Big Rovers are becoming a less than common sight on today’s roads. Chris Hope reckons you should snap up an SD1 or 800 now before they all but disappear.

Although at first glance there’s little to compare between these two big Rovers – after all, the Rover 800 shares next to nothing with its predecessor; the Rover SD1 – there are in fact a number of similarities, which is why this issue we’ve decided to cover both.

The first thing the two have in common is incredible value for money. Consider contemporary rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz 190, BMW 5-Series and Volvo 244, and the Rover 800 seems stupidly inexpensive. The SD1 isn’t quite as cheap, but examples available today, for the most part, still seem very generously priced. We can’t quite work out why: both of these family classics are capable and generally reliable machines which are also comfortable and refined over long distances. There’s really no reason for them not to have matured in price and yet, if you take a look on HowManyLeft.co.uk, you’ll quickly realise that in future years it won’t be cost that’s the problem…

But despite there being fewer survivors than you might think – especially so for the poor Rover 800s – Lincolnshire-based BL parts specialists Rimmer Bros. can take care of most, if not all, of your parts needs when it comes to sourcing service items or any other bits that might need renewing. Simple construction and mechanicals also mean that these are cars that you can look after at home.

Our one bit of advice then before we dive in to this issue’s guide is to find an example that’s been loved. Because these cars are so cheap to buy it really doesn’t make sense to go for one that’s been run on a shoestring for the sake of a few hundred quid.

Factfile

Clubs

Rover SD1 Club, 0845 130 6230. www.roversd1club.net
Rover Sports Register, www.thersr.co.uk

Specialists

Rimmer Bros. 01522 568000, Lincs, www.rimmerbros.co.uk
Country Classics. 07968 271329, Wilts, www.countryclassics-cars.com
X-Part. 0870 242 4791, Leics, www.xpart.com

Insurance

1983 Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse
Comprehensive cover, 25-year-old in Co. Durham, two years’ no claims, clean licence, 10,000 miles a year, only car, kept on driveway: £1000 (£200 excess)
Comprehensive cover, 50-year-old in Co. Durham, full no claims, clean licence, 3000 miles a year, second car, garaged, club member: £100 (£50 excess)
Quotes from Performance Direct (0844 5733504, www.performancedirect.co.uk)

 To read the rest of this buyers' guide see the April 2012 issue of Classic Car Mart - available to buy here.