[Rovernet] SD1 redux, apologies to Robert

Mon Aug 29 14:26:27 EDT 2016

Thanks for your additional comments, Lance.  As noted elsewhere, I have
often been quite critical of the Rover SD1, emphasizing British Leyland's
difficulty getting it to market in the midst of bankruptcy, this car's
wholly indifferent assembly quality and cheaply made interior materials, in
particular, plus BL's lack of concern for customers who had to deal with
such glaring inadequacies in a rather expensive vehicle -- as well as
practically every other issue you've chosen to highlight in those selected
quotes.  In fact, I have thoroughly read the compilations of those same
articles and even have many of the original magazines themselves in an
extensive collection of Rover SD1-related literature.

I often describe the SD1 as "a sometimes-rolling showcase of all that went
wrong with the British auto industry in the 1970's and 80's," and did so
when speaking with the author of the Curbside Classics piece you posted for
Rovernet readers.  For whatever reason, he chose not to use that quote --
perhaps because he wished to emphasize this car's positive aspects, which
occasionally shine through despite its many well-documented shortcomings.
Further, having on a few occasions interacted with Rover P6's, I agree that
their doors close with a fully satisfying sound (rather than a clang) and
note that the materials used do not seem to reflect the cost-cutting that
became rampant as financial concerns became BL's chief priority.  And, yes,
at least Rover could have included outboard-mounted disc brakes at the rear
when they went to a live axle with a Watts linkage and Boge load-levelers
(not itself a bad alternative to the independent rear suspension found on
the P6 -- when everything's functioning properly it handles/rides very
well). A manual transmission-equipped version is better by far than those
equipped with the Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic. It feels as if you're
driving an entirely different car.  [I've never owned one so equipped, a
fully conscious choice.]

It's generally agreed that the problem with the SD1 was not so much its
design as its poor execution -- although I can also offer criticisms of the
design (the roof line's too low and the door handles, inside and out, are
cheap-feeling and/or poorly-placed). One insightful comment on this subject
that comes to mind is that of the much-revered Spen King's, who said
shortly before his death that the main problem with the SD1 was "the lack
of a sufficient number of production engineers."  That somehow makes
sense.  Then there was that extensive labor unrest.   Karen Pender's
well-documented book, Rover SD1: The Complete Story (Crowood Press, 1998),
provides the most thorough study available concerning this car's troubled
history.  I shared a copy with the gentleman who was thinking of doing this
article during our discussion ("You've made my day!" he declared upon
seeing the Rover at the show field's entrance). Indeed, I've consistently
recommended that book to anyone seeking an understanding of how such a
disaster came about in the face of the glowing predictions that greeted the
SD1's introduction.  Indeed, when you get into detail, it's not just one
thing, it's many, many things!  [Note: I worked as a consumer advocate at
an organization co-founded by Ralph Nader and Consumer Reports, so warning
others about the short-comings of automotive products comes naturally --
regardless of any personal stake I may have in a particular model's
reputation.  The Sterling/Rover 800 produced an astonishing number of
complaints and as the person responsible for monitoring European cars, I
read each and every one, also spoke with many disappointed and, yes, angry
owners.  To this day, I've not dared own a Sterling -- but have somehow
managed to deal with quite a few SD1's.  Both gained reputations for being
"difficult."]

Finally, here's a link to what remains one of the best summaries of what
went wrong with this particular model Rover, written by a fellow RCC member
who owned another of the many dozens of lemon(?) yellow examples that made
it to our side of the Atlantic, but who also includes a very nice P6 3500S
as part of his ever-growing collection of intensely interesting (and
typically quirky) cars:
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/autp-0704-1980-land-rover-3500-sd1-history-2/
and
http://www.gq.com/story/jamie-kitman-a-man-and-his-cars-life-of-a-car-enthusiast
  The magazine containing this very funny/very sad story arrived at my door
one day in 2007 while nearby another Turmeric Yellow Rover SD1 was
masquerading as a lawn ornament, awaiting endless hours of devoted
attention before it went on to block the driveway of another masochistic
(?) owner who has yet to succeed in his effort to bring it back to life.
The increasingly infamous example Jamie owned was itself passed on to an
enthusiast in Texas last year, IIRC. That optimistic fellow is also hoping
to get it back on the road someday soon.  Which may be the point.  It's a
rather challenging task, but it can be done.  And I hope others among
Rovernet's readership will be willing to take on one of the few surviving
SD1's and, by doing so, help tell the story of how what looked like a
surefire success story instead became a curse to many of its owners --
while helping in the long run to bring about the demise of what once had
been one of Britain's finest carmakers.  It certainly could have turned out
differently.  My own Rover runs fairly reliably at the moment and it often
evokes inquires along the lines of "where can I find one?"  After I explain
in more detail the difficulties involved in SD1 ownership -- regardless of
the relatively low cost of initial entry -- interest typically wanes.

