@TejMulen, sorry but Kernals12 is correct. Mini was devised in the late 50's BMC era, with a 1959 launch. Hence the Austin 'Se7en' and Morris Mini-Minor badged versions.
Austin Rover evolved in 1982 from BL's Austin Morris and Rover Triumph divisions.
The Austin bit was dropped in 1989, so really the first 'Rover' Minis were the models from 1989/1990.
I owned just about every sd1 variant over the years. the 2300 did not have the torque to pull its gearing but the 2600 was a pretty good compromise. quick enough in manual form-certainly quicker than many other cars of its time- and still good for 30+ mpg. it just sadly built up a poor reputation early on for seizing its camshaft. (a small restrictor valve in the oilway used to clog up) so if you have one regualar flushing and oil changes are essential
Kind of ironic they show all the cars with their warning lights on! I actually liked the looks of the big Rover, as flawed as it was, the styling was imposing and elegant, unlike the poorly styled Ital and Ambassador.
I think the SD1 is still a brilliant looking car to this day. If only the build quality and ownership experience had lived up to the rest of it. The problem with BL was that they treated their customers as unpaid development engineers. Launch a car before it was really finished, then let customer breakdowns / faults determine what needed to be improved. Most of their models ended up decent enough a few years into production, but they pissed off loads of customers getting there. A shame.
At least in those days britain HAD a car industry! We've all hared the stories of the build quality of the Allegro's & princess' & some of the cars in this ad (Coke cans found between door pannels of brand new cars if one of my faves!), but, they wasnt really that bad. Many of these cars especially the likes of the Mini, Rover SD1 & Marina have hugely poular fan clubs, shows & rallys. People are still really enthusiastic about these cars that came out of britain during those times
The Ital, oh my goodness. If only their cars were as good in terms of reliabilty and build quality as they looked in the advert. The British car industry could have been much more successful, if only the workforce showed more dedication. One only has to take a look at the strength and success of the German car industry and then compare it to ours.
@jamie88694 I drove one from Poole to Lincoln and back last year with some mates and it was a joy to drive. The silky smooth straight six sounded lovely and didnt miss a beat the whole time. I think the 2600 engine is all to often overlooked in favour of the more popular v8 which is certainly not perfect.
@Dukeofhazzard69 ok ive always wanted the V8 ive seen the 2600 at a car show i dont like the 2600 because its not a V8 you like the 2600 which is fine but not everyones cuppa tea the 3500 is loud,fast, and turns heads and the design on all SD1's are great.
All of the cars featured - desolved before the owners eyes within 18 months. Austin/Rover/BL ryhmes with - crock of shit
bummegood 3 weeks ago
the only good cars BL made were the Range Rover and probably the Austin Maestro (Gulp) that's about it
kernals12 3 weeks ago
price includes seat belts!!!did they sell them without seat belts?makes the 80s seem like a bygone age,thanks for the upload.
blade0954 1 month ago
The SE was dropped in '83 for the Vanden Plas.
lewis72 1 month ago
A young Swiss Toni..
scraggi 3 months ago
Lol? price includes seat belts...
operatuch 3 months ago
The best car there was the Acclaim because it was a Honda. I bet Mower didn't drive a Ital!
djh29971 3 months ago
Aint that Rodney from Emmerdale selling Rover SD1's ?
matthewlinleymusic 5 months ago
@TejMulen, sorry but Kernals12 is correct. Mini was devised in the late 50's BMC era, with a 1959 launch. Hence the Austin 'Se7en' and Morris Mini-Minor badged versions.
Austin Rover evolved in 1982 from BL's Austin Morris and Rover Triumph divisions.
The Austin bit was dropped in 1989, so really the first 'Rover' Minis were the models from 1989/1990.
CameramanStuart 6 months ago
So Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower) was a dodgy geezer even back then....well you'd have to be to try to flog BL cars!
andyldr1 6 months ago
that wasn't a Rover SD1 commercial, that was a British Leyland commercial
kernals12 6 months ago
Only fools bought these shitty cars. I'm glad that BL is dead.
mtpylkka11 6 months ago
@mtpylkka11 BL wasn't that bad. The original Mini was very successful.
AlistairVeyron 6 months ago
@AlistairVeyron actually the Mini was conceived in the BMC era not the BL era
kernals12 6 months ago
i love how they have the dashboard lights flashing to make it look futuristic,,and seatbelts added in the price looool
megabowzer100 6 months ago
I had a Marina 1978 Limited edition
I had a TR7 1980
That was quite enough I saw the light
and Bought Ford a wise move in the 1980s one thinks
nylonTS 7 months ago
I owned just about every sd1 variant over the years. the 2300 did not have the torque to pull its gearing but the 2600 was a pretty good compromise. quick enough in manual form-certainly quicker than many other cars of its time- and still good for 30+ mpg. it just sadly built up a poor reputation early on for seizing its camshaft. (a small restrictor valve in the oilway used to clog up) so if you have one regualar flushing and oil changes are essential
mrspivvy 7 months ago
the 3500v8 Rover sd1, a beautiful car badly made, and the Vitesse..fantastic, but unreliable and rusty.....great cars badly made, very sad .x
Coleshill1 7 months ago
Kind of ironic they show all the cars with their warning lights on! I actually liked the looks of the big Rover, as flawed as it was, the styling was imposing and elegant, unlike the poorly styled Ital and Ambassador.
RoadCone411 7 months ago
I have a 1984 SD1 V8 Vitessee and she runs sweet as she did when new and she has 173k, mind you she has had a full engine rebuild lol
TheKevy1 7 months ago
"high standard of finish!" omg, the poor man just didn´t know what he was saying, or the pay must have been very high.....
orlando318 8 months ago
I think the SD1 is still a brilliant looking car to this day. If only the build quality and ownership experience had lived up to the rest of it. The problem with BL was that they treated their customers as unpaid development engineers. Launch a car before it was really finished, then let customer breakdowns / faults determine what needed to be improved. Most of their models ended up decent enough a few years into production, but they pissed off loads of customers getting there. A shame.
postie2003 10 months ago 9
At least in those days britain HAD a car industry! We've all hared the stories of the build quality of the Allegro's & princess' & some of the cars in this ad (Coke cans found between door pannels of brand new cars if one of my faves!), but, they wasnt really that bad. Many of these cars especially the likes of the Mini, Rover SD1 & Marina have hugely poular fan clubs, shows & rallys. People are still really enthusiastic about these cars that came out of britain during those times
09wez 10 months ago
The Ital, oh my goodness. If only their cars were as good in terms of reliabilty and build quality as they looked in the advert. The British car industry could have been much more successful, if only the workforce showed more dedication. One only has to take a look at the strength and success of the German car industry and then compare it to ours.
1100HondaCB 1 year ago
@Dukeofhazzard69 what do u mean what was good about the 2600
jamie88694 1 year ago
@jamie88694 I drove one from Poole to Lincoln and back last year with some mates and it was a joy to drive. The silky smooth straight six sounded lovely and didnt miss a beat the whole time. I think the 2600 engine is all to often overlooked in favour of the more popular v8 which is certainly not perfect.
Dukeofhazzard69 1 year ago
@Dukeofhazzard69 ok ive always wanted the V8 ive seen the 2600 at a car show i dont like the 2600 because its not a V8 you like the 2600 which is fine but not everyones cuppa tea the 3500 is loud,fast, and turns heads and the design on all SD1's are great.
jamie88694 1 year ago
The V8 SD1 is better
jamie88694 1 year ago
@jamie88694 Oh yes but the 2600 isnt without its charms.
Dukeofhazzard69 1 year ago