1985 Rover SD1 Vitesse

Highlights

Subject to copious recent improvements to the suspension, brakes, cooling system as well as a major service
Numerous invoices for all new parts amidst a large collection of paperwork
Flagship ‘Vitesse’ model with a 190bhp fuel-injected 3.5-litre V8
Highly original and very well-preserved for its age
Advisory-free MOT until August 2025

The Appeal

Yum. That’s what it says fore and aft of this Rover and we of Car & Classic agree. This is one tasty motor - as they used to say back in the day…

British Leyland’s answer to the Ferrari Daytona, the SD1 was designed in-house by Rover Group legends David Bache and Spen King. An executive saloon-cum-continental grand tourer, it was a revolutionary concept, signalling the start of a new era for the firm. SD1s were a mainstay of TV car chases in period, often seen power sliding through piles of cardboard boxes in the New Avengers and Professionals. It was a very cool car.

Today, vanishingly few Rover SD1s survive so we’re very excited to offer this 1985 example. It’s the 3.5-litre Vitesse model - the one to have both then and now. It’s a great example in commendably original condition for its age and the vendor has lavished a great deal of expenditure on the mechanicals, ensuring it’s supremely driveable. In fact, they were just using the car the other week fot a 100-mile jaunt on which it reportedly performed faultlessly. These cars like being used and we can say with some certainly you’ll very much enjoy driving this Rover.

One of the exhaust boxes has been removed, making that fuel-injected V8 especially vocal and, (remarkably for a British car from the 1980s), the electrics are said to be in good working order. That alone tells you this is a very well-sorted example!

Following a major service and the fitment of numerous new components, the Rover passed MOT with no advisories in August 2024 confirming that it’s ready for the road.

The History and Paperwork

Apt registration ‘C789 YUM’ included in the sale
23,347 miles indicated on the six-figure odometer - the vendor suggests the unit may have been replaced at some point
Known mileage history back to 2007 via MOT record (16,157 miles indicated at 2006 MOT)
Eight former registered keepers
UK-supplied RHD example
V5C present
MOT until 30th August 2025
Accompanied by a large collection of invoices for all parts fitted recently

The Condition

Period ‘Silver Birch’ over Grey cloth upholstery
OEM alloy wheels retained and in very smart order
We’re informed that all tyres have ample tread remaining
Very straight bodywork with good door fit down both sides
No notable corrosion is apparent besides light bubbling to the paint in places
The underside presents well for a car of this age
Some small marks to the plastic bumpers/trim as to be expected
The paint has various small blemishes but presents very well overall
As the photos show, there’s some bubbling to the leading edge of the bonnet and a few other isolated areas
The cloth upholstery has worn very well, with only moderate signs of age and a few small marks
No headlining is presently fitted
The vendor points out some warping to the dashboard but this is not especially noticeable
We’re informed that all electric windows and the sunroof operate well
The central locking can be temperamental but this is likely not complicated to remedy
The vendor notes that all the instruments and switchgear seem in good working order
New Kenwood DIN stereo with DAB, Bluetooth and handsfree
DAB aerial affixed to the windscreen
Motamec sports steering wheel - original supplied also

The Mechanics

3.5-litre Rover V8 with fuel-injection
Five-speed manual gearbox
No MOT advisories
One exhaust box removed for enhances sound (standard system) - the removed item accompanies the car
The vendor notes that the fuel economy is surprisingly reasonable
The vendor notes that it sometimes pops out of first gear
We’re assured that overall, the SD1 drives very well indeed

The vendor provides the following list of recent work:

Spax adjustable shock absorbers all round - set to 20mm (standard Vitesse height)
Uprated springs all round from Rimmers
Goodrich hoses all around
Fully polybushed including the remote gear selector
New distributor and coil
Full service inc plugs, leads, oil, and filters
Cone-type air filter fitted
Gearbox and diff oil replaced
Vendor has noted that it does pop out of first gear from time to time
Very good tyres all round
Recent new brake new pads and shoes - front callipers tested and exercised to check for sticking
New brake master cylinder
New alloy radiator from Coolex (£420)
New antifreeze, ECU, temperature sensor and new electrical plugs to both sensors (as these become brittle)
New battery

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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