology and as any car of that era, 'preventive' maintenance will help, including rustproofing it from time to time. Nice time piece, nice to look at.
Now where is the lottery ticket to buy a P5B coupé? To complete the Rover collection of the SD1 and 3 modern 75s that are our daily wafters....
Rob
Oldandslow said:
Speaking as an SD1 owner if you want innovative for the time buy a P6. The SD1 is 50's tech in an 80's frock. I love mine but be aware it is not what it seems. I'd imagine 300hp would be quite "interesting", I get enough rear end hop from <190hp.
I remember over taking a SD1 Vitesse around the outside of a dual carriageway curve in my alfasud as it bunny hopped across the road towards me.... Happy reckless motoring days in my late teens.Alfa wrong after the engine developed a nasty rattle on start up after chasing an XJS at top speed for quite a while....
SV8Predator said:
StuntmanMike said:
Had a V8S about 20 years ago, great car, great looks, I managed to blow it up.
Are your lips still sore?Oldandslow said:
Speaking as an SD1 owner if you want innovative for the time buy a P6. The SD1 is 50's tech in an 80's frock. I love mine but be aware it is not what it seems. I'd imagine 300hp would be quite "interesting", I get enough rear end hop from <190hp.
Good engineering, good maintenance and good setup does not care what decade you are in.I will take a Pushrod V8, live rear axle and no power steering over cutting edge electric steering, FWD, turbo diesel any day of the week.
Long time ago now and one of the few cars I've really scared myself whilst driving. Borrowed my Boss's 3500V8vp and decided to see what it would do. Deserted road so pressed on a bit too strong and lost the rear end. In that oh so brief moment time stood still for me and a million rapid thoughts I had plus that scared sick feeling not so much about what would happen to me, but what would I say to my boss about his totalled pride and joy if I survived.
To this day I'm unsure whether due to the car or my driving, maybe a bit of both, I recovered that rear end and completed the long trip at a more sedate pace. Lesson learned and never again pressed on too strong when driving someone else's car.
I still shudder when thinking about how that could have turned out. No one ever knew ... except me.
Great car in its time and even today a head turner on the rare occasion one is seen.
To this day I'm unsure whether due to the car or my driving, maybe a bit of both, I recovered that rear end and completed the long trip at a more sedate pace. Lesson learned and never again pressed on too strong when driving someone else's car.
I still shudder when thinking about how that could have turned out. No one ever knew ... except me.
Great car in its time and even today a head turner on the rare occasion one is seen.
Duke Thrust said:
I like it a lot, but then I do have one:
I also think your thread makes a great read as well and how you got it to that glorious state.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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