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

3 May 2012: Farewell, my lovely

It’s a project that started over six years ago and finally, after extensive work by countless people to make this Rover 3500 as perfect as it can be, I’ve sold it. It’s been an interesting experience and one that’s seen a near-scrap early-build SD1 be transformed into what is arguably the best of its type left on UK roads. It’s proved that you can buy just about every part needed new and off the shelf, making this one of the most compelling classic cars you can buy today. Especially at today’s prices…

After half-heartedly trying to sell via various outlets, my Rover has gone to a new owner, David Wilkinson, who decided to take on the old girl after seeing the car for sale and deciding it was an almost perfect match for his father’s old car. Judging by the smile on David’s face when he came to pick it up this morning, he’s pleased with his new car (which joins a rather impressive collection of Jaguars).

He’s promised to stay in touch and keep us all informed about how it fares in West London but, for now, I’ll just try not to be too sad about the SD1-sized hole in my life right now. I do have a new classic to replace the SD1 but, as that’s Italian, we won’t be seeing too much of it here…

But here’s a quick look, anyway. Wish me luck!

Keith's new Lancia Delta being prepped for its respray...Keith's new Lancia Delta being prepped for its respray...

« Earlier: SD1 reaches a milestone     Later: Saving an SD1, Part two »

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
3 May 2012: Farewell, my lovely
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
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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