Great British barn find - incredible survivor V8 Rover SD1 Vitesse
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- Who doesn't love a great british Barn find? This 40,000 mile Rover SD1 Vitesse V8 turned out to be an incredible survivor - possibly the best preserved SD1 Jonny has seen. It has sat in the garage since 1999, gradually getting buried under blankets and boxes.
Ironically, Jonny discovered this big old '80s Rover luxury muscle car up on the Wirral in Merseyside (near Liverpool) via the Renault Zoe electric car owners club - www.rzoc.club/. The owner, Oliver Dawson, is a member and was persuaded by the other folks in the group to trust Jonny for a visit to his house.
Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.
In 1985 Oliver bought the two year old Rover SD1 Vitesse manual and treasured it hugely. In 1999, however, he took it off the road for a handbrake cable adjustment and basically never got around to bringing it back out of the garage. So there it has sat, through his kids turning into adults, job changes, life changes, and gradually the old Rover muscle car got buried beneath clutter.
The thing about 'barn finds' that Jonny loves the most is when the car ends up being even better condition that we thought. The Rover falls into this category.
Oliver had maintained it fastidiously up until this point, and even made a point of covering the car in blankets. In the video you will see how remarkably well preserved this rare car is. Unfortunately as hard as he tried Jonny didn't get the car running on the day, but a few days later Oliver persisted and got the SD1 to fire up briefly. We have put that right at the end of the vid - so don't miss the V8 sound.
The Barnfind playlist episodes are proudly supported by Adrian Flux insurance, who Jonny has used to insure his own classic, modern and modified vehicles with for many years. Adrian Flux have their own UA-cam channel:
/ adrianfluxinsurance
Adrian Flux can be found on social media:
/ adrianflux
/ adrianfluxinsurance
/ adrianfluxinsurance
DO YOU KNOW OF A CAR THAT MIGHT BE WORTHY OF JONNY HELPING TO UNEARTH ON VIDEO? DO YOU OWN A CAR IN A BARN/HEDGE/GARAGE THAT MIGHT JUST RUN OR NEED A NEW HOME? Email the Late Brake Show via contact@thelatebrakeshow.com
Thanks to Rimmer Brothers rimmerbros.com/ for supplying engine service parts.
Thanks to Craig & friends at the Renault Zoe owners club for helping make this feature happen.
Rover SD1s were well respected on the British touring car tracks, and loved by the Police. They have unfairly taken decades to gain proper classic car status, and although this is not one of the twin plenum chamber homologation models, it is a completely unrestored Vitesse 5-speed manual car. It might be one of the best preserved SD1 V8s out there.
The best bit? Oliver has decided that he is too old now to appreciate the car, so is willing to part with it once this film goes live. If anyone is serious about owning a really wonderful never-welded (and doesn't need it - trust Jonny, he's crawled all under it) Moonraker Blue SD1, then please contact TLBS via the late brake show website (contact@thelatebrakeshow.com).
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Filmed and edited by: Phil Vaughan - www.philvfilms.com/
Insta: @philvfilms
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant - www.matttarantdesign.com
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: www.carpervert.com
Instagram: / jonnycarpervert
Twitter: / carpervert
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:10 Unlikely EV connection
0:55 Supported by Adrian FLux
1:25 Bought it when it was 2yrs old
2:26 BURIED Rover Vitesse
2:54 Garage door declutter
3:39 First glimpse inside Rover
4:50 Broken garage door!
5:20 Reveal
5:50 Uncovering the Rover
6:12 Inside the tailgate
7:12 Damp in garage?
7:55 Off axle stands
8:45 Look at the dash
9:06 Kawasaki Zephyr 1100
9:25 Engine bay first look
9:41 Original tech spec
10:15 Steering wheel story
10:50 Different radio and cruise control story
11:38 tyre pumping
13:23 Pushing it out
13:50 Not sat inside for 22 years
15:04 Engine bay wax protection?
