Rover 3500(SD1)
Overview
| Produced: |
1976-1986 |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Saloon,5 doors,5 seats |
Rover shocked the motoring world in 1976 with a mould breaking design, the new 3500, which was given the model code SD1 (the previous 3500 model had been known as the P6B). Although the V8 engine and name carried over from the P6B SD1 used a completely new five door hatchback bodyshell, an unusual style for what was considered to be a luxury car. The front of the SD1 bore a striking resemblance to the Ferrari Daytona, a brave choice of car to draw styling influences from, especially by BL standards!
The 3.5 litre V8 was coupled to a five speed gearbox, sadly the rest of the cars mechanical design was more conservative, although power steering was now standard equipment. Rover carried the exteriors modern theme inside for the SD1. The instruments were mounted in a separate pod mounted on top of the dashboard and the steering wheel was square instead of round!
The Rover 3500 SD1 sold well in large quantities until 1986. The 3500 SD1 became a particular favourite with Police forces around the UK, in fact the Met' snapped up most of the last-of-the-line examples and kept them in service for many years. Practical Classics April 2008 - Featuring Buyers Guide Rover SD1 available. Click here to view in our shop.
Source: Motorbase
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3528cc | V8 OHV | Rover V8 | 88.9mm x 71.12mm |
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 mph | 9.8 s |
Auction Sales History
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Classic TV Car Chases - Lights! Camera! Action! |
46 |
 |
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2005 | |||
| Lights! Camera! Action! - From Bergerac to Bond, TV car chases throw up some intriguing mismatches. We recreate three to see how absurd they are. | ||||
| Article |
New Then, Classic Now? - The Class of 1980 |
40 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics May 2005 | |||
| New Then, Classic Now? - The Class of 1980 - When Practical Classics was first launched in May 1980 these six models were never far from your rear bumber. But which of them has reached classic status?Vauxhall Cavalier 1600L, Ford Escort 1.3 Ghia, Fiat Mirafiori Sport, Colt Sapporo GSR, Peugeot 504 Ti, Rover SD1 VdP | ||||
| Article |
Rover SD1 - Modifying |
54 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics March 2004 | |||
| Five wedgies strut their stuff, from twin-plenum minter to race-prepared monster. Rover SD1 V8. | ||||
| Article |
Make mine a big one |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics August 2002 | |||
| Make mine a big one - When a luxury saloon stops depreciating it soon becomes a great value classic buy. Kevin Leaper samples 13 different ways to splash your cash. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars March 2002 pg 108 |
108 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
The secret history of Rover SD1 |
64 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart Spring 2009 | |||
| The secret history of Rover SD1- Brilliantly futuristic or just another example of a badly built British Leyland offering from the Seventies? Paul Guinness investigates the Rover SD1's early career. | ||||
| Article |
The extra mile |
88 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly Spring 2009 | |||
| The extra mile - Nothing was too much trouble for Gary Moreton when it came to his Rover.. | ||||
| Article |
What's the worst that can happen...when buying a classic Rover? |
80 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
28 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 1 November 2007 | |||
| Buying power - Rover SD1 - Take a V8 engine, dramatic styling and legendary BL build quality and you have the Rover SD1 - a car which should have been brilliant yet was cruelly denied this tag by production problems and the curse of the flying plughole. IAN SEABROOK tells you how to find a good 'un. | ||||
| Article |
The love labour lost |
204 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car April 2007 | |||
| The love labour lost - When the Government was powerless to save MG-Rover one of Britain's most revered prestige manufacturers died. With the help of four key models from its long history, Simon Charlesworth relates Rover's rise and fall. | ||||
| Article |
Starter Classic - Rover SD1 |
182 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car May 2006 | |||
| Starter Classic - Rover SD1 - Radical when new and rewarding to drive, the practical SD1 is a sensible classic choice, argues Malcolm McKay. | ||||
| Article |
Six Of The Best BL favourites |
43 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart April 2006 | |||
| Six of the best BL favourites - Every month, this special series brings you the most diverse and fascinating groups of vehicles we can conjure up. Paul Guinness is your trusty guide. | ||||
| Article |
Staff Classics |
88 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly November 2005 | |||
| Staff Classics - Spitfire 6, Saab 99T, 1980 Dolomite 1500, 'Christine', Rover 200 & 3500, VW Golf GTI, | ||||
| Article |
Silver Machines - Group Test |
28 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics February 2005 | |||
| Silver Machines - Group Test - Take three silver cars, all limited production, last edition models. Now take three owners all of whom recently sold modern cars to buy their first classic. Mike Renaut goes all Hawkwind on us. | ||||
| Article |
Marque Five - Leyland Legends! |
57 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart January 2005 | |||
| Marque Five - Leyland Legends! - The much-derided British Leyland set-up of the Seventies produced some controversial machines. Paul Guinness profiles five of the most famous. | ||||
| Article |
Road Test - Rover SD1 |
36 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 11th August 2004 | |||
| Road Test - Rover SD1 - Built 1976-87. Five-seater, four-door hatchback, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive. | ||||
| Article |
The Forgotten Classic - Hot Hatch - Rover SD1 Vitesse |
22 |
|
|
| 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 |
Cover Feature - Grand Tourers |
26 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics May 2004 | |||
| Cover Feature - Grand Tourers - They may be big, cumbersome and thirsty but these three cruisers represent terrific value for money, as Carlin Gerbich discovered. | ||||
| Article |
Classics November 2002 pg 88 |
88 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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. | ||||
People who looked at this car, also looked at:
Have you any further information on this car?
