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1980 Rover SD1 V8S Group 2 Race Car
Estimated at £18,000 - £22,000
Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: N/A
Launched on the home market in 1976, the SD1 (code for Specialist Division Number 1) was British Leyland's (BL) replacement for both the Triumph 2000/2500 and Rover P6, and was largely evolved by the duo that had already conceived the Range Rover - David Bache (design) and Spen King (engineering). Powered by the Buick-designed Rover 3500cc V8 engine, the liftback SD1 offered power and comfort in equal measure and was crowned European Car of the Year in 1977. Sadly, the industrial strife and patchy build quality that afflicted all BL products of the period limited the success of what could have been a great car. In the end, some 303,345 examples were produced between 1976 and 1986.
The SD1 did lend itself to success on the track, however, and, keen to field a Works entry for the 1980 Tourist Trophy Race at Silverstone, BL commissioned David Price Racing to create a one-off Group 2 version. The result was this very car. Unipart were the major sponsor and Jeff Allam and Tiff Needell the drivers. Having qualified seventh out of forty-four, the V8S ran as high as third during the race before retiring with engine failure. This was the only SD1 built to Group 2 specification, the later Tom Walkinshaw Racing Vitesse racers being of Group A specification.
The car was extensively restored in 1996/1997 and once again painted in Unipart colours. A regular competitor in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club's 'Classic Thunder Championship', it has the performance to match its looks.
The technical specification includes:
- Engine: Rover-derived TVR Tuscan 4.5-litre V8 with dry sump oil system - 380-400bhp
- Transmission: Borg Warner T5 with Quick Shift mechanism plus Triumph TR8 axle with Quaife torque-bias differential
- Safety Equipment: Welded-in rollcage and plumbed-in Lifeline fire extinguisher system
- Suspension: Adjustable with Leda dampers
- Wheels/Tyres: 16 inch wheels with Avon slick and wet tyres (11.7 inches wide)
- Fuel Tank: 125-litre long range swirl pot tank
- Weight: 1128 kg (without driver)
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a discharged battery
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: N/A
Launched on the home market in 1976, the SD1 (code for Specialist Division Number 1) was British Leyland's (BL) replacement for both the Triumph 2000/2500 and Rover P6, and was largely evolved by the duo that had already conceived the Range Rover - David Bache (design) and Spen King (engineering). Powered by the Buick-designed Rover 3500cc V8 engine, the liftback SD1 offered power and comfort in equal measure and was crowned European Car of the Year in 1977. Sadly, the industrial strife and patchy build quality that afflicted all BL products of the period limited the success of what could have been a great car. In the end, some 303,345 examples were produced between 1976 and 1986.
The SD1 did lend itself to success on the track, however, and, keen to field a Works entry for the 1980 Tourist Trophy Race at Silverstone, BL commissioned David Price Racing to create a one-off Group 2 version. The result was this very car. Unipart were the major sponsor and Jeff Allam and Tiff Needell the drivers. Having qualified seventh out of forty-four, the V8S ran as high as third during the race before retiring with engine failure. This was the only SD1 built to Group 2 specification, the later Tom Walkinshaw Racing Vitesse racers being of Group A specification.
The car was extensively restored in 1996/1997 and once again painted in Unipart colours. A regular competitor in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club's 'Classic Thunder Championship', it has the performance to match its looks.
The technical specification includes:
- Engine: Rover-derived TVR Tuscan 4.5-litre V8 with dry sump oil system - 380-400bhp
- Transmission: Borg Warner T5 with Quick Shift mechanism plus Triumph TR8 axle with Quaife torque-bias differential
- Safety Equipment: Welded-in rollcage and plumbed-in Lifeline fire extinguisher system
- Suspension: Adjustable with Leda dampers
- Wheels/Tyres: 16 inch wheels with Avon slick and wet tyres (11.7 inches wide)
- Fuel Tank: 125-litre long range swirl pot tank
- Weight: 1128 kg (without driver)
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a discharged battery
Auction: Stoneleigh Park, 21st Feb, 2004
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