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
Six-cylinder
engine
2 S.U. carburettors
cylinder capacity: 2300 cc.
capacity: 157 DIN hp. at 5250 rpm.
top-speed: approx. 125 mph. - 200 km/h.
Information
Rover SD1
2300, year 1981 (February 25, 1981). Colour white with a brown/beige
interior. Fully original. Original Rover fog lamps and Rover light alloy wheels. |