SD1-Itch needs to be scratched.

[Royale80]

Was at the Lamphey Show in Pembroke on Wednesday. There were a few classic cars on display. The one that caught my eye was a 1980 Rover 2600. It was mint. Chatted to the owner for about an hour. He had owned the car for about 35 years-it had only covered 35000 miles.

I had a 3500 manual years ago and seeing this 2600 got me thinking. They are such a fantastic car-faults included!

 

I'd love a series 1 3500 auto-but finding a usable one could be difficult.

 

I remember 20 years ago you could pick them up for next to nothing-I got my 3500 manual for £500-wish it was the same now!

 

I'll have a look!!!

 

Steve

 

 

[Skizzer]

Do it. I love mine. It's been very little trouble and minor niggles have been easy to fix, even for me and that's saying something.

 

Here's a promising looking one for you: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C762128

[cort16]

That one is nice. I've got a serious lob on for that tatty Inverness vitesse.

 

http://pages.bay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=302029592541

[Royale80]

Do it. I love mine. It's been very little trouble and minor niggles have been easy to fix, even for me and that's saying something.

 

Here's a promising looking one for you: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C762128

Thanks Skizzer,

Have contacted the bloke via email-still waiting for reply.

 

Thanks

 

Steve

[EssDeeWon]

Was at the Lamphey Show in Pembroke on Wednesday. There were a few classic cars on display. The one that caught my eye was a 1980 Rover 2600. It was mint. Chatted to the owner for about an hour. He had owned the car for about 35 years-it had only covered 35000 miles.

I had a 3500 manual years ago and seeing this 2600 got me thinking. They are such a fantastic car-faults included!

 

Was it a persian aqua (light met blue) W reg??

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I really love the shape and detail design on the early series 1 SD1, but any of them are lovely cars. I came across an old What car magazine the other day - SD1 Vitesse against the BMW 528i and SAAB Turbo. The Rover won easily. It is interesting to read these old tests, written before 'made in Germany' was a prerequisite for liking a car in motoring journalism.

[mercrocker]

I well remember the optimism and support from the UK motoring press for the way forward shown by the SD1 when it came out.   Shame it all turned out so differently in such a short space of time.   Unlike most cars the SD1 seemed to improve with each generation, at least in terms of looks even if some of the original concept was diluted.

[EssDeeWon]

I know the SD1 club boys get lob-on's over all Vitesse's and V8 EFi cars but go for a Six pot, or even a 4 pot 2000.  I would love a pov 2000 with that beige interior and windy windows. Mmmmmmm lovely things.

[cort16]

I know someone who had a really nice 2000, attempted to put a v8 in it, ruined it then scrapped it. A serial car destroyer . He was interested in my sd1 but I didn't want to sell it to him.

[Royale80]

Was it a persian aqua (light met blue) W reg??

 

No-it was the earlier much darker blue metallic and it was either T or V reg-definitely not a W. The car was bought from Greens (a BL dealer) in Haverfordwest.

 

Lots of my friends had SD1's-here's what I remember.

 

Mike "Muff" Murphy had a 1979 3500 auto in Red (a bit like Damask red). This was about 1982 he was about 20years old. Party trick was to put it into 2nd say "watch this" and then proceed to 100mph. After a while it developed a radiator leak which he ignored until he blew the engine doing 135mph along the M4 late for a meeting.

 

Martin bought a W reg 2600 manual in a funny metallic green in the 90's for a few hundred quid from Dan the Banger Man at the old Empress Car Sales in Abertillery. Top end was noisy-but it took us to Lands End at a comfortable 100mph. He later replaced it with an Oporto red 2600SE manual series 2 B reg-again from Dan the Banger Man. Lovely machine - very quick as well.

 

Ginger Harvey was given a T reg 2300 in Platinum by Horace Rowlands the local milkman again in the early 90. Needed a bit of welding-but what a sweet motor. Had the single pod dash as well-no rev counter on the base model!

 

I bought a gold 3500 manual PEJ 961S in about 1999 for £500. Bodily very good-the bloke I bought it off had covered all the arches inside and out in thick grease! I bought this from Cilgerran near Cardigan in west Wales. Mechanically it was not so good. I previously had owned a P63500S which would wheelspin in 2nd on a dry day. The SD1 was no where as good-I think the cams had gone. I replaced the power steering rack twice-first one was faulty.

 

After another year or two it blew another rack so I scrapped it.

 

Anyway-time for another!

 

Steve

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The 2000 is deadly - got to be a 2300 minimum for the six cyl engine note.

[Skizzer]

I know someone who had a really nice 2000, attempted to put a v8 in it, ruined it then scrapped it. A serial car destroyer . He was interested in my sd1 but I didn't want to sell it to him.

The like is for not selling it to him, obv, not for the serial destruction.

[anonymous user]

No-it was the earlier much darker blue metallic and it was either T or V reg-definitely not a W. The car was bought from Greens (a BL dealer) in Haverfordwest.

 

I may well have seen that car when it was new, as I used to work for Greens Motors Ltd at the time (in the warranty dept.).  I do remember them once having a very odd SD1 in stock, in Turmeric yellow, that had been fitted with a sliding glass division behind the front seats, great if the driver and front passenger were really short as you couldn't slide the seats back very far.

[surprisingskoda]

I missed a (so I were told) Mot'd SD1 of unknown vintage and unknown powerplant in mushy pea green at a local dealers earlier this year. For something like £800. I didn't initially know it was so cheap, then when I found out, I arrived of a Saturday and it had sold the preceding Tuesday. I was a bit downhearted - although I am 50% sure I know where it went and might stop and ask there some day when I'm near.

Anyway yes I also hanker for an SD1 and vote do it.

[cort16]

This one looks nice. I think I know the guy selling it and he's been into them for years and is a good guy.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-SD1-3500-VANDEN-PLAS-EFi-MANUAL-MOT-NOVEMBER-75000-MILES-1985-B-VITESSE-/291837548213?hash=item43f2df96b5:g:YoAAAOSwbsBXo8sc

[AMC Rebel]

Is Breadvan's 2600 still for sale?

[Royale80]

Thanks for the replies!

 

Been side tracked this week - been moving my shed (16ft x 8ft)-nearly finished me off. I've got to take a wall down and will then have another off road parking space for more shite. I'm also hoping to get a cheapish 2 or 4 post lift to put on this hard standing.

 

The platinum SD1 looks good-I may have a look next week if still for sale.

 

Stvee

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I have wanted a 2000 for years,if you come across one with a 3-figure price tag let me know

[Royale80]

I have wanted a 2000 for years,if you come across one with a 3-figure price tag let me know

Will do!

[Cleon-Fonte]

They are such a fantastic car-faults included!

 

But the good thing about those faults is they can usually be sorted with a cheap socket set and a lump hammer, there's no mechanical complexity to SD1s whatsoever.

 

They're a bit funny about rust, though. Some will dissolve the moment they see a damp road, others wouldn't rust if they were parked overnight in the sea. All will go, however, if they're not used.

[Bren]

The 2000 is a bit thrashy but goes well for it's modest power. Little difference between that and a 2300. Just get a five speed and not an auto - i've seen faster glaciers.

 

The 2300 seems to have more issues than the 2600 because it works harder. Having said that, I would love an early 2300 with no rev counter, single mirror and unpainted wheel trims.

[Ghosty]

Buy the £195 one on eBay!