15:30 Spares from Rimmer Brothers
16:20 20,000 miles since mid 80s
16:40 Fuel system purge
18:23 No rust underneath
20:25 Tying to start it
21:40 Turning over engine
23:40 First clean in 22 years
25:05 Service history
27:01 Rot free
28:10 Thanks for watching
28:39 WAIT!! IT STARTED UP!
#barnfind #survivorroversd1v8 #willitrun? #thelatebrakeshow - Авто та транспорт
I love the pace of these shows. In an age of instant gratification and videos clearly driven to try to retain viewers with silly edits, you can really settle in to these. I clearly remember my Dad bringing home an SD1 Rover v8. I seem to remember being impressed as a kid with its 155hp. From 3.5L!
Really pleased you appreciate the pace of TLBS films. It is so hard to gauge what is the ideal vid length these days, but we try to emulate a television show if the subject warrants it.
@@TheLateBrakeShow I have a little channel for music. Nothing serious. But I do see the stats on UA-cam studio. The retention numbers are quite amazing. People are used to clicking on videos and it’s it doesn’t grab their attention in 20 seconds they are gone, which is clearly why serious UA-camrs have a little ‘best bits’ edit at the start of long videos. But it’s designed for a population that is being trained to have ADHD with TikTok. These barn finds are different in two main ways I think. Firstly, you have to be a real enthusiast to appreciate them. Secondly, the pacing is in keeping with the subject matter. Cars that have lain dormant for so long wait patiently while you slowly excavate them from their slumber, like a mechanical archeologist. The films are perfect. Keep it up!
@@final_mile_music9713 @The Late Brake Show I couldn't agree more! As an over-forty year old, this really appeals to me in so many ways. Reminiscing a childhood spent exploring abandoned farms with barns full of old, forgotten vehicles of all description.
Joyous spent days they were! The analogue age, where the pace was indeed so much slower.
Not a big v8 in Australia this is very small and weak, good luck with it though
Just add to my post my Dads car was The 2.6 Rover Van Dan Plas the luxury version of the sporty Vitesse
This needs a second video...recommissioned and running sweet....oooooo please 🙏
Tell you what....didn't sound too bad at all without recommissioning.....far smoother than I expected for sure.
Definitely need a follow up video.
I honestly can't like this video enough. My Grandad had an SD1 when I was a kid. Even had the same Mountney steeting wheel and Blaupunkt radio. We went all over the country in it and I was beaming from ear to ear when I heard it run at the end. So much nostalgia. If I had room for one, I'd have one in a heartbeat.
My uncle had a Vittese. As the name suggests, it could shift.
I would buy that in a HEARTBEAT... it is one of the most beautiful cars that any UK brand has ever made.
You know its gonna be a good video when Jonny cracks out the barn find fleece.
I love a British show that starts out with a cuppa 😊❤
True. And why would you put your mug down when you unravel a car 😂
@@oliverlondon5246 .... I was expecting the dog to noshh that, straight off... lol
What A Corker!!
tooSavvy :-)
I worked in material control as a section leader & then materials manager on
SD1 V8s, 2.3 & 2.6 variants from preproduction body 17 until production was transferred to Cowley plant & loved every minute of it.
This barn find is absolutely wonderful & it's really nice to hear that V8 finally burble into life & see again what I consider to be one of the best vehicles produced at Solihull SD1 plant & superceeding the P6 2000/2200& P6B V8 assembled in North works all excellent vehicles.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Who the hell didn’t like this video? What a fabulous car from way back. Obviously out of my league back in the day as I was busy bring up a family on £20 a week! Or something. You’re right, Jonny, one of the decent cars of the 80’s - a total time-warp motor. Thanks to everyone who brought this together.
I can understand that, most of the vid was just clearing out a garage - and to not hear it running was a total anticlimax!
in 1983 standard wage then was £ 100.00 a week
Genuinely, I've not felt so emotional about car since you uncovered this national treasure, the crowning moment when it starts, lump in the throat. I truly hope Oliver gets it back on the road and unleashes the beast 😊, thanks Jonny for another epic find. And all this on fathers day, may be that's the emotional side 😂.
