The reason the build quality had improved was that when was first built at new extensions to the Solihull factory with inexperienced workers by time this brochure was out they built oxford by experienced workers.
Brilliant review, I'm pleasantly surprised about the standard specifications on the 2000 and 2300. Compared to contemporary Ford Granada, you would need to move up to a Ghia model to obtain those features. Also, nitrosilvia is currently restoring a 2400 SD Turbo from the ground up. It's worth a watch from the very beginning if you have the time.
In July 1986 a new silver colour Rover 3500 VDP auto: featured in the TV show EastEnders : for a few months. It was the character Den Watts's new car" his previous, car being a, ageing brown R reg SD1 Rover in the show. However the silver colour, C reg Rover 3500 VDP auto is apparently still in existence and has been up for sale several years ago, and has also apparently been shown at car shows in the past. Thanks, for the brilliant broucher review..
Great looking car, always liked the design in these, even I don't remember seeing them in real life, maybe one or two of them. The dash looks surprisingly modern now, at quick glimpse it looks like modern touch screen is on top of the dash :)
A208GKV was an August 1983 Opaline Green Rover 3500, so likely to be a Vanden Plas or it might even have been a former SE model, came off the road at the end of August 1999. 16 years on the road is not bad for a daily driven SD1 that's been used a lot for towing.
Here in Australia 🇦🇺 these things were quite popular with the futuristic styling and we didn't think they were particularly unreliable. We probably only got the v8 and that might have made a difference. Anyway a very enjoyable episode.
Always love the styling of the SD1 and more so the 1982 series 2, shame there was no 5 speed option on the 3500 V8 Vanden Plas EFi, I bet if you waved some money at the dealer I bet Rover would fit it for you. I do have this 1984 brochure and the 1985 brochure from Austin Rover. Great video Take care
Really interesting to see just how expensive the SD1 seems to be. As a comparison, I remember my Dad buying a new Saab 9000 Turbo in 86 for £15995, a car that makes even that Vitesse seem a dull and slow
I think you are right that the base model Rover SD1 2000 was a good option compared to Vanden Plas models of smaller Austin Rover cars. The SD1 still looks good now. I don't remember ever seeing a Rover SD1 in Australia.
The eighties SD1's had none of the quality and unreliability problems that the 70's ones had, but the previous reputation the car had was too scarred with, stuck like mud, and this ruined the sales of it.
nice too see this Austin rover brochure, this rover sd 1,this model is exclusive model, this model used by police, full spec, in the uk now is car still on the road now
We had four of these old girls- culminating in a 3500 VdP EFi. Still my favorite family cars. I would.*love* to get my hands on an LHD one here in Spain and use her as a daily runner. Just for info - Van den Plas was a Belgian Flemish (Dutch dialect speaking) coachbuilding company (from Antwerp I believe) eventually bought out by what became the Rover Company. As such, their name is pronounced with the 'S' - "Van den Plaas", not the Belgian Walloon/French speaking "Van den Plahh", as people believe.
I've owned many Rover car's including several SD1 's ) I always felt the SD1 Rover 2600 SE auto was a lovely car to drive. Especialy as it was a excellent motorway car and in SE ) it was well equipped) I felt it was a good alternative to the higher specked model's , also cheaper) to run and buy, although I do, love the V8) and currently own a p5b ) I've actually owned several p5b's over 35 years.) in coupe and saloon guise.
Had an R reg (77-78) black SD1 3500 manual in 1988-89. Lovely car to drive but a bit twitchy on the rear. I put 60 secrion slightly wider tyres on it which improved the handling. Would love to have that car now as it was a car you would just take out for a drive for the sake of driving it which can't be said of many cars especially now.ç
Really nice final episode of this brochure. The diesel one i think was aimed at the taxi market like the Ford Granada diesel too. I think i would have had this over the Granada for the diesel to be honest as i like the looks of this and if i had to drive a diesel at this time i think the rover might have looked a bit better even if it might not quite have been as good on the road? The one i would go for here would be the 2600SE, it's got everything you need on it but with less insurance and a bit better fuel economy than the 3500. My friend had a 2300S and that was a nice car, very comfortable. I never got a chance to go in another model so can't say about the others. I remember the yellow Mk1 they had on the Professionals in the first couple of series as Cowleys car before he swapped to the red Ford Granada. By this time the design did need a refresh, which we got with the 800, but even then it still kept the same design lines as the SD1 but just a little more squared off and Honda style which I didn't like as much as the SD1 to be honest. Still, now i think the SD1 was one of the prettiest cars that British Leyland produced, along with the Stag. Out of the whole range, i think it would be a Meastro 1.3HL. A nice enough car to have but not too flashy. Can't wait for the next series
Centurion Garage is still there, as a motorbike garage!. The early SD1 I think didn't have the 2000 engine. Wasn't the 2000cc car originally for the Indian market and branded as a Standard??
