1986 Rover 3500 Vitesse w/ 4.6 litre V8
Discussion
Last week my pre-Christmas purchase finally arrived, though it was only held up due to the festivities and luckily the previous owner was as relaxed about it as I was. I'd been had forewarned by the owner that he hadn't been able to get it running a week before I was due to collect (and pay for) it, though he had been using it previously so I was expecting it when the day finally came (even if my bid had been for a running and driving car), and he was a nice chap to deal with. Sadly no real paperwork came with the car which is a shame especially since it's modified and I feel it has something of a story to tell - so if anyone knows this car or anything about it I would love to know. I'm going to be digging into more about the engine as it is one of the reasons I bought the car and you don't see 4.6 litre Rovers all that often. The car was also a rare twin plenum car originally apparently), though obviously that is something of a moot point now as the original engine is long gone. It's a little sad that the car didn't remain a twin plenum car, but at the same time it has ended up as something interesting and thats good enough for me.
The car was described as being solid but the paint being thin in places, and thats accurate though I'll admit I was hoping for it not to be quite so thin on hard edges that you can see through it, and a bit dull almost everywhere else. I have little doubt that a good polish will help it look a whole lot better and the other paintwork can be done in time, though it isn't too much of a worry as this car will be used and not a garage queen. The door cards aren't fitted and there is no headlining, so those will be on the shortlist to complete to make the car useable, and it could also use a good deep clean inside and out, along with an inspection, service and whatever else we find along the way that needs fixing. Considering this was a pretty much blind eBay purchase with only a couple of viewings I know how lucky I got and that the previous owner is an honest person and definitely a car person too.
We got around to getting it running a couple of days after the car arrived and I walked in just in time to see it spitting flames from the exhaust (after hearing the racket from outside). It isn't the greatest sign for the engine but it did make me laugh and as it was the first time I saw the car running I felt it was something of an introduction to what will surely be a big character. Got a few photos below including a couple from the original ad. Got a video of the car spitting flames but not sure if I'm allowed to include a video link here?
Specs:
1986 Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum
4.6 litre Serpentine engine
T5 gearbox
Revolution RFXs
Rimmer's stainless steel exhaust and manifolds
Gaz adjustable shocks
The car was described as being solid but the paint being thin in places, and thats accurate though I'll admit I was hoping for it not to be quite so thin on hard edges that you can see through it, and a bit dull almost everywhere else. I have little doubt that a good polish will help it look a whole lot better and the other paintwork can be done in time, though it isn't too much of a worry as this car will be used and not a garage queen. The door cards aren't fitted and there is no headlining, so those will be on the shortlist to complete to make the car useable, and it could also use a good deep clean inside and out, along with an inspection, service and whatever else we find along the way that needs fixing. Considering this was a pretty much blind eBay purchase with only a couple of viewings I know how lucky I got and that the previous owner is an honest person and definitely a car person too.
We got around to getting it running a couple of days after the car arrived and I walked in just in time to see it spitting flames from the exhaust (after hearing the racket from outside). It isn't the greatest sign for the engine but it did make me laugh and as it was the first time I saw the car running I felt it was something of an introduction to what will surely be a big character. Got a few photos below including a couple from the original ad. Got a video of the car spitting flames but not sure if I'm allowed to include a video link here?
Specs:
1986 Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum
4.6 litre Serpentine engine
T5 gearbox
Revolution RFXs
Rimmer's stainless steel exhaust and manifolds
Gaz adjustable shocks
Good luck with it.
It's very important how you route the plug leads so they don't track.
Here is a good guide:
https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/8002-rover-v8-the-b...
Make sure you get a proper set of leads made to fit, not just a generic "this will do set".
This guy is helpful:
https://simonbbc.com/ht-leads/rover/
It's very important how you route the plug leads so they don't track.
Here is a good guide:
https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/8002-rover-v8-the-b...
Make sure you get a proper set of leads made to fit, not just a generic "this will do set".
This guy is helpful:
https://simonbbc.com/ht-leads/rover/
RicksAlfas said:
Good luck with it.
It's very important how you route the plug leads so they don't track.
Here is a good guide:
https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/8002-rover-v8-the-b...
Make sure you get a proper set of leads made to fit, not just a generic "this will do set".
This guy is helpful:
https://simonbbc.com/ht-leads/rover/
Thanks, thats very helpful. Luckily its my very knowledgeable workshop manager ordering the parts for me, and going to try and get to the engine number to trace that too. If I'm allowed to post a YouTube link to the forum I will post the video I took of it running the other day.It's very important how you route the plug leads so they don't track.
Here is a good guide:
https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/8002-rover-v8-the-b...
Make sure you get a proper set of leads made to fit, not just a generic "this will do set".
This guy is helpful:
https://simonbbc.com/ht-leads/rover/
lukeharding said:
njw1 said:
I'd quite like to see this to be honest.
Its fine, its starting a thread specifically for a video they dont like or ones with NSFW content.
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