Hello,

my name is Stijn Muller, I'm from the Netherlands. And about a year ago I saw my first SD1 (on TV) from that moment on I've been looking for a car like that.
I've found a SD1 3500 VandenPlas (no EFi) from '86 on "marktplaats" (sort of e-bay), 2600 euro. But what are typical problems that I should watch out for when I want to buy this car? Is it a car with lot of problems or never? Because it would be my only car (I have a motorcycle and I go to work on my bike). And if something breaks down, is it difficult to get "new" parts, are they expensive? I've found the same part for extremely low or high prices.

Thank you.

Greetings,

Stijn.

Hello, hopefully this post isn't too late for you.

Generally I've found the SD1 (I have a 3.5l EFI vitesse) to be mechanically reliable. Basic maintainence is as easy as a newer (10 year old or less) car. The only real problems I had were with the EFI (which were easy to fix once I finslly found the source of the problems), but since your car would have carburetors this would not be a problem.

You can check for water leaks from the front windscreen seals - often water collects in the glove boxes.

Other than this it is really the same checks you'd do on any car: that most electrics work (most problems are due to corroded connectors or switches), steering, transmission, suspension are not damaged, engine doesn't blow smoke or missfire.

Parts availability is very good for a "classic" car. Rimmerbros here in the UK stock most parts new and I think they will post to most countries (best to check), plus there are always many used parts on ebay.

As with almost all classic cars it is best to have an alternative means of transport (another car, motorcycle etc) as they aren't 100% reliable. Unless you get a "bad" SD1 though, I think you'll be happy with it

Hope this helps,
Anthony

Hello Anthony,

Thank you for your reaction, it's not too late. I have called yesterday that I'm interested and I hope we can make an appointement for next week.
Thank you for your tips. I'm bringing a friend with me who has a little more technical knowledge than I, and two persons see more than one

Greetings, and thanks again.

Stijn.

ive had my VDP EFI about 4 months now, and its cost me... probably about $1000nzd in repairs and maintainance.

That seems like a lot, but its all stuff thats starting to wear out on a 20+ year old car. the new parts will have atleast another 20 years in them, so imo the money is worth it. any other car the same age, will need those parts soon too. Would you rather spend the money on a little econobox thats boring to drive, or an SD1?

You put a big lump of money into the beast, feel bad because now youre poor... but then you jump in, and drive away... youll remember exactly what owning a rover is all about.

The feel. The sound. The love.... Theres nothing else like driving your SD1.

That's true.

And you know how to persuade a person

I hope to be soon the proud owner of a SD1 VDP.

lol, i love my SD1 so much i just think other people that are passionate about cars should experience an SD1 too.

Theyre under-rated cars in my opinion. They should be legends, but instead the only thing people remember is the somewhat shoddy BL build quality (i dont really see a problem with it, personally. maybe mines just one of few built well?) and the unreliability (just take the latest TopGear BL tribute with that yellow S1 SD1, that they mutilated just to make it look bad!)

Ive owned a lot of cars. Fast ones, slow ones, heavily modified ones, old ones and new ones. Nothing has come close to owning my SD1. Its rare, powerful, great to drive, comfortable but still sporty, and i love the respect it gets from people that know what they really are.

Me <3 my SD1!

Congrats on the purchase! make sure to post lots of info and pictures for us to all drool over. Believe me, youll fall in love with it pretty quick

Haha.

I've heard about the top gear show, a collegue of mine told me about it. (she's a BMW fan, modifies old BMW's it an race with it on Nürnbergring, so she's really into cars) But she's also very excited about the car.

I've seen some top gear "tests" and if you have bad luck with a car for that money, you have a change that the door will come off. (have you seen the episode where they cruise in America to New Orleans, one of that cars was so damaged that the people who it was given to FOR FREE, didn't even want it!)

the sad thing is, im sure i read that when the topgear crew purchsed that SD1 there was nothing at all wrong with it. just needed a bit of TLC (paint). The door definately wasnt falling off, same with the door trim and the electics not working.

I hate seeing good cars wrecked like that. although it was amusing seeing it spinning its wheel (singular) trying to get up the hill for the handbrake test.

Ive seen most eps of topgear, including that USA special... which btw was probably one of the funniest i have seen yet. That and the africa special.

Anyway... back on topic, got more info about this VDP?

This is the info from the advertisement (in dutch)

Brand: Rover
Model: Vandenplas
Building year: 1986
Carrosserie: Sedan 5-deurs
fuel: Benzine
weight: 1445 kg
color: Blauw
power: 116kW
CC: 3528cc

Moonrakerblauw, 151400 km, full darkblue interior, darkblue velvet interior (of a 2600), automatic trasmission.

The photo's can be found on:

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I fell in love

oh wow thats a beautiful car! looks to be in very good condition too?

not suprised you fell in love with it!

Looks like a nice example!