Don’t sell it Oliver !!! , use it enjoy it , re live the joy this car bought you all those years ago !
Use it but don't put e10 fuel in it 🤔🙄😬
the sd1 was a beautiful car .my favourite car of the 80s. if i had plenty of money then id get one as my sunday car.thanks for showing us this great example .
Possibly the prettiest Rover ever made. Still look modern
Great to see my mate Oliver with his old SD1 he’s a great chap!
So great that he’s helped me film loads of car reviews as my free cameraman nice to see him on other side of it!
Totally agree Nic, Oliver is a thoroughly nice guy. We first met him in 2018 at an RZOC meet at DSG in Morecambe where he kindly, and for free, enabled Android Auto on our 2016 ZE22, and then in 2020 met up with him again at a Motorway Service Area relatively local to him where he enabled Android Auto on our R90 ZE40, again for free.👍
Has he kept it?
When you opened the back door to see inside... Omgosh absolutely amazing and clean, like a new one
I absolutely love these cars. My dad had a Vitesse when i was a kid
Used to passenger this as an unmarked police car on the M23 - absolute joy and very, very fast
The perfect Fathers Day fodder you never fail, my dad's best friend Uncle Bill had one of these I loved it, I love the way that is in such good condition and even the spiders haven't eaten it, even this man's garage door impressed me🤣 can we have a part 2 with it driving please
This video is food for the soul. Thanks Jonny and Oliver!
Great memories... Had a Vitesse years ago.
Fitted the Leyland P76 4.4L block with the 3.5L heads, a straight LPG system and 3" straight pipe exhaust.
A pretty rare car to see in Australia and I had great fun surprising (embarrasing) many a Commodore and Falcon owner.
It actually felt faster 100-200kph than from 0-100 and was very smooth, planted and comfortable cruising at 200kph.
I had a lovely straight 15km divided highway country road drive home and when opened up my partner could hear me on a still night coming home from several km away!
Was an epic car but I remember replacing the heater core was a full 3 day job!
A Rover sd1 vitesse and a motorbike in a double garage are what dreams are made of
Your Barn finds are my favorite part of the " late brake show " This SD1 just needs a bit of love to bring it back to pristine condition , what a find ! Buy it Jonny Buy it !
I don't think it's for sale
@@MrSudanPresident and i'll bet you the intention to sell for a good price was why this video was made :)
@@MyRealName I would say so , I hope he doesn't put it back in that garage for another 20 years , it needs to be driven and maintained , even if it's just 1000 miles a year .
@whybother now absolutely, it's also better if the car is sold and used instead of just sitting in there
sounds lush at the end there, well done!
Sounded really good 👍
I used to be an auto electrician for an Austin Rover dealership in Norwich in the 70's , loved these cars when they came out....
I guess this video was made before Johny aquired the 'can of hope', as the car didn't fire up 'on the day'. Great to hear that wonderful V8 burble when it fired up at the end of the video. Like others I realy enjoy the barn find episodes. Keep up the good work, rediscovering this beautiful classic cars.
Absolutely fabulous. This is the content everyone needs.
You can feel Jonny’s relief when he says he still has the original steering wheel and radio whilst being very careful not to upset the guy about his upgrades
The original steering wheel was rubbish - it wasn't even round and hit your legs when you turned it. Steering response was much better with the smaller steering wheel.
original wheel is hung on the wall through the back door
Oliver was grinning more and more as time went on. You really made his day helping him. I bet he's so grateful to find someone who cares as much as him
I never really understood how a car could end up a 'barn find' parked in a garage and forgotten....that was until I had a TVR, which I enjoyed terrifically for the first 5 years of ownership, then life took over and for the next 5 years it was driven back and forward to its MOT every year and nothing else. It was heading the same way as Oliver's Vitesse until I plucked up the courage to sell. So, Oliver, I now understand how that happened!
