Beschreibung
With regret I am offering my Rover SD1 as a genuine sale. I want nothing more than what it owes me as I would like to see it saved.
I had searched for a Series 1 SD1 for ages... Nothing came up then this 2600 appeared from a lock up in Lewisham, London. I've had it 2 weeks... but was offered (and subsequently bought) a Capri 280 Brooklands after finding my Rover. After much soul searching, the Capri is now taking over my priorities.
Please read on;-
I bought the car through the Rover SD1 owners club web-site when they were approached by the second owner. He owned the car since 1986 and is still in contact with the original owner who ordered the car from new.
The car is a Richleaux Red Series 1 SD1. This is a rare series 1 and is even more desireable as it was fitted with a full Webasto Sunroof from new. The roof still works as it should and looks great when open!
The car was waxoiled from new then again in 1986 and is very solid - specifically for a Series 1 SD1.
The interior is Caramel leather. Although this shows some age related leather cracks on the drivers seat is actually in good condition. It will benefit no end from feeding and a clean. I noticed a spare passenger seat back support section on eBay (in the same leather) which I snapped up because there is a minor patch on the original seat back - so this spare will swap straight over, leaving the original as the spare. Carpets are generally good and a good clean up will improve no end.
The car runs very well. The battery on the vehicle is temporary (not the best fit and not the best charge) but is included in the sale as it allows the vehicle to start easily from jump leads. Mechanically, the headgasket was replaced circa 60, 000 miles (according to the previous owner - who is a genuinely nice guy) and the car has covered just over 90, 000 miles. The engine seems tight and smooth although will obvioulsly require general servicing. I have not seen any visible oil or fluid leaks, certainly nothing major. The car is parked on block paving so anything should be easy to spot.
The car has Rover alloy wheels.
The 2 x Front wings need replacing (or new arches at least). These wings are available new (from Rimmers) for around £60 each and replacement would be the easiest option by far. All the 4 doors are described as good condition. Under the bonnet is remarkable. I believe that the car has never been welded and the benefit of Waxoiling is obvious as structurally this was the best SD1 I looked at.
There are some slight rust bubbles on the edge of the bonnet, and a few scabs on the rear quarters caused by paint flaking. The rear arches should be replaced. Although ok from a distance I would describe the car simply as "tatty" due to it's age.
The paintwork was resprayed sometime during the 80's after someone dented and scraped the rear passenger door and wheel arch (photo of original damage included!!!). There is now microblistering and paint cracking, the worst of which being on the rear 1/ 4 panels. The paint does shine though but it WILL benefit from work. It would either be a fun car to MOT then use "as is" and not have to worry about picking up dings or carry out a little metal work then treat it to a compete re-spray. The latter was my initial intention.
I have found 2 areas that would require obviouls welding.
These are inside the boot and are either side towards the inner rear corners. The Near side is not too bad. The offside is considerably worse (although to be fair, it's probably the same amount of involvement to do as the other!). I should say that the offside area was made worse by poor an un-proffesional recovery driver from when I bought it as he strapped it down on a weak anchor point. This Needs cutting off and re-fabricating and the inner wheel arch needs repairing. Bootfloor is very good.
The brakes are siezed. I have freed off the rear wheels by removing the hubs so they turn at least. The fronts (discs/ pads) are currently locked on. The car did move/ drive freely but doesn't want to know any more due to the front brakes! Easy to fix.
The electrics seem to work and even the heater still blows nice and hot on each speed!
Anyway, the car IS a viable restoration project.
Failing that it would yield some hard to find spares. I'm not a fan of breaking S1 SD1's so would obvioulsy prefer to see it taken on by someone as a project car.
It's 2 owners from new and has the original V5 and Rover books, it's sitting on my drive and is ready to be taken away on a trailer or lorry.
I'm not interested in wasting your time so any Questions please just ask and I'll find out for you.
Kind regards.
