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Honest John Classics Our Classic Cars 1976 Rover 3500 SD1

Our Cars: 1976 Rover 3500 SD1

11 February 2011: A car with the right profile

Well, the Poliski-Rover has come a long way since I first clapped eyes on her – seriously horrific electric maladies and some challenging issues with fueling, cooling and miscellaneous matters arising from a long period of layover are now a fading memory. I’m also pleased to say it’s not cost that much to sort. It’s been more about fettling than throwing money at it. 

You may recall, from one of Keith’s previous blogs, that he found one of his new tyres flat one morning and so the original 1976 Michelin XAS spare tyre had to be fitted. Upon further investigation, that turned out to be nothing more than a slight seal problem on the rim and a faulty valve. My trusted boot boys at REVS in Horsham soon diagnosed the problem and had the tyre repaired quicker than the SD1 can swill a gallon of petrol – yes really, they were that quick! 

You simply wouldn’t believe how pleased I am to have the spare wheel being back in the boot. The width and profile of the spare were different to the brilliant Sava ”boots” that Keith had fitted at Tyres Northampton. The overall feel of the car was frightening, it was pulling to the left quite strongly, made the car sit like it had a broken spring and the grip offered from the 35 year old tyre equalled that of trying to hold on to a greased Pole Cat. A hair raising moment on a wet A24 when some old womble in a Ford KA(ck) changed lanes with no observation and caused me to give a damn good prod on the Rover’s anchors confirmed this. 

The wonky gear lever retaining cap has been temporarily repaired using an over-sized washer and my MIG welder but, alas, this is only a temporary lash and so, as mentioned in a previous muttering, if anyone has one going spare, please get in touch. The pre-MOT check is coming along - items noticed include a faulty hazard warning switch, a weeping front damper and below par handbrake on the nearside rear. 

The fractured retaining cap - Not a pretty repair, but sufficient for the time being

Anyway, once I have had the rear drums off and the courier has delivered a massive and heavy cardboard box full of metally things, more hammering and swearing will ensue ending with a trip to the testing station. 

However, in the meantime, I’m off out in the old girl to make Shell some more profit!

« Earlier: A handsome beast (bar none)     Later: It goes on another year »

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
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
11 February 2011: A car with the right profile
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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