Despite everything I know about these cars and the negative comments one
occasionally encounters, I've managed not to completely lose my own
enthusiasm for owning something so different as a Rover.  I certainly
appreciate the supportive comments and encouragement offered by club
members.  If I part with the SD1 someday, it will largely be due to
discomfort with its seating position -- it's not well-suited to my
particular build -- not to these other factors.

Thanks,

Robert

On Fri, Aug 26, 2016 at 6:40 PM, LANCE LA CERTE PSY D via Rovernet <
rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:

> First, it is obvious that Robert and others (Kent in particular) took
> umbrage at my comments.  For that I truly apologize.     I appreciate how
> much time and energy Robert put in to his SD1 to get it sorted out, and I
> suspect it is indeed a very nice ride.  That being said, despite being a P6
> owner, I grew up in Los Angeles, where there is an abundance of Rovers
> (unlike the dearth in Colorado where I now reside).   I had the opportunity
> to drive/ride several SD1s, and none of them rose above the moniker
> 'monstrosity'.
> I've provided some extracts from an even more extensive article
> http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/cars/rover/sd1-rover/the-cars-rover-sd1-
> development-history/   on the SD1.
> Autocar magazine reported on its Rover 3500 automatic, which it ran for a
> year and 11,900 miles: ‘The most disappointing feature about the Car Of The
> Year was the sad lack of quality control during building and the minimal
> pre-delivery inspection. Most major fault was a gap between windscreen and
> pillars, which allowed in rain and draughts. Hatchback door was badly
> fitted, and the front doors were re-hung and adjusted to get them to close
> properly and to cut down wind noise. The general fit and finish was also
> poor.’
> The weekly also disliked ‘the sadly cheap sounding clang with which the
> doors shut – most inappropriate for a car of this class.’
> Car magazine ran a similar specification SD1 for 20,000 miles. The vehicle
> suffered from numerous defects. The magazine added: ‘The finish in the boot
> annoys us to; it is carpeted, but looks more like a DIY job than something
> stemming from Britain’s most modern car factory…The latest bit to go on our
> car is the plastic cowling under the drivers seat which just fell to bits…
> It needs and deserves to have silly things like the wind noise eliminated,
> it should have a more appealing dashboard and better instrumentation, the
> feeble plastic bits should be replaced by good quality fittings and the
> cabin would benefit from more attractive upholstery.’
> Autocar also ran a 2600 automatic. One of its journalists wrote: ‘Little
> things saddened me; the way the fascia and instrument binnacle covering PVC
> material is crudely creased and stuck down at corners, the doors shut at a
> certain tinnyness not found on cars that cost half as much… Without a
> partial respray the bodywork would now be very tatty. Rattling noises from
> the hatchback area indicate a degree of poor breeding in a car of such good
> looks and distinguished pedigree.’
> So,  that's where my apology ends relative to the SD!.   Bache had some
> great ideas, and obviously the V8 was (and still is) a great engine, but
> when  BLMC was in chronic chaos and pushed a car to market so poorly made,
> there is no comparison to the far lesser amount of work it still takes to
> sort out a P6.    The interior alone, especially with Ambla upholstery is
> far more sturdy than the cloth interior and cheap plastic which filled the
> cabin of the SD1.   Most every one of the SD1 owners I knew in L.A.
> complained about almost every electric switch in the cabin being toast.
>  Clearly Lucas is the Prince of Darkness, but the electrics in my P6 never
> needed the overhaul an SD1 needs.  Of course we can nitpick all day, but
> despite the difficulties of installing rear brake pads in the P6, there is
> no excuse for an "advanced" car such as the SD1 to have thrown out the
> DeDion rear suspension and then outiftted it with rear drum brakes!!!!
>  Really?
> If nothing else this has created a spirited exchange.  Again my apologies
> to anyone who was offended, but I for one appreciate the ability to agree
> to disagree.  I will never tell anyone there comments are inappropriate or
> uncalled for, especially when the subjective criticism is about an
> inanimate object.   I will vociferously condem anyone who makes
> inappropriate personal comments.
> Touche'
>
> Lance La Certe, Psy.D.
> Belief is so often the death of reason
>
>
>
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