Description:

As raced by Richard Hammond, and featured on “Top Gear”

Based upon a 1985 Vanden Plas the car was converted for racing by RPI Engineering and entered by Richard Hammond in a Historic Saloons race at Snetterton. This was a pretty simple conversion undertaken to meet the timescales of filming and so consisted of the basic safety equipment and conversion to a 4.2 litre engine.

Since then the car has been quite fundamentally re-engineered within the Classic and Sports Car Clubs Regulations for the ‘Future Classics’ series and to keep pace with the MSA’s ‘blue book’. The aim has been to make a user friendly race car that is safe, fast and fun to drive. The current specification is as follows:

Engine

Rolling road tuned, peak power of 275bhp with a good flat torque curve.

4.2 Rover V8 by RPI Engineering with large XX filter

Megasquirt Engine Management (fuel and ignition)

New Radiator and independently controlled cooling fan.

Lightened flywheel

Custom headers and stainless steel exhaust designed to meet Castle Combe’s onerous noise restrictions. (Still sounds great though!)

Aluminium expansion tank.

Endurance capacity aluminium tank and inboard braided fuel lines.

Suspension

Completely rebushed throughout

Rear suspension converted to fully adjustable, rose jointed four link and watts linkage system to prevent rear axle wind up issues inherent in the SD1 torque tube set up. This will allow installation of a meaningful rear disc set-up and prevent axle tramp.

Additional front anti-roll bar.

New Spax adjustable dampers, one way adjustment at the front, two way at the rear.

Custom coilover struts to front, height adjustable coil overs to rear to allow complete ride height adjustment.

Transmission & Brakes

New LT77 gearbox (late prefix)

New AP Racing organic clutch kit, thrust bearing and fork.

Custom propshaft to accompany four-link suspension set up.

Limited Slip Differential

XJS four pot front brake conversion consisting of new callipers and discs and allowing Pagid or Ferodo race pads to be fitted.

Brakes re-plumbed with braided lines brought and a Tilton brake proportioning valve.

Two sets of alloy wheels (Both period appropriate) fitted with List B Toyo 888 tyres.

Bodywork & Safety Equipment

The recent work to the suspension and to reinforce the cage mountings has allowed a thorough inspection of the primary structure. Any rust found has been cut out and new panels seam welded in place.

Full bolt in cage with door bars

Sun roof cassette removed

Aluminium Bulkhead to isolate boot area.

Six point harness (TRS 1998) and Cobra race seat (well suited to the larger driver). 2nd seat with spares package

Remote and driver accessible cable pulls for fire and engine kill.

Plumbed fire extinguisher (Firesense Filled 2012)

GRP bonnet, and bumpers

Plexiglass replacement windows all round

Lightweight race mirrors.

Heater and associated ducting replaced with small demist unit.

GPS Lap timer and data logger.

Original decals remain from its television appearance, so the car’s paint has some history, and would benefit from a lower half respray, to make immaculate

Why sell?

We have had great fun with the car, super grunt and not bad handling given it’s size. SD1s are now becoming eligible for many race series, and this one has the added talking point of “Top Gear” provenance.

Unfortunately, a change of employment circumstances, means we have to let her go.

Questions?

Message me for more details and either Richard or Ed (co-owners) will contact you back

Thanks for looking!