Rover 2300/2600(SD1)

Overview
Produced: 1977-1986
Types: Saloon,5 doors,5 seats

Although initially only available in V8 format Rover quickly added smaller, six cylinder versions of its new SD1 model in 1977. Two six cylinder models were available, a 123bhp 2300 and a 136bhp 2600. Performance from both versions was excellent, over 110mph being available.

Both cars used the same bold, five door hatchback body as the V8 3500 version. Despite the practical hatchback body interior space was not exactly huge, particularly headroom. Unfortunately the reputation of Rover slumped during the strike ridden 1970's. Build quality sunk to a legendary all-time low and the 2.6 litre versions also gained a bad reputation for blowing head gaskets. These problems were eventually overcome and production of the SD1 lasted until the 800 series arrived in 1986.Practical Classics April 2008 - Featuring Buyers Guide Rover SD1 available.  Click here to view in our shop.

Source: Motorbase
Engines
CapacityConfigModelBore/StrokeCR
2597ccS6 OHC81mm x 84mm
2350ccS6 OHC81mm x 76mm
Auction Sales History
Lot
Num
Description Auctioneer Date Hammer Price Hammer Price
(inc premium)
009 Rover 2600S SD1 Police Car Brightwells Auctioneers and Valuers 26 Sep 2012 Not sold
102 Rover 2600S SD1 Brightwells Auctioneers and Valuers 26 Sep 2012 £1200.00 -
61 Rover 90 Deluxe Brightwells Auctioneers and Valuers 21 Sep 2011 £1150.00 -
26 Rover SD1 V8S Group 2 Race Car H&H Sales Limited 26 Feb 2011 Not sold
102 Rover SD1 2600 VDP Barons 31 Oct 2010 £2050.00 -
740 Rover SD1 Group 2 Racing Saloon Bonhams 25 Jun 2004 Not sold
040 Rover SDI V8S Works Group 2 Car H&H Sales Limited 21 Feb 2004 Not sold
234 Rover 2300 SD1 (1985) RTS Auctions Ltd 17 Nov 2002 £825.00 -
C9 Rover 90 (1959) H&H Sales Limited 17 Mar 2001 Not sold
209 Rover 2300 SD1 (1984) RTS Auctions Ltd 25 Jan 1995 £1200.00 -
059 Rover 110 (1963) Brooks 25 Nov 1992 £2700.00 -
Magazine Articles
Title Pages Options
Article Rover SD1 - Modifying
54 View
Publication Practical Classics March 2004
Five wedgies strut their stuff, from twin-plenum minter to race-prepared monster. Rover SD1 V8.
Article 15 classics you can buy for £500
53 View
Publication Practical Classics February 2004
Stay mobile without going modern.  Loads of ideas on tackling the winter in style. Alfa Romeo 33, 1950s Ford 100E, Austin A30/A35, Standard 8/10, 1960s Austin A40 Farina, Morris Minor 1000, Triumph Herald 1200, 1970s Humber Sceptre, Morris Marina, Triumph 2000 Mk 11, 1980s Volkswagen Scirocco, Ford Capri, Rover SD1, Peugeot 205, Vauxhall Carlton.
Article Classic Cars March 2002 pg 108
108 View
Publication Classic Cars March 2002
Rover SDI: A great design that should be an icon. The SDI is too often dismissed as just another disaster from the darkest days of BL. Yet if it had been built by Lancia or Citroen we'd have forgiven its faults.
Article Preparation and Primer - Part ten
134 View
Publication Practical Classics November 2001
Preparation and Primer - Part ten -  This old dog can almost smell the open road, but there's still work to be done. Simon Goldsworthy views as our SD1 regains its shape and a little colour.
Article Sill and rear wheel arch repairs - Part nine
138 View
Publication Practical Classics October 2001
Sill and rear wheel arch repairs - Part nine -  It's still a patchwork of paint, primer, bare metal and surface rust, but Simon Goldsworthy helps push our SD1 towards the paintshop.
Article Scuttle & Front wing repairs - Part eight
140 View
Publication Practical Classics September 2001
Scuttle & Front wing repairs - Part eight -  The mechanical side's been sorted, now we need a body to put it in. Simon Goldsworthy watches the progress back to structural integrity.
Article Classic Cars August 2001 pg 92
92 View
Publication Classic Cars August 2001
Ten great cars to buy before they all disappear. From Toyota MR2 to Vauxhall Carlton 3000GSi, these great cars all deserve to be saved before rust, MoT failures and boy racers wipe then out forever.
Article Restoration Rover SD1. Part Seven.
136 View
Publication Practical Classics August 2001
