Oh, so similar under the skin? THE conspiracy theory is a great thing, don’t you think? Usually conjured up by fertile imaginations, conspiracy theories are used to explain away conventional wisdoms, and in doing so, challenge what we hold close to our hearts as solid facts. Take for instance, the Rover 75 – for years [...]

An heroic engine During the late 1950s, the US car industry turned to aluminium as a material to build their engines from. The reasons for this have been well documented, but primarily it was the quest for lighter weight and greater efficiency that led the producers to choose this route. One such manufacturer who embraced [...]

Keith Adams In 1976, the Rover SD1 was the pride of the British car industry. It was great to look at, excellent value, and stacked up well against all comers. It proved so good that it convinced the panel of the European car of the year to vote it their favourite car – awarding it [...]

Rover SD1s. Ah the V8, the Vanden Plas, the Vitesse… but what about the more regular models in the range? We celebrate Gareth Hopkins’ award-winning 2300 Series 2 model by giving it Car of the Month status. However, as you’ll see it’s not only in good condition, but Gareth’s not afraid to use the car [...]

Being the Events Organiser for the Rover SD1 Owners Club, Sally Sheldon usually needs to transport boxes of club stuff, flags, gazebos, banners, scaffolding poles and all the other bits needed to set up a proper club-stand. Good call that the SD1 does not only look good, but offers a very practical, huge load space… [...]

We believe in value for money at austin-rover.co.uk, and where better to get it than in this month’s CoTM – a Rover SD1 with twice as many cylinders as your common or garden road car. And this one’s a little bit special. The article, due to appear in the late-lamented Retro Cars magazine, focuses on [...]

Back to form, austin-rover.co.uk goes back to what it knows best – thumping great V8 engines driving the rear wheels, and a fine-looking package. Here, we take a look at Keith Nicholls’ fine-looking example and wonder what more you could possibly want? Back on form… David Bache’s finest? THIS rare Rover SD1 Vitesse is owned [...]

It sounds better than a Guns ‘N’ Roses concert, and looks better than Natalie Imbruglia behind the wheel of a Citroen CX. So I make no apologies for austin-rover.co.uk featuring another Rover SD1 as its Car of the Month. Owned by Rover SD1 Club Vice Chairman and Activities Organiser, Dave Puzey, this Vitesse Twin Plenum [...]

Launched in the 1970s, it looked set for a long run into the 1980s. Perfect in almost every way… If ever there was a case of selective amnesia, here it is. The SD1 is loved by many, many people – particularly for its looks and the V8 rumble. Wonder if they’d feel the same if [...]

David Price recently picked-up what must surely be the nicest Series 1 Rover SD1 in the country. This mint 15,000-mile car has obviously been garaged just about all of its its life, and it shows… Here, David tells the story of his remarkable SD1… THE Platinum silver Rover 3500 you see here is, frankly, the [...]

October marks the third occasion on which an SD1 takes the CotM honour. This 3528cc Series 2 Vanden Plas, as owned by John Capon continues his unerring ability of seeking out the nicest examples of any given car. After driving this superb example, Keith Adams tries to explain what it is that marks out the [...]

In the course of this website, I have described the Rover SD1 as the finest car to emerge from the BL stable during the 1970s. I do not apologise for taking this standpoint; given the car’s mix of smart David Bache design and Spen King inspired practical packaging. At the time of its launch in [...]