My new toy

[Gavin RS]

I know its not a muscle car but I have just bought this
Imported from the UK, ex London Police car 1986 Rover SD1 3500 SE fuel injection manual. Series 2. Leyland SA stopped production in 1985 and our cars never got the full bumpers and a few other things so this car is only 1 of 2 that I know of in SA

the current owner bought it from the Police in London as these cars had the Vitesse upgrades such as uprated suspension 4 pot front brake calipers etc etc. it was bought in 1988 then brought over to SA when he immigrated to SA so he has owned it for 26 years. NOW ITS MINE

It was fitted with a 4.6lt some years ago with decent cam etc.

[THE ONE]

Woe congrats man! What a cool looking car

[IndianaJones]

Very nice find Gavin, with the 4.6 it should have some muscle.

Was it an actual patrol car, or just built to police spec?

[sidedraught]

Very very nice Gavin!! Car looks stunning and in great condition!

[Gavin RS]

Thanks guys. I am an SD1 nut this will be my 6th one. all V8's

My race Rover will only be back from the bodyshop in November so at least I will have this. I also bought a 1982 Rover SDS V8 m as a donor car 2 months ago but will probably advertise it as a project to turn into an Historic Race car as it is complete and running. I hope once my race car is back on track and I arrive at the tracks towing it with the New Rover it might get people thinking

The car was a proper Police car with the London branch, they had it from new and used it for almost 3 years before the current owner bought it from them and then immigrated to SA. it has no sunroof fortunately, all the police lights and other items were removed before it came over to SA. the 4.6lt engine is fully balanced with decent cam and has around 250bhp but lots of torque, it has the UK spec Vitesse diff ratio at 2.85-1 which is nice for cruising and consumption. our locally built cars had only a 3.23-1 and a 3.7-1.

I have guys on the sd1 forum in the UK that I will send the vin to so they can try and find the details and history, be nice to have

[blitzvw]

Love it. Funnily enough, I watched the Topgear tribute to the Rover V8 earlier this evening and they had an insert on the history of the SD1. what are the plans for it?

[RASSIE]

Very nice car!!
they are really unknown.
Rassie.

[RASSIE]

I still have some rear lights, headlights and indicators if you need.
Rassie.

[Gavin RS]

My plans are to tidy it up a bit and use it as a daily driver and a tow car for my Race Rover when it comes back from its respray.

been chatting to the current owner. the 4.6lt motor has been worked nicely, has big valve heads, double roller timing chain an steel vernier gears,fast road cam, uprated oil pump etc

Fortunately My race car has the Vitesse boot spoiler and the early type groupA front spoiler. I priced importing the big airdam like the car already has as well as another boot spoiler and those genuine Vitesse 15inch alloys for my other car and just on the exchange rate it will cost over R18,k ouch.

I recently discovered a whole lot of Leyland SA parts still new in boxes from a guy out in Heckpoort, went around last weekend and bought a whole lot of parts and trim items for my car. he still has lots left which I will buy at a later stage. price he gave me was really cheap, I costed what I got for R1500 with the equivalent prices in the UK and I saved +- R7000 if I had of imported the items.

Rassie please take some pics for me on those headlights, the older SD1 is different from the Vanden Plas, I would be interested as I was going to import a new set oh headlights from the UK.
Thanks

[Hubcap]

That guy in Hekpoort is me !!

Hubert