Background
In the early 1970s, the newly formed Specialist Division (SD) of British Leyland began design work on a replacement for the stalwart Rover P6. This, their first design, was codenamed SD1 and although the resultant cars are frequently referred to by this moniker they were never marketed as such, instead using Rover’s trusted engine capacity based nomenclature - e.g. Rover 3500.
The SD1 is often compared in jest to the plexiglas Ferrari Daytona but the Rover design team actually were inspired by the 365 GTB/4 and some similarities are evident, particularly on the chiselled nose where the indicators meet the headlamps.
The first cars were launched to widespread acclaim in the UK in that unforgettably long hot summer of 1976. Their characteristic large fastback/hatchback form with Rover’s venerable 3500cc Buick-derived V8 power plant was an appealing package. The following year, 2.3 L and 2.6 L straight six powered models were introduced to further broaden this appeal. Also in 1977, as the model was launched into Europe, the SD1 was named European Car of the Year.
With a shift in production from Solihull to Cowley the previous year, 1982 heralded a major mid-life facelift and an improvement in build quality. There were few significant exterior changes but a major redesign of the interior dashboard layout. A number of different engine options became available in the following years including a four-cylinder 2.0 L to satisfy tax-efficient fleet owners and a 2.4 L diesel.
By now a common sight on the UK’s motorways in “Jam Sandwich” Police livery and seeing some success within the British Touring Car race series, Rover introduced a flagship, 190 bhp (up 35 bhp) fuel-injected, variant of the 3500 V8 called the Vitesse which had lowered suspension, 15” alloys, deep front valance with side trims and a large rear black rubber spoiler. Production of the SD1 ceased in 1986 with the launch of the Rover 800 series.
