Rover SD1

Rover SD1 is the codification given to the large luxury cars produced by the British Leyland and the Rover Group, from 1976 to 1987. In 1971, Rover decided to come out with a new car to replace the P6 and the Triumph 2000/2500. The designers of both the Triumph and the Rover created designs and submitted plans for the new car; of these, the Rover design was chosen. Initially the plan was to code it RT1 (Rover Triumph No 1.); however, this was changed to SD1 (Specialist Division No. 1), since Rover and Triumph were shifted to the new Specialist Division of BL.

The Rover SD1 was also well known as the live rear axle, which only used drum brakes at the rear. The first Rover SD1 car was the 3500, launched in June 1976. The Rover SD1 was equipped with the ex-Buick V8 engine and SOHC 2.3 L. Later, various Rover SD1 models were produced: the 2300 and the 2600, the first mild face-lift 2300, 2300 S, 2600 S, 3500 SE and 3500 Vanden Plas, the 2000, 2400 SD Turbo, 2600 SE, 2600 Vanden Plas, Vitesse and 3500 Vanden Plas EFi. At the very end of the car’s production life, the range was briefly reduced to the 2300, 2600 Vanden Plas and Rover SD1 Vitesse. All Rover SD1 models had an air vent on the dashboard, which directly faced the passenger. The display binnacle sat on top of the dashboard, in front of the driver, to provide protection for left-hand drivers.

The huge popularity of the car led to the formation of the Rover SD1 club, in 1991. This club provides all available information on the Rover SD1 cars and also offers the Rover SD1 for sale.