What an absolute stunning car - I loved these, my dad had one in the late eighties (not the Vitesse, just a shonky 2.3L but in the lovely British Racing Green) - me and he loved that thing with it's square steering wheel and Daytona looks.....sadly it really was a car that was too expensive for him to run and eventually it broke down on the newly opened M25 when he was taking me back to my student digs in Kingston, he ended up selling it to the recovery driver on the spot (I was gutted!). If I had the room I'd have one of these today - that V8 version would be amazing, the same engine as in my old TVR Chimaera, sounded awesome. So glad Oliver got it started! Top job on that video (and yes lets have a video on the bike now please!!)....
Thanks for sharing your story, Andy😀
look who is here...it's the missenden flyer.. Could you please teamp with johnny to take care of the motorcycle barn find ?? #teamHeyKids
You've been looking for a project bike TMF, surely this is the one!
@@geoffcampbell5213 totally agree 😀
my first ever breakdown in a car was a sd1 with my dad back in the early 90s we pulled up in a pub carpark for sandwiches and i noticed some smoke coming out from the engine. my dad ignored me saying it was fine until 5 min down the road when the radiator exploded i went to a car boot sale a few years later and found a matchbox model in a random box and still have it till this day
Looks like Jonny is keen on this one - maybe he'll be making Oliver an offer...
😎
It really does deserve a little bit of luv an attention,♥️.
Jonny, you'll never find a better one... Let that ruminate and I'm sure you'll make the right decision 👌
@@TheLateBrakeShow Love the old V8 SD1's, nab that Zepher 1100 for me whilst you there fella ! 🤣
(had a bike licence for over 20 years, wouldn't be the first bike i've tarted up)
Please buy it Jonny! I hope you get to film it when it's back on the road
Vitesse & Vanden Plas are the SD1s to go for.
What an astounding car! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
That Blaupunkt fired up and the radio station was transmitting from1983! 🤣🤘❤️
This channel is better than anything on the t.v at the minute, no over the top presenters, just relaxed viewing enjoying a love for cars
Well said!
What a treat for Father's Day. Thank you Johnny. You never let us down.
Must be the best original SD1 in the UK thank you two for sharing this wonderful experience
“Dehydrated wazz” LOL. That is a funny, yet vivid description.
2 incredible individuals and 1 beautiful car and a perfect video!!!
You know this guy's a fanatic when the registration of his Zoe is an anagram of his name. Clever but not in your face. Super video. So glad to hear that rumble at the end.
that doesn't make you a fanatic. neither does leaving your car sitting for decades and driving around in a zoe :)
@@MyRealName The guy did his own maintenance on the car in later life.
ASo what if he left it in his garage?
That is how you get a low mileage minter...
Like the guy said, he had other commitments.
The bottom line is the car hasn't suffered over the years.
Like some people who leave a car to rot outside and expect a fortune for it.
Amazing time capsule! Can't be many Vitesses left.. Let alone running and in that condition. Good work 😎
This needs to be running and with a sympathetic owner !! I remember one from my childhood.... 🥰
What a find- and in the best colour too- moonraker blue right?
The nostalgia!
Yep, Moonraker Blue Metallic - I had a Montego MG Turbo in that colour (C-Reg) and always looked so nice, especially polished and in the sun!
Loved the old Rovers, the P5B and it’s successors
A reminder that we are just caretakers to the cars we love... it's always cool to see them preserved for the next person to adore.
If Christmas wishes were real, I think I'd maybe just wish for this. What a find!
Thanks for the Father’s Day present.
As a teenager, this was my dream car. I never owned the Vitesse, but I did own the "standard" SD1 V8 manual, and I loved it!
Thanks for sharing this barn find.
I’m from the U.S.A. and has never heard of this car, but damn, what a beauty! ❤
Most astonishing thing about this video: There is actually a Renult Zoe owners club....
😂😂😂😂
👏👏👏💡💡💡
Yes, everyone knows that.
