The only Group 2 Rover SD1 ever built by Dave Price Racing
Twice Kyalami 9 Hours competitor
Twice Kyalami 1000 KM, FIA World Enduracne Championship competitor
Fully race-prepared, fitted with brand-new, race-ready, dyno'd engine
Eligible for the Peter Auto Heritage Touring Cup and HSCC Super Touring Car Trophy
Chassis no. RRAWK7AA145248
When Mike
O’Sullivan and his new business partner decided to set up a racing team in
South Africa, they were only missing one item, a car to race with. They set off
for the UK with a suitcase full of cash to find the car with which they were to
compete. After a visit to Leyland’s motorsport division in Abington Mike
ordered a 3.5 litre Rover SD1.
The car was built
by Dave Price Racing to Group 2 specification, with many images showing the
build process in the cars history file. Within 8 weeks the car was ready to be
shipped to South Africa, however prior to shipping it was taken to Brands Hatch
for a shakedown, being driven by Jeff Allam, who would go on to win the 1982 Group
A British Touring Car Championship in a Rover SD1. A copy of the test sheet is
also in the cars history file, along with a copy of the sales invoice from Dave
Price Racing to Kalkkloof Eloff Leyland Racing in Johannesburg, South Africa. The
car then was flown to South Africa and upon arrival was immediately impounded
by customs officials who believed it to be a road car. At the time, in South
Africa, a road car was subject to import duty of 110%, however a racing car was
only 10%. The customs official remarked at the time “A racing car is an open
cockpit single seater, like Jody Scheckter drives!”. After much communication
with British Leyland, the car was eventually released to Mike O’Sullivan.
The Rover enjoyed
fundamental speed immediately, although initially did suffer from small
component failures, as anyone would expect from such a project. The 3.5 litre
engine was built by Hesketh, and produced over 400 bhp at 8250 rpm, which put
it right at the front of a highly competitive field.
The Rover quickly
became an iconic car in South Africa, competing at the Kyalami 9-hours
endurance race in 1981 and 1982. For 1983, the O’Sullivans entered the Rover in
the Kyalami 1000 kms which was a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship,
and one last time in 1984. In-between the four headline events at Kyalami the
O’Sullivans entered many sports car races with their Rover, many pictures of
which are in the cars history file.
Once its time
with the O’Sullivan brothers was over, the car was purchased by Dick Sorensen
who continued to compete with it for several years, by which time the car was red
and yellow. It then briefly passed through the hands of Dave le Roux before
being purchased by the O’Sullivan brothers again! The car was never
disassembled, or converted, it remained the menacing 3.5 litre machine it was
always designed to be. In 2003 the O’Sullivan brothers repainted the car back
to its original green and white racing colours.
In 2014 the car
was purchased by its current European owner who embarked upon a thorough and
detailed restoration with specialists BGM Sport. Every panel and fitting was
stripped, assessed, and rebuilt to build what is undoubtedly the most
beautifully presented Rover SD1!
Its
post-restoration track debut was at Vallelunga in April 2015. The car
immediately took pole position in the Heritage Touring Cup, proving its
outright pace. Sadly, the car did not finish the race due to a gearbox related
issue, however it did return to the Heritage Touring Cup at Spa, Dijon, Monza
and Paul Ricard throughout the 2015 season.
The car is
eligible for two European championships, the first is the Heritage Touring Cup
which is run by Peter Auto and in 2017 will visit Jarama, Spa-Francorchamps,
Dijon, Monza, Hungaroring and Paul Ricard. Under the Peter Auto regulations,
the Heritage Cup will feature a practice, qualifying and one hour race at each
event, and at Spa will feature an additional night race. The second championship
for which this car is eligible is the HSCC Super Touring Car Trophy in class
GA4. In 2017, this championship will visit Donington Park, Silverstone, Brands
Hatch, Oulton Park and Spa Francorchamps.
The Rover SD1s
launch in 1979 created a big stir in the automotive world thanks to its
futuristic styling and advanced engineering. For the first time, young boys
lusted after a five-door family saloon. The car is now presented in truly
stunning condition having been fully restored, and maintained regardless of cost
by specialists BGM Sport and recently fitted with a brand-new, race-ready, dyno’d
engine.
Price: £275,000
Want more details on this car?
Our passion, knowledge and expertise gained from over 40 years of experience offers you a subjective opinion when considering either the sale, or purchase of a car potentially costing millions of pounds.
We are a dynamic, young, friendly team, focused on ensuring our clients always receive the unrivalled service they have come accustomed to from the Girardo & Co. team.
Consign your car