'82 Rover SD1 3500 V8 S1 Manual !

Hi folks, first post on here having dipped in quite a bit over last couple of years to look at the great projects and work you guys and girls are carrying out ! Really impressed with the skills, enthusiasm and commitment that goes into your vehicles.

Thought enough being lazy, i'd better sign up and start a project thread for my SD1 1982 3500 SE manual. Not a massive resto or mod job but might be of interest so here goes !

Got the car in June '15 and it's a 1982 built "run out" model of the SD1 series 1. These had chrome door mirrors rather than black plastic, new design seats and a few other changes ahead of series 2 spec.

SD1's were first introduced back in '76 hence unbelievable 40 yrs since launch !  Series 2 started about April 1982 with a much revised range including Vitesse and 2400 diesel along with the base 2000 model. They continued on until 1986/7 when the 800 range took over.

My car had a few extra bits that weren't normal spec, ie the later series 2 front chin spoiler, grille and headlamps.

These series 2 items were allegedly fitted from new either at the factory or by the supplying dealer. At first I'd assumed these had just been lashed together at some point in the cars's history.

History wise the car was first registered on 8th April 1982 by Arnold G Wilson, Regent Street, Leeds. It was allocated to BL cars MCP department ( management car programme) for their bosses to cruise around in for its first year !

On 10th March 1983 the car was registered to a Mr Fellows of Billingham. It remained under his ownership for twenty eight years until March 2011 where Mr Spendlove of Wolverhampton sourced the car via two guys who had acquired the car, got it back on the road having found it to be a great runner despite some years unused.

The car was dry stored for at least twelve years of its life leading up to 2011. Structure wise it certainly seems largely rot free hence this would tend to tie in with long term storage having taken place !

Enough blah and history lessons for now, time for some photos of what she was like when acquired last summer........



Front end end looking a bit awkward with the later headlamps, spoiler and grille lashed on ! Otherwise thought it looked smart especially in white.



Side view looks a bit better although sills should be black rather than body colour.




Again not bad but a few detail changes needed. Sports exhaust sounds nice though !



80's crushed velour trim ! CD player and that steering wheel & cover were amongst the first things to go !



The engine room ! Twin SU's with K&N's, also running a points ignition system having been converted because of problems with the troublesome electronic units that were standard fit. Needs tidying and a few changes but not a bad start and most importantly the motor seems strong and pulls well.

That's an overview of the car and an idea of what I'd bought. Drive home from Wolverhampton back to Yorkshire on a sunny June day was great. Decent oil pressure, charge rate and no dramas on the temp gauge were all positives !

So not a concourse show car and anything exotic but fits in with exactly what I was after, a lot of fun and nostalgia without laying out a fortune. It's amazing how much the SD1 turns heads these days, suppose you just don't see them around anymore with most having succumbed to the dreaded tin worm !

Any thoughts and feedback appreciated.....Updates to follow !

Cheers !

Dave.