Just makes me a bit sad
This car, to me as an Iranian, is quintessential '80s Britain.
good times back then, what happened 😣
The last in-house Rover. Always excites me to see an SD1, the Vitesse is so mean.
I had the pleasure of being one of a gang of four roofing chippies travelling 20 or 30 miles each way in the gaffer's SD1. Two were big guys, plus the boot full of heavy kit, and it pulled brilliantly. Superb car; I want it !
Even though they never came to my part of the Caribbean, I’ve always loved these. The first car I remember in the family was a 1964 Mustang 289 - must be why I love V8.
This takes me back! When I was young and out clubbing in the 80s, I often went to the same cab company at around 3 in the morning (where I would be greeted with "Top customer!" and be pushed to the front of the queue). Invariably, I got the same driver - who had a Vitesse (fuel must have been cheap those days) and he would race me home in less than 15 minutes, ignoring most of the traffic lights and meanwhile smoking a cigarette in a cigarette holder! Best taxi ever.
Taxi drivers where cool back in the day I was only born in the 80s. A taxi driver in early 00s near me had a Vectra GSi and drove it like he stole it definitely a taxi fare worth paying. There's currently a MK1 Octavia VRS with 350k on the clock boosting about our streets on lpg too he's had it since new it's more fun than all the Prius taxis
So cool to ignore traffic lights...
Not.
@@JD-eo7dr i wouldn't get in a Vauxhall, no thankyou, chavvy utter junk.
@@craig2539 and a rover is the best car company ever, so good it went bust
Yes you’re a spastic
What a fantastic find, absolutely beautiful. Loved these when I was a kid, my dad had a 1979 3500 SD1 in white. We we're always being waved at by the police as they all drove then at the time, good memories.
Who wouldn't want to own this stunner, I know I would. ❤
My dad had a gold 3.5 Vanden Plas, after drooling over the sales brochure I was gutted he didn’t go for the Vitesse 😞
I also used to get stopped by the police in those cars too. 😃
Growing up my dad had a Capri 3.0S and my uncle had a green SD1 Vitesse… holidays in Wales were a lot of fun 👌
My parents had the SD1 3500 Van Den Plas 1982, when the Rover was 3 years old, the gas tank was already rotten and some sheet metal already showed heavy rust .
The car ended up at the scrap yard after being 5 years old..
But what a nice luxurious and fast car that was for its time.
I have only fond memories of the car
Wow - that is in such good condition. The interior looks spectacular!
Oh man, my dad had a V8s - was THE best car of our childhood. Seeing this brings back so many memories
I still remember as a teenager watching the Bastos Rovers British touring car championship and then the Tom Walkinshaw Racing ones at Bathurst.
Yeah, I remember seeing that Walkinshaw car at the mountain. I think it might be in a museum somewhere?
Soon as it rolled out, the iconic human league intro started playing in my head.
it was an sd1 that naughty bob drove ,when he took rita and sue up on the moors for some mucky nooky ..
@@philreynolds7874 omg i was just thinking the same Bob, Sue and Rita too just before i clicked on this reply message and then seen what you had put 😂 couldn't believe it lol
i immediately thought of rita sue and bob too aswell lol
"So why has it been in the garage for over 20 years?" "I don't know really."
Incredible.
May be its a good idea he put it in the garage, otherwise it most probably would have been scrapped along time ago, now someone will cherish it
@Mck Idyl Yes but Oliver still had covers over the bodywork.
It still looks mint.
Garages are magnets for unwanted stuff people don't want to throw away.
Look In anyones garage there'll be cerape everywhere...
Rimmer brothers was superb, back in day when I had my dolomite sprint .
So expensive though 😳
@@elliotroles7502 like anything these days 🤯
They have bought all the parts and X the prices by 100
@@arthuritchybollix5064 im going back 30 years, also Triumphtune was local to me for custom stuff.
I love your barn find videos, it reminds me of how I used to feel about cars. I've lost my love for them in the modern era. I'm all for progress and I know things need to change but God I miss the emotions cars used to stir in the 80s and 90s. And I just mean the normal everyday cars.
