Highlights
- 19th from last SD1 Vitesse built on final day of production
- Factory standard car in highly preserved, unrestored condition
- Only 3 former registered keepers
- Current keeper since 2010 and car known to him since 1989
- Meticulously maintained with a comprehensive history file
- Stored in a private collection and used sparingly
- Winner of best in show on multiple occasions
- MOT to March 2026 with no advisories
- Previous keeper owned since 1989
- Garaged all its life from then on
The Appeal
There would be other quick Rover saloons, but for many, the SD1 Vitesse was the last ‘proper’ car, one wholly designed and built by Solihull. And the ultimate version of that car? That’s this one, the Twin Plenum, built to homologate the car for European Touring Car Championship racing. So we’re in the presence of a great car of historic significance.
These final cars got a small power hike. Just 250 were reputedly built, and we’ll wager that this one is amongst the best and most historied. It has covered very few miles each year in the hands of just four keepers. The current one, has owned it since 2010 - but has known the car since 1989 - and kept it as part of a small collection in a heated garage with a cover.
The joy of this silver metallic Vitesse is that it is an unrestored, factory-correct car in very good condition. We are told that it has won several ‘Best in Show’ awards, and looking at the photos, we can see why.
The thick history file shows regular maintenance - described by the vendor as ‘no expense spared - and including an annual service irrespective of mileage. Recent work includes a new full clutch assembly at 86,000 miles, new dampers and brake fluid change in 2022 and EBC Green Stuff brakes at the same time. were fitted as an upgrade.
Enthusiasts will quickly see what we mean about this car. SD1s were notorious for self-disintegration, particularly the fragile interiors. It is a fate that this car has entirely avoided.
This is a much-loved car that deserves an equally enthusiastic and dedicated new keeper. It comes to market with the added reassurance of a long, advisory-free MOT.
The vendor says:
“The car drives exactly as the best SD1 should do, no ifs, no buts, no issues no excuses.
We all think that this car is what every SD1 Vitesse should have been back in the day, sadly most were not. If such a car can be loved, then it is for its ability to deliver and surprise beyond most expectations. This Vitesse carries the 19th from last VIN on the last day of production for these cars. I have not seen better in the last 40 years in the motor trade.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 15th march 1987
- Vendor tells us this car was built on the last day of SD1 production
- It is car number 19 from the end of production
- Four registered keepers
- Current keeper since August 2010
- Current keeper has know the car since September 1989
- Fully documented history file and maintenance schedule for the last 15 years
- Stored in a garage under cover as part of a private collection
- Only used in dry, sunny weather since purchased
- Maintained regardless of cost, fully serviced every 12 months
- The current keeper is a member of the Rover Sports Register
- The seller is acting for the disposal of assets for Mr. Timothy Ralphs
- Factory handbooks as shown
- Old tax discs
- Various invoices and receipts including many dated recently
- Factory service book with regular stamps as shown
- Car has won Best in Show several times with trophies included in photos
- MOT to 26th March 2026 with no advisories
- 92,850 miles showing on test and 92,868 miles showing in photos
Recent work advised by seller:
- New full clutch assembly at approximately 86,000 miles
- This included master and slave cylinders
- Full brake fluid change in 2022
- EBC Green Stuff brakes were fitted as an upgrade in 2022
- New dampers all round in 2022
- Serviced annually
- New Dunlop tyres all round
The vendor says:
“The car has had just 3 former keepers, known by current registered keeper since September 1989. Cherished, garaged and only used sparingly by professional engineer enthusiast owner, and only out in dry weather! Bought by current registered keeper August 2010, and stored in his house as part of an extremely select private collection. This SD 1 has in the last 15 years been used primarily for summer continental trips, and is otherwise covered indoors in a controlled environment.
“The house enjoys a large adjoining stable block with a well equiped vehicle workshop housed within. This SD 1 will be put on a 2 post lift for the photographer to shoot the important underside.
“Bit of an old cliche, but this car really has been maintained utterly regardless of cost. It always has the very best of everything and is fully serviced every 12 months irrespective of mileage. Tyres are brand new premium Dunlops all round. Current keeper is a very keen member of the Rover Sports Register.”
