1980 Rover 3500 SD1

I wasn't going to do a post today, but then I saw this car. If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I once owned an SD1 and liked it very much. I can't pass up a chance to write about one.

This one looks to be in nice condition. The seller believes the engine has been rebuilt. The FI has been swapped for a Carter 4-barrel carb. I've seen that done before (sometimes using a Holley), but have never driven one with it. The seller also mentions that the A/C is missing. At least here in the States, the A/C was a Delco unit. With a little research you may find that it was the same as a unit used on a similar year GM car. If so, parts won't be too tough to find.

Rust was an issue with these cars and this car has some "bubbles" in all the usual places. It has been repainted, so checking for badly done rust repair is a must. The headlights on this one have been converted to the super desirable European units.

The interior is very nice. A door panel is loose and the dash has a crack, both of which are common on these cars. There's no chance you'll find a good used dash in the US, so you'll have to figure out a way to cover it or learn to live with it. (The dash is a modular design, meaning the same one is used for both RHD and LHD cars. You might be able to find a good used one in Europe, but the cost of shipping probably makes that an impractical idea.)

This is not a show car, but a very good SD1 that you could (and should) drive everyday.

Located in Langley, WA, click here to see the (informative, well written) eBay listing.