British Leyland-owned Rover released the SD1 in its home country in 1976 to replace the aging P6 at the top of its range, but the two cars couldn't have been more different. While the P6 featured a fairly classic three-box design, the SD1 was characterized by a sleek, fastback-like silhouette that would likely earn the contentious"four-door coupe" label in 2022.
At launch, the only engine offered was the tried-and-true 3.5-liter V8 also found in numerous other British cars. Six-cylinder engines joined the European range in 1977 and buyers could choose an automatic or a manual transmission. Regardless, the SD1 was rear-wheel-drive. Rover left the United States after the 1971 model year but hadn't said its last word. It made a comeback for 1980 with a V8-powered SD1 that wore sealed-beam headlights and the huge bumpers that were common in that era. Rated at 133 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, the eight-cylinder was available with a five-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. Pricing started at $15,900, which represents about $57,600 in 2022.
Put another way, finding an SD1 to add to your collection of oddballs is easier said than done. The example listed on Cars & Bids was imported from France earlier in 2022, according to the description, and it's titled in Florida. It stands out for several reasons. First, it's a 2600 model with a 2.6-liter straight-six that develops around 136 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.
Close the wheel gap and that would look even better!