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Honest John Classics Our Classic Cars 1976 Rover 3500 SD1
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Our Cars: 1976 Rover 3500 SD1

28 July 2011: Two for the price of one

Enjoyed a nice catch-up with SD1-owning, AROnline reading, Nissan engineering man Chris Wood last night. We caught up at the Earls Barton Classic Car and Bike Meet, after briefly meeting at the AROnline 10th anniversary bash a couple of weeks ago. That time he brought a Nissan Leaf with him – but this time, finally, I got to see his lovely 1978 3500…

I have to say that parking them side-by-side certainly attracted attention. More often than not, from people reminiscing about the cars their dads owned (yes, everyone’s dad had an SD1, didn’t you know). His bright Turmeric Yellow example certainly drew bags of attention, and having a good nose round has encouraged me to do a couple of those last-finishing off jobs that I had put out of my mind. Namely getting the headlining properly trimmed, and putting on some period number plates. I might even suggest putting on mudflaps, as someone helpfully pointed out that mine have been missing since it came back from Poland.

But looking at it now – all clean and shiny, bodily perfect, mechanically spot on… I’m almost scared to run it. Now I kinda understand all of those people who spend years doing up a house; only to sell when it’s finished, in order to move on to the next project. I said ‘kinda’…

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« Earlier: SD1 heads for Perfection     Later: A temporary kennel for the Rover »

Updates
We decide to take a £200 Rover SD1 to receive a full body restoration. Here's the story...
The work in Poland carries on in earnest
The Rover SD1 goes to a new home. It's been emotional...
Back in daily use, the SD1's odo ticks past 50K
The SD1 enjoys another MoT test - and passes, with a few advisories...
An incapacitated Keith Adams hands over the SD1 to Richard Kilpatrick
28 July 2011: Two for the price of one
Time to get the SD1 out to a show... and look what we bump into.
Now it's up to scratch, it's time to get the SD1 looking as good as it drives...
This running report is boring - nothing has happened. And that's a blessed relief
Rover SD1 powers to the Pride of Longbridge... and suffers not a single breakage!
Pride of Longbridge approaches and Mike Humble is looking forward to taking the Rover SD1
Mike Humble carries on working on the SD1 - it's nearly finished. Promise!
Mike Humble gets the SD1 through its MoT without too many issues
Mike Humble is never 'tyred' of working on a classic motoring icon, only a few more details and the mission is complete.
Let's get rid of that carbuncle off the rear of the SD1!
Mike Humble - once again - sets about fixing another set of SD1 maladies
Getting the SD1 up and running again...
Something's not clicking with the SD1. Maybe some factory alloys might improve matters
Mike's spent weeks getting the SD1 into a roadworthy condition. He's literally sweated cobs over it - and we're not sure he'd like to repeat the experience.
Mike Humble has been having some truly epic battles with the Rover SD1. He's winning, though.
We've handed the SD1 over to Mike Humble in order to fix all those niggles. It proved to be a bit of a battle
It's getting a thorough work-put now, and one or two teething problems are working their way through
To to start undoing some of the unwanted cosmetic modifications
We're now trusting the Rover to take us out and about on jobs. Good idea?
Has it been worth the wait. Five years after buying it, we're finally able to legally drive the freshly MoT'd Rover SD1
Plenty of work needed for the MoT - and we're not there yet!
The Rover's been shipped to MOTest in Farnham for its first post-restoration MoT. Fingers crossed.
First drive, and we're going to have a bit of work...
So now it's home, it's time to take stock of what needs doing on the project Rover SD1
The SD1 is pretty much paid for, now we just need to get it back to the UK
We've just dashed to Poland to drop off a few finishing touches to our SD1 restoration
After three years, the Rover SD1 restoration in Poland is finished. Now the work begins
 

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