Rover SD1 2000-2600
Classic Car Buyer|September 13, 2017

Launched in 1976 solely in V8 guise, the SD1 began to widen its appeal the following year with the announcement of two new engines. Forty years on, does a non-V8 version of the rakish Rover offer the best value?

Paul Guinness
Rover SD1 2000-2600

The launch of the new 3500 –codenamed SD1 – in 1976 markeda major turning point for the Rover marque. Against a backdrop of fairly staid looking saloon-shaped rivals, the SD1 arrived with stylish, aerodynamic styling (by David Bache) and the extra versatility of a five-door hatchback layout. It was the start of a brave new era for the historic Rover marque, even if the SD1 did suffer from British Leyland’s annoyingly typical quality and reliability issues early on.

Thanks to a clever extension of the range, however, and an array of new SD1 derivatives debuting over the years, Rover’s highly-praised hatchback went on to enjoy a long and successful career, with more than 300,000 cars built during its eleven years on sale. The eventual full line-up comprised the four-cylinder Rover 2000, six-cylinder 2300 and 2600 and even a turbo-diesel version, in addition to the original V8-powered 3500.

The various 3.5-litre models were (perhaps inevitably) the most popular members of the SD1 clan, and are certainly the most sought after now, thanks to the impressive power and aural delight that comes with a V8. But that means there’s a relatively hefty price to be paid, particularly if you crave a late-model Vitesse – a model that ended its days with a prodigious 190bhp on tap.

The SD1 as a whole still represents good value compared with some rivals of similar age and spec; but with the four- and six-cylinder versions generally offering far better value than the V8s, it’s worth taking a look at these still-capable alternatives.Is the potential saving enough to justify sacrificing V8-style power? .

MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Bu hikaye Classic Car Buyer dergisinin September 13, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Classic Car Buyer dergisinin September 13, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

CLASSIC CAR BUYER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Staff Classics
Classic Car Buyer

Staff Classics

REPORTING ON: Alfa Romeo GTV

time-read
2 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Rootes Group - The Golden Years
Classic Car Buyer

Rootes Group - The Golden Years

The Rootes Group’s finest years commenced immediately after the end of the Second World War with the launch of a handful of brand-new models and lasted until the company was absorbed into the Chrysler empire in the middle of the following decade

time-read
5 dak  |
November 20, 2019
MG ZT
Classic Car Buyer

MG ZT

The MG ZT was more than a Rover 75 in sports shoes. Much, much more. It was a performance saloon par excellence and today makes for a superb classic sporting bargain

time-read
9 dak  |
November 20, 2019
MG Display Controversy
Classic Car Buyer

MG Display Controversy

A classic vehicle insurer met with a mixed response at the Classic Motor Show when its display stand depicted a 1998 MGF apparently crushed by a WW2 Hellcat tank. But was this a sacrilegious act against a classic car, or an inspired promotional display?

time-read
2 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Extra Ordinary
Classic Car Buyer

Extra Ordinary

Exotics are usually the go-to classic investments, but a recent trend in everyday cars means more common street sights could be the way to go

time-read
3 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Alternative Go
Classic Car Buyer

Alternative Go

As the internal combustion engine’s fate seems in question, we look back at its past challengers

time-read
3 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Death Of The Sports Car?
Classic Car Buyer

Death Of The Sports Car?

Another manufacturer belies its heritage to switch to SUVs

time-read
2 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Cool Coupes
Classic Car Buyer

Cool Coupes

Every manufacturer was in on the ’90s coupe trend, stylish two-doors in abundance. But nearly three decades on, which are worth investing in?

time-read
3 dak  |
November 20, 2019
Classic Scenes
Classic Car Buyer

Classic Scenes

Writing this as news reports bring us images of Sheffield residents trapped overnight in shopping centers by floods, we were struck by this image from October 1987.

time-read
1 min  |
November 20, 2019
500 Not Out
Classic Car Buyer

500 Not Out

We identify some modern classics in danger of extinction... and the older cars which massively outnumber them

time-read
10+ dak  |
November 20, 2019