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The Rover SD1
(Special Division 1) came onto the market in the year 1976
as successor of the very successful Rover P6.
Just like the Rover P6 caught the attention in 1963 with it's beautiful,
modern, design so did the Rover SD1 thirteen years later.
The very modern, slick shaped bodywork was an enlightment in the
seventies of the past century, when boxy, square, automotive designs
were dominant. The "fifth door" was fashion that decade but
very practical and well integrated in the slick, stretched, design of
the SD1. The interior design was very avant garde those days, very
functional and with a clear lay-out.
At first the SD1 was available only with the aluminium alloy 3500cc. V8
engine of it's predecessor.
From the year 1977 the car could be ordered with a 2300 cc.
six-cylinder engine which was developed by Triumph, like Rover part of
the British Leyland Motor corporation. The six-cylinder engine was, like
the V8, equipped with two S.U. carburettors and produced 157 DIN
horsepower.
Later on Rover introduced additional engine-options for the SD1; a four
cylinder 2000cc. engine and a 2500cc. four cylinder diesel-engine...
In the early eighties of the 20th century the Rover SD1 Vitesse
saw the light of day. The Vitesse was the flagship of the SD1 -line. The
car was very sporty and luxurious and was equipped with the 3500cc. V8
engine now fitted with petrol injection. The Vitesse V8 engine had a
capacity of 194 DIN horsepower.
These days the Rover SD1 is a youngtimer counted by years. But in my
opinion it is already a classic because it was the last genuine Rover,
built by British Leyland before the Honda interference...
Technical
data
V8 engine
petrol injection
cylinder capacity: 3528 cc.
capacity: 194 DIN hp. at 5250 rpm.
top-speed: 135 mph. - 215 km/h.
gearbox: 5-speed, manual
Sales
information
Rover SD1
Vitesse, year 1986 (February 27, 1986). Colour metallic blue with a grey
fabric interior. Sold new in Belgium. This car is standard equipped with tinted glass and a sliding
roof. |
