The Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of executive cars built by the Specialist Division (later the Jaguar-Rover-Triumph division), and finally the Austin Rover division of British Leyland from 1976 until 1986, when it was replaced by the Rover 800. The SD1 was marketed under various names. Rover's iconic P6 sedan (last seen here as the Rover 2000/3500 in 1970) was growing long in the tooth, and a replacement was needed. Longtime Leyland designer David Bache was chosen to pen the new car; rather than go conventional, he went for a futuristic, sporty flair that no sedan really possessed.
Rover SD1 Vitesse 3500 1984 1 a photo on Flickriver
The official Motor Show Guide states that three examples were exhibited as part of a 36-car display showcasing models from across the entire Austin Rover Group (ARG) range. Based on the 3500 SE, the Vitesse's equipment levels extended to ventilated front disc brakes with four-pot calipers, lowered suspension with spring and damper rates. Car Rover Rover 3500 Rover SD1 (1 offer) Rover 3500 SD1 for Sale The Rover SD1 (short for Specialist Division Number 1) was the name attributed to a series of cars produced by car manufacturer British Leyland under the Rover brand. Launched in 1976, production of the Rover SD1 series ran for ten years until 1986. Powertrain specs 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum competition Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 2wd vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum Audi V8 Quattro vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 16 vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum More Rover cars 40 Rover 416 GTi 16V 124 ps, 1155 kg 3500 Vitesse competition Ford Sierra 2.0i GLS vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 16 vs Rover 3500 Vitesse VW Jetta GT 16V vs Rover 3500 Vitesse Mercedes-Benz 300E vs Rover 3500 Vitesse More Rover cars 40 Rover 416 GTi 16V 124 ps, 1155 kg 1986 Rover 3500 Vitesse Twin Plenum 218 ps, 1440 kg 1977 Rover 3500 SE 159 ps, 1370 kg
ROVER SD1 VITESSE 3500 MANUAL SINGLE PLENUM IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
It's the twin-plenum Vitesses that get all of the coverage and while these are the best to go for if you can find a good one, the reality is that any cherished V8-powered SD1 will be great to own. The Rover SD1 was a triumph of supercar-esque styling, safety and speed, but flaking paint, poor reliability and assorted BL-related troubles dampened early enthusiasm - and overall sales numbers. We chart its glorious, and troubled, life. In the late 1960s, Rover and Triumph were both part of the British Leyland behemoth, and both had. But for many, the true star of BL in the 1970s was the 1976 Rover 3500, known as the SD1.. The SD1 swansong was the 1982 Rover Vitesse, such as the red car above. This had a 193bhp version of the V-8 with the performance and appearance to match. Wide wheels, stripes, a large rear spoiler and significant attitude boost made this the. It was Rover SD1, which was also called Rover 3500 to reflect its engine capacity. The SD1 succeeded Rover P6 to be British Leyland's mass production large executive cars. It was positioned below Jaguar and Mercedes but at the same level as the large car offerings of Citroen, Renault, Ford and Opel/Vauxhall.
Youngtimer Rover 3500 Vitesse SD1 (19831986) TGV anglais
When revealed in 1976, the Rover 3500 - as it was known - was lauded as a styling triumph.. the introduction of the Group A regulations in the mid-1980s allowed the fastback Rover to shine on the track. Vitesse models built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing notched up multiple wins between 1983 and 1986, driven by the likes of Steve Soper, Tony Pond. Rover 3500 SD1 'Vitesse' (1985) This iconic Rover really is the last of the great British 70's cars. Styling-wise it could be mistaken for a Daytona Ferrari from some angles. Unapologetically 70's, and packing a roaring V8 under the bonnet, what's not to love? Like46 Latest Cars Featured Specials Categories expand child menu Renaults Toyota
SARRREWZ7CM344394. Grey Cloth. The Rover SD1 had all the good stuff: designed in 1970 by the rock 'n' roll design team of David Bache, Gordon Bashford, and Spen King, it looked like a Ferrari Daytona that had been taken roughly from behind by a Maserati Indy and, in 3.5-litre V8 format, sounded like an American muscle car enthusiast's wet. It was a car designed to single handedly replace two very popular saloons in the British Leyland empire, the Rover P6 and Triumph 2000, a proper executive express to build on that success and.
Rover 3500 Vitesse I V8 (Swiss photo card)
Of the 3897 Vitesses built, only 363 were sold with an automatic gearbox. However, Rover also used the 190bhp V8 in the Vanden Plas EFi model as the ultimate in speed and luxury and it had the auto as standard. When the curtain came down on SD1 production in 1986, more than 300,000 of this innovative Rover had been built. The 290hp SD1 completely dominated touring cars in 1983. Well, it would have done except that BMW lodged a formal complaint, claiming the Vitesse had oversized rear wheelarches and non-standard.
