As an industrial design, the Rovers SD1 (aka 3500) was iconic. Drawn by David Bache, it somehow managed to get the go ahead from BL management not know for their forward thinking. Its thought some of the other proposals were horrific, which gave Bache’s design a clear run. The hatchback design was light years ahead of its predecessor P6, and its Honda based successor, 800. They even painted it in unusual colours.

There was substance behind the style: it was fast, safe and handled well. The alloy ex-Buick V8 3500 led the way, the 2600 and 2300 followed a little behind. I know the purists had eyes only for the 3500, but the smaller engines allowed the Rover to reach much further into the marketplace.

Innovative and progressive it left the 5 series for dead. A potential world-beater, so what went wrong? Why is BMW hugely successful and Rover bankrupt? All the good work was undone by inept management presiding over an ill-motivated workforce, resulting in one of the shoddiest built cars in Rovers history. It may have looked good whilst parked at the roadside with its bonnet up but the owners soon got tired and walked into the open arms of BMW. And that’s largely where they have stayed.

Maybe it was more British than we realised: lots of heart and character, but no answer to better organised, clever foreigners.

RIP: Rover SD1, we still love you.

Return to Amistad Home.

This article is sponsored by Proqul Ozone store who supply the Ozonology Sanitisation service.

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