The Police Cars

The police version of the SD1 were standard production models, rumoured to be the ones with faulty panels. These models gained factory modifications. Modifications included: stiffer suspension, improved brakes, more electrical wiring to power radios, sirens, lights and other necessary equipment the police used. The police specification cars were designated with an ‘X’ in the chassis number i.e. RRXWVF44A01745.

The first police force in Britain to get the SD1 was the West Yorkshire police force, and then gradually more police forces throughout Britain started using them. It is believed that the Police only used specially tuned V8 models, they weren’t, and lesser engined SD1’s were also used. The closest they got to a specially tuned model was the Vitesse.

The Royal protection squad also used the SD1. They needed a powerful car with some weight, for ramming cars out of the way should the need arise.

At the end of SD1 production, Rover still had a hefty stock of unsold cars and was keen to dispose of them quickly. Great numbers were offered to police forces at knock down prices, not Police specification, but standard models for as little as £3000 a car.

During this time, Police forces were receiving a lot of complaints as the public wanted to know why the Police were using big expensive luxury cars, wasting tax payer’s money. The public were not aware that the cars were in fact extremely cheap surplus stock.

Because of the complaints, the cars had all there model badges removed, so they could not be identified as particular models.