The Rover SD1 was one of the coolest cars of the 1970s and 1980s – a reminder of the days when a Rover was something really quite special, even if it was dogged by British Leyland quality control problems.
 
Styled by visionary designer David Bache, the SD1 aped the look of the Ferrari Daytona. And while familiarity with its shape means it doesn’t quite have the visual impact it once did, try imagining the new Rover back in 1976, parked amid a sea of three-box Vauxhall Vivas and Ford Cortinas. The notion of a streamlined executive hatchback was forward-looking, and while the details age it, the silhouette of the SD1 would easily sit well alongside modern car designs – slippery, aerodynamic and beautifully curvaceous, it was a perfect integration of sports car design into large saloon car motoring. An icon that truly deserved the recognition it got when new, even if BL did leave the customers to take care of the quality control.
 
When the SD1 was retired after over a decade in production, it still looked avantgarde. And that’s the mark of a brilliant piece of design. It mattered little that it had a live rear axle or a range of engines that could trace their roots back to the early Sixties, for the SD1 was so striking that it sold well throughout its life.
 
Today, it’s one of those cars that’s becoming increasingly more collectable. A few years ago, they were cheap entry-level classics. Today, you’ll need five figures for a decent example.
 
This one is especially unusual – a South African market 3500 SE, it was one of 14,376 SD1s assembled from CKD kits at Leyland Motors Blackheath in Cape Province, finished in a shade of green unique to the South African market and equipped with a carb-fed version of the venerable 3.5-litre Rover V8, coupled to an automatic transmission.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 

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✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]