The Condition
- Factory standard, unrestored car in highly preserved condition as shown
- Classic silver metallic paintwork which is well kept with few signs of use
- As this car is unrestored there are some minor paintwork points to note in the photos
- No paintwork needed in the last 15 years, with some factory paint rectification
- These include some scuffs to base of two doors, corner chips and bonnet stone chips
- These areas and a small number of other minor ones can be checked on photos
- Bodywork presents very well in photos with usual SD1 check areas showing well
- There are some minor bubbles to note to leading edge of bonnet in photos
- Other areas such as arches, sills and panel edges present well
- We are told that the car has original panel gaps and no evidence of accident damage
- Underside presents very well with evidence of undersealing
- No structural advisories on current MOT
- Boot floor appears solid and well-kept in photos
- Factory lattice-style alloys in very good order with matching spare in similar condition
- Car recently fitted with matching quality Dunlop tyres as shown
- Exterior fittings in good order including plastic and chrome trim to bumpers
- Rear bumper chrome trim shows a small indentation in photos
- Exterior lights in good order with no reported damage or functional defects
- Grey velour interior is unmodified and factory correct with very little evident wear
- Usual SD1 interior check areas such as trim, veneers and switchgear in surprisingly good order
- There are some minor points to note such as slight wave to dial shroud trim as is usual for these cars
- Velour seats look virtually unused with only light bolster wear to note
- Veneers, door cards, headlining and switchgear in very good order
- Fitted with a period-correct Philips stereo as shown
- Slight wear to note to ovoid factory steering wheel
- Carpets appear to be original with small area of blemish to note in photos
- Boot carpet is clean and very presentable as shown
- Small area of deterioration to underside of parcel shelf as shown
- No reported faults with electrics, lighting, switchgear or dials
- No dashboard warning lights advised
The vendor says:
“The exterior of this car is simply exemplary in every detail. As with most SD 1s of this era some factory paint rectification was carried out, but such are the conditions of storage and use, no paintwork has been carried out or needed in the last 15 years for certain.
“All panel gaps are factory original, and to expert eyes the car has absolutely no evidence of crash or accident repair. The car has won best in show on the odd occasions it has appeared.
“Quite simply this appears to be the best SD1 around at present.
“It has a factory sunroof. Absolutely everything works as it should. Worth mentioning current owner of last 15 years is extremely fastidious!! Interior is exceptionally clean with no damage to anything, and only the drivers seat showing the slightest evidence of any minor wear.”
The Mechanics
- 3,528cc Rover fuel injected ‘Twin Plenum’ model delivering around 220bhp
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Stainless steel exhaust
- Engine starts as it should, settling to a steady fast tick over on all 8 cylinders
- Auxiliary air control functions correctly, with tick over settling back to around 750 RPM
- Engine is smooth and responsive, delivering brisk performance
- Gearbox functions smoothly with all synchros performing as intended
- Brakes are in fine fettle with good progression and feel
- Steering is as it should be with no issues
- Rear axle is silent, with minor backlash as per factory specification
- No known faults with the car according to the seller
- Recent work to clutch, brakes and dampers as detailed above
- Serviced annually irrespective of mileage according to the seller
- No advisories on current MOT
The vendor says:
“The mechanical condition can again only be described as excellent. Engine fires up exactly as it should, quickly settling to a steady fast tick over on ALL 8 cylinders, auxiliary air control is functioning correctly with tick over settling back to around 750 RPM as the engine warms up. Engine is beautifully smooth and responsive to throttle input, no stumbles, no hesitation, never misses a beat, as good as any Rover V8 should be. Clearly delivers the power it should, giving a brisk performance right through the range and a pleasing driving experience.
“Totally standard and unmolested. Gearbox is exactly as it should be with a smooth selection and all synchros present and performing as intended. Brakes are excellent with good progression and 'feel' once properly warmed up. Steering is as it should be in a good SD1 with no issues whatsoever. Rear axle is silent, with minor backlash as per factory specification. There is a fully documented history file and well recorded maintenance schedule covering the last 15 years in great detail, and slightly less for the previous 21 years. There are no known faults with this car, period!”
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