Highlights

19th from last SD1 Vitesse built on final day of production
Factory standard car in highly preserved, unrestored condition
Only 3 former registered keepers
Current keeper since 2010 and car known to him since 1989
Meticulously maintained with a comprehensive history file
Stored in a private collection and used sparingly
Winner of best in show on multiple occasions
MOT to March 2026 with no advisories
Previous keeper owned since 1989
Garaged all its life from then on

The Appeal

There would be other quick Rover saloons, but for many, the SD1 Vitesse was the last ‘proper’ car, one wholly designed and built by Solihull. And the ultimate version of that car? That’s this one, the Twin Plenum, built to homologate the car for European Touring Car Championship racing. So we’re in the presence of a great car of historic significance.

These final cars got a small power hike. Just 250 were reputedly built, and we’ll wager that this one is amongst the best and most historied. It has covered very few miles each year in the hands of just four keepers. The current one, has owned it since 2010 - but has known the car since 1989 - and kept it as part of a small collection in a heated garage with a cover.

The joy of this silver metallic Vitesse is that it is an unrestored, factory-correct car in very good condition. We are told that it has won several ‘Best in Show’ awards, and looking at the photos, we can see why.

The thick history file shows regular maintenance - described by the vendor as ‘no expense spared - and including an annual service irrespective of mileage. Recent work includes a new full clutch assembly at 86,000 miles, new dampers and brake fluid change in 2022 and EBC Green Stuff brakes at the same time. were fitted as an upgrade.

Enthusiasts will quickly see what we mean about this car. SD1s were notorious for self-disintegration, particularly the fragile interiors. It is a fate that this car has entirely avoided.

This is a much-loved car that deserves an equally enthusiastic and dedicated new keeper. It comes to market with the added reassurance of a long, advisory-free MOT.

The vendor says:

“The car drives exactly as the best SD1 should do, no ifs, no buts, no issues no excuses.

We all think that this car is what every SD1 Vitesse should have been back in the day, sadly most were not. If such a car can be loved, then it is for its ability to deliver and surprise beyond most expectations. This Vitesse carries the 19th from last VIN on the last day of production for these cars. I have not seen better in the last 40 years in the motor trade.

History and Paperwork

First registered 15th march 1987
Vendor tells us this car was built on the last day of SD1 production
It is car number 19 from the end of production
Four registered keepers
Current keeper since August 2010
Current keeper has know the car since September 1989
Fully documented history file and maintenance schedule for the last 15 years
Stored in a garage under cover as part of a private collection
Only used in dry, sunny weather since purchased
Maintained regardless of cost, fully serviced every 12 months
The current keeper is a member of the Rover Sports Register
The seller is acting for the disposal of assets for Mr. Timothy Ralphs
Factory handbooks as shown
Old tax discs
Various invoices and receipts including many dated recently
Factory service book with regular stamps as shown
Car has won Best in Show several times with trophies included in photos
MOT to 26th March 2026 with no advisories
92,850 miles showing on test and 92,868 miles showing in photos

Recent work advised by seller:

New full clutch assembly at approximately 86,000 miles
This included master and slave cylinders
Full brake fluid change in 2022
EBC Green Stuff brakes were fitted as an upgrade in 2022
New dampers all round in 2022
Serviced annually
New Dunlop tyres all round

The vendor says:

“The car has had just 3 former keepers, known by current registered keeper since September 1989. Cherished, garaged and only used sparingly by professional engineer enthusiast owner, and only out in dry weather! Bought by current registered keeper August 2010, and stored in his house as part of an extremely select private collection. This SD 1 has in the last 15 years been used primarily for summer continental trips, and is otherwise covered indoors in a controlled environment.

“The house enjoys a large adjoining stable block with a well equiped vehicle workshop housed within. This SD 1 will be put on a 2 post lift for the photographer to shoot the important underside.

“Bit of an old cliche, but this car really has been maintained utterly regardless of cost. It always has the very best of everything and is fully serviced every 12 months irrespective of mileage. Tyres are brand new premium Dunlops all round. Current keeper is a very keen member of the Rover Sports Register.”

