Our 1:76 scale model of the Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse takes us right back to the 1970s and 1980s. Rover SD1 was both its code name and eventual production name, referring to ‘Specialist Division’ and the 1 referred to the first car to come from Rover’s in-house design team comprising David Bache and Spen King. It was the last Rover-badged vehicle to be produced at the Solihull plant as all future Rover models would be built at the former BMC factories at Longbridge and Cowley.
The 3500 Vitesse was Rover’s flagship model introduced as a 190 bhp fuel-injected version of the V8, introduced towards the end of marque’s production period and our model is registered B709 KPE from 1984. The Vitesse featured such luxuries as electric mirrors, windows and locks, a trip computer, headlight washers, an adjustable steering column and four-speaker stereo. It also had an electrically controlled sunroof and cruise control. The only optional extra was air conditioning! Also towards the end of the Vitesse era, it appeared with a flush chin spoiler, evident on our Oxford replica.
Having seen the Oxford Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse in bright red, pale blue and also dressed in Police livery, it now appears in all-over black with predominantly black exterior trim and grey interior.
Produced between 1976 and 1986, almost 303, 500 rolled off the production line and given its pedigree, it is understandable why it appealed to the racy motorist, the Police and also on the touring car race circuit. A real classic!