Always amazes me that if a Car lies for long enough in a Shed / Garage it turns into shelf or storage unit..the SD1 Vitesse was a beastie.
The dashboard is almost the same trend that current cars are going with the 2 display layout above the air vents.
Shows that I was actually ahead of its time. She shape has been copied by audi and merc too
Fun fact, the reason it was designed like this this was in order to avoid having extra costs when making left and right hand drive versions of the car. This dash can be bolted on either side and that was it, it was a clever design choice that also turned out pretty. I think manufacturers today are doing exactly the same thing :)
@@elliotroles7502 There were many cars who used this sort of design, to name a common example, a Golf mk1 or mk2. All the dials and controls up top, and air vents below that. Exactly the same as they do nowadays. This is why I appreciate the designers of this era, they made things functional and never tried to make them look traditional. No wonder they are looking at their old designs nowadays, they were that good..
I love these barn find vids, brilliant.
My e34 540i has a primitive cruise control set up and I can confirm that it’s terrifying when it decides it’s going for the top speed challenge without being requested. I had to choose to let it bounce off the rev limiter in neutral, switch the engine off and lose assistance to the brakes and steering or try to reign it in with the brakes.
My farmer grandad had a SD 1 v8 Rover Vitesse, i am not sure he ever took a driving test as that started after he was already driving and i think he just applied for a license. What was most impressive is that he only had one eye, but we made it safely to the watch Somerset play cricket each week. Botham and Viv Richards where my sporting idols at that time but this car and my grandad will be forever a part of my soul. Thanks Jonny and Oliver for sharing this adventure and bring back great memories.
One eyed wheelman Grandpa! I grew up near Taunton in the 1980s and know the cricket buzz around that time.
Absolutely bloody brilliant! Though I am biased having an ‘85 Vitesse myself!
A guy who live up my street had one of these, he drove it like an absolute mad man.
It unfortunately became a lawn ornament when something went wrong with it, he then changed to Rover 800 Vitesse Sport, I've got very fond memories seeing these cars being used properly.
I'm sure my parents were less pleased with the driver's turn of speed though.
As an owner of a P5B, I love the Buick/Rover V8. Fantastic car, hope it doesn’t sit any longer!
Quite emotional watching this... The days when cars had imagination and soul... What a beauty...
Wow, the fact that these sorts of cars still exist is amazing, hope it finds a deserving home.
Perfect Father’s Day treat.
Would love an update on this car.
The Mini and the SD1, my favourite cars of all time, she needs to be driven and to be seen on a B road blast.
Hiya johnny my names simon I've only started to watch your videos ... the cars you uncover and the way you talk through things.., it's like memory lane for me... it's pure bliss watching, most of these cars are all gone... the fact that people save them and preserve them for years and years... it's just amazing.... please please find more cars:);) I love watching the videos:);)...
It won a best interior award, I went in one as 2nd driver fell asleep, and was woken up at the destination.
That Jonny was spectacular
Seeing this amazing Rover SD1 being uncovered after many years of Oliver telling us all behind the scenes his inner passion for V8s.
I was actually on the comms call the day Oliver fired it up after the 20+ years and he was like a giggerling child.
Your show is going from strength to strength every episode, just seeing a good friend have his hideen gem showcased was the cream on the cake.
And thank you for the shout out at the beginning your very welcome. Thank you for making Olivers day so special.
❤️🚗
... And thank Oliver an Johnny for letting us enjoy it!
Might want to put a comma in that first line 😂
I is
Renault ZOE owners club,I imagine all the members are very fun to talk to.
I would be getting the V8 SD1 back on the road and getting rid of the utterly dull Renault zoe
Fantastic to see it so pristine, having been stuck in its own little time capsule after all these years! Great job
Awesome video, my dad, being a manager at BL then Austin Rover had loads of SD1's. Firstly we'd drive to the South of France in the Vanden Plas for our summer holidays and then He had a C plate twin plenum Vitesse as a dealer demonstrator company car before the Honda 827 Vitesse came in. I loved that car, it used to growl and he would take it to 130mph regularly over the Welsh mountains on the way to watch a rally. Fantastic trip down memory lane, thanks Jonny.
