Daily Driver Diaries - 1985 Rover SD1 2600S

[@davids2350]

IT. IS. BEAUTIFUL!!! Few issues I see but still gorgeous. Dad worked for Rover and we had 2 of these after having a series of P6’s. Then it all went downhill when they started giving us allegros for mum and either a maxi or tr7 for dad at least the tr7 looked cool. Ooohh 1976. What a year 😂😂

[@peakclassiccars]

P6 are a beautiful car. I had a 3500 a while ago and would love another.

[@davids2350]

@@peakclassiccars leaked like a sieve though. Sills used to swish with water 🤣

[@chriss2761]

I’ve got a 1984 2600 VDP in arum white I got it back on the road last year having much the same issues as you, managed to clock up 4000 miles in it last year the parts are getting hard to get for the 2600 engine I’m in the same mind as you I want to keep the car with the 2600 engine but I am exploring the V8 conversion looking forward to seeing your updates they are such great cars to own my dad like you had SD1’s I have some good memories with these cars 👍

[@peakclassiccars]

It's the parts availability that gets me too. And the day to day reliability of carbs vs injection. I think a well set up fuel injected V8 would probably do as well on fuel as the 2600. But for now while it's running well (ish) I'll leave it in there.

[@simonveal6953]

Great video looking forward to seeing more stuff you do on the car .

[@peakclassiccars]

Thanks Simon. I'm honestly loving it.

[@Sam-vl8rz]

Lovely looking car dude!

[@peakclassiccars]

Why thank you! 😁

[@Focusfury05]

We had a P6 late 70s then an SD1 Lovely car's.. can still remember the reg of SD1, AVN 26T. Think it was a 3500 loved em' .😊

[@martinroake5810]

Lovely car and i like the fact your using it as your daily .

[@peakclassiccars]

Thank you! Hopefully I can improve it as I go and just keep on using/enjoying it.

[@MyJon64]

Fuel injection is the I'd go. The Triumph 2.5pi was an awesome car when in correctly tuned. The SD1 2.6 engine evolved from that.

[@spitfiretrading]

Looking good there young Phil, keep the faith 😇

[@peakclassiccars]

Thanks! Wouldn't be right without an SD1, think I'll hang onto this one.

[@spitfiretrading]

Yes! I've still got my Green 2600 that was at the NEC last year. And for the show this year I've got that ultra rare Sth African v8 VDP manual in Black.@@peakclassiccars

[@stevesrover]

I’d keep it as the 2600 but fuel injection sounds interesting. I’ve got a 3500 and you can find me shouting at it on Steve’s Rover. It gets used daily and is currently being resprayed.

[@peakclassiccars]

I'm inclined to keep the 2600, I really like it. Fuel injection will be a winter project, I have most of it figured out but as it's the daily I can't do it until we have something else that can take over daily duties.

[@vincentsmith8345]

Nice one mucka 🔵🔴🔵

[@peakclassiccars]

Thank you!

[@philclarke313]

I've also got a 85 2600vdp I'm in the prosses of returning to the road after a 25 year slumber I bought it last year its my 3rd sd1 2600 vdp had a opaline manual and a black auto not this one is oporto red and auto like yours its got a Vittesse boot spoiler the only thing I'm changing is the gearbox I want to put a manual in it as I'm not a fan of the 3 speed box if you need any help I'm more than happy to help you ive just sorted all my elect windows and gremlins out

[@peakclassiccars]

I did a full manual conversion on a Series 1 V8 SD1 the other year. I do love a manual gearbox.

[@Focusfury05]

Can't beat a manual 👌 be in the gear that 'You' want to be in..😊

[@gwizz9175]

Nice car however the mirrors and steering wheel cheapen it, the originals look so much better.

[@peakclassiccars]

Thank you! As I said, the original Bastos TWR race cars had these mirrors and wheel and it didn't seem to cheapen those too much. Luckily they're bolt on and I've kept the originals so can easily swap back.

[@davids2350]

Ha ha ha I’m just remembering the rover/Leyland gremlins. They had an ad campaign to appease the public about them. I had loads of the wee green stickers on my suitcase. Apparently they were ‘sorting out the gremlins’ 😂😂 oh aye. Course ye were. Wish dad were still around to give me the actual.

[@peakclassiccars]

What were the green stickers like? I'd love to get some!

[@davids2350]

@@peakclassiccars I think my old case is still in my folks attic, I’d need to go have a look. I think they were mostly green/blue and a couple inches in size. With slogans like ‘gremlins, we’re getting them out’ it was just a smokescreen for their shit build quality.

[@chriss2761]

Forgot to ask it sounds good with the stainless exhaust do you know if that’s the Rimmers stainless exhaust?

[@peakclassiccars]

As far as I'm aware it's a Rimmers stainless exhaust. It was fitted by the previous owner and has all the silencers but does sound good!

[@thenewviceroy]

Good man, keep the old beast going. Please change the number plate though, the SD1 doesn't need any invitation to encourage ridicule... :)

[@peakclassiccars]

It does attract some comments for sure. Especially when we have the odd small breakdown. I'm working on a plate change but have something specific in mind. Watch this space...

[@rovervitesse1985]

I tried. Bought my 1985 SD1 Vitesse in ‘05 and it was my first and only car. Drove it when i needed throughout the year (which wasnt a lot) and after a few winter drivers it already started rusting. So no, i would not daily an SD1.

[@peakclassiccars]

@rovervitesse1985 Yeah they do like to rust don't they! First car a Vitesse though. Nice! 😎👊

[@rovervitesse1985]

​@@peakclassiccarsyeah in Targa Red. Was a real nice example. I had it for 17 years and sold it in '22. There are some videos of it still on my YT if you're curious 😅. My folks had a 1979 mk1 2600 from 1986 till 1988

[@peakclassiccars]

@@rovervitesse1985 I check it out. A Targa Red Vitesse, what's not to like.👍

[@brenglover72]

The best way - improve it as you go along

[@peakclassiccars]

That's the plan, gradually improve while enjoying it.

[@EdwardEngines]

*Diaries. Just saying 😂

[@peakclassiccars]

Literally just had a message from someone saying the same. 😂 I'll get it changed.

[@EdwardEngines]

@@peakclassiccarslooks better now, professional! 👍🏻🙂🙂