The Condition

Factory standard, unrestored car in highly preserved condition as shown
Classic silver metallic paintwork which is well kept with few signs of use
As this car is unrestored there are some minor paintwork points to note in the photos
No paintwork needed in the last 15 years, with some factory paint rectification
These include some scuffs to base of two doors, corner chips and bonnet stone chips
These areas and a small number of other minor ones can be checked on photos
Bodywork presents very well in photos with usual SD1 check areas showing well
There are some minor bubbles to note to leading edge of bonnet in photos
Other areas such as arches, sills and panel edges present well
We are told that the car has original panel gaps and no evidence of accident damage
Underside presents very well with evidence of undersealing
No structural advisories on current MOT
Boot floor appears solid and well-kept in photos
Factory lattice-style alloys in very good order with matching spare in similar condition
Car recently fitted with matching quality Dunlop tyres as shown
Exterior fittings in good order including plastic and chrome trim to bumpers
Rear bumper chrome trim shows a small indentation in photos
Exterior lights in good order with no reported damage or functional defects
Grey velour interior is unmodified and factory correct with very little evident wear
Usual SD1 interior check areas such as trim, veneers and switchgear in surprisingly good order
There are some minor points to note such as slight wave to dial shroud trim as is usual for these cars
Velour seats look virtually unused with only light bolster wear to note
Veneers, door cards, headlining and switchgear in very good order
Fitted with a period-correct Philips stereo as shown
Slight wear to note to ovoid factory steering wheel
Carpets appear to be original with small area of blemish to note in photos
Boot carpet is clean and very presentable as shown
Small area of deterioration to underside of parcel shelf as shown
No reported faults with electrics, lighting, switchgear or dials
No dashboard warning lights advised

The vendor says:

“The exterior of this car is simply exemplary in every detail. As with most SD 1s of this era some factory paint rectification was carried out, but such are the conditions of storage and use, no paintwork has been carried out or needed in the last 15 years for certain.

“All panel gaps are factory original, and to expert eyes the car has absolutely no evidence of crash or accident repair. The car has won best in show on the odd occasions it has appeared.

“Quite simply this appears to be the best SD1 around at present.

“It has a factory sunroof. Absolutely everything works as it should. Worth mentioning current owner of last 15 years is extremely fastidious!! Interior is exceptionally clean with no damage to anything, and only the drivers seat showing the slightest evidence of any minor wear.”

The Mechanics

3,528cc Rover fuel injected ‘Twin Plenum’ model delivering around 220bhp
5spd manual gearbox
Stainless steel exhaust
Engine starts as it should, settling to a steady fast tick over on all 8 cylinders
Auxiliary air control functions correctly, with tick over settling back to around 750 RPM
Engine is smooth and responsive, delivering brisk performance
Gearbox functions smoothly with all synchros performing as intended
Brakes are in fine fettle with good progression and feel
Steering is as it should be with no issues
Rear axle is silent, with minor backlash as per factory specification
No known faults with the car according to the seller
Recent work to clutch, brakes and dampers as detailed above
Serviced annually irrespective of mileage according to the seller
No advisories on current MOT

The vendor says:

“The mechanical condition can again only be described as excellent. Engine fires up exactly as it should, quickly settling to a steady fast tick over on ALL 8 cylinders, auxiliary air control is functioning correctly with tick over settling back to around 750 RPM as the engine warms up. Engine is beautifully smooth and responsive to throttle input, no stumbles, no hesitation, never misses a beat, as good as any Rover V8 should be. Clearly delivers the power it should, giving a brisk performance right through the range and a pleasing driving experience.

“Totally standard and unmolested. Gearbox is exactly as it should be with a smooth selection and all synchros present and performing as intended. Brakes are excellent with good progression and 'feel' once properly warmed up. Steering is as it should be in a good SD1 with no issues whatsoever. Rear axle is silent, with minor backlash as per factory specification. There is a fully documented history file and well recorded maintenance schedule covering the last 15 years in great detail, and slightly less for the previous 21 years. There are no known faults with this car, period!”

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