This is a brilliant bit of film, and obviously a great car owned by a lovely bloke.
I totally share your emotions about older cars Jonny. We car enthusiasts become emotionally attached to them, the story and a survivor is always a gem and of huge excitement.
The Vitesse is wonderful and it's mad how he sort of forgot it was there. What a find and so happy to see her come back to life, I am not ashamed to say I did shed a tear of happiness. Fantastic video as always Jonny.
Thank you for this Jonny, really. Doesn’t matter if you are showing us the ultimate hypercar from Rimac or a car like this Rover, the way you share the experience, the authenticity of your reactions and the love for the smallest detail make us enjoy as if we were there with you. All the respect and admiration for you and your work Jonny.
Looks as good as any modern car. Gorgeous
Apart from the steering wheel and its orientation on the wrong side of the car (😉) this is the exact same car that made me 'the child of the hard shoulder' back in the 80's. The spoked alloys, the black rubber spoiler, the gauge cluster, the passenger vent which doubled as a steering-rod feed-through and the timbre of the starter all bring back very fond memories - still absolutely love the SD1 even though it left us stranded at some key moments. An 'incredible survivor' for sure! Thanks for this!
OMG I can’t believe how immaculate the car is, that’s an amazing barn find. Nothing better than the sound of the V8 engine. Was the car sold after.
Great video Johnny, this is by far the best feature on your channel, brilliant, thank you.
Cheers Andrew!
@@TheLateBrakeShow My late father was part of the BRSCC and I remember seeing the SD1's racing with front splitters, side skirts and a huge tail like the RS 500's.....they did look amazing in race spec 👍😊
Great find and a great show Jonny ❤
Thankyou Jonny and Oliver. My brother had the 2.6s and 3500 vitesse on a 1985 B reg. Didn't realise fuel figures could go to single figures on the dash computer 8mpg until he showed me. Nice lovely car but sold it due to water leaking in the boot and sunroof from new.
Iconic car find for me, one of the few with a lasting design.
Amazing condition. Even if it didn’t run I couldn’t leave it sat covered in a garage for all those years. I’d have to go out from time to time just to look at it. What a beauty!
Honestly Johnny, this channel just gets better and better. By showing this ST1 ( my dream car when I was younger) and more so hearing it idle at the end, well you've made me so happy. Hope you can find more British classics and show them. Fantastic and many thanks...
Absolutely brilliant. Am I the only one who gets emotional about these barn find films with cars from 'our era' being dug out?
Beautiful car. Drove in the back seat of a V8 as a kid. Very powerful, impressive at the time.
Perfect ending. I was getting a little worried we wouldn’t hear it!!
Jonny does it again, more quality automotive nostalgia we love to reminisce over.
It is so sad that we have to reminisce. If only we could have cars like this today )but with today's build quality) I consider myself lucky to have lived through the 80s when life was good and didn't realise it at the time.
Now what do we have? Just rubbish
my grandad had one around 1983 iirc, yellow 3.5. i used to sit in it and pretend i was driving it all the time when it was parked outside his house when i was about 10. felt like a rocket ship when i was a passenger in it. great memories and what a great find this was.
Absolute stunner! Remember all the police driving SD1’s as a kid in the 80’s and just being in awe of their size!
Absolutely beautiful and gorgeous. I love these old Rover SD1’s just love the stylish design and lines. Hope it gets pampered and preserved for future generations. In police form they were amazing. There was even special government protection versions.
Love those wheels!
My all time favourite car. Especially in Moonraker blue.
Wow this brought back some great memories for me. My Dad had a superb SD1 Vitesse in the same metallic blue when I was about 6/7 years old. I loved that car and still remember the glorious V8 burble. Almost in tears typing this 😂