The SD1 naming is derived from the Specialist Division branch, although the SD1 carries different names depending on the specs, and when it was launched in 1976, it was coined as the last British Rover, the last Rover-badged vehicle made in Solihul, and the last to be designed by former Rover engineers. The SD1's design is highly reminiscent of the Ferrari Daytona and because this design is too complicated to fit in the most sophisticated rear suspension setup known, it uses a live rear axle instead and rear drum brakes. The V8 3500 was the SD1's first offering with numerous engine choices follow shortly.
Production of the SD1 ended in 1986 and it was replaced by the Rover 800 Series.
In its involvement in motorsports, the Rover SD1 has a wide resume of Group A touring car achievements with the big ones such as its 1983 RAC Tourist Trophy, the 1984 British Saloon Car Championship, six rounds of the 1985 European Touring Car Championships, five rounds of the 1986 FIA Touring Car Championship, 1986 DTM, and a class win at the 1984 Bathurst 1000.
This car popped up in TV shows like The Avengers and The Professionals.
Numerous motorsport success and long list of names aside, the SD1 is one of the most iconic British cars in history and it's too important to miss such a legend, despite numerous problems in store from the mechanical side. It may look like a Daytona on a Scirocco body but the Rover SD1 really is a timeless beauty worth beholding and when I look at this classic, it reminded me of somebody...
Yes, that Rover SD1 reminded me of these gang cars the Yardies drove on The Getaway and to match them, I've recreated their Yardie gang car out of the SD1 and to see just how much of a Yardie this SD1 is, I gave it a little Yardie magic underneath and gave it a spin, just to experience what's like being one of them.
A classic British shooting brake known for many names, numerous motorsport success, and being the Yardie car from The Getaway, the Rover SD1 is one of the most iconic cars in British history and it's hard to forget such a legend itself. Speaking of which...
I gotta go now. The Triads are on the loose with their R33 GT-Rs and since they mistook me for a Yardie, it's time for, you guessed it, a quick getaway from them as both sides are painting the town red. Get it?
Bye!