1984 Rover SD1 V8

Launched on the home market in 1976, the SD1 (code for Specialist Division Number 1) was British Leyland's replacement for both the Triumph 2000/2500 and Rover P6, and was largely the creative responsibility of the duo that had already conceived the Range Rover - David Bache (design) and Spen King (engineering). The new Rover was initially only available with a 3.5 litre V8 followed a year later by the 2.3 and 2.6 straight sixes, however, it was the Buick-designed 3500cc V8 engined car that was to create the most impact, offering power and comfort in equal measure and culminating in its crowning as European Car of the Year in 1977.

This Rover SD1 race car has been finished in a style very similar to the 1983 Marlboro-sponsored TWR Vitesse and has been racing in the Dutch race series "YTCC" at world famous European race tracks such as Hockenheim, Zandvoort, Spa and Le Mans.

Our vendor acquired a road going SD1 some years ago that had been modified for occasional track use and set about rebuilding it to full racing spec. He started by totally stripping the car, had the shell acid-dipped and started the rebuild process with the intention of creating a competitive and fun historic race car. Various new parts were sourced from "Rimmer Bros" and the chassis was seam-welded resulting in a very stiff base which was then built up with uni-ball suspension, adjustable Leda shocks and four-pot callipers all round.

Power comes from a, recently rebuilt, 4.5 Litre 'Tuscan Challenge' wet-sump engine (original dry-sump and pump are included) with quad 48mm Dellortos and is reported to produce around 355 BHP with significant torque (dyno printout with the car). To cope with this considerable 'grunt' the gearbox is a beefy Getrag 262 five-speed with a hydraulic throw-out bearing and an upgraded clutch assembly. A race spec 'Safety Devices' roll cage, 90 litre FIA fuel tank, and OMP race seats and belts complete the impressive specification. Our vendor reports that the car weighs around 1080 kgs. which taking into account the horsepower on tap, suggests that this is a seriously quick motor car.

Included with the car are lots of pictures of the rebuild, some from the earlier conversion in 1994, various magazines in which the car has featured, recent race programs, and sundry documents from its early road going years showing it was actually first registered in the UK on the 21st May 1984. Invoices are present covering recent works and a number of UK MoTs from the 80s and early 90s.

Those of us lucky enough to watch these big Rovers race in the mid-eighties will always remember the rumbling V8 thunder and tyre-smoking dramatic spectacle as a brace of TWR Rovers slid from lock to lock through the Woodcote chicane in pursuit of an errant Metro, and this is a great opportunity to recreate those moments with this potent and well-presented full-race SD1 at a very sensible guide price.