Restoration Rover SD1. Part Seven. Automatic Gearbox Reassembly. Automatic gearboxes scare the living daylights out of most DIY mechanics. Simon Goldsworthy watches the professionals show how easily they slot back together.
Article Rover SD1 - Automatic gearbox strip - Part six
138 View
Publication Practical Classics July 2001
Rover SD1 - Automatic Gearbox Strip - Part six -  As the automatic box comes apart, Simon Goldsworthy discovers that someone else has been there already. But they didn't spot everything that was wrong.
Article Rover SD1 - Back axle, brakes and suspension - Part Five.
136 View
Publication Practical Classics June 2001
Rover SD1 - Back axle, brakes and suspension - Part Five -  When a car is as large and as good at load-lugging as the SD1, its back end has to be good. Simon Goldsworthy watches as it's brought up to scratch.
Article Restoration Rover SD1 - Part four
136 View
Publication Practical Classics May 2001
Front End Overhaul - Rover SD1 - Part Four - You can't afford to skimp on brakes, suspension or steering. But a proper overhaul on an SD1 doesn't cost the earth, as Simon Goldsworthy proves.
Article Restoration Rover SD1. Part Three.
130 View
Publication Practical Classics April 2001
Restoration Rover SD1. Part Three. Engine Overhaul. Rover V8 engine is a classic in its own right. With a full stripdown and rebuild, Simon Goldsworthy discovers how much life is left in our old dog.
Article Restoration Rover SD1. Part Two.
114 View
Publication Practical Classics March 2001
Restoration Rover SD1. Part Two. Stripdown. Our real-world Rover restoration project goes under the knife and ends up skinned and gutted. Simon Goldsworthy watches proceedings.
Article Restoration Rover SD1. Part One.
116 View
Publication Practical Classics February 2001
Restoration Rover SD1. Part One. Assessment. No wood and no leather, but it is still a Rover. Simon Goldsworthy introduces our latest project.
Article Thunder Road
108 View
Publication Classics Monthly October 2010
Thunder Road - A brilliant concept launched in a troubled era, the Rover SD1 is now coming into its own.
Article What's the worst that can happen...when buying a classic Rover?
80 View
Publication Classic Car Mart May 2008
What's the worst that can happen...when buying a classic Rover?- There may not be any new Rovers on sale any more (or now, at least) but there's a wide choice of desirable classic metal waiting to be snpped up, argues Paul Guinness.  Rover P4, Rover P5/P5B, Rover P6/P6B, Rover SD1, Rover 200 BRM.
Article Buyers Guide - Rover SD1
102 View
Publication Classics Monthly April 2008
Buyers Guide - Rover SD1 - Rover's big cruiser offers a lot of car for the money if you buy wisely...
Article Buying Power - Rover SD1
24 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 7 April 2005
Buying Power - Rover SD1 - Its original quality problems now forgiven, if not forgotten, the SD1 is an acknowledged design classic and superb executive cruiser to bask around in.  But make sure you get a good one by reading RICHARD GUNN’s guide,
Article Buyers Guide - Rover SD1
98 View
Publication Classics November 2004
Buyers Guide - Rover SD1 - Tim Morgan explains everything you need to know when buying a Rover SD1.
Article The Forgotten Classic - Hot Hatch - Rover SD1 Vitesse
22 View
Publication Classic Car Mart June 2004
The Forgotten Classic - Hot Hatch - Rover SD1 Vitesse - Rover's mighty Vitesse (not to be confused with the Triumph of the same name) has loads to offer: Loads of room, loads of performance and loads of style.  Mike Huber rates it highly.
Article Classics November 2002 pg 88
88 View
Publication Classics November 2002
Maintenance Guide. Rover SD1 V8. Futuristic in design, but powered by the proven and much loved Buick-derived V8, the 3.5 litre SD1 Rovers promise straightforward maintenance. Kim Henson takes a close look.
Article Classics June 2001 pg 24
24 View
Publication Classics June 2001
Beginning of the end? The Rover SD1 is 25 years old and is blamed by some as the start of the downfall of Rover. Tim Morgan drives a very early example and explodes a few of the myths that even today still surround this car.
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