 |
autoclassic special feature: Jeremy Clarkson and Vicky Butler-Henderson
 |
|
 |
| Jeremy and Vicky Go Racing, story from Chris Crane, Proprietor of RPI Engineering. autoclassic's most highly valued sponsor |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| We can't give too much away, but, its a Christmas Video with probably the world's fastest V8-powered SD1. Well, at least Jeremy Clarkson and Vicky Butler-Henderson (from the UK's 'Top Gear' BBC Television Programme) seemed to think so. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Story Begins |
|
| From humble origins (pre-owner: John Stutely, autoclassic's very own project manager) to [until now] retired Scrap-Yard destitution, this 1979 SD1 gets a unique chance to make it to the limelight. It's seen only 31,000 miles in 21 years, but sadly the moths had caught up with it. |
|
 |
|
'It's Brown. It's Rusty. It's Dirty. 'It's Perfect' he said, 'just what we need'. So this tired old lady was dragged up to London to have it's As it was pictures and video taken.
After lying as scrap for 6 months and near dormant for 20 years, I'm sure that, if she could have spoken, she'd have said 'Let me be'. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[ left ] The std. 31,000 mile V8 was no use to us. If Jeremy wants a 5.2, he can have one.
[ right ] It's time to come out. In fact the whole transmission is also replaced with a Quaff LSD and a new R380 Gearbox. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[ left ] With the engine and transmission removed the body is painted in British Racing Green.
[ right ] The New 5.2 Engine is starting to take shape, That Alloy Plenum will soon be replaced with a 78mm carbon-fibre one. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[ pictured left ] Soft compound tyres, Spax shocks, Quaff LSD, and gold painted Vitesse wheels, it's taking shape for sure.
At this stage [ pictured below left ] we have missed out about 150 hours of work on this vehicle, but here you can see the 5.2 engine with carbon fibre plenum and Magnacore leads adding that touch of class, and the performance edge of our 5.2 power plants.
The complete transformation of this car took place in only 4 weeks.
Looks good, Yeah? |
|
|
|
|
|
A closer close-up of the engine is what's needed [ pictured above right].
This 5.2 litre 360bhp V8 held above 300ft/lb torque all the way from 1000 to 6000 rpm.
Why give up all that excessive wheel-squeaking torque for unusable high rpm power that destroys the boundless torque / bhp of a well-sorted V8 Rover engine? |
|
|
|
 |
|
Even If I say so myself, it's looking good and ready to leave. From a scrap car to a high-performance street and track racer in just 3 weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
| The next page shows Jeremy Clarkson as he tests the delights of our SD1 with our 5.2 power plant built specially for him |
|
|
|
|
|
|