Had earlier ex sd1 2600 auto police v reg car many years ago didn't have it long run lovely went well but inside it was a mess electric windows didn't work ie needed doing the drivers glove box would fill up with water ever time it rained i took some money and swap it for a chevette estate car but my mate got a l 1985 B reg 2600 auto absolutely immaculate low mileage he didn't have it long and the cam shaft broke resulting in the engine being damaged beyond repair i think he sold it for scrap at the time
I've been thinking about your comments about options. You say why bother with options? Why not just buy the next model up? Please may I offer you something to think about? Supposing I wanted a Vanden Plas with a diesel engine. My first thought might be that it isn't possible. My second thought might be to buy a 2400 SD and then option up with leather upholstery, air conditioning and other goodies. Options mean that trim level and engine combinations that otherwise would not be available become available.
Aw absolutely if someone wants to do that then absolutely make it your own car I’m not saying anything against that. My point really is just from a financial point of view, in that options are usually an immediate loss on the second hand market - whereas if you can get those options on the next model up - financially you would be better off in the long run. Great option getting a lowly model that someone has loaded with lots of options on the second hand market though as they are usually just priced as a lowly model.
I always thought the Rover 2000 owned by the company I worked for in the 80's was a beautiful car and couldn't wait to drive it. Huge disappointment! Notchy manual gear change and feel-free steering with a wheel which turned like something I'd expect on a boat. But nicely trimmed and still looked great - as long as you didn't drive it.
The reason the build quality had improved
was that when was first built at new extensions to the Solihull factory with inexperienced workers by time this brochure was out they built oxford by experienced workers.
Brilliant review, I'm pleasantly surprised about the standard specifications on the 2000 and 2300. Compared to contemporary Ford Granada, you would need to move up to a Ghia model to obtain those features. Also, nitrosilvia is currently restoring a 2400 SD Turbo from the ground up. It's worth a watch from the very beginning if you have the time.
In July 1986 a new silver colour Rover 3500 VDP auto: featured in the TV show EastEnders : for a few months. It was the character Den Watts's new car" his previous, car being a, ageing brown R reg SD1 Rover in the show. However the silver colour, C reg Rover 3500 VDP auto is apparently still in existence and has been up for sale several years ago, and has also apparently been shown at car shows in the past. Thanks, for the brilliant broucher review..
The one I’ve been waiting for.
Great looking car, always liked the design in these, even I don't remember seeing them in real life, maybe one or two of them. The dash looks surprisingly modern now, at quick glimpse it looks like modern touch screen is on top of the dash :)
Thanks for this one Stephen it's the only SD1 brochure I don't own. There's 2 on eBay but the prices are ridiculous. Will watch when I get home.
A208GKV was an August 1983 Opaline Green Rover 3500, so likely to be a Vanden Plas or it might even have been a former SE model, came off the road at the end of August 1999. 16 years on the road is not bad for a daily driven SD1 that's been used a lot for towing.
Once again a great review of a fantastic car, i think you should go on Mastermind you would win hands down with your knowledge of the car industry.
Here in Australia 🇦🇺 these things were quite popular with the futuristic styling and we didn't think they were particularly unreliable. We probably only got the v8 and that might have made a difference. Anyway a very enjoyable episode.
Always love the styling of the SD1 and more so the 1982 series 2, shame there was no 5 speed option on the 3500 V8 Vanden Plas EFi, I bet if you waved some money at the dealer I bet Rover would fit it for you. I do have this 1984 brochure and the 1985 brochure from Austin Rover. Great video Take care
My parents had a 3.5 v8 vanden plas. A V reg, 1978 I think. It never felt massively quick but you could feel the torque and muscle.
Really interesting to see just how expensive the SD1 seems to be. As a comparison, I remember my Dad buying a new Saab 9000 Turbo in 86 for £15995, a car that makes even that Vitesse seem a dull and slow
I think you are right that the base model Rover SD1 2000 was a good option compared to Vanden Plas models of smaller Austin Rover cars. The SD1 still looks good now. I don't remember ever seeing a Rover SD1 in Australia.
The eighties SD1's had none of the quality and unreliability problems that the 70's ones had, but the previous reputation the car had was too scarred with, stuck like mud, and this ruined the sales of it.
nice too see this Austin rover brochure, this rover sd 1,this model is exclusive model, this model used by police, full spec, in the uk now is car still on the road now
We had four of these old girls- culminating in a 3500 VdP EFi. Still my favorite family cars.
I would.*love* to get my hands on an LHD one here in Spain and use her as a daily runner.
Just for info - Van den Plas was a Belgian Flemish (Dutch dialect speaking) coachbuilding company (from Antwerp I believe) eventually bought out by what became the Rover Company. As such, their name is pronounced with the 'S' - "Van den Plaas", not the Belgian Walloon/French speaking "Van den Plahh", as people believe.
Indeed but I believe even British Leyland / Austin Rover pronounced it the now known incorrect way back in the day.
I love those alloy wheels on the 2600 Vanden Plas in the brochure. The VP with a V8 would be my choice.
I've owned many Rover car's including several SD1 's ) I always felt the SD1 Rover 2600 SE auto was a lovely car to drive. Especialy as it was a excellent motorway car and in SE ) it was well equipped) I felt it was a good alternative to the higher specked model's , also cheaper) to run and buy, although I do, love the V8) and currently own a p5b ) I've actually owned several p5b's over 35 years.) in coupe and saloon guise.
Had an R reg (77-78) black SD1 3500 manual in 1988-89. Lovely car to drive but a bit twitchy on the rear. I put 60 secrion slightly wider tyres on it which improved the handling. Would love to have that car now as it was a car you would just take out for a drive for the sake of driving it which can't be said of many cars especially now.ç
Really nice final episode of this brochure. The diesel one i think was aimed at the taxi market like the Ford Granada diesel too. I think i would have had this over the Granada for the diesel to be honest as i like the looks of this and if i had to drive a diesel at this time i think the rover might have looked a bit better even if it might not quite have been as good on the road? The one i would go for here would be the 2600SE, it's got everything you need on it but with less insurance and a bit better fuel economy than the 3500. My friend had a 2300S and that was a nice car, very comfortable. I never got a chance to go in another model so can't say about the others. I remember the yellow Mk1 they had on the Professionals in the first couple of series as Cowleys car before he swapped to the red Ford Granada. By this time the design did need a refresh, which we got with the 800, but even then it still kept the same design lines as the SD1 but just a little more squared off and Honda style which I didn't like as much as the SD1 to be honest. Still, now i think the SD1 was one of the prettiest cars that British Leyland produced, along with the Stag. Out of the whole range, i think it would be a Meastro 1.3HL. A nice enough car to have but not too flashy. Can't wait for the next series
Thank you enjoyably comment to read as always
Centurion Garage is still there, as a motorbike garage!.
The early SD1 I think didn't have the 2000 engine. Wasn't the 2000cc car originally for the Indian market and branded as a Standard??
Had earlier ex sd1 2600 auto police v reg car many years ago didn't have it long run lovely went well but inside it was a mess electric windows didn't work ie needed doing the drivers glove box would fill up with water ever time it rained i took some money and swap it for a chevette estate car but my mate got a l 1985 B reg 2600 auto absolutely immaculate low mileage he didn't have it long and the cam shaft broke resulting in the engine being damaged beyond repair i think he sold it for scrap at the time
I've been thinking about your comments about options. You say why bother with options? Why not just buy the next model up? Please may I offer you something to think about? Supposing I wanted a Vanden Plas with a diesel engine. My first thought might be that it isn't possible. My second thought might be to buy a 2400 SD and then option up with leather upholstery, air conditioning and other goodies. Options mean that trim level and engine combinations that otherwise would not be available become available.
Aw absolutely if someone wants to do that then absolutely make it your own car I’m
not saying anything against that. My point really is just from a financial point of view, in that options are usually an immediate loss on the second hand market - whereas if you can get those options on the next model up - financially you would be better off in the long run. Great option getting a lowly model that someone has loaded with lots of options on the second hand market though as they are usually just priced as a lowly model.
I always thought the Rover 2000 owned by the company I worked for in the 80's was a beautiful car and couldn't wait to drive it. Huge disappointment! Notchy manual gear change and feel-free steering with a wheel which turned like something I'd expect on a boat. But nicely trimmed and still looked great - as long as you didn't drive it.
The diesel was so much better than ford's granadas 23 seconds to 60 with the rovers 15 seconds and 103 mph when